Global food prices have risen dramatically in the past year — 57 percent, according to the United Nations' Food Price Index — because of rising demand and tight supplies. Wheat and oil prices have doubled. That's particularly troubling for the global poor, who already spend most of their income on food.

That may be hard for Americans to contemplate, but the same food pressures are being felt here, and the evidence is the price of your favorite foods in the grocery store aisles.

So, tell us, What surprised you the most when you last visited the grocery store? Is there something you took out of your shopping cart because of the price?

At least 28 states and the District of Columbia are expected to face budget shortfalls next year. What would you tax to fix your state’s budget crisis? Gas guzzlers? Beer? MP3s? Porn? Leave your comment by clicking "get in the mix", by emailing mytake@thetakeaway.org, or by calling our SpinVox line at 1-877-8-MY-TAKE. Tune in Monday morning to hear what others had to say.

Chart: State deficits, 2008-2009

The government has stepped in with an economic stimulus plan that returns $168 billion to taxpayers. The Federal Reserve continues to cut interest rates. Consumer confidence is at a five-year-low. And unemployment is at a two-year high. What's your plan to make ends meet when an economic downturn hits you?

What do you plan to do with your check? If you're spending it, what are you spending it on?

The Takeaway

We've made one change to your morning. What else would you change about mornings? If you've recently made a change to your morning, we want to hear how it's changed your life.

Economists have the gross domestic product, unemployment rate and consumer price index to tell them if we're in a downturn, recession or depression. But what's your personal economic index? The number of empty storefronts? The length of the line at Starbucks? And what does it tell you about the economy?

Five years ago, on May 1, 2003, President Bush marked the end of major combat in Iraq with a nationally televised speech from the USS Abraham Lincoln. The Iraq war continued and the giant 'mission accomplished' banner hung from the warship has come to symbolize its opposite. But there are other phrases that have changed in meaning over time and it's time now to stop using them. What phrase or word do you want to retire?

On Monday, the Supreme Court ruled that Indiana can require government-issued photo identification when voting. It's a win for Republicans in an election year.

Justice John Paul Stevens wrote that states such as Indiana have an obligation to prevent fraud in close races, and that heading to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles to get the free photo IDs is no burden for voters.

Which leads us to our Takeaway question: Tell us one thing that would improve the election process for you, the voter.