Mark Muller, the owner of Max Motors in Butler, Missouri, blames Barack Obama: "He said all those people in the Midwest, you've got to have compassion for them because they're clinging to their guns and their Bibles. I found that quite offensive." Muller went on to admit, however, that "We all go to church on Sunday and we all carry guns."

The irony-impervious Muller decided to take Obama's words as a challenge, and began offering free handguns with every vehicle purchase. Sales have quadrupled in the three days since the promotion began, and the company has sold more than thirty vehicles. Most customers have taken the free gun, a Kel-Tec .380 pistol, although Muller is also offering a $125 gas card for those patrons who don't want to carry a firearm in the glove compartment.

The irony, of course, is that Muller is doing a fantastic job of proving Obama's point. While we wait for the irony to sink in, however, Muller will continue to sell his road-rage special until May 31, 2008. Get your gas-guzzler and lethal weapon while supplies last!

Bruce Watson is a freelance writer, blogger, and all-around cheapskate. He's holding out for a catapult and Hummer special.

This post is part of our series ranking the top 25 bygone products and trends we'd like to see return.

Chromed metal is created by electroplating the base element chromium on a surface to provide corrosion protection or aesthetic beauty. Who ever would have thought it would become an art form of sorts. While chromed metal has not lost its significance in the manufacture of automobiles, the traditional form is all but gone. The process of chrome plating is most effective on metal, and metal seems to have become a bit of an enemy in the manufacturing of modern- day motor vehicles.

However, I've noticed in the last year that chrome is being used a bit more on new cars than it has been over most of the last decade. Thin silver strips around windows and doors have reappeared and you'll see occasional chrome door handles. But these little baubles can hardly hold a candle to the vehicle dressings of years past. Those huge shining bumpers and personality-providing grilles, lights and mirrors shall likely never be seen again on new cars, except as expensive after-market add-ons.

The good news is that you can get those add-ons. Companies such as JC Whitney make a business of providing them for you. Additionally, chrome plating services will put a tough healthy coat of brilliant silver shine onto just about anything metal that you can imagine.

So, as far as auto chrome goes, I'll just have to go to antique cars shows to get my fill of the stuff. There's plenty there to be found and it's always buffed to its brightest shine. Otherwise, I can take a trip to my closest Harley Davidson dealer if I need a chrome fix between car shows. Motorcycle manufacturers seem to have retained their respect for chromium steel. Perhaps some fine day our auto manufacturers shall see the error of their ways and restore to our automobiles their once glorious gleam.

This post is part of a series about real-life signs we're in a recession.

The good news about the recession is that there are bargains to be had for the adventurous shopper. The bad news is that many people are not able to afford them.

Times are tough and the economy is slowing. The National Bureau of Economic Research has not officially pronounced that the U.S. is in a recession -- technically two consecutive quarters of negative Gross Domestic Product Growth. GDP rose 1.9 percent last year and is expected to decline in the first quarter by 0.1%, according to Morgan Stanley.

Yet some economists, including David Wyss of Standard & Poor's, argue that a recession is already in progress. He believes that the economy is half-way through the slowdown, which he expects to be mild as recessions go. "It's still going to hurt," he said in an interview. "Recessions always do."

Indeed, signs of a recession are all around us. People are doing without a full tank of gas. They are watching their pennies at the grocery store. They are learning to do without things that they thought, until recently, they could not do without -- including $10,000 summer camps. Many are watching their homes decrease in value at an alarming rate and foreclosures have hit records.

In WalletPop's Recession Watch series, bloggers documented some of the new trends brought about by the economic slowdown. For example, some young adults are moving in with their grandparents. Businesses of all sizes are merging to save money. Others, such as a karate dojo, are adding quirky new side businesses, such as selling balloons.

Here are some other additional signs of looming recession:

A CNN/Opinion Research Corp. poll found that soaring gas prices have caused 64% of Americans to cut back on their driving. 19% said that they had reduced their driving enough to have a significant impact on their lives.

On Sunday, the median price of gas rose to a record $3.285, and hasn't pulled back much since. Over the past year, gas prices have risen more than 28%.

Amusingly, many respondents said that if gas hit $8 a gallon, they would quit driving altogether. This is good news. Until recently, demand for gas has been remarkably inelastic. In spite of guffawing and whining, people kept driving and shelling out the cash. But a willingness on the part of consumers to seek alternatives means of transportation could help ease the burden of rising gas prices.

And driving less has other benefits too: it's better for the environment, walking/biking does wonders for your body, and less driving will also mean less eating out/shopping for stupid stuff we don't need. Of course, that's bad for retailers and restaurants, but it could be great for your retirement portfolio.

A piece (subscription required) in today's Wall Street Journal discusses the latest tactic that luxury-car dealers are using to lure in customers. No, not better deals and cooler cars. They're pulling out all the stops and offering porcelain tile, maple veneer, complimentary espresso, cappuccino and a selection of pastries prepared by a chef trained in Rome, putting greens, free shoeshines and manicures, massage chairs, etc. -- all in the showroom.

If this kind of thing didn't succeed, they wouldn't do it. But savvy shoppers shouldn't be impressed. Creating a nice shopping environment raises cost which often, in turn, leads to higher prices.

Wal-Mart's bare bones stores are one of the reasons it's able to offer such great deals -- The same thing goes for Costco.

So yeah -- putting greens and fresh pastries are lovely. But if your goal is to get a great deal, consider a more modest setting like the one in the picture. And head over to the luxurious dealers to play golf and sip espresso.

Photo from Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/15566770@N00/160201256/