Lower maximums speeds don't help anything but the police departments. And what CWP said about gearing is dead on. I drive 65-70 miles a day, 7 days a week, I always set my cruise at 70mph, I stay out of the left lane except to pass and I consistently get 31+mpg, which is better than the window sticker. The CAI helped out a lot, there. On my trip to PA in May, I actually made it all the way from my house to Harrisburg, PA on one tank of gas. Never went above 70, pushed in the clutch and coasted down mountains, tucked in behind trucks when it was convenient and just basically didn't get in a hurry. 8 hrs, 483 miles, 36mpg and I wasn't the least bit stressed out when I got there.
And if people *want* to drive slower, then they can... just not in the left lane. That's why we have minimum speeds. Just move the hell over.
I can't say that I agree with our housing market turning around this year, though. It may bottom out this year but I don't think it will actually reverse for another couple years. I've lost at least 38% of my home value ($50,000), maybe more, and there are at least a dozen houses just on my street for sale, with another half dozen or so already abandoned and foreclosed, including one right next door. That's not going to turn around quickly.