The failing U.S. economy was foremost on the minds of Davis County residents and Utahns as a whole, who contacted members of the state’s congressional delegation during December.

The financial crisis, which has been building for months, has people throughout the United States, scrambling to meet payments on everything from mortgages to utility payments. Federal bailouts of financial institutions and the auto industry aren’t soothing the minds of most Utahns.

“As you might expect, a majority of the mail I have received in recent weeks from Utahns expressed concern for the economy, and in particular the impact federal funding for the auto industry might have on our economy’s long-term prospects,” Sen. Orrin Hatch said.

Hatch said “We Utahns have always been concerned when our nation is facing economic problems.

“Much of the recent mail is not different, in that it expresses concern for several of the economic proposals being talked about in the news and questions where our nation is headed,” the senator said, adding “appropriately, the letter authors are asking Congress to assure them that the actions we take now will not prolong our economic downturn or saddle our posterity with endless amounts of debt that will be impossible to repay.”

Concern about the economy and the bailouts of financial institutions and the auto industry was shared by the majority of Rep. Rob Bishop’s constituents who took the time to write during December.

According to Bishop’s office, the vast majority of those the congressman has heard from disapprove of those bailouts.

Sen. Bob Bennett received letters from folks explaining how they have been responsible and have saved their hard-earned money, but now find their house values have dropped and their 401k plans have substantially dwindled, but their expenses continue to rise for everything from groceries to health care and education.

But with all the trepidation about the economy, Utahns are still looking with anticipation to the inauguration of President-elect Barak Obama.

Bennett’s staff reports that his office has been flooded with thousands of telephone calls, emails and letters requesting tickets to the 2009 inaugural swearing-in ceremony.

The staff has directed constituents to the senator’s website at www.bennett.senate.gov to request tickets online. Requests are being granted on a first-come, first-served basis.