Percentage of U.S. companies that viewed their middle managers as unqualified to be promoted to the next level, according to a survey by ClearRock, an outplacement and executive coaching firm: 33

Percentage that rated their middle managers as "very qualified": 6

A LOT SAY 'I DON'T'

Percentage of all U.S. births in 2007 that were out-of-wedlock births, according to newly released preliminary data from the National Center for Health Statistics: 40

In a Pew Research survey, percentage of Americans who said that more single women having children is a bad thing for society: 66

Percentage who said that more unmarried couples having children is a bad thing for society: 59

TRIMMING ON TRAVEL

Percentage of travelers who plan to use shared-ride shuttle services to get to the airport as a way to make budget cuts for this year's vacation, according to a survey conducted by GO Group: 53

Percentage who plan to book through discount travel Web sites: 46

Percentage who will stop checking luggage to avoid fees now imposed by the airlines: 24

PRICE OF BEAUTY

Number of cosmetic plastic surgery procedures performed in 2008 — up 3 percent over 2007, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons: 12.1 million

Amount spent on cosmetic procedures in the U.S. in 2008: $10.3 billion

WHOSE FAULT IS IT?

Percentage of Americans who believe that the U.S. is either completely or somewhat responsible for the international financial crisis, according to a study conducted by HCD Research: 90

UP IN SMOKE

Percentage of adult Americans who smoke, according to a poll conducted as part of the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index: 21

Percentage of today's smokers who earn less than $36,000 per year: 53

FOR THOSE LEFT

Amount of money sent back to developing countries by migrants in the form of remittances in 2008, higher than the amount provided through foreign aid or foreign direct investment, according to World Bank figures: $283 billion