Are GE's Earnings Indicative of Bigger Declines?

America's largest corporation has failed to live up to wall street expectations. American consumers (who accounts for 70% of America's GDP) are being held accountable for the short fall. At least that is what the market's tanking this Friday indicates. Is GE at fault, high energy prices, or the overly debt burdened American buyer? Regardless, Wall Street expects the other big boys to follow suit. Next week will be an interesting one.