March 2010

Some prominent economists have declared the recession over! The economy grew at 5.7 percent in the last quarter of 2009 - that's the fastest pace since 2003. It is also the second straight quarter of growth after four straight quarters of decline. Home sales have increased... slightly, the market has rallied... a bit, and lots of other economic "indicators" are pointing up.

Are you convinced?

Ok, so they do acknowledge that the recession's being over is a technicality... that a stagnant economy is better than an economy in decline - which is where we've been for a bit too long. I might not be breaking out the champagne and singing "Happy Days Are Here Again," but when it comes to the economy, I'll take any good news! Even if the good news is that the bad news is not so bad.

My partner, Connie Anderson and I must believe the recession is over or we are just CRAZY! We are happy to announce that we've expanded. Marketplace Magazine of Solano County is the newest addition to our family of outstanding, direct-mailed community magazines. And I've heard murmurings from some folks that things are getting better. A computer tech friend of mine got a job, another friend bought a house, and yet another took her family to Europe for vacation. The problem with anecdotal evidence is that it is not based on facts and statistics. The problem with statistics is that they can generalize our misery to the point where we feel there is nothing but misery.

In the end, we have to take comfort in our abilities to weather the storms that come our way. We pay attention to the news but don't let it dictate all our actions. One of the reasons young people are successful with new ventures is because they don't know that "it won't work." I'm not suggesting rash and unwise behavior but when we believe in ourselves, we are capable of wondrous things. Don't let the bad news get in your way!

The Great Recession is over! Spread the news! Sing it from the rooftops! (And keep the champagne handy...)