I don't know if I agree with the commonly held nightly news opinion that the economy is in such bad shape. The unemployment rate is hovering around 5 %. That's a good healthy figure. The gas prices are higher than last year, but the traffic on the freeways sure don't point to people driving less. Luxury items are being sold from luxury stores. Durable goods are selling well. If you are willing to work, you can still make a living.

From my point of view, the economic woes appear to be largely invented by the popular media. Or maybe it’s just that I’m not a Doom & Gloom type of person.

It's surely not as bad as it was at times for my parents.