Is the Recession a Myth?

I hear President Bush stand behind a podium, well fed, well dressed, and well rested saying that the economy is experiencing a "downturn, " that the economy is in the process of "correcting" itself. A weekend political pundit literally screams that we are not in a recession. His statements are based on some ivory tower, economic definition of "recession."

Politicians who wish to parlay with Republicans are quick to agree with voter's experiencing the pinch of difficult economic times. Though, they spend millions of dollars on campaigns. Their plan is to get in office and make sweeping reforms.

Only recently has the media begun to focus on prices beyond the gas pump. I don't know about you, but here where I live in subural Georgia we've been feeling that pain and more. It seems to have taken the media six months or more to pick up on the fact that food prices were going up. That's because of increased gas prices, or is it?

Our country is such a mess of political idealism and greed that it's hard to figure out who is telling the truth anymore. I'm not sure robbing the rich to give to the poor is going to do much to invigorate the economy. Especially when I see the poorest of the nation lined up at liquor stores and visiting drug houses. Maybe it is to ease the pain of a difficult life, but it isn't the answer to improving the general economy and culture of America.

Sometimes I see those who come to our non-profit for food, but have the money for beer, cigarettes, and lottery cards. Something is out of kilter in our nation.

I don't think the refusal of conservatives to acknowledge a recession is any benefit to the nation. You can call it a "downturn," "slow down," or "correction" all you want, but I see people around me losing jobs, day after day. Small companies, large companies, short term jobs and people who have worked on jobs for twenty years are sent home at the end of the day laid-off or fired.