Economic Lunatic Fringe...

I am going to become a charter member of the lunatic fringe with this entry...

I think a lot of the economic melt down hysteria is hype. I think the media is doing the economic version of "sex sells" only this time anything to do with economic disaster is a hot media topic. The same "experts" that completely missed the impending "train wreck" or arrogantly assured us that gas would never go below $3.00 a gallon are the same ones driving the doom and gloom express. The only economist I have heard making any sense is the one on NPR who said economists have a lousy, almost statistically insignificant record of predicting the economy more than 6 months out. So the reality is...we don't really know what is going to happen! It could get worse or it could get better!

I know things are bad, really bad, for a lot of people. People are losing their homes, jobs, retirement, college funds, self-esteem, confidence and hope. But I think there is a "War of the Worlds" effect going on. People are really scared. Fear is rampant. It is also the enemy. Here is a link to a great article in the NY Times; "In Hard Times, Fear Can Impair Decision-Making" about how fear robs us of our ability to take action and risk and promotes a "bunker mentality". The only way we are going to get out of this mess is for people, banks, businesses, communities to get the hell out of their bunkers and start some forward movement. Movement-any forward movement. Let's all hitch up our courage and do something! Something-anything positive in our lives and communities.

I'd rather enjoy the sunshine and fresh air with my fellow lunatics than stay in the fetid hole of fear with the huddled masses.