I usually enjoy those days when rain falls gently and cleans the driveway and patio of dirt and gunk. Yesterday there was a mid-morning rain.
Most rainy days I love to hear the sound of rain hit the roof or bounce off the windows, and smell the clean air and wet soil. That didn’t happen yesterday. On Monday I spent much of my day in my office, eyes glued to the business reports, the talks and voting on the bailout package, and the drastic drop in the stock market. My “real job” involves watching the markets fairly closely. I have been doing this since October of 1987 (does that date sound familiar to anyone?) – so I’m no novice.
I am not scared, but I am very concerned. Do I like the package that was voted on? No. I know of very few people who like this bill. Do I think it should be passed? Yes… unless someone can pull another plan out of their xxx in the next week, something needs to happen, and happen very quickly (time IS running out). Something more than the economic stimulus checks should have happened months ago. The check was nice, but it did very little to solve our economy’s larger problem – a problem that everyone knew about and understood was HUGE.
I liken the economy to a long freight train. When the train is at its “cruising” speed – it takes very little energy to keep it going at the ideal speed. But, to accelerate to a faster speed requires much more in the way of resources. It is a long and jerky process, and one that gobbles huge amounts of resources to get a large train moving from a stopped position. Our economy is dangerously close to coming to a dead stop.
People are worried about the bill and the effects on them as taxpayers. And they have reason to do so. However, there is also a very good possibility that the government and taxpayers could actually financially benefit from this investment into the economy. As with everything there are no guarantees.
So, Monday was a dark day – both in the skies above St. Louis, and in the financial markets of the economy. Today is a sunny day. It is brisk outside, a reminder that autumn is on its way. Tree limbs will be cut later on today that will provide heat this winter. Green tomatoes will be harvested – some eaten, others wrapped in newspaper to be eaten months down the road. The markets will continue to be watched, phone calls will be made, and opinions will be shared. Today is a new day. Let us all make the most of it.
