Well, THIS Is Good News!

Nick Gillespie at Reason.com has some data to suggest that the Recession may have already ended, based on the fact that the Stimulus Bill (or ARRA, as in "Arrrrrrra, Matey!) is about to be passed. Read the whole thing, but based on previous recessions and stimulus plans, it appears that the stimulus almost always comes about the same time the recession is ending, if not already over.

In this case, just in time to cause the next one.

And if that doesn't fill you with confidence in our elected officials, how about this Rasmussen poll that suggests that 2/3 of American think they could do a better job on the economy than Congress.

It wouldn't even take an infinite number of monkeys with typewriters. I'm thinking two or three dozen, tops.

Not-So-Good Economic Predictions

Don't count on the economy improving very quickly. According to Forbes.com:

The recession will continue until at least the end of 2009 for a cumulative gross domestic product drop of over 4%; the unemployment rate will likely reach 9%. The U.S. consumer is shopped-out, saving less and debt-burdened: This will be the worst consumer recession in decades.

They summarize a series of articles, all pointing to things getting worse before they get better.

Have a nice day!