You know, if you ask me, I'd say Pres. Obama is doing well  or at least his image appears to be intact.

With regard to the stimulus package, yeah, that might work out - or not. But he is trying. One of my publishing friends in California just told me that the jobless situation is going from bad to worse. And this whole subprime debacle is taking it toll on ordinary people with families and mouths to feed.

On the plus side, people are trying to save more - that is good news. This impending recession might just prod us to go a step further as far as environmental concerns and minimalism is concerned. Eastern thinking has maintained intense focus on inner reflection as a sign of wisdom and wealth. And this might be a good time to join the bandwagon. It makes perfects sense to get to know the wealth inside you, when you're reticent to spend on eating out, or any of the externals that have been a huge part of the 90's + "me generation."

It's still a bit early, I'd say, to load your barrels at the stock exchange. Signals and omens point to a gradual easing of financial tightness as early as first quarter 2010. Can't Wait!