Things are never as bad as they seem. But things are never as good as they seem, either. Now, as 2008 closes and 2009 begins, the supposed experts predict the turnaround mid-year. The economy is supposed to bottom out then turnaround. Production and manufacturing will strengthen. Businesses will start to hire again. At least that’s what the experts say.
But then these are the same experts that failed to see the economic meltdown. These are the same people who thought an economy without regulation would lead to free market paradise. Instead it has led to the kind of government intervention that, if not socialistic in some respects, takes Keynesian economics to an extreme.
But then again, things aren’t quite as bad as the experts would have us believe. Sure, the economy has crumbled, but there are companies out there who are still hiring. Other industries are laying off employees. But then some of those businesses were a little moldy for this century and the next and had to be restructured. It was only a matter of time. So now is the time.
In fact, there were many areas that needed to be reconfigured. It was an overall time for reassessment. Rather than come gradually where we can accept it easily, it came quickly as one grim, bitter pill. But then this is the way it always seems to happen. We tend to learn our lessons the hard way.
But not everyone is laying off employees. Some businesses, wisely, in preparing for the turnaround are refusing to decimate their work forces. Instead, they are perhaps cutting back salaries, or insisting employees work a few days less a month, or take days off without pay. During the last recessions, the only thought about cutting costs was laying off workers.
If the experts are right, then we will start to see a turnaround in mid-year. Businesses will be hiring as they ramp up. There will be increased production in the new technologies and expanding sectors for the alternate energy and environmental reclamation industries. But older and outmoded businesses may fall to the wayside.
In any event time moves on. Mid-year will be here soon enough. It will be a time for renewal. Maybe we have learned some important lessons. Maybe we won’t be so profligate, won’t get so carried away with our consumption and the mythical belief that property values will only increase and that this country can maintain success by being only a service industry economy. We shall see.
Check them out before you hire.
