As we all know, 2008 spiraled to a close on a scale not seen in the lifetime of most of us. We have all at least seen, and more than likely know people directly affected by, events such as lost jobs, budget cuts, well-known companies folding up shop to say nothing of countless small ones. It is the magnitude of the economic downturn, combined with the rest of the State of the Nation that President-elect Obama inherits, that leads to the collective "but the turnaround can't be all accomplished immediately" opinion. From the article accompanying the poll:
Most Americans said they did not expect real progress in improving the economy, reforming the health care system or ending the war in Iraq — three of the central promises of Mr. Obama’s campaign — for at least two years. The poll found that two-thirds of respondents think the recession will last two years or longer.
While polls are great to get a read on the general population, there is always more personal impacts where you work, play, live and at home. First there is the question of where are now: Have you had to shrink your own budget? In the community where you live, are essential services being reduced or cut? If you help oversee a business budget, what changes have you had to make?
Then comes the question of what is your personal outlook? Do you see positive change? If so, how soon? If it will take two or more years as suggested in the article, what will you do differently? Are there steps you will take to help others around you or those impacted by reduced services in the community? Where you work or at other local businesses and organizations, can you make suggestions or influence in ways they can help?
We're all in this together; it doesn't belong to Barack Obama alone. As the Obama Inaugural Celebration at the Lincoln Memorial on Sunday was titled and themed, "We Are One."
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