OK, the economy is in trouble, but do we really know how bad it is? Many of the media would have us believe that, as goes Wall Street, so goes the country . . . that the financial sector is strong and manufacturing is clawing its way back.

On the other hand . . . if you are unemployed you know it is serious and long term. If you are a senior citizen you know. If you have health problems you know. Home foreclosure, ditto. Living on credit cards . . . en fuego!

Through the arc of much of its history, the United States was able to expand its borders, grow in economic strength and reach out to the world. A robust economy provided for our citizens and made the nation a beacon of peace and prosperity to the world. It appears that such is no longer the case.

America’s innovative and productive economic engine is compromised. Forces at work over the last 30 years have sapped our nation’s vitality.

How did it happen? What are we doing about it? What should we do about it?

In the posts to follow, I hope to explore these questions, find some answers and suggest a reasonable solution.

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