The Red and Black

Issue date: 6/12/09 Section: Opinions

DANIEL BURNETT [Click to enlarge]

In a world where shaky markets make hesitant investors tremble and Spencer Pratt gets baptized in the Costa Rican jungle via reality TV, it can be easy to slip into depression - or recession, as the pundits would have it.

But despite the atrocities being committed on Wall Street and "I'm a Celebrity, Get Me out of Here" - not to mention the constant panic reports from the media - life goes on.

People still adopt abandoned chinchillas. People still get married. People still have babies. Sometimes, in fact, in that very order.

So since the world has not begun to rotate backwards, can we please live with a smile and a little optimism, despite the less-than-ideal economic conditions and the impending fiscal Apocalypse warnings from Glenn Beck?

There are plenty of positive things which accompany any good recession. One perk is how recessions can act as a rebirth of solid values. As we tighten our proverbial belts - and wallets - it becomes easier to see how much is wasted because of laziness and excess. Worn shoes and torn pants become projects instead of garbage.

In fact, Marvin's Shoe Store downtown is experiencing increased business while many other establishments trudge through a summer of fewer shoppers and lower revenues.

Depression-era values of reducing, reusing, and spending less are back in style at least. Greenpeace would be so proud.

Another perk is how economic despair creates a breeding ground for stars and superheros. That is, if the continued rise in popularity of Speidi is not enough.

President Reagan was a Hollywood superstar before he ever became a right-wing superhero. He managed to turn around the economic cesspool left by Jimmy Carter, and to this day viewers can depend on hearing the phrase "the great Ronald Reagan" in every Republican primary debate as each of the old, rich, white guys try to out-Reagan their opponents.

Maybe Barack, our trusty CEO-in-chief, can steer us away from further economic disaster and become a superstar himself. Oh wait...

Perhaps best of all is how some of us have been forced to find peace and satisfaction in the little things.

Continued...

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