Did we not enjoy RECESS when we were youngsters. A time to play and enjoy the only part of the day where we didnt have to sit quiet and attentive, observing, listening and obeying all the school rules. We tried to let off some steam and run around with our friends in the playground right after lunch before we went back to classes. I remember the events of this child phenom favorably as the favorite game we soon discovered was Boys chase Girls and then switch the next day, Girls chase Boys. Well this is how it was for me at P.S. 92 in Brooklyn way back in the day-No I wont hint at what day. Just some Ol' School history on Joy! Recess is good but the Recession is bad.

I did a little reseach on the words Recession and Depression just to try to figure the difference if any at all. I would say that we all get pretty depressed when there isnt enough money to float around or to handle our day to day needs. So even before looking up what a depression really is I just about knew what an economic depression was, and since it was a factor in history which we studied ad nauseum back in those good ol school days, Golden Rule Days-I have a good mental clarity and picture of what a Depression is really all about. But what of the recession economists say we are in or are quickly approaching.

A Recession in economic terms means that there is a period of economic contraction, (Ladies if you are a natural mother then no one has to explain contractions to you-a terrible pain that exists during the birth process, severe cramping, and it can vary from woman to woman. I might add though, it is a necessary and an almost distant memory when our brand new warm baby arrives in the world-We cry out in pain and tears of Joy all at the same time.) back to the definition of recession-oh we are not done yet. . .an economic recession is limited in scope and duration-like those contractions, ladies.

And just to know the difference a Depression in economic terms is a period during which business, employment and stock market values decline severely or may remain at a very low level of activity.

It seems then we are actually in a depression and not a recession because the current economic picture is as described above. However I think in an effort to not fully commit or further hit the panic button our leaders in the political and economic realm are reluctant to say what it really is. If looks like a duck. . .quacks like a duck then usually its a duck. Thats what we say but not this time. I do wonder why? I am no ecomomist or financial wizard by far. But I can and do read the headlines and reports every day on this global ecomomic peril we seem to have spiraled in. I have seen in print and watching the news that our current financial picture is as bad as The Great Depression of the 30's but still no one CALLS it that. Just references it. Unemployment is at an all time HIGH. Production of goods and services are down. Our own state has slashed its yearly budget by 1/2 a billion dollars and well there was the 700 billion dollar bailout for Wall Street. So I ask again are we approaching hard economic times, in a recession, approaching a recession, or are we experiencing the resurgence of our past, lessons not learned and a New Depression?

Again I am no analyst. I guess I will leave it up to each individual reader to discern for themselves. I know that in preparation or actually in the throws of inflation and such high gas and energy bills in our recent past, I decided to downsize my car and living arrangements to keep more money in my own pocket. Maybe you feel like me. I work hard and I deserve more than the share cropping lifestyle, meaning working to pay off bills, debts and obligations with nothing more to show for it than to get back to work and start the day, week or month all over again with no gains only losses.

Our president elect, Barack Obama is strategizing and getting all his ducks and cabinet members lined up to face this foe we call our economy and the dangerous after affects of obvious policies that have gotten us to this point. I remember, Greenspan sitting in front of the congressional committee to discuss what role he played in our current affairs. Then there is Ben Benecke and a whole host of other economic characters that Congress says must answer for this. I remember the warnings several years ago that said that we Americans are living in like a plastic economic bubble that could burst one day-AND Did!!!! We owed too much, spent too much and wanted it NOW! We were cash poor and debt rich. Our obligations exceeded our take home but we just had to have it!!!!!!! And now we do!

I love the fact that we have our first president who represents US-We the People. Oh you thought I should say black, African American, a person of color, a minority, bi-racial-which is the most accurate discription of all of us????? Well lets not do the label thing-that really hasnt worked out so well for us, now has it? I dont want to go down that road again- I have discussed it in past blogs so if you are so inclined do read about my feelings on race and labels-We will just keep on topic - this frickin' economy that has people about done with our leaders and their actions. At least, a majority of the country has embraced Barack Obama as an agent of change and he is now challenged to not just make good on his core beliefs as he touted his political agenda and platform but to make a difference to every single American who voted or even didnt vote for him. He will usher in his administration and almost like savior, other policies in January. Oh and by the way he will need all of us to help him turn this country around back to its Glory Days. He is a man, one man who as he selects his cabinet members must rely on them and all of us in the chain to be of service, dont give up hope and return this country and our own businesses and homes to sound fiscal practices. Let us not be that weak link in the chain.

Lastly, lets take a real Recess as we use caution and discretion in these next few months, maybe years to get back on track. YES We Can. We Will. And We Did!