Better Days Ahead

Among the endless stream o of bad news coming out this week, two positives barely mentioned turned out to be shining examples of our nations recovery. First, the art market seems to be headed towards a record year with the sale of a Picasso painting that was auctioned off for 106 million dollars. Next, the new jobless figures came out with Americans finally going back to work. The numbers, while not huge, signaled that the recession that has gripped and changed so many lives has come to an end.

Closer to home, our company has so much business potential globally that it's scary. The paper industry has come out of it's blue funk and is hitting on all cylinders. Our biggest challenge is not gaining new business, but ensuring the raw materials are there to supply it. Globally, everything is in short supply, from feedstock to finished goods. While this is good news, the bad is that inflation will come back, how however much is any one's guess.

People who are looking for jobs should find them, but be well aware that the things have changed and some jobs lost during the recession will not come back - ever. We are now entrenched in the 21st century and for those who harken back to the "good old days" do so at their own peril.

Immigration is one of those issues that beg for a reality check. Just because someone enacts a law designed to keep people out doesn't mean that people will adhere to it. Immigrants coming to our nations understand the promise and virtue of the American Dream, that is why they risk life and limb to come here. No law is going to stop the flow of immigrants to our country, change is here to stay and the winners are those who adapt to change fastest.

President Obama has given our nation the tools and aid to become prosperous, it is now up to us to seize that day and improve on those areas lacking. Of course the GOP will do all in their power to hinder progress, but those are silly, ill fated moves. Now is the time for individuals who think big to step up to the plate and push their ideas forward. Now is the time to seize the moment, not back away while looking at re-runs of Leave it to Beaver.

Our nation will experience better days if we all put our collective minds. bodies and souls together. We cannot accept nothing short of this because to do so says that we're not ready, willing and able. I know I'm doing my part to make it happen Are you?

President Obama's critics claim he hasn't accomplished a thing. Please Mr. President, do us all a huge favor, keep accomplishing nothing!