Feels so good when I stop banging my head against the wall...

That's it. I've had it.

Many people are glad they're not in charge. Me, on the contrary... well, I've applied many times for the job of Supreme Ruler of All Things I Care About but apparently someone else is more qualified.

Like George W. Bush.

Or Sarah Palin. (A note from one of my sons' blogs: Google has reinstated its 2001 search index as a birthday celebration. "Sarah Palin" appears a total of ZERO times. Even my then-10-year-old had four listings in 2001.)

In any case, I respectfully withdraw my application to run the world. I'm going to lower my sights and do what I can to improve my country and my own life: save aluminum foil and rubber bands, perhaps.

Seriously though? Within my own weeny sphere, I'll keep plugging to build business for us and our clients, I'll pay my youngest's tuition so he has a chance to get the job he wants someday, and I'll vote. And blog. And... okay, continue to bemoan the worst of the greed, the ignorance and the blind allegiance to All Things Foolish that made me apply to be Supreme Ruler of All Things I Care About in the first place.

Limiting the damage.

A new American Research Group poll indicates that zero (yes, that's 0) percent of Americans think the economy is getting better. I suppose the specter of a $700 billion bailout will continue to cast a long shadow on public confidence. There's a good argument, though, for adopting a certain dogged optimism. At the risk of sounding like McCain when he recently said the economy's fundamentals were sound (oops), I've been through enough downturns to know that our economy is a massive machine with great momentum. Further, I think our emotions play a big role, and that "group negativity" deepens and extends periods of economic gloom. For example, as a business owner who works with corporate clients, I remember well that 9/11 was almost immediately followed by a freeze in corporate decision-making and an end to many marketing outreach programs. Why? Fear. Certainly, the economy was already in a tech bust, and 9/11 was terrifying. But I strongly believe that we worsened our situation by, in too many cases, putting the brakes on normal activity. I virtually never think George W. Bush is correct, but when he told Americans to "go out shopping" after the attacks, I reluctantly agreed with the motive behind the message. I didn't want our economy to be yet another victim.

I think we're at another turning point. The financial mess the U.S. and the world have gotten into is bad, of course. However, my firm's clients are still selling a lot of products, I'm still buying groceries and shoes, and, as I look around, I see some people are still buying homes and getting new jobs. Let's keep a sense that we can empower ourselves. Let's also assume that the sky isn't actually falling, just sagging. Let's assume the stock market will lurch back into a positive trend over time. As business people, consumers and human beings, I believe we have the power to keep ourselves moving forward economically - despite it all.