Excess of Fear

Obama's top economic adviser said today that the nation's economic crisis has led to an "excess of fear" among Americans.  

"What we need today is more optimism and more confidence.  Those who have sound long-term strategy, who have investments that they want to make, who see productive opportunities, are going to find that this is a very good moment to make those investments.  There are a large number of things that are on sale today..."   -- National Economic Council Director, Lawrence Summers, 3.13.2009

Of course, for the past few months since Obama took office, we've heard nothing from the administration other than the idea that we are headed for a global economic crisis that will be impossible to turn around unless we pass the Pelosi/Reid/Obama massive spending/earmark/pork bills. If anything, the GOP has been overly optimistic about the long term economic forecast.  (Remember:  "The fundamentals of the economy are sound."?)

Suddenly this week, the economic crisis "is not as bad as we think" (Obama's words).  

Well which is it?  

The answer is .... that depends.  Who are you talking to and what is the message you want to portray this week.  This week, there are no "emergency" spending bills that need to be passed, and Obama want's to portray the economy in a good light because his poll numbers have been dropping like the Kursk.  The next time a big spending bill comes along, you can expect the MainStreamMedia to parrot Obama's coming message of impending crisis and depression.  

Until then .... all's well on the Western Front.