On The U.S. Economy: Walking By Faith, Not By Sight

“Change is hard, especially in Washington…We have a steep mountain to climb, and we started in a very deep valley.”

In a press conference today, President Obama said this in reference to a battered American economy.

On paper, it seems that the economy has shown signs of improvments.  If anything, that should give Americans faith in the policies and solutions enacted thus far by the administration, such as the stimulus package Obama pushed through Congress.

However, Americans are concerned with what they are seeing – understandably so.  Telling Americans about numbers and facts when their reality is still one of unemployment, foreclosure, and struggle is a tough sell.  Faith in religion and spirituality is one thing; faith in the economy seems to be another.

This explains why Obama’s approval rating has been falling and effects other policy intiatives.  Energy, healthcare, education, are all tied to the successes or complications with revitalizing the economy, yet each of these areas are mammoths that require a large investment of American spirit, trust, and faith to know that they need change at the present moment.

Sadly, with Obama’s historic election, I believe many Americans believed change and prosperity would come right on his coattails with just as much fanfare and flourish.  However Obama warned many times not to be fooled into thinking we weren’t going to have to work with the same type of energy to see the change through.

With rough times, we always cut out what we believe are not necessities- “Let Obama figure out this (insert issue), I have to put food on the table.” – but even in difficult times, it is important to remain aware and involved as much as possible.  Just like Obama could not have been elected without people being mobilized and motivated to vote and support, the government cannot just “fix” economic problems without the participation and faith of Americans.

Sight tells us that little has been done because unemployment is still unusually high & job losses have been in the 100s of thousands.  True, telling someone that things are looking up in these type of conditions is like an auto-mechanic telling you that he wasn’t able to get your car to start, but he fixed your headlights so you can see well at night.  The reports of progress seem minimal, unimportant, and marginally related to the results we want.

It is not necessarily wrong to desire a reversal of our circumstances as soon as possible.  In fact, that should motivate us to keep our government representatives honest and focused so we can see improvements.  However, this healthy impatience should not push us toward unrealistic expectations.  As Obama said, we started in a valley, and we have a steep mountain to climb.  Even climbing up, energy must be put forth, challenges must be overcome, and strength must be relied on to get to the top.

Critics would argue that the economy is too weak to try for so much change, and by seeing what is directly in front of us, we would believe that.  Why worry about healthcare, or any other issue, which will require more taxes probably, and more commitment from the American people?  We have nothing left to give.  But I say, this is not forward thinking.  The economy is improving – albeit slowly.  

Have faith that if we want change, the investments of effort and tax dollars today when it seemed difficult will lay the groundwork for a more stable economy tomorrow.  An economy that won’t be toppled by unreformed financial lending practices, unattended housing markets, monstrous healthcare burdens for American families, a feen-like dependency on foreign oil, or an educational system where we start our new graduates steps behind their counterparts in other countries.

Popularity: -1% [?]