Candidates should inspire

Wow, it's really tough to watch the stock market movements these days. Despite what the DJIA numbers suggest, I think that the financial system has mostly been fixed. But, it will probably take a couple of weeks before the effects of the fix will be seen in improved credit flows and new lending.

The bigger problem, however, is the overall economy. Things won't be well until employment, capital investment, inventory buildups and consumer spending rebound. But, these things cannot be fixed by the same technical adjustments that were made in the financial system. Instead, psychology is a factor that must be reckoned with. Unless small business owners, corporate CEOs, and consumers become more optimistic and confident about the future, we are unlikely to see a turnaround in the overall economy.

In my view, our politicians represent a big barrier to the development of the optimism that would contribute to economic recovery. Consider the cumulative effects of the never-ending political campaigns in which candidates, their acolytes and their sycophants relentlessly tell all who read, watch or listen that America is a terrible place, populated with terrible people, who willingly do terrible things to others within our country and around the world. How can anyone be optimistic about anything after absorbing, day after day, the negativity, vitriol, bile, fear-mongering, and character assassination that has been spewed by candidate after candidate seeking political office at the national, state, and local levels ever since the 2006 midterm elections?

If there was ever a time for political class to change their method of operation it is now. Citizens, and our country, would be much better served if these pseudo-leaders might find something positive to say or write about the greatest nation in the world from time-to-time.

Charles F. Falk

Schaumburg