by Sat-Jiwan Khalsa •

The economic media buzz, as well as sales contracts on three houses on my block, lead me to think the current economic recession is at the beginning of an upswing. I don't tend to put much weight into mainstream "media buzz," but I don't doubt its ability to lower AND raise something as fickle as "consumer confidence." Everything is certainly not all rosy and peachy like our spring blooms, but sometimes a little positive thinking is what we really need.

Whether the effects are true and whether the economic stimulus programs are the cause doesn't matter much. As consumer confidence improves we should be focused on how best to rebuild OUR economy, not the economy of Wall Street, stockholders, CEOs and foreign investors. As we start spending more dollars, let's rebuild the local, sustainable economy that serves us and our communities, making both more self-reliant.