STEVEN LANDSBURG SAYS THAT EVEN WITH THE RECESSION, THINGS AREN’T SO BAD: “Start with this: You are better off than you were four years ago. After adjusting for inflation, the average American earns about $2500 a year more today than on the day of W’s second inaugural. That same average American now spends a little less time at the office or on the assembly line, and a little more time on vacation or on the couch. He or she shops online for products that were unimaginable just four years ago. (How many of you read this morning’s paper on your Kindle or iPhone?) The air is cleaner than it was a decade ago and life expectancy is up.” Read the whole thing.

Including this warning:

In the long run we have nothing to fear but fear itself–and the rush to poor judgment that is the spawn of fear. Poor judgment makes people say things like “Hey! This new guy in town seems likable and right-minded. Let’s give him everything he’s asking for so he can take care of us.” We’ve been down that road before. I’m hoping for some change I can believe in.

Me too.