There's an old saying that the year will go the way the stock market goes for the first week of January. I hope that's true, because today's market went above 9,000 for the first time since November. Any ray of sunshine helps!
I was delighted to say goodbye to 2008, which was a tough year all the way around. While I dealt with the death of friends and family and a job change, many Americans faced mortgage foreclosures, job losses, and economic failure. I count myself lucky to be employed, and I am especially looking forward to my first grandchild in 2009.
So other than a grandchild, what do I think 2009 will bring? Here are my predictions and educated guesses:
1. Barack Obama will show us that he has more good sense, common sense, and downright intelligence than any president since Franklin Roosevelt. He has already demonstrated this by choosing cabinet-level staff that are experienced and educated in their areas and willing to work together. With a "can do" staff, the Obama administration will make great strides in putting Americans back to work. Let's hope Congress will cooperate.
2. Americans will begin to realize--if they have not already--that television really is the "vast wasteland" that former FCC Chair Newton Minow suggested in 1961. The advertising inserted in most shows has shortened the American attention span, and 2009 may be the year that Boomers stop watching TV and later generations get their "clips" of entertainment online, not on TV.
3. The English language (American version) will continue to take more hits as text messaging, twitter, and other shorthand-type communication increases among younger Americans. In 2009 teachers will continue to bemoan the loss of language skills in high-school and college students, and employers will continue to search for workers who can explain their thoughts on paper. Could it be that we'll go all-video so no one will have to read anymore?
4. Americans who have never before lived through "down times" will have an opportunity to learn how to conserve their money. We'll learn how to cook at home instead of going out, play cards and board games at home instead of recreation that costs money, and walk the dog instead of going to the gym and using the treadmill. We'll wear last year's clothes, last year's shoes, cut the kids' hair at home, grow vegetable gardens, and get to know our neighbors.
5. Even though some of us have lost jobs, I predict that Americans, who are known for their generosity, will still support their food banks, city missions and shelters, Red Cross, and churches at the same level--or even greater--in 2009.
6. Companies trying to conserve will look for ways to save energy, water, and fuel costs by adopting more and more "green" technology. By the end of 2009 we'll have an array of hybrid cars to choose from, and they will represent many different types of energy sources.
7. As Americans deal with steadily increasing viral and bacterial illnesses, companies that manufacture hand sanitizers and other protections from contagious illness will prosper and develop new products. Public health issues will continue to be a major factor in the U.S.
That's as far as I am willing to go in predicting. I'd like to say that Americans will not be fighting in the Middle East, but I think it will take more than one year to accomplish that. I am optimistic about America's new leadership, and I look forward to positive change this year.
Happy New Year!
Mrs. B
I was delighted to say goodbye to 2008, which was a tough year all the way around. While I dealt with the death of friends and family and a job change, many Americans faced mortgage foreclosures, job losses, and economic failure. I count myself lucky to be employed, and I am especially looking forward to my first grandchild in 2009.
So other than a grandchild, what do I think 2009 will bring? Here are my predictions and educated guesses:
1. Barack Obama will show us that he has more good sense, common sense, and downright intelligence than any president since Franklin Roosevelt. He has already demonstrated this by choosing cabinet-level staff that are experienced and educated in their areas and willing to work together. With a "can do" staff, the Obama administration will make great strides in putting Americans back to work. Let's hope Congress will cooperate.
2. Americans will begin to realize--if they have not already--that television really is the "vast wasteland" that former FCC Chair Newton Minow suggested in 1961. The advertising inserted in most shows has shortened the American attention span, and 2009 may be the year that Boomers stop watching TV and later generations get their "clips" of entertainment online, not on TV.
3. The English language (American version) will continue to take more hits as text messaging, twitter, and other shorthand-type communication increases among younger Americans. In 2009 teachers will continue to bemoan the loss of language skills in high-school and college students, and employers will continue to search for workers who can explain their thoughts on paper. Could it be that we'll go all-video so no one will have to read anymore?
4. Americans who have never before lived through "down times" will have an opportunity to learn how to conserve their money. We'll learn how to cook at home instead of going out, play cards and board games at home instead of recreation that costs money, and walk the dog instead of going to the gym and using the treadmill. We'll wear last year's clothes, last year's shoes, cut the kids' hair at home, grow vegetable gardens, and get to know our neighbors.
5. Even though some of us have lost jobs, I predict that Americans, who are known for their generosity, will still support their food banks, city missions and shelters, Red Cross, and churches at the same level--or even greater--in 2009.
6. Companies trying to conserve will look for ways to save energy, water, and fuel costs by adopting more and more "green" technology. By the end of 2009 we'll have an array of hybrid cars to choose from, and they will represent many different types of energy sources.
7. As Americans deal with steadily increasing viral and bacterial illnesses, companies that manufacture hand sanitizers and other protections from contagious illness will prosper and develop new products. Public health issues will continue to be a major factor in the U.S.
That's as far as I am willing to go in predicting. I'd like to say that Americans will not be fighting in the Middle East, but I think it will take more than one year to accomplish that. I am optimistic about America's new leadership, and I look forward to positive change this year.
Happy New Year!
Mrs. B
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