We've adjusted and we're waiting for the government to get out of the way

As these tough economic times drag on, I am beginning to see positive signs. I’m seeing less depression and less misery. It’s like we’re all taking a deep breath and accepting that we can do nothing else but move forward as best we can. As they say, it is what it is. What is heartening is that in all of this we are finding there are some good things to come out of this downturn.

We’ve adjusted our lifestyles, which is a good thing. We are watching our pennies and looking for ways to save. We are learning how to do more with less. After so many years of living beyond our means, we’ve discovered the wisdom of living within our means, and we’re finding a measure of pleasure in it.

As the economy began to crumble, we assessed where we were and got our priorities in line: family, school, children, housing. How can putting those things at the head of the line be wrong or bad?

We are making things work without the drama and we’ve adjusted to the new economic reality. The shock of this economic mess that we felt at its beginning has mellowed. People are not as emotionally depressed as in 2006, 2007 and 2008, when things started.

That’s a really good thing.

Even though sellers are losing when they sell their homes, they’re finding that they can buy new places at lower prices. People have learned to accept making less when they sell, but they are enjoying the double benefit of lower home prices and interest rates. An abundance of affordable housing has helped a lot. Taxes are coming down. Things are starting to even out.

I don’t mean to make light of the pain felt by home sellers. They’ve taken a beating, but they’ve adjusted, and as buyers, they’re reaping the rewards of a lower cost of living. We’re all ready to start moving forward, to pick up the pieces and build for the future.

We don’t need more bailouts and we don’t need any more government intervention. Now that the public has adjusted to today’s economic realities, it’s time for the government to step aside and let the free market work. We figured it out, and we can work things out if only the government would quit throwing curve balls at us.

It’s time for this economy to stand on its own two feet. So let’s all get out there and do our part by supporting our local communities and our neighbors alike.