The New Slogan for our Time
11-23-08

Out of the gate a hearty, healthy and Happy Thanksgiving to all of you. In the radio industry to which I spend most of my time successful marketing comes by way of a lot of 'frequency.' You may have read before in my previous columns that this by far and away is our country's best holiday and I can't repeat it enough. No disrespect for the ones that come before and after it, but Thanksgiving has it all over the others in this man's view. While the retail side of Christmas still tries to cast a shadow on Thanksgiving, the holiday we enjoy this week remains pure, simple and all about family, home cooked food, rest and relaxation. What a respite from the rest of the crazy busy year.

This Thanksgiving we find ourselves in trying economic times. Wall Street doesn't know what to expect. Everyday the opening bell rings is a circus ride. Volatile, uncertain, unstable are all fair words to describe the times in which we live. President elect Barack Obama has his hands full. Fix the economy, start a health system that works for America and deal with foreign policy all take a place of prominence in Mr. Obama's newly formed administration. What's the message in this madness today? There's panic, a credit crunch, prices on gas seem to have stabilized but for how long? Is the real estate market ever going to improve? Until that turns around it's going to be painful. So much else in our economy seems to hinge on the real estate market and the auto industry. Cars and homes. If those business's are suffering there's a strong chance the chain of commerce beyond those two goliaths is in sour shape. Such as it is. I've mentioned before through the pages we can survive relatively well in a down economy if we practice prudent budgeting at home and of course for those of you who own business's. Keeping a spending log, cutting out unnecessary purchases and building a rainy day fund are all useful ways to help your household endure trying times.

Thanksgiving offers a great way to revisit how we look at our spot in the world today. Isn't there something to be Thankful for this week? Isn't there something going on in your life that's good? We all can see the positive in at least one thing going on in our lives today. Even if it seems small, take it and this week shine a spotlight on that which is going well for you. I remember during the Reagan administration former first lady Nancy Reagan coined the phrase 'Just Say No' as the slogan for young and old to avoid using drugs. Some thought it was trite and a laughable approach to a serious problem. Others thought its simplicity was its strength and so the phrase caught on and became part of pop culture.

Tuesday November 4th President elect Barack Obama urged us all to follow our goals and dreams. Realizing we are at difficult time in our country's history, Mr. Obama urged those gathered in Chicago's Grant Park and watching world wide to take a 'Yes we can' attitude about the problems we face as Americans. Once again the critics criticized and the optimists philosophized about Mr. Obama's remarks. Time takes time and we'll see if the Obama Administration is effective in its first year and first term. Regardless of who you voted for and where your politics lie, the time before us is critically important. Take the time first to give thanks to those things for which you have gratitude. Sometimes when I think about the problems in the workplace, dealing with bills that come fast and furious, rising costs of products and services it's easy to get discouraged. Then I remind myself I have all those problems because I have a job, I have bills because I have a place to live an a car to drive. We're a lot of fortunate people who often forget how well we live when you get right down to the heart of the matter. If you're one of those lucky people who have a job, a place to call home, access to life's basic necessities be thankful today. Very thankful. If you don't be thankful for what you do have and all of us should be available at some level to help each other. Our country's message at Thanksgiving is simple. The simple things in life are those which bring the most joy. Keeping company with friends, family and loved ones. Home cooking. A chance to think and give thanks for what we have and hold dear. Sure its tougher, but we're resilient and we'll rise above the tough times upon us. This week gives us the opportunity to pause for a moment and see where the 'yes we can' attitude can fit into our outlook on life. Happy Thanksgiving. Enjoy the holiday. See ya around town.