Are we in a Recession?

World stocks sank Wednesday and the Dow Jones index of leading U.S. shares was down 302.58 points after poor U.S. retail sales data

"sharpened concerns that global efforts to restore confidence in the financial system will not be enough to stave off a deep recession."

According to one analyst, "The bottom line is that the economy is now in recession and the downturn is already looking more severe than either of the last two recessions," he added.

For more than a year we have heard so-called experts, politicians, and other economic and industry analysts say we are not yet in a recession.

Maybe the numbers tell a different story.

Though, I can tell you from my day to day interaction with co-workers, friends, family, restaurant employees, shop owners, real estate buyers and sellers that we are and have been in a recession. Period!

• Energy prices are high.
• Food costs are up.
• Credit is tightened.
• companies are laying off employees.
• There are few salary raises.
• Commission jobs are seeing less commissions.
• Restaurants are half-filled
• Retail shops are empty.
• People cannot get loans
• 401K values are down.
• Savings account are down.
• Home values are down.

only personal debt and cost of living is up.

I hope I do not sound negative.

I am just tired of the powers that be and the campaigning politicians telling us things are different than they actually are. If you go out and actually talk to people who will give you candid answers, then you will know we are in a recession.

As soon as we recognize that then we can focus on the solution instead of whether or not their is a problem.