• "The auto and construction industries helped lead the nation out of past recessions. But the carnage among Detroit's automakers and the surplus of new and foreclosed homes and empty commercial properties make it unlikely these two industries will be engines of growth anytime soon."

the government has done everything it can to bail out and prop us these industries. now maybe its up to them to get off the pot and do their share.

• "The job market is caught in a vicious circle: Without more jobs, U.S. consumers will have a hard time increasing their spending; but without that spending, businesses might see little reason to start hiring."

business has always done its best to hire as few as possible, and pay them as little as it can. maybe now business will realize that a prosperous workforce is an essential for (in fact, the definition of)a good economy, not an inconvenience to be tolerated or avoided.

• "Many small and midsize businesses are still struggling to obtain bank loans, impeding their expansion plans and constraining overall economic growth."

duhhh? the answer to this one is obvious. the banks had better get with the program and do their job and justify their existence instead of relying on government handouts.

• "Higher-income households are spending less because of big losses on their homes, retirement plans and other investments. Lower-income households are cutting back because they can't borrow like they once did."

maybe the higher-income households should take the advice they have always given the lower income households: "QUIT WHINING AND WORK HARDER".