Remaining Hopeful During Holidays

Typically, this time of the year finds us focused on holiday festivities and family celebrations. However, 2010 has been a very challenging year for many South Jersey residents and countless Americans, thus making it difficult to fully embrace the spirit of the season.
As we all know, the economic outlook continues to be shaky at best while unemployment remains unacceptably high. Small businesses, restricted from available credit, are struggling to keep their doors open and employees working. And personal savings are increasingly strained. It is an understandably difficult time for some residents to feel joyous. There is reason, though, to remain hopeful.
On Jan. 5, the 112th Congress will be sworn in, bringing to Washington critical checks and balances to reduce spending and bring down the deficit, thus creating an environment to promote economic growth and create jobs. Long gone will be the senseless partisan distractions, new expansive government programs and budget-busting priorities of the last two years, which have left our nation financially weaker, and millions of Americans looking for work.
Pro-growth policies and common-sense business solutions, such as repealing the 1099 reporting requirement established under the new health care law for small businesses, will be put forward to lead the country out of its economic recession. The new tone and renewed focus will help instill certainty to business owners and entrepreneurs while creating confidence in consumers and the markets. Certainty and confidence are exactly what our employers’ need before additional capital investments and hiring can begin.
Closer to home, it is important for each of us to put our families, friends and neighbors front and center this holiday season, remembering the strength and support of those around us. It is in these challenging times that we must rely on each other; focus on the values and quality interactions that can be found at the dinner table or in the living room; and look to the simpler, inexpensive activities to bring the holiday spirit into our homes. It is also the time to remember to give what we can – money, food, clothing, blood, or time – to charitable organizations across South Jersey. At any given time, the need for charity far exceeds what is readily available; in past year, the need has multiplied.
Thus, with the holidays in full swing, let us focus on the true meaning of the season and do our part to embrace the spirit of the season. We should be mindful of those who are currently struggling and those less fortunate even in better economic times. We should take time to remember those who make our communities better and those who seek to make the world safer, in particular, our dedicated servicemen and women who are away from their homes this holiday season. We have experienced many challenging times as a nation before as we continue to now, but history has repeatedly proven that we find a way forward. Let us use this time to look towards 2011 and the changes ahead with a renewed sense of optimism and hope.