Traveling throughout the country, it has become apparent to me, that many people are overly concerned about the economic health of the nation. To me, this is somewhat similar to the situation during the late 1970's. That period of economic distress was followed by one of the greatest periods of economic expansion the nation has ever experienced.

Some people now talk about the Great Depression of the 1930's as though they lived through it. I was born during this period but have no memory of what it was like. I do, however, remember the World War II period of the early 1940's. Some economists say that the Great Depression ended with the beginning of our involvement in World War II. That may technically be correct, but if true, it was no way to end a depression. Out of a population of about 140 million people, over 10 percent of the most able bodied men and women were placed in the armed services. Most of the manufacturing was shifted to producing war goods.

Naturally, under these conditions, the country experienced full employment. Although people made good wages, there were little consumer goods that could be purchased. Cars and other consumer goods were not being made, and most commodities such as food and clothing were rationed. Those who owned a car were allotted 2 to 3 gallons of gasoline per week. As a result, the money earned was not spent, but used to buy governments bonds for funding the war effort.

As I remember, it was not until well after the war ended in 1945 that consumer goods became readily available. My dad was able to finally obtain a new tractor in 1949 and a new car in 1950. Yet, except for the war, these times were not bleak. My mother, in her later years, often remarked that this period, when my parents married and raised their family, was probably the happiest time of her life. This was likely a common attitude that many people had during that period of considerable economic stress.