Gloom and Doom

The Wall Street Journal wonders "Who Stole the American Spirit?"

There is no denying that the current financial morass is deep and painful. But taking the long view, there is something both startling and disturbing about the gloom that has settled over Wall Street and the country in general. In fact, looking back over the past century, it would be a stretch to rank the current problems as especially notable or dramatic. Something else is going on – namely a cultural rut of pessimism that is draining our collective energy, blinding us to possibilities, and eroding our position in the world.

And, how come you never hear politicians talk about what a great country America is, and how lucky we are to be Americans?