By David Mantey, Editor, PD&D 

"A lot of us are struggling right now and the worst thing we can do is wait by the door with a hand out."

What happened to “Yes we can!”? You may remember the time.

A time not long ago when the country was caught up in bumper-sticker fever, exuding fresh breaths signifying a new era in America. The nation was reinvigorated. People hopped on buses and trains, they carpooled with five bodies in a four-seater so they could stand in line for a chance, a glimpse, a hope at witnessing history.

We wanted to pound the pavement. We were going to put our nose to the grindstone. We were going to do everything we could to jumpstart this economy and survive the dark period. Then came January 21st, then the 22nd – an entire week passed and we sat idly on our couches and questioned why our bank accounts had yet to fatten, why our gas prices were going back up, why the stock market continued to drop and why the end of the line at the unemployment office seemed impossible to reach.  

I find it troubling to think that I am a part of a generation so obsessed with instant gratification that it is losing sight of the work and struggle that an economic rebound of such proportion entails. The media is bent on analyzing President Obama’s first 100 days when we have already started shifting in our seats a day after the third week.

A lot of us are struggling right now, and the worst thing we can do is wait by the door with a hand outstretched.

Obama and Co. stressed how eminent the economic threat was if the stimulus plan waited in limbo much longer. The same can be said on an individual basis. If we plan to sit and wait for things to perk up, let me know and I’ll get an afternoon pot of dark roast rolling, because we’ll be queued up for awhile.

This debate percolated as the result of two college roommates who were in similar situations. Both graduated on the same day with the same major and – after summer lulls in amateur taxidermy and call centers – both were employed in entry-level positions for competing companies. It seemed fitting, they may have been the two most competitive teammates when it came to intramural sports. Who knew that someone could get so angry over a game of kickball?

Both started at a wage that doubled-up anyone else from our collegiate bromance group, and both immediately began their American dreams (wives, houses, dogs, cars, late work nights, arguments over Salisbury steak and the last piece of pizza). Other than the kids – also in the queue – they were both ready to pose for a neo-Rockwell artist.

Then the economy started to dip. It didn’t tank, but it dipped and they kept spending. The numbers fell a little farther and both companies started with the interoffice emails about early retirement packages that were now available. The whispers started to run through the office and talk began about prepping résumés, and they kept spending – I was actually thankful this time, one of them picked up the drink tab when he came to visit.

As the economy continued down its cryptic path, both shook hands, but went their separate metaphorical ways. One of them cut all unnecessary spending and found face time with companies in his area that weren’t feeling such a tight pinch. While the jobs strayed from his specialty, he was still equipped to do a decent job and he let HR know that he was interested in anything.

The other friend didn’t. He didn’t do anything other than rest assure in the fact that he was new, cheap and good at what he did.

Electronic pink slips came for both within three days of each other. One wallowed in the bottle for weeks as he applied for unemployment and prepped to move into the in-laws' basement in the event that things became really dire. The other took a pay cut, but was employed the next week. Luckily, the aspiring barfly shook it off and found a similar position a few weeks later.

While some are scared that they may not know what tomorrow brings, we can minimize the risk by being prepared – even if this “preparation” is nothing more than attacking a problem with the amplified ferocity of a graduate fresh out of school. Get up, get out, forget yesterday, and don’t wait for tomorrow. It’s not the time for empty faith or an overblown Superman complex – we’re all human, we all have a blind side.

Think of it like an old Polaroid photo. The picture won’t come into focus immediately, but the faster and harder you shake that thing, the sooner that dark photo paper will become light.

What's your take? Send comments to david.mantey@advantagemedia.com.