What happened to optimism?

During the Great Depression and World War II, truly challenging times, there were songs that boosted the spirits of our parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents. "There'll Be Bluebirds Over the White Cliffs of Dover" was one; "Look for the Silver Lining" was another. More recently, the Broadway musical Annie lifted theatergoers out of what Jimmy Carter, in 1979, called our "malaise" with the song "Tomorrow"-"The sun'll come out tomorrow, bet your bottom dollar that tomorrow, there'll be sun. ..."

Where is that optimism today in the midst of the sharp economic downturn? One doesn't hear much of it from politicians and especially not from the media, which trades exclusively in gloom and doom. President Bush has said he believes things will get better. That's not exactly a rousing sentiment. Barack Obama hasn't displayed much optimism, other than his campaign rhetoric for undefined "change." OK, so the economy is weak. Who thinks this is a permanent condition? Americans have always been optimists. Where is that optimism when we need it most?

Ric Edelman, the best-selling author of money management books, in his online newsletter (www.ricedelman.com), reminds me of some things that ought to increase our optimism and keep us from judging the future by the current condition of our anemic retirement accounts.

Edelman notes that the United States remains the largest, most powerful economy in the world. According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, 95 percent of the consumers of American goods live outside the United States. According to Ambassador Susan C. Schwab, U.S. Trade Representative, in the first seven months of 2008, U.S. exports of goods and services "were 18.3 percent higher than in the same period in 2007." Schwab added, "The United States remains a global leader in manufacturing, services, and agriculture." The U.S. produces nearly one-fourth of the world's industrial output, making it the world's largest manufacturer. And, most importantly, significant growth is projected for many sectors of the economy. One example: Employment in computer systems design and related services, according to the Department of Labor's Outlook Handbook, is projected to grow nearly 40 percent by 2016. Jobs in education services are expected to increase by 11 percent by 2016; health care service employment is projected to grow by 22 percent. Other sectors also expect sizeable job growth, such as energy, insurance, and professional services.

You say that's not much solace to someone who has just been laid off? Maybe not if that person sits at home waiting for opportunity to knock. But maybe so, if that person leaves the house and starts banging on opportunity's door.

There's plenty more cause for optimism. Listen up you laid-off autoworkers. Nissan, BMW's Mini and Audi will introduce electric cars in the next few years. They all have plants in America. The electric Mini is scheduled to reach showrooms next year. The future is not petroleum addiction, but alternative energy. In Bahrain, a new skyscraper, the Bahrain World Trade Center, features three wind turbines that supply 11 to 15 percent of the building's electricity needs. Floating, moveable wind turbines are being developed for ocean use as well, which will allow for large wind farms at sea.

Yes, we can free ourselves from the religious nuts that sell us oil and use the profits to underwrite terrorism.

Want more? Scientists have just announced a cure for Type-1 diabetes in lab mice. This breakthrough could mean a cure within a few years for more than 1 million American children who suffer from Type-1 diabetes, also called juvenile diabetes.

Pharmaceutical research and biotechnology companies are testing a record 633 new biotech medicines, which could lead to better treatments and, eventually, to cures for cancer and infectious, autoimmune and cardiovascular disease.

While the stock market suffers from what history teaches will be a temporary setback, these other advances will have a permanent and positive effect on our country and the world.

So come on everybody (harmony!): "The sun'll come out tomorrow, so ya gotta hang on 'til tomorrow, come what may. Tomorrow, tomorrow, I love ya tomorrow, you're always a day away." © 2008 Tribune Media Services Inc.