It's going to get worse before it gets better. This is the sentiment that Obama relayed this morning on Meet the Press. All in all, the economy is crap, and, unfortunately, it's going to stink a lot more before we get some relief.

As I volunteered to decorate homeless shelters with the staff of Harpoon Beer yesterday, I had a candid conversation with my team leader, who happened to be the chief financial officer. When asked how sales were doing, he said. " flat." However, he reminded us all that when unemployment is up, so is drinking.

In preparing for the worst, yet we can only hold on to the hope that things WILL get better.

I am realistic of our immediate future, yet, I have insurmountable hope in both Obama and the future of our economy.

Here's to hope....

Cheers.