Thursday, a new year, will begin like all new years, filled with promise and opportunity.

The economic down turn we are experiencing at the moment has all of us concerned about what is in store for us in 2009. Unemployment is higher than it was this same time last year, retail sales are off and fewer houses and automobiles are being purchased in an economy in which many of us are taking a more conservative stance when dealing with purchasing non necessity items.

Our government is lending banks and other major industries billions of dollars to hopefully keep them from failing and adding to the unemployment rolls. The value of stocks is down as part of the downswing of the economy and the cost of health care is at an all-time high.

Even considering all the issues above, I have faith in America and the American people. Americans have faced tough times in the past and have worked their way out of them to emerge a stronger and better nation.

I’m sure everything will not turn around overnight and a lot of hard work and innovating thinking will be needed to bring our economy back to one that leads the world. Seeking God’s leadership, working together, keeping the faith we have in the abilities of all Americans as well as keeping a positive attitude toward what we can do collectively will help improve the condition of our economy.

Next month our nation will be led by a new President as well as many new members of The House of Representatives and The Senate. Hopefully they will join forces with the more experienced members of Congress and work together to create a plan to move our economy forward.

As Americans I hope we all will set aside political party differences and work to make such economic recovery plans successful for everyone.

The year 2009 can be a year of promise and opportunity. But we all have to roll up our sleeves and get to work to make it happen.

– Mike Kelley is the publisher of The Clanton Advertiser. His column appears on Sundays. He can be reached at mike.kelley@clantonadvertiser.com.