The Zeitgeist

Maybe Phil Gramm, the ex-senator and formerly John McCain’s tone-deaf economic advisor was on to something after all.

We’re now firmly in a “recession” which is a term that in reality describes a fear condition that causes people to not spend, companies to fire employees and whole economies to tank.

The only way out of a recession is to spend, and spend a lot — in fact the way out of a recession is to spend like you’re not even in one. So, perhaps Phil Gram was on to something in his own twisted way – we need to stop whining – all of us – and start innovating, creating and – yes — spending. Special note to VCs, this ESPECIALLY applies to you: the faster you get companies of the ground the faster we lift all the boats and get our economy going. Think of it as your patriotic duty.

I write this as I am at about 38,000 feet on my way to San Francisco to be with my mom in her last days and hours … I am trying to think what she would tell me about the recessions she’s seen and the great depression she lived though… and I am sure that she’d tell me as terrible as it all seems, the only way out is forward.. anything else is to give in to fear, and to refuse to believe that we are the solution to all of our own problems .. no matter what they are or how daunting they seem.