It’s not a warm, fuzzy feeling. It’s more of a giant relief – like getting over the flu. I’m talking about the economic recovery.

The approximate 2,000 point rise and 37 percent jump in the Dow since its roughly 12-year low in early March is just one of the signs of expected future health. Elsewhere, forecasters are saying in a national survey that while the economy will lose steam overall in 2009, it will grow by 1.8 percent in the fourth quarter.

The Blue Chip Economic Indicators newsletter says that the American people should perk up. In 2009, gross domestic product is expected to shrink by 2.8 percent. But next year, it says that the growth will be 1.9 percent – a figure that other experts, including the Federal Reserve, say will steadily climb for the next three years.

Okay, the question I want to toss out with no intention of trying to answer it is whether the federal stimulus will speed things along. Or, whether it is a short-term fix and the resulting debt will become an albatross.

For what it’s worth, one notable economist, Paul Krugman, says that the United States may be headed for a Japan-like recession. Interestingly, the Princeton University professor and New York Times columnist told reporters that the country is going into this fight with one arm tied behind its back and that a second “very, very strong” stimulus is ‘clearly urgent” to help bring down the current jobless rate of 8.9 percent.

Like many, he sees some positive signs, particularly the ‘stress tests’ in which the nation’s financial institutions fared okay. But he cautions that those banks still don’t have enough money to lend – the reason that a second government shot is necessary.

Like I said, I’m not going there. But others will. Feel free to ask about any stimulus matter to a group of experts hosted by Energy Central. Regardless of your take, panic is subsiding and investors are coming back. It's time to take note. ###

When is the webinar? Wed. May 20 at 1 p.m. eastern. Click here to register and get more information on the webcast.

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