The economy is getting better...

Growth in the U.S. is up slightly, 2.4 projected growth for 2012 vs. 2.0 growth in 2011. Consumers are more optimistic. And unemployment inched down to 8.6 percent in November.

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2012/01/02/2892232/obama-gop-spar-over-economy.html