In as much as politicians would like us to believe that the economy has turned around, those of us building a business, earning a paycheck, or just attempting to make ends meet know this is a dismal economy. President Calvin Coolidge once said, “The business of America is business." So, why is this recession so bad and what do we do to fix it?

The economy remains strong in rural areas of 10 Midwest and Plains states because of the health of agricultural businesses there. The overall economic index on the new monthly Rural Mainstreet survey rose to 58.5 in May from April's already healthy 57.1. Any score above 50 on the index suggests growth in the months ahead.

A statewide survey finds that professional business service firms such as engineers, accountants and consultants have a somewhat bright outlook: nearly half of the respondents expect to see increases in revenue; 40 percent expect an increase in profits; about a third expect revenue and profits to stay the same.