THEN THERE'S THE REAL AMERICA – AT 11:21 A.M. ET:   If you watch CNN, you'd think America was on its last leg, or heading down the road to fascism.  Strange, out in the real America they really don't think so.  From IBD: 

Hope And Change: You'd never guess this from the end-of-the-world treatment President Trump gets in the mainstream press, but his election has unleashed a wave of optimism about the economy we haven't seen in more than a decade. This is huge news that has big implications about economic growth.

The latest business leaders' survey from JPMorgan Chase finds a dramatic increase in optimism among the 1,400 middle-market executives polled. It found that 80% of these executives are optimistic about the economy, which is nearly double the share expressing optimism just one year ago. And it's the highest level since this survey began seven years ago.

These executives, the survey found, "expect improved performance in the global, national and local economies, as well as their own businesses."

The survey also found that more than three quarters of these midsize business owners say that Trump's election will have a positive impact on their companies because of his promise of pro-business policies, tax reform and cutbacks in federal regulations.

A National Federation of Independent Business survey found the same surge in optimism among small businesses since Trump won the election in November. At 105.9, this index is the highest it's been in more than 12 years.

"Small-business owners like what they see so far from Washington," said NFIB head Juanita Duggan.

Investors like what they're seeing, too. In fact, since Trump's inauguration in January, the Dow Jones industrial average has climbed more than 4%, the biggest post-inaugural jump in that index since FDR.s

COMMENT:  Now it is up to the Republican Congress to pass programs that will set the country right.  I know that many readers have serious doubts that the Republican Party is up to the task, and they may be correct.  But constant public pressure, and appropriate arm-twisting by the White House, may produce the result we want.  No party has ever been better positioned than the Republican Party is today. If it fails, it has no one else to blame.

February 22, 2017