Bleak economy looks slightly brighter

Good news for the United States came Friday as the Labor Department reported the number of jobs cut was less than expected last month.

Employers eliminated 20,000 jobs in April — not nearly as many as the 81,000 in March, and the fewest monthly losses so far this year, the Labor Department reported.

With the country nearing a recession, the mortgage crisis, the weak dollar and unemployment rates rising, the news was encouraging.

President George W. Bush discussed the troubled economy Friday at a speech in St. Louis. Bush expressed optimism about the $152 billion economic stimulus package. The first rebate checks were distributed Monday, with additional checks for up to $600 per person, $1200 per couple and $300 per child.

"This money is going to be very helpful in helping people deal with high energy prices and food prices," Mr. Bush told more than 300 employees of World Wide Technology Inc. in St. Louis. "I know it's tough times, and I know you're having to pay more at the fuel pump than you want, but this economy's going to come on, I'm confident it will."

That's right. Let's keep buying things we don't really need to save the glorious economy.