Recession Realist Gifts

'Well, that's simplified the mission statement.'

'If things don't improve, we'll have to close 3 plants and lay off 50 employees or ask you to live a little more simply.'

"I thought you said no bonuses this year?"

Desk on casters - "You don't feel very secure working at this place."

'Look at the Joneses with their new loaf of bread.'

Businessmen looking at a green shoot.

Construction at a standstill.

"This is the World Bank? Somehow, I had pictured it differently."

Recession

'I'm sorry I have to let you go but since this a global economy, you may rotate back here someday.'

"I need the saw again."

"Goodbye cruel world."

'The budget deficit is falling! The budget deficit is falling!'

Stock market full recovery?

'On jobless...on foreclosed...on worry and insomniac!'

Squeezing a tight budget...

Top AIG executives agree to give back bonuses.

"What happened to consumer confidence?"

"It's not a bad time to be out of work. You'll have plenty of company at the unemployment office."

Depressed Businessman at Office Christmas Party.

Hang fire on the Champas. Just a glimpse of green roots, so, a small glass of sherry.

'I remember when feeling the pinch just meant sexual harassment,'

'No need to worry about this recession. When this one is over there'll be another lined up.'

'Look at my new overdraft its fantastic.'

Will work for food. . . Will work for Ford.

'The plant may be closed, but Frank appears to be at 100 capacity utilization.'

US Dollar weakens.

'The only consolation is, that's the executive who laid ME off.'

'Our credit card bills are very large. A second job would be helpful but in this economy I'm glad I have a first job.'

'The bad news is that the dollar is down -- the good news is that nobody seems to have any.'

Road Forks in the Road: No Way and Yes Way.

"Son, the world is full of disappointments. About 7.7 billion of them."

'But I do have fun. I have lots lots of fun. I have lots of fun making money.'

"You can't offend me. I never mix religion or politics with reality."

"Have you ever given any thought to what you're going to do after all your hopes and dreams are crushed?"