Optimism drives new year

A feeling that this year will be better than the last was the prevailing mood among a sampling of lunch customers at The Barbecue Joint in North Charleston, but some feared darker days are ahead.

Deven Emerson, 29, an employee of defense contractor SAIC, said he is an eternal optimist by nature. President Obama has authorized more troops overseas, which is good for the defense business, he noted.

"I think the economy is on the

upswing big-time. I hope so," he said. "I really feel like the economy bottomed out last summer."

A recent Gallup survey said Americans generally are staying positive and described the country's emotional health as at a 17-month high. The so-called "Life Evaluation Index" reached the 50 threshold for the first time in October and finished at 49.5 for November, up more than 16 points since its low point of 33.1 last November, the polling firm reported at its Web site, www.gallup.com.

"In November, 52.9 percent of American adults were classified as 'thriving,' just shy of the recorded high from (October) and substantially improved over the 37.4 percent measured in November of last year," Gallup reported.

Not everyone thinks the hard times have passed.

Robert Shepherd, 33, an electronics technician for a defense contractor, saw reason to be worried. Of particular concern is the state's persistent double-digit unemployment rate, which climbed to 12.3 percent last month, the highest mark on record. "I think it (2010) will probably be worse. I'm hoping not, but it's probably going to work out that way," Shepherd said. His job is among the most secure because the country is fighting two wars, he said.

The November jobless rate tied the Palmetto State with Nevada and California for third-highest in the country. Unemployment has hovered in double-digits throughout 2009 as recession-hit employers around South Carolina continued to shed jobs.

Nonetheless, Kelly Stalcup, 43, a Charleston County teacher, was cautiously hopeful. "I think by the end of (the) year, things will be better," Stalcup said. She teaches at Goodwin Elementary School and Buist Academy. Her sister, a psychiatric nurse, has struggled to find work, she said.

Sam Turrentine of Daniel Island was among the customers at the Park Circle restaurant on Thursday who was worried about 2010. He works in the family business Smith Dray Line. "A lot more nervous. Our government spending is out of control. I think we're in big trouble," Turrentine said.

Higher taxes for small business concerned him. The government should focus on getting people back to work and make the country more business friendly, he said, adding it should stop trying to fix so many things at once. "We don't make anything here any more," he said. "All we do is provide services."

Derrick Brown, 41, an employee of SAIC, said he was optimistic about the year and hoped the U.S. would establish better relations with Middle Eastern countries. "If we work at it, we can fix the relationships with these countries," Brown said.

"I think people are seeing a lot of money going toward wars and nowhere else. I work for the Department of Defense. It's hard for me to say that because it pays my bills," he said.

Brown said the country should give the Obama administration a chance. "If it doesn't work out, give somebody else a chance. That's all you can do," he said. He also advocated two-term limits for congressmen and senators.

Kay Billian and her husband, Bruce, who works for a defense contractor, are focused on her health this year. Last year was a rough one for them because of a major illness that put her in the hospital for two months. "We've been pretty lucky with the insurance," her husband said.

She has been diagnosed with a form of vasculitis that causes lung symptoms, and she will receive further treatment at the Mayo Clinic. "It's definitely going to be a better year," she said.

Reach Prentiss Findlay at 937-5711 or pfindlay@postandcourier.com.