Published October 2001

America’s economy,
citizens are resilient

We’ve been told for years that our American economy is incredibly resilient and diversified. We’ve accepted that in our hearts as well as in our minds.

Now, following the devastating Sept. 11 attack on New York City and Washington, D.C., by terrorists piloting U.S. airliners, we are seeing proof that our economy is indeed incredibly resilient and diversified.

Unfortunately, the interwoven economic fabric that gives America its great strength also can expose our country to great havoc. The sagging stock prices on Wall Street, the reductions in flights and employment within the airline industry and the related announcement of mass layoffs by the Boeing Co. are all ripple effects of the terrorist war on the United States.

At this writing, a week after the aerial attacks, it seems as if the imploding twin towers of the World Trade Center have triggered an imploding economy that also seems to be collapsing. It may seem to some that the clouds of dust and debris that enveloped lower Manhattan are blowing across our country, enveloping cities and towns in a nationwide economic storm.

But the economy of our nation is still strong and intact, even though it has been temporarily disrupted and weakened in crucial segments, such as air travel, and at crucial sites, such as New York and our nation’s capital.

While thousands of U.S. workers have been laid off over the past year (beginning even before the terrorist attacks), the other side of that story is that millions and millions of people are still working, traveling, buying and investing. Not traveling, buying and investing will only contribute to the demise of the economy.

In Snohomish County, as well as nationally, we know that Americans — like our economy — are incredibly resilient and diverse — in their skills, occupations, attitudes and beliefs. And we know our economy is still strong, even though damaged by our new, maniacal adversaries.

As always in times of great crisis, it will be the hopeful, skillful, dedicated and courageous people who will enable our country to weather this great storm. And we have millions and millions of them.

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