The economy grew by 2.7% in the third quarter of 2012, an encouraging direction and, along with jobless claims dropping, shows a slowly improving economy (damn the Chicago mob, continuing to manipulate the numbers even after the election is over!).
If a "fiscal cliff" deal favorable to the middle class can be negotiated (lower tax rates on 98%, minimal cuts to programs investing in research/education/job creation, etc.), we could see a significant expansion of the economy in 2013 - 2014.
