It's often said that the best time to buy stocks is when everyone else is selling -- or sitting on the sidelines. That's when you get the best deals. So does that make stocks a good investment for you today?

No question, Americans are still wary of the stock market. The S&P 500 has remained within a narrow range for more than a year. Not surprising given the U.S. high unemployment rate and the fall in values of homes. On top of that, the world is jittery over the debt crisis in Europe, the possibility of inflation in China (even though China so far has not raised interest rates), and skirmishes taking place between North and South Korea. And then there are well-known economists such as Gary Shilling and David Rosenberg who are sounding alarm bells that now is not the time to invest in stocks.

Are we in a recession or a depression? A recession usually means a temporary dip in an otherwise growing economy. A depression is much worse, feeding on itself and dragging the economy lower and lower. A recession carries hope. A depression is pure hopelessness.

We have all kinds of forecasts, from extreme optimism to bleak pessimism. Government officials and the mainstream media are touting this as a dip in a long-term growth cycle.

The mainstream media is overflowing with hyperventilating bears preaching about a depression. All fear-mongering aside, we see two very positive developments in the U.S. economy: retail and corporate spending.

1. Retail Spending

The International Council of Shopping Centers has announced that retail sales expanded at the highest pace since September 2006. Luxury retailers posted an eye-popping 8% rise in sales. Seems like consumption is our culture. Some people think the U.S. consumer has changed. Personally, I would never bet against the DNA of a tribe ... and ours is shopping. As my brother Derek said, "In the Great Depression we had bread lines. Now, there are Apple (AAPL) iPhone 4 lines." That is a mind-blowing distinction.