How deep in the hole do you have to be before you admit you're in one? For some, it might be when they're in over their head. Last week, President Bush very clearly stated to the nation that we are not in a recession. Yesterday, Warren Buffett, chairman of Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: BRK.A) said very cleary we are.

This metaphor contradicts many citizens who have been saying for years that President Bush is in way over his head. Obviously he is not. If he can still peer over the edge, then from his perspective, he is not in a hole. Even if he is the only one to hold that perspective.

This pretty much describes the state of the economy, in general. There are people, myself included, who have refused to accept that we are in a recession because by definition we have not had two quarters of negative growth. But I'm ready to repent.

While this may be true, it is of little comfort. This is why every time we have a recession, we are late to do anything about it. The data is a latent indicator. It is always historical. However, when 'my pal Warren' entered the discussion, he was not looking forward or backward. He was looking at current sales data coming in from companies he owns or is a major shareholder in.

I remember the "Snoopy for President" campaigns, complete with buttons, posters and bumper stickers. What I do not remember is anything about his political platform. What did he stand for? What problems did he see and how did he propose to solve them?

Here on the "Left Coast," we Californians now have our second actor governor. Remember Ronnie? He was pretty popular too. Our track record with actors is every bit as good as our history with lawyer-politicians, maybe even better. Considering all the pretending that our political leaders do, aren't they just actors anyway? Maybe with more "credentials".

And speaking of seconds, we are in the middle of our second term in a second Bush Administration (Bush senior dropped the ball and did not get a second term), full of second-best ideas. And before y'all get bent out of shape on my picking on the president, I never vote the party line. I'm just another dissatisfied customer at this point. The election results indicate a few more like me.

This cartoon was sent to me by the artist/satirist Ron P. Overmyer (www.hollywooddog.com) and I thought it expressed not just Bush senior's sentiments but also the nation's.