Some economists are projecting that the U.S. may be facing a double-dip recession. Others say that the recovery will hold. Have we had so much bad news that we just can't take any more and everyone has fallen into a pessimistic funk? Maybe. But maybe not.

There is at least some evidence that our recovery is slowing, right when it should be picking up steam. On the other hand, economic recoveries after severe recessions are long. The Great Recession was deep and dark and it will take a long time, with many peaks and valleys, to fight our way out of it. Especially since the bad news keeps on coming.