Perhaps I'm jumping the gun, but it won't be long before the holidays are upon us and with them the annual airing of the classic film "It's a Wonderful Life." Certain aspects of the movie's plot and characters resonate with me in light of the U.S. economy's recent fits and starts. Sure, the film is a work of fiction but, nonetheless, maybe there's a lesson to be learned here.
Remember how a banking panic nearly sank the Bailey Bros. Building & Loan, and radically altered George and Mary Bailey's honeymoon plans? Remember, too, how Mr. Potter offered to buy out fearful Building & Loan shareholders "for 50 cents on the dollar"?