By Jack Strayer, Speaking From Experience

I am throwing experience out the window like the proverbial baby with the bath water to comment on the 10 signs of what might be a new normal for politics and the economy.
Sign No. 1: The Stock Market.
While we were told that falling off the fiscal cliff could be the worst thing that ever happened to America, the stock market reacted with unmitigated glee and soared to historic record highs!
Sign No. 2: The Dreaded Federal Budget Sequestration.
It finally kicked in cutting every federal agency and program by 10 percent. President Obama thought this would never happen because Republicans wouldn’t allow the defense budget to be cut and Democrats would never turn their backs on programs like Project Head Start. Instead, hundreds of thousands of new private sector jobs were created!
Sign No. 3: Spring Break Bummer.
Because of sequestration, White House public tours have been suspended. Now, only lobbyists are allowed inside the Obama White House, but its still by appointment only!
Sign No. 4: Local Congeniality Reigns.
The Niles Township Board met with a packed house of constituents and everyone agreed on everything on the agenda!
Sign No. 5: The Senate Democrats passed a federal budget for the first time in four years!
The House Republicans passed another budget for what seems like the fourth time in one year!
Sign No. 6: Papal Lunches.
The new Pope and the old Pope had lunch together. I am not sure what that is a sign of, but who ever thought that would happen?
Sign No. 7: Improbable Standing Ovations.
The House Republicans gave one to President Obama, as did the college students of Israel!
Sign No. 8: Assault Weapon Ban.
Despite the strong support of President Obama and the hard work by Vice President Biden to ban assault weapons, the Senate Democrats failed to include the ban in their final gun control bill.
Well, I will stop at eight signs because it looks like we are now getting back to the old normal.