What's your take on how 2012 will shape up?

I am feeling relatively good about 2012, and here are my prognostications for the year ahead: With Iowa behind us, election year kicks into high gear, and we will be barraged by the Left and the Right, but not a peep from the center. I harbor the hope that this election will ultimately find an effective center, where our government operates at its best. The euro crisis will fade into the background as the EU makes hard decisions and establishes a way forward. Employment will show respectable gains, still not anywhere near pre-recession levels. The Dow will crack 13,000. I sense that the "Bear" is heading back into hibernation, and equity markets will begin a steady, long run. Alas, real estate will lag the recovery, but this is not unusual. The stage is being set for a slow and steady rebound that will gather steam later this year, and hiring activity will follow suit. I am confident that 2012 will be a good year, and one that heralds a calming of the choppy waters.

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