By Byron McNutt

THE CONTINUING four-year economic recession isn’t the first one we’ve endured in our lifetime. We survived those previous slowdowns and we’ll eventually recover from this one. They are a normal part of the cycle.

About 30 years ago, there was a recession and everyone was concerned about our economic survival. When you met with a local businessman, it was common to ask about his well-being. With a tip of the hat to Lorna Sorenson of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, here are a few translations to the ever-popular opening question, “How’s business?”

• “It’s been better.” Translation: We’ll be in receivership by the end of the week.