Analysts are declaring that our economy is experiencing the worst shakeup since the Great Depression of 1929 and following. Giant institutions and corporations are declaring bankruptcy or begging for government bailouts. Unemployment is rising, prices are falling, homes are being repossessed, and we’re being told that we’ve already ravaged the world’s ecology almost beyond repair.

Into this apparently hopeless maelstrom strides a young black man who promises he can come up with the answers. We all sure hope he can. He’s assembling a Cabinet and advisers, and trying to lay early plans for addressing all these crises. He’s not waiting till he takes office Jan. 20; he and those around him are at work right now.

Once in a while, when people are in a panic and problems seem to have no solution, when well-meaning participants are suggesting all kinds of contradictory advice — a bolt of perception will strike somewhere, a lightning flash of illumination, and a simple answer appears.

Forgive my presumption, but I think I have a bold and simple solution to our economic meltdown. Please stay with me for just a few moments.