In times of economic downturn, we must keep in mind a few important keys to help guide us through: 

0. Government does not make money. Government agencies only spend the money tax-payers provide. Therefore any increases in government spending will result in tax-payers paying more into the government in some manner. 
0. The economic backbone of a society is the community workforce. Workers at all levels and business owners are the key to having a prosperous society.
0. Increasing taxes only hurts those who have the best chance of turning around the economy.  Higher taxes put a burden on workers who produce the increase for society. 
0. Government needs to tighten its belt just like businesses and families do. 
0. Becoming more responsible is the positive side of an economic downturn. We usually find a variety of things we can do without. As we distinguish necessities from like-to-haves, we find that prosperous times have opened the doors to many things that we can do without if we need to.
0. Good government leadership is able to separate the essentials from the non-essentials, and be willing to cut non-essentials.
0. Tough economic times have historically only lasted for a season (although it could last longer due to bad decisions). Coming through such a time makes us appreciate the things that are truly important, our marriages, our family, our friends and our communities and businesses.