As the national economy struggles with joblessness, uncertainty and the endless taunting of job producers by the White House, more and more people realize that actions will speak louder than words - even slickly delivered words.

Current national leadership is learning that you can't encourage risk takers with more regulations, higher taxes and budget voodoo. I say again that central planning has and will always have a dismal track record.

I am optimistic about the America of the future. I believe that our risk takers can be counted on to understand the fatal flaws in Keynesian economics, to adjust and to innovate. They will fire up the engine of production, fix universal education and teach Washington to live within its means. As Winston Churchill said, "You can always count on Americans to do the right thing-after they've tried everything else."

Here at home, it appears that positive and forward thinking people have stepped up to the plate in Moore County. It is my belief that the stars are lined up to benefit Moore County, its quality of life and its future with opportunity that only appears at the bottom of an economic cycle.

The financial condition of our county and the local governments is excellent and can provide resources that will be needed for future expansion. For the most part, taxes have been held steady. Construction is under way at a time when construction contractors make a good deal for the taxpayers, shaving margins to keep their business working.

The county has retired debt early and certain capital projects, among the towns and county, are included in current budgeting. What a superb platform for our local life to gather and to move ahead.

In writing about the recently published study called Arts and Economic Prosperity IV in Moore County, The Pilot editors set an excellent tone for efforts to advance the local cause for maintaining the high quality-of-life standards we have accepted here as normal.

The experience-based study, prepared by Americans for the Arts, the nation's leading nonprofit organization for advancing the arts in America, sets a base line for our communities. The Arts Council is indeed fortunate to have creative Chris Dunn looking forward.

More important, the Pilot editorial quoted several local leaders who have their hands on the controls in other specialty areas that blend together to define the quality of life. The editorial subject was local arts, but the theme was cooperation and working together.

When Nancy and I landed at Lake Pinehurst Villas, we anticipated missing the culture of Philadelphia, the orchestra, theater life, local universities, sports, small ethnic restaurants and the evening time of big-city festivities. Now we can reflect how wrong we were. It is all here, without the taxes, snowfall and dense traffic of our former life style.

Back then we did, however, find a separation of our communities and took note of the front license plates that said "Native." So-called experts found fault with the "Taj Mahal," Pinehurst's municipal building, and called for it to be sold. We have lived through the water wars, built the Fair Barn, watched a tree slow down construction of a new steakhouse, complained about overcrowded schools, listened to the environmentalists and watched the population grow.

Moore County has transitioned from "us and them" to just "us." The military has discovered the Sandhills, and more of our citizens have transitioned from white hair to crew cuts. The stars are aligned, and the path is forward. Jump on board.

Walter B. Bull Jr. lives in Pinehurst. Contact him at wbbulljr@nc.rr.com.