Glass half empty headlines such as this fuel negative consumer sentiment

(Reuters) - A slew of weak economic data is casting doubts over expectations of a pick-up in growth in the second half of the year. From manufacturing to job growth to consumer spending, the numbers have been grim, and economists are wondering whether they need to dial down forecasts for the remainder of the year.

More of this story, headlined Analysis: Anxiety mounts as economy limps into second half

If politicians, worldwide, stopped being the idiots who cry wolf, screaming that we're on the edge and on the brink and on the precipice every eight seconds, maybe people could run their businesses better and not hold onto cash.