"Downturn" means a deacrease, of course. But decrease from what? The gloom and doom referred to as "downturn" is completely false. If one's salary increases rapidly for 10 years, and then declines one year after that --- is that a significant downturn?
Moreover, there is this perception that the economy is not supposed to have downturns at all. That is a purely socialist notion, and most of people in this country do not know that because we had it too good for too long --- we forgot. What we should be saying is exactly the same thing we say satisfyingly on a morning after a good party: that was a h-ll of a party. Surely, we do not fell well at the time of speaking these words: we are tired, and may have a bit of a hangover. But we blame anyone that the party is over? Not at all. We know that games end, and there is time for work. So, instead of b---g, "why did it have to end," we look back with a smile and move on.
The country had a h--ll of a party from 1982 to 2001. Look back and smile; there is nothing to b--ch about. And even The Scary Bubble burned mostly speculators: inverstors have a fine return over the last 10-20 years, even with the bubble having burst. The unemployment is at the level that until recently haws been considered lowest possible. There is no economc tragedy: we are back to normal life after a great party. That's all there is about the BIg Mean DOWNTURN.