Black Friday’s rush was not really that extreme, a sign that the economy is still hurting. As we come to the end of the year, unemployment is at the highest levels in recent times and the job market is not getting better. So what are we looking for in 2010? A lot of the same as in 2009? I am afraid. If you have a job you are lucky, but you will be required to give more probably for less.

Congress continues to focus on Health Care Reform so nothing else seems to be moving. The most disturbing fact to us is that Latina-owned businesses have been left completely out of the loop in the recovery efforts. Credit card lines (a significant source of operating capital for small businesses) have been reduced without warning or regard for credit history, rates have been increasing to record levels, arbitrary bank fees have been left out of any financial reform and through the whole year in our six events for the LATINA Style Business Series—with over 2,000 businesses in attendance—not a single bank loan or credit line has been extended to the participants. Instead of bailing out the banks with our tax dollars and asking them to “please give some loans to small businesses” the government should have created a strong loan fund at the SBA and let them do direct loans instead of guaranteeing loans that never happened at the banks. Our advice is to be frugal and try to do away with all the expenses that are not essential.

To Congress and the Administration: provide incentives to small businesses to retain and hire new employees. This will help the business environment and certainly make a long standing impact on the unemployment rate.

In this issue we recognize the outstanding contributions that Latinas are making in the Armed Forces. Twelve Amazing women were recognized during the Distinguished Military Service Awards in Washington D.C. The awards luncheon was also the venue for LATINA Style to present its first Presidential Award to the U.S. Navy for their outstanding programs and efforts to make this service the best choice for Latinas serving in the Military. This is demonstrated even further by the over 30 percent make up of women and minorities in the upcoming class of the Naval Academy. We are honored to have U.S. Secretary of the Navy, Ray Mabus addressing these issues in the “His View” column.

Every December we present the new cars that we believe are the best choices for Latinas. Our Automotive Guide takes some of the mystery out of buying a new car. With women influencing or making nearly 85 percent of all new car purchases, a Latina vote is surely essential for the auto industry. On a different note we keep hearing that a puppy is the perfect Christmas gift. Well not so fast, learn what it takes to care for a cuddly little mutt.

The most positive event of the year for our community has been the confirmation of Justice Sonia Sotomayor to the U.S. Supreme Court. We continue to wish her tremendous success. Finally, we close on a sad note on the senseless loss of 13 soldiers at Fort Hood in Texas. Among them were two outstanding Hispanics. Major Libardo Caraveo and Private Francheska Velez who happened to be three months pregnant. We extend to their families and to all the families who lost loved ones our deepest condolences.

Robert E. Bard