<i> A weekly look at noteworthy addresses in the Southland.</i>

The Recession and Politics

“The unemployment rate rose to 6.8% in October, with the largest increase in the sectors that usually lead the business cycle . . . Manufacturers’ new orders fell sharply, and real exports have stopped growing . . . consumer confidence has plunged . . . Housing starts are at their lowest level since 1946. . . . The worst news of all is that these indicators are not expected to go up significantly in the near future. Like the proverbial ‘watched pot,’ the recovery seems so slow in coming.

The waiting can be too much for most politicians of any political stripe. There is considerable pressure on the President and the Congress to do something, which leads to a fierce debate about the correct thing to do.

Some of us fervently hope that the majority in Congress will not, in its rush to save the day, extinguish any flicker of economic activity with new spending, new regulations or new taxes.

And, who are we kidding? This is not just a fight about economic policy. This is about the 1992 presidential election.”

Looking Ahead

* Monday: Li Zi Liu, mayor of Guangzhou (Canton), People’s Republic of China, will address the Los Angeles World Affairs Council at 7:30 p.m. at the J.W. Marriott in Century City. For more information, call (213) 628-2333.

* Wednesday: Father Bill Davis, Christic Institute co-founder, will speak at the organization’s December forum at 7:30 p.m. at St. Augustine by-the-Sea Episcopal Church in Santa Monica. For more information, call (310) 287-1556.