Summary: <p>For the past few years, we've heard a similar message from economists every early January: This will be the year the economy would finally recover. And every year, those promises have fallen short. Now, as we enter 2014, we are hearing a similar theme and this time, observers say, there really are signs for optimism. They point to stronger consumer confidence, fewer drawn out budget battles in Washington and less volatility around the world. Yet even as the economy seems to be slowly improving, President Barack Obama plans to highlight economic disparities in his State of the Union address tonight. Diane and her guests check in on the U.S. economy.</p>
