After a yield curve inversion, a sustained oil price shock, a long march of Fed rate hikes, and chronic budget and trade deficits, the question of whether the U.S. economy will slow down or fall into a recession is not now a matter of "if" but "when." The last time these unlucky stars crossed the economy was in 2000 and 2001, and it was neither a pretty or prosperous time for market bulls. The question is whether you can make money on the long side in stocks even when the economy is faltering and the overall market is tanking.