Last month our Supreme Leader was quoted as saying “I’m not naive,” words that history will make famous some day. His advisors, being liberals, have only one lever to pull. Having pulled it harder than its ever been pulled before and to no avail, their advice?
The U.S. should consider drafting a second stimulus package focusing on infrastructure projects because the $787 billion approved in February was “a bit too small,” said Laura Tyson, an adviser to President Barack Obama.
“A bit too small.” Who are these people? Should it have had an “eency weency bit more pork?” Doubling it would not incent businesses to hire new employees right now or convince consumers to stop saving and start spending (hey, they’re smarter than the people they elected – maybe there is Hope®).
The Obama stimulus already is the New Larger Size version of the failed Bush stimulus. Remember?
Hmm, what sort of policy would have incented hiring and spending? That’s a tough one. Anyone?
“The economy is worse than we forecast on which the stimulus program was based,” Tyson, who is a member of Obama’s Economic Recovery Advisory board, told the Nomura Equity Forum. “We probably have already 2.5 million more job losses than anticipated.”
Let me tweak that comment for you Ms. Tyson: “The economy is worse than we forecast because of the stimulus program.” Washington D.C. should be renamed “Ground Zero.”
The stimulus program will result in higher inflation and will require higher taxes. The anticipation of both is already putting pressure on businesses, who will continue to run as lean as they can for a long, long time. In fact, business owners are in fear of the government’s next move. Employees know this. The trickle-down effect is that even those that have jobs are hoarding cash and cutting expenditures.
Not very stimulating.
Maybe we should follow the MAC’s proposed signage plan and apply it to the economy. Let’s put up $2 Million signs everywhere “Be Happy. Spend Money.”
Tyson, 62, later told reporters that the U.S. can afford to pay for a second package, even as the fiscal deficit soars. She said the budget shortfall is “likely to be worse” than the equivalent of 12 percent of gross domestic product that the administration forecast for 2009 and the 8 percent to 9 percent it projected for next year.
We can “afford to pay” is an egregious choice of words given the fact that no one is “paying” – we are borrowing. I suppose her assessment is based on the fact that China hasn’t canceled our Visa card yet.
Tyson said the U.S. should shift away from its dependence on consumption to grow, and promote expansion through investment and exports. The dollar will need to weaken in the longer term to promote export-led growth, she said.
So, we shouldn’t consume, but let’s hope the rest of the world does? Remember kids what liberals mean when they say “investment?” I wonder how my Social Security “investments” are doing?
I think you’ve done enough to weaken the dollar in the long term Ms. Tyson. Thank you.
The Obama administration and its advisors are not naive; they know exactly what they are doing. They are holding the economy hostage until they get their way, executing an agenda despite its effects on the economy and leaving the “fixing” to the next administration.
Great Leader is not naive. He is deeply cynical, and this makes all of his thinking extrodinarily subjective.
That last thing we need is more stimulus money. This situation needs to shake itself out on its own if it is going to be sustainable.
We saw with the Bush package and now Obama’s that there is only a blip.
Flash
Flash and I are in total accord. See, Obama can be a uniter!
The one constant between the Bush stimulus and the Obama stimulus is the democratic majority in the house and senate that passed the legislation.
Flash, will you be withdrawing your support from people who voted for these stimulus packages, and give it to the people who opposed them?
Only Rep. McCollum will be on the ballot next cycle, and I’ve never voted for her, don’t see how that will change this time around.
As for withdrawing support, I’ve never been a one issue candidate, I look at the body of work.
Currently, I support Jim Ramstad for Governor.
Flash
I may be wrong – but didn’t the Rammer vote for Bush’s stimulus package?
(It’d break my heart of he did; the Rammer is a fellow Jamestown native and former student of my dad’s).
Yes, which was part of my point, I am not going use a single issue like that to abandon my support of his candidacy.
He switched his support because of the Senate’s decision to include an amendment for mental illnesses inclusion in health insurance.
We hope that amendment helps you. You could use as much help as possible.
“He switched his support because of the Senate’s decision to include an amendment for mental illnesses inclusion in health insurance. ”
He got bought.
Ramstad would be Arne Carlson II.
Too bad there’s not room in the DFL for somebody moderate like Ramstad.
Moderate Ramstad voted to make the Bush tax cuts permanent.
“Moderate Ramstad voted to make the Bush tax cuts permanent. ”
Yeap, and I won’t hold that against him either *grin*
I’m guessing your support of Ramstad will last until he runs against a democrat.
I’m guessing your support of Ramstad will last until he runs against a democrat.
Ooooh, MON’s got him cornered now!
Oops, hang on. My phone’s ringing.
Flash, that was Jim Ramstad. He told me to tell you to get off his side.
“Flash, that was Jim Ramstad. He told me to tell you to get off his side. ”
And THAT is why the GOP finds themselves very alone right now.
Flash
“I’m guessing your support of Ramstad will last until he runs against a democrat.”
I would not vote for any of the currently announced Democratic Candidate over Ramstad!
Oops, hang on. My phone’s ringing.
Flash, that was all of the currently announced Democratic Candidates. They told me to tell you to stay off their side.
What in the Republican platform does the Rammer actually support?
Serious question, Flash — if you don’t vote for Betty McCollum, why would you vote for Barack Obama?
Badda,
A number if issues. Defense of Marriage Act, for one specific item. He’s generally fiscally conservative, and anti-tax, but he’s got his pet spending priorities (mental health/addictive health). Add on those issues he can be compromised.
Flash? Do you support a constitutional amendment defining marriage as one man and one woman just like Jim Ramstad does? Or is this yet another issue where you disagree with Ramstad but would vote for him over any “currently announced democrat”?
[crickets chirping]
Back on topic, the administration has now admitted that they have borrowed and spent a trillion dollars and accomplished nothing that helped the economy. Now want permission to borrow another trillion.
At least when Bush spent a trillion, we got rid of Saddam Hussein and created a democracy in an oil rich country in the Middle East. I bet Obama Idolizes Bush.
“”why would you vote for Barack Obama? “”
I beieve that 8 years of administrative mismanagement was a prime catyalyst for why we are where we are at. You folks disagree and want to blame it all on two years of a Dem congress supported by President GWBush. It is why it is very difficult to take any of you seriously on this issue. Bottom line, we tried it your way for 8 years and it went from bad to worse. Right or wrong I had no problem trying something different even if that something wasn;t wuite what I had in mind. All I knew is your way wasn’t working for sure.
“Do you support a constitutional amendment defining marriage as one man and one woman just like Jim Ramstad does? ”
No, I don’t believe the Government should be in the marriage business, and wonder why folks who think the government should be small and non intrusive think they should. Why is it that the Right wants a hands off government accept when it involves someones personal medical decisions, bedrooms, and cohabitational partners.
“Why is it that the Right wants a hands off government accept when it involves someones personal medical decisions, bedrooms, and cohabitational partners. ”
You’ll have to ask Jim Ramstad when you’re out door knocking with him.
No, I don’t believe the Government should be in the marriage business, and wonder why folks who think the government should be small and non intrusive think they should.
For a “centrist” you don’t seem to know very much about conservatism, Flash.
Conservatives believe in a limited government, not necessarily a small government. The two are not the same thing. Bush was famously, and regretfully as far as I am concerned, a ‘big government’ conservative. McCain is a big government conservative as well.
That being said there is something bizarre about believing the government has an interest in the mileage of the car that I buy, and the style of light bulbs that I use, but must keep hands off when it comes to something that has as much impact on public policy as peoples marriage and child-rearing arrangements.
Flash, let me add something to my last comment.
I don’t think that many conservatives care too much about your domestic relationships, as long as it’s between consenting adults and you don’t demand that the state make everyone call it ‘marriage’.
On the other hand, liberals seem very concerned about what mileage my car gets, what kind of light bulbs I use, and how I pay for my medical care.
As far as I can tell Swiftee is far more tolerant of lifestyle choices than anyone on the left — or anyone who calls themselves a ‘centrist’.
You folks disagree and want to blame it all on two years of a Dem congress supported by President GWBush.
Not me. The problems that caused the financial crash last year were years in the making and Washington’s role in what happened is subject to a lot of debate. I tend to look back to the CRA as one huge factor, but the Republicans have to share the blame because although W. did publicly object to what was happening, he didn’t do enough to change things when he had the chance.
Here’s why I ask, Flash — you are smart enough to know all this, and you are apparently smart enough to know that Betty McCollum doesn’t deserve your support. If you know, which you apparently do, that Betty’s ideas are poor, why would you think that a politician who believes the same thing that Betty does would do a better job of being president when his oft-stated goal was to implement the policies that Betty espouses? Or are the problems you have with Betty just a matter of style points?
Isn’t this “marriage” thing about public approval of homosexual “marriages”? Isn’t it silly comment that one party or another wants to “invade” somebodys bedroom?
“OK, now we want you to look into our bedrooms and homes AND approve of everything you see there. In fact, you should call it marriage!”
*shrug* No.
You folks disagree and want to blame it all on two years of a Dem congress supported by President GWBush.
No, I blame it on Beorge Bush’s attempt to bring a “new tone” to Washington, and not doing enough to stand up to the Left. I blame it on Trent Lott, who was a weak leader.
Now the Democrat party is making things exponentially worse.
Maaawaaage.
Hetro or homo or bi, you have exactly the same rights. Period.
Flush finally admits that the only reason he voted for Obama was his BDS.
Before the election I asked for one good reason to vote for Obama. All I heard was *crickets*.
Typical of the Liberal Fascist sheeple.
Flush = FAIL
What do you hear when you ask them about Obama increasing the deficit from $480 billion to $2 trillion and now talk of almost $3 trillion?
*crickets*