WSJ editorial LOGICALLY DEMOLISHES the Stimulus Plan!

United States
February 9, 2009 8:05am CST
Yes, it is true. This is from a WSJ editorial that totally refutes the idea of 0bama's economic stimulus plan: [b]Mr. Obama is now endorsing a sort of reductionist Keynesianism that argues that any government spending is an economic stimulus. This is so manifestly false that we doubt Mr. Obama really believes it. He has to know that it matters what the government spends the money on, as well as how it is financed. A dollar doled out in jobless benefits may well be spent by the worker who receives it. That $1 of spending will count as economic activity and add to GDP. But that same dollar can’t be conjured out of thin air. The government has to take that dollar away from someone else — either in higher taxes, or by issuing new debt in the form of a bond. The person who is taxed or buys the bond will have $1 less to spend. If the beneficiary of that $1 spends it on something less productive than the taxed American or the lender would have, then the net impact on growth will be negative. Some Democrats claim these transfer payments are stimulating because they go mainly to poor people, who immediately spend the money. Tax cuts for business or for incomes across the board won’t work, they add, because those tax cuts go disproportionately to “the rich,” who will save the money. But a saved $1 doesn’t vanish from the economy, unless it is stuffed into a mattress. It enters the financial system, where it is lent to others; or it is invested in the stock market as capital for businesses; or it is invested in entirely new businesses, which are the real drivers of job creation and prosperity.[/b] I say that all of us who have ever run their own small business or have seriously studied the complex interactive effects of human behavior understand completely this WSJ editorial is correct. So, is 0bama an idoit or a deceptive, lying, manipulative, condenscending, sociopathic politician? What do you say?
2 people like this
5 responses
• United States
9 Feb 09
A nation in urgent distress - If we continue to allow President Obama to ignore our Constitution, and rework our Constitution to his liking, we are a nation doomed.
This one is closer to the truth: or a deceptive, lying, manipulative, condescending, sociopath politician? Sadly, that is what I think. I think most of you know I did not vote for President Obama, and didn't trust him. However, after he was elected, there was a tiny moment in time, when some conservatives were saying he is making some wise choices, that I gave him the benefit of the doubt, hoping he would really and truly listen and try to help our country. Well, he dashed all my hope to the ground in his first week! When our economy is in such an incredible mess, he felt it important to make his first acts have nothing to do with the economy, but rather to give tons of money to other countries to kill babies (and even if you don't think of abortion as killing, you HAVE to acknowledge that it makes no sense to spend money we don't have on abortions around the world!) and declare Gitmo will be closed within a year -- with absolutely NO CLUE OF WHAT HE WILL DO WITH THOSE INMATES. Those, just two of the crazy things he did in the first week, and continues to do. The Dems are clearly giddy with power, and clearly not thinking at all in the best interest of the country. They did this before, but not with nearly the giddy abandon and arrogance we are seeing now -- and it resulted in their losing power for a very long time. Now, the biased media, and the war, and what I think were more gaffes of not making his actions clearly understood rather than actual gaffes on the part of Bush, all combined with the economic issues that have little or nothing to do with the Republicans or Bush, to put the Dems into a great deal of power. Yet, they immediately start playing partisan games, and more of the same kind of scoffing at ethics that did cause the mortgage crisis. Our only hope is that there is some tiny shred left of our nation and our Constitution when they are done, for us to rebuild -- but I think that is a hope without reason.
2 people like this
• United States
9 Feb 09
What is most sad is that such a person could fool a majority of the American public. BTW: I, too, had the audacity to hope for a short time that 0bama might turn out to be all right. That hope is rapidly diminishing.
2 people like this
@ladyluna (7004)
• United States
13 Feb 09
Hello Dogshrink, Ya' know, over the years I've seen many others present a 'nation in distress' beacon. Always, it frustrated and infuriated me. That is until this very moment. I believe that your upside down 'Ol Glory beacon is, for the first time in my lifetime, -- highly appropriate. And, how sad is that???
• United States
11 Feb 09
You're right; that is very sad indeed. Perhaps even sadder: he didn't have to fool them; he only had to trust in knowing that most of the people would follow like sheep, and never bother to dig deep enough to know what he is really all about. He trusted in that, and the fact that so many people hate everything Republican without even knowing at all what Republicans or Conservatives really believe. And now, we will all pay the price of the ignorance and head in the sand mentality that put this man in office. Thanks for the BR
@speakeasy (4171)
• United States
9 Feb 09
Right now he is following in Bush's footsteps. The big bailout for the financial industry that Bush got passed was not done using existing money or by getting loans (bonds). If you go back and check, a few of us had made comments because the government and Federal Reserve were just planning on "printing more money". Our money has NOTHING backing it except for a vague promise by our government that it "really IS worth something". I am quite sure that is what Obama plans on doing also. If they don't watch out; our money won't be worth the paper it is printed on.
2 people like this
• United States
9 Feb 09
That the law of supply and demand can not be violated just the same as the law of gravity can not, is obvious to you and me. Unfortunately, there are many 0bama-nuts who do not understand deficit spending increases the money supply thusly devaluing everyone's money. The inviolable law of supply and demand is shouting that you are correct. All economists know you are correct. So, what is wrong with 0bama's most ardent supporters? Some are stupid, others merely ignorant.
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@speakeasy (4171)
• United States
10 Feb 09
No, they are just greedy and short-sighted. They are all hoping they will get a "cut" and they want it now without thinking or worrying about the future.
3 people like this
• United States
10 Feb 09
Okay, I can accept your interpretation over mine. That's good enough for me.
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@ladyluna (7004)
• United States
13 Feb 09
Hello Red, So what, are you suggesting that we should approach national economics from a point of logic rather than messianic feel-goodism? Geesh, isn't that asking way too much from our fellow voters? To your specific question: Do I have to choose either an idiot or a deceptive, lying, manipulative, condescending, sociopathic polititician?
1 person likes this
• United States
13 Feb 09
Yes, those are your choices, now that the election is over. This was my version of the classic "When did you stop beating your wife?" question.
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@ladyluna (7004)
• United States
13 Feb 09
Oh my ... thanks for the belly laugh, Red!
1 person likes this
• United States
9 Feb 09
"So, is 0bama an idoit or a deceptive, lying, manipulative, condenscending, sociopathic politician?What do you say? " I say yes and quite a mouthful although I do have to say I do not think he is an idiot quite the opposite and that is what really scares me.
2 people like this
• United States
9 Feb 09
I completely agree 0bama is no idiot. I agree that is scary. It means he is a man with serious mal-intent. More people need to catch on and politically oppose this man.
1 person likes this
@Destiny007 (5805)
• United States
13 Feb 09
I think that he is both. There is a reason for the term "educated idiots", and there is no denying that he is deceptive, "nuanced", as well as lying and manipulative. Not only is he condescending... he is also arrogant as well as naive and a fool...and those are his good points. He is also a baby killer, anti-American, and so Socialist that he is to the left of Stalin. Now, where is that birth certificate?
2 people like this
• United States
14 Feb 09
LOL... both! You have outdone yourself.
1 person likes this