Leave a Comment

The Stimulus
Weekly Standard Blog — Robert J. Samuelson on the many economic challenges facing Obama: The temptation will be to press ahead with a 'bold' legislative agenda - to ape the New Deal. This would be a mistake. The psychology of bruising legislative battles will not bolster confidence. The country does need to face its health and energy problems as well as deficit-ridden federal budgets. But trying to do too much too soon risks doing none of it well. We - and he - are caught up in a web of contradictions. In the long run, we need to discipline our appetite for ...

An open door policy
Power Line — ... As we have suggested In previous posts, this principle applies to the current economic crisis that president-elect Obama faces. That crisis arguably closes the door, at least for now, on the prospect of a New Deal style blitz of radical new economic and domestic legislation. As Robert Samuelson explains, Obama's first priority must be to stimulate the economy and relieve the financial crisis. The latter objective requires a restoration of confidence and a reduction of uncertainty. Radical legislation (e.g., massive health care reform) that would create new winners and ...

Can Anyone Bring America Together in an Era of Division?
The Hollywood Liberal — ... First Things First, Mr. President WASHINGTON — As he assembles his economic team, Barack Obama faces a central strategic decision that only he can make. Starting with his “economic stimulus” plan, will he focus mainly on reviving the economy and relieving the financial crisis? Or will he use the economic crisis as a vehicle to advance a more ambitious social and economic agenda? The two approaches are at odds. The first aims at building political consensus and economic confidence; the second would intensify political conflict and economic uncertainty. The decision ...