All we have to do is look North, South, East and West to see that socialism has never worked. Our country has try it several times, all to have our economy in shambles. It is a shame I fought two wars for this country to keep it free and now we voted to enslave us to the central government!!!
It's really hard to say, could go either way. But the reason I myself have been so excited by Barack's candidacy is because of his poise, his intellect, his discipline, his connectedness to the youth, and because he seems like nothing the White House has ever seen before. Hopefully these are character traits that qualify him to lead us out of the abyss, as John calls it.
But the uncertainty of America's future makes taking the reins at this current node in history a daunting task -- one I really don't envy. The historical precedents to Barack's assumption of power are Abe Lincoln and FDR -- times when the U.S. was in similar states of disrepair. Both men became unrivaled leaders and each changed the course of American history, I'd say for the better.
But Barack, on the other hand, is a first term senator and is 47 years-old. He has a lot to prove and must begin implementing his policies immediately. No time to waste. As Leon Panetta, former Chief of Staff said, "You better damn well do the tough stuff up front, because if you think you can delay the tough decisions and tiptoe past the graveyard, you’re in for a lot of trouble. Make the decisions that involve pain and sacrifice up front.” If he does, maybe Barack can steer us away from the Next Depression.
Not likely. The problems with the U.S. economy took 28 years to create. Obama isn't going to fix them in 4. Most of Obama's economic plans seem to be long term. Ya know, gettin' our childs to stop thinking "gettin' our childs" is english, and so on. It's going to take time to fix the problems that our inverted socialism, aka Reaganomics or trickle down, have caused. That is, if Obama lives long enough to even try. I've little doubt that pulling the contracts of companies like Blackwater and Haliburton will get him killed. As much as I like Obama I don't think his plans will do any more to fix the economy than Bush's will, at least short term, there is to much wrong. Fortunately those of us that don't have our Bank accounts in the Kamen Islands or Panama might actually be able to afford food.
A loaded question. Assumption #1: A president has the power to control the economy. He does not. Assumption #2: A recession will be bad. In fact we need it in order to straighten out the mess we have.
This economic downturn and recession has been many years in the making (poor policy, political in-fighting, divisiveness, and greed) and will take some time to reverse (we cannot drill or print our way out of this mess). Since the US has become a consumer of wealth and natural resources rather than a creator of wealth and renewer of resources, we find that economic bad times are much worse, more widespread, and will last longer. We also find ourselves beholden to individuals, organizations, and countries that do not have our best interests as their number 1 priority. We are beholden to many and respected by far fewer on our planet. We have entire classes of people who cannot find meaningful work and a way to start, raise, and support a family. We have people at all levels of government, business, and industry who do not really understand what it means to have a vital and sustainable economy, much less a vital and thriving society that lives in harmony with Natural Law while appreciating and protecting the natural resources that our planet provides.
Before anyone can do anything that will have a long-term and lasting effect, these folks and the citizens that vote for them and support them need to get that understanding, constancy of purpose, and wisdom. Otherwise, we will continue to lurch through each boom and bust cycle having learned nothing; while living a life of excess and folly (for some) or a life of desperation and sadness (for others).
Dear Jose: If we look north, south, east, and west, you would find that we have lagged behind in terms of creativity and innovation, productivity, and overall comcompetitiveness that once made us an industrial powerhouse. There are reasons why jobs are offshored, the number of millionaires outside of the U.S. is growing, and responsible government has balanced their budgets and pay down their foreign debts. Dale, below, is quite correct in that we are a consumer of resources. We have the best of talents, and yet we become complacent. Perhaps we can learn from Canada (N), Brazil (S), China (E), and Germany (W). Socialism isn't evil and "spreading the wealth" creates a middle class with social safety nets for the less fortunate. Instead of being cynical, why don't we rally behind Obama and give him a chance. Afterall, he did inspire a majority of us, and the world.
Socialism has never worked anywhere it has been tried. Case in point, China. The Chinese government is now propping up the capitalist system that has made them rich because of the recent economic downturn. Why, if socialism is so successful, did the Soviet Union collapse? Because it could not compete with a free enterprise, capitalistic system. Europe is and has been sinking under the financial weight of its own socialist system now for years, and it is economies like ours that keep them running. The money they get from international commerce has been subsidizing a failing system, not creating wealth for its constituents. If you take money away from people who have earned it to give to people that didn't, the government will end up printing money to keep up with the subsidies. Where is the incentive to excel and prosper in a socialist environment? there is none. The Democrats want a nanny state in which the Washington elites determine who has and who doesn't. SCARY?? You bet,and that is where we are headed.
"I happen to deeply agree with the wisdom of Tom Friedman (that we cannot consume of way out of this mess and "Have you ever been to a revolution where nobody gets hurt?"). The fact is that the current economic conditions will cause a lot of companies to close their doors (websites too), and they will die off altogether due to lack of understanding the competitive (innovative) landscape. Just look at Detroit and the Big 3 for example! Those that will fight to stay alive will need to figure out — What's Next?
I believe that the New Green Economy will include the Rise of Green Real Estate Markets paired with the continued success of Cleantech, Clean Energy Markets, and large scale shifts toward Clean Transportation, and the Greening of the IT Industries (plus a fourth quarter of record investment!!), which will lead to a boom in "American Made" Green Collar Jobs and the creation of new wealth. The trick is: "who will get it right??" Execution makes all the difference for most of these opportunities and green investors need to pay more attention to the items that management claim they can achieve." - Yeves Perez, Nov 2008 - Founder of The Eco Investment Club
However, it will not be easy given the twisted climate of greed and corruption in Wall Street, and the strong foreign interests that favour increased offshore prodution jobs and mostly domestic consumption markets.
Point 1: No President-elect Obama will not (at least not by himself). No president in our history has had that kind of control. However, he will guide Congress to guide the American people to make better financial decisions, take action on bettering education, health care, and energy, and help open up new markets and new ideas for modern industry. Because of those steps this country will rebound.
Point 2: Even doing those things won't keep this country from recession. Recession is necessary to put (and keep) our economy in check. Imagine where our economy would be 10 years from now if the current recession never happened.
Final Point: I laugh my a$$ off every time some idiot brings up Socialism. Barack Obama meets Joe (The Plumber) Wurzelbacher, makes an off hand comment because he was caught on the spot with The Plumber's question, and now 2 months out of 21 months of his campaign he is all of a sudden a socialist? For once it would be nice to see the genius of the American people applied before the news media gives them a bone!
Fact: Equal access for opportunity does not mean there will be equal result.
Comments | 12 Total
November 5, 2008 at 12:45am by john weller
Obama will lead this country into the abyss.
November 5, 2008 at 7:44am by Jose Lopez
All we have to do is look North, South, East and West to see that socialism has never worked. Our country has try it several times, all to have our economy in shambles. It is a shame I fought two wars for this country to keep it free and now we voted to enslave us to the central government!!!
November 5, 2008 at 10:30am by Rip Empson
It's really hard to say, could go either way. But the reason I myself have been so excited by Barack's candidacy is because of his poise, his intellect, his discipline, his connectedness to the youth, and because he seems like nothing the White House has ever seen before. Hopefully these are character traits that qualify him to lead us out of the abyss, as John calls it.
But the uncertainty of America's future makes taking the reins at this current node in history a daunting task -- one I really don't envy. The historical precedents to Barack's assumption of power are Abe Lincoln and FDR -- times when the U.S. was in similar states of disrepair. Both men became unrivaled leaders and each changed the course of American history, I'd say for the better.
But Barack, on the other hand, is a first term senator and is 47 years-old. He has a lot to prove and must begin implementing his policies immediately. No time to waste. As Leon Panetta, former Chief of Staff said, "You better damn well do the tough stuff up front, because if you think you can delay the tough decisions and tiptoe past the graveyard, you’re in for a lot of trouble. Make the decisions that involve pain and sacrifice up front.” If he does, maybe Barack can steer us away from the Next Depression.
November 5, 2008 at 12:03pm by Vance Dubberly
Not likely. The problems with the U.S. economy took 28 years to create. Obama isn't going to fix them in 4. Most of Obama's economic plans seem to be long term. Ya know, gettin' our childs to stop thinking "gettin' our childs" is english, and so on. It's going to take time to fix the problems that our inverted socialism, aka Reaganomics or trickle down, have caused. That is, if Obama lives long enough to even try. I've little doubt that pulling the contracts of companies like Blackwater and Haliburton will get him killed. As much as I like Obama I don't think his plans will do any more to fix the economy than Bush's will, at least short term, there is to much wrong. Fortunately those of us that don't have our Bank accounts in the Kamen Islands or Panama might actually be able to afford food.
November 5, 2008 at 12:07pm by George Donnelly
A loaded question. Assumption #1: A president has the power to control the economy. He does not. Assumption #2: A recession will be bad. In fact we need it in order to straighten out the mess we have.
November 5, 2008 at 1:12pm by Dale Thompson
This economic downturn and recession has been many years in the making (poor policy, political in-fighting, divisiveness, and greed) and will take some time to reverse (we cannot drill or print our way out of this mess). Since the US has become a consumer of wealth and natural resources rather than a creator of wealth and renewer of resources, we find that economic bad times are much worse, more widespread, and will last longer. We also find ourselves beholden to individuals, organizations, and countries that do not have our best interests as their number 1 priority. We are beholden to many and respected by far fewer on our planet. We have entire classes of people who cannot find meaningful work and a way to start, raise, and support a family. We have people at all levels of government, business, and industry who do not really understand what it means to have a vital and sustainable economy, much less a vital and thriving society that lives in harmony with Natural Law while appreciating and protecting the natural resources that our planet provides.
Before anyone can do anything that will have a long-term and lasting effect, these folks and the citizens that vote for them and support them need to get that understanding, constancy of purpose, and wisdom. Otherwise, we will continue to lurch through each boom and bust cycle having learned nothing; while living a life of excess and folly (for some) or a life of desperation and sadness (for others).
November 5, 2008 at 11:08pm by Dr. Eddy Ng
Dear Jose: If we look north, south, east, and west, you would find that we have lagged behind in terms of creativity and innovation, productivity, and overall comcompetitiveness that once made us an industrial powerhouse. There are reasons why jobs are offshored, the number of millionaires outside of the U.S. is growing, and responsible government has balanced their budgets and pay down their foreign debts. Dale, below, is quite correct in that we are a consumer of resources. We have the best of talents, and yet we become complacent. Perhaps we can learn from Canada (N), Brazil (S), China (E), and Germany (W). Socialism isn't evil and "spreading the wealth" creates a middle class with social safety nets for the less fortunate. Instead of being cynical, why don't we rally behind Obama and give him a chance. Afterall, he did inspire a majority of us, and the world.
November 6, 2008 at 12:46pm by Randall Drew
Socialism has never worked anywhere it has been tried. Case in point, China. The Chinese government is now propping up the capitalist system that has made them rich because of the recent economic downturn. Why, if socialism is so successful, did the Soviet Union collapse? Because it could not compete with a free enterprise, capitalistic system. Europe is and has been sinking under the financial weight of its own socialist system now for years, and it is economies like ours that keep them running. The money they get from international commerce has been subsidizing a failing system, not creating wealth for its constituents. If you take money away from people who have earned it to give to people that didn't, the government will end up printing money to keep up with the subsidies. Where is the incentive to excel and prosper in a socialist environment? there is none. The Democrats want a nanny state in which the Washington elites determine who has and who doesn't. SCARY?? You bet,and that is where we are headed.
November 6, 2008 at 2:33pm by Yeves Perez
"I happen to deeply agree with the wisdom of Tom Friedman (that we cannot consume of way out of this mess and "Have you ever been to a revolution where nobody gets hurt?"). The fact is that the current economic conditions will cause a lot of companies to close their doors (websites too), and they will die off altogether due to lack of understanding the competitive (innovative) landscape. Just look at Detroit and the Big 3 for example! Those that will fight to stay alive will need to figure out — What's Next?
I believe that the New Green Economy will include the Rise of Green Real Estate Markets paired with the continued success of Cleantech, Clean Energy Markets, and large scale shifts toward Clean Transportation, and the Greening of the IT Industries (plus a fourth quarter of record investment!!), which will lead to a boom in "American Made" Green Collar Jobs and the creation of new wealth. The trick is: "who will get it right??" Execution makes all the difference for most of these opportunities and green investors need to pay more attention to the items that management claim they can achieve." - Yeves Perez, Nov 2008 - Founder of The Eco Investment Club
November 6, 2008 at 6:50pm by fernand cardoza
However, it will not be easy given the twisted climate of greed and corruption in Wall Street, and the strong foreign interests that favour increased offshore prodution jobs and mostly domestic consumption markets.
November 7, 2008 at 8:59am by Ron West
The economy problems are bigger then the president. We as a whole need to decide how to change.
November 7, 2008 at 9:20am by Snapper Cridge
Point 1: No President-elect Obama will not (at least not by himself). No president in our history has had that kind of control. However, he will guide Congress to guide the American people to make better financial decisions, take action on bettering education, health care, and energy, and help open up new markets and new ideas for modern industry. Because of those steps this country will rebound.
Point 2: Even doing those things won't keep this country from recession. Recession is necessary to put (and keep) our economy in check. Imagine where our economy would be 10 years from now if the current recession never happened.
Final Point: I laugh my a$$ off every time some idiot brings up Socialism. Barack Obama meets Joe (The Plumber) Wurzelbacher, makes an off hand comment because he was caught on the spot with The Plumber's question, and now 2 months out of 21 months of his campaign he is all of a sudden a socialist? For once it would be nice to see the genius of the American people applied before the news media gives them a bone!
Fact: Equal access for opportunity does not mean there will be equal result.