I’m one of those who indulge in instant meals more than I should. It’s just too easy to wake up in the morning, pop a cup of water into the microwave, empty a package of instant oatmeal or grits into a bowl, add the boiling water and presto…breakfast is served. Just like everyone, after going twelve hours or so without any food, an instant hot meal cures all that is wrong. Plus, most of the time it provides the necessary nutrition.
That’s the way most of think a stimulus cure for the economy should work. We discover we need a recovery, we argue over adding billions of dollars of government spending to the economy, finally settle on an amount, pour some money into the economy bowl and presto…we expect our economic hunger to be solved. Here it is, a little over six months since we poured this hot stimulus money into the bowl, and we’re wondering why we’re still suffering…still economically hungry.
A couple of business and economic writers and experts wrote comments on the state of the economy this week…which by the way has stabilized, if not begun to improve.
Newsweek’s Daniel Gross noted the following in a story titled “A Birder’s Guide to D.C. …The deficit hawks squawk too much.”
The deficit grew from $248 billion in 2006 to $1.4 trillion for fiscal 2009, and Mr. Gross noted that much of that can be pinned on cyclical factors. Mr. Gross goes on to highlight that when the economy contracts two factors have a detrimental effect on the deficit. Tax receipts go down, and demand for government spending goes up in the way of unemployment benefits, bailouts and government stimulus.
It should also be of interest that spending rose 18% and revenue fell 16.6% in fiscal 2009. This contrary motion, of income and expense, was the worst decline for the United States since the 1930’s. However, the budget deficit predicted to be $1.84 trillion in May of 2009 actually came in somewhat better by fiscal year end at %1.58 trillion. The rally of the stock market, for all it hasn’t been for Main Street American, helped recover corporate profits, and coupled with the now expanding economy have resulted in higher than expected tax revenues. So, when the Treasury Department ended the country’s fiscal year in October of 2009 the final deficit was $1.42 trillion even better than in May and $138 billion less than the July prediction. As the late great Senator Everett Dirkson once said…”a billion here, a billion there and pretty soon you’re talking about real money.
Mr. Gross notes that historically “the consensus of economists and politicians has continually underestimated the strength and timing of the recovery.” As a result of the change of direction for the economy the Treasury announced it would need to borrow 42% less than expected in July…$276 billion less. “A billion here, a billion there…” So, we might be able to reasonably expect a 10% to 20% improvement in the 2010 deficit.
The sad fact about deficit hawks is they ignore the affects of the costs of health care and the improvement that a “robust” public option would do for deficit spending. Then, there are still those lingering problems caused by the Bush tax cuts, and the adverse effect they have on the deficit and entitlement spending. Our conservative adversaries still stupidly call for us to scale back the not-yet-spent stimulus funds in the name of fiscal discipline.
But, the “Quote the Day from Daniel Gross’s article was this: “Being obsessed with deficit reduction when the economy has suffered its largest setback since the Depression is like being obsessed with water conservation when your house is on fire.” This is rich and a quote worth remember when your conservative friends want to start preaching the gospel of fiscal restraint. Restraint, after eight years of a spending spree by the Bush Administration, that looking backwards, would have been a great time for debt reduction. Remember Alan Greenspan’s admonishment that we would damage the economy if we saved too much…and these Republican hacks stood there drooling like high school seniors standing at a craps table in Las Vegas.
The other notable opinion on the economy came from the November 13, 2009 Op-Ed page of the New York Times. This piece, by Nobel Economist Paul Krugman, compared the United States approach to tackling joblessness to that of Germany. Mr. Krugman advocates “policies that address the job issue more directly.” For example, the “New Deal style employment programs.” This article reminds us “that at their peak, the W.P.A. and the Civilian Conservation Corps employed millions of Americans, at relatively low cost to the budget. If you are interested in reading more about Great Depression era solutions like the W.P.A and the Civilian Conservation Corps I would suggest you read “the Return of Depression Economics and the Crisis of 2008” by Paul Krugman, and “The Defining Moment” by Jonthan Alter.
Paul Krugman’s article advocates that regulations that would discourage firing, coupled with incentives for hiring, or modifying working hours to prevent additional layoffs could help us with unemployment.
Mr. Krugman makes another poignant point…“right now, workers who lose their jobs aren’t moving to the jobs of the future; they’re entering the ranks of the unemployed and staying there.” Furthermore, the longer you’re out of job the harder it is to get another job. What Paul Krugman suggests, and we all should be able to agree, is that “we should introduce an employment tax credit” and a job-sharing subsidy which would help workers on the bubble keep their jobs.
Friday, November 13, 2009
Monday, November 9, 2009
FEAR FOR A CAUSE
I was having a conversation with one of my colleagues in the banking industry a few days ago about the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (the 2009 Stimulus Package). We were discussing the past history (in the depressions of the 1930’s) and success of a government stimulus. History records the facts as follows; after assuming the presidency, Franklin Roosevelt, pursued a government stimulus that successfully revived a depressed economy. However, encouraged by deficit hawks to abandon continuing the stimulus, he deviated returning to government austerity to quickly, and sending the economy into another depression. But, a significant world event occurred. The president and members of congress, having lost their confidence for government deficit spending were involuntarily re-engaged in a massive deficit stimulus when the fear of the Nazi’s in Germany and an aggressive enemy in Japan forced them into the kind of deficit spending program that the economy not only needed to recover but, to issued in a long period of productivity and wealth that brought the United States to be the leader of the World (free and otherwise) that we are today.
What we lack today, for a similar recovery, is the “fear” which would launch us into a similar recovery. Today, deficit hawks are again cautioning about a federal deficit of $1.4 trillion…a fear to be sure…but, the wrong kind of fear. This is their (conservative deficit hawks) reason for saying no to everything…including the most recent debate about healthcare. This argument is based in denying history and ignorance. It’s a prescription for a continuation of a weak recovery and possibly a re-entry into another great recession or even a new depression. Their argument will result in a long slow recovery, possible negating any meaningful recovery, and continuing the suffering of the under-employed, and the unemployed.
Here’s the facts as recently described by The Nation Magazine. “The mobilization for World War II produced one of the most remarkable success stories in US economic history. War production not only overcame lingering weaknesses from the Great Depression but transformed the economic system into the modern powerhouse that became the platform for our long-running postwar prosperity. All this was achieved by the government, largely with borrowed money. By war’s end Washington had piled up federal debt totaling around 120 percent of annual GDP (nearly double today’s debt level).” DID YOU GET THAT…120% of the annual GDP!
The Nation goes on to say, “During the wartime emergency the government took charge of the economy and rapidly shifted the industrial system to armaments while suppressing domestic consumption. Deficit spending force-fed the rapid development of new technologies and new basic industries. In a few short years, economic output expanded by about 75 percent. Despite rationing and wage and price controls, Americans at large were replenished: per capita income rose by almost 70 percent (with industrial jobs opened to women and blacks).”
Another massive government stimulus plan, that I like, which lasted for years was the Interstate Highway System enacted during the Eisenhower Administration. I could argue that this government program created additional wealth and prosperity for all of us, rich and poor. The key to un-locking prolonged economic opportunity continues even unto today, although this system is crumbling and badly in need of repair (roads and bridges). This presents an opportunity for additional stimulus and growth in our current crisis.
We, as a country, need a new fear which would force us into making the commitment to our predicament of today. We need a public “Jobs Program.” A “Jobs Program” that would create jobs when the private sector seems unable or unwilling to do so. We should commit to creating “green jobs” that would supplement environmental construction, and re-tooling standing buildings with environmental efficiencies, not to mention high speed rail which would encourage green efficiencies and conservation. We need to encourage and create “green companies” and our government should support and purchase from those companies.
What we lack today, for a similar recovery, is the “fear” which would launch us into a similar recovery. Today, deficit hawks are again cautioning about a federal deficit of $1.4 trillion…a fear to be sure…but, the wrong kind of fear. This is their (conservative deficit hawks) reason for saying no to everything…including the most recent debate about healthcare. This argument is based in denying history and ignorance. It’s a prescription for a continuation of a weak recovery and possibly a re-entry into another great recession or even a new depression. Their argument will result in a long slow recovery, possible negating any meaningful recovery, and continuing the suffering of the under-employed, and the unemployed.
Here’s the facts as recently described by The Nation Magazine. “The mobilization for World War II produced one of the most remarkable success stories in US economic history. War production not only overcame lingering weaknesses from the Great Depression but transformed the economic system into the modern powerhouse that became the platform for our long-running postwar prosperity. All this was achieved by the government, largely with borrowed money. By war’s end Washington had piled up federal debt totaling around 120 percent of annual GDP (nearly double today’s debt level).” DID YOU GET THAT…120% of the annual GDP!
The Nation goes on to say, “During the wartime emergency the government took charge of the economy and rapidly shifted the industrial system to armaments while suppressing domestic consumption. Deficit spending force-fed the rapid development of new technologies and new basic industries. In a few short years, economic output expanded by about 75 percent. Despite rationing and wage and price controls, Americans at large were replenished: per capita income rose by almost 70 percent (with industrial jobs opened to women and blacks).”
Another massive government stimulus plan, that I like, which lasted for years was the Interstate Highway System enacted during the Eisenhower Administration. I could argue that this government program created additional wealth and prosperity for all of us, rich and poor. The key to un-locking prolonged economic opportunity continues even unto today, although this system is crumbling and badly in need of repair (roads and bridges). This presents an opportunity for additional stimulus and growth in our current crisis.
We, as a country, need a new fear which would force us into making the commitment to our predicament of today. We need a public “Jobs Program.” A “Jobs Program” that would create jobs when the private sector seems unable or unwilling to do so. We should commit to creating “green jobs” that would supplement environmental construction, and re-tooling standing buildings with environmental efficiencies, not to mention high speed rail which would encourage green efficiencies and conservation. We need to encourage and create “green companies” and our government should support and purchase from those companies.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
SEED MONEY
Having grown up on the “buckle” of the “bible belt,” I have been exposed to my fair share of the language of evangelicals. One of the coin phrases, especially of televangelist, is to “plant seed money.” Of course, what they’re actually enticing their viewer to do is to send their money to the televangelist with the promise that it will come back “ten fold.” “Ten fold” is also one of the phrases in their vocabulary because that’s what they want their followers to give, at a minimum, out of every dollar that passes through the follower’s hands. Sort of a 10% church tax, as I used to like to think of it.
But, let’s go back to their idea of seed money and consider that under their “snake oil” salesman pitch that maybe we could borrow that phrase from them in regard to our current national, and world, economic dilemma. What if rather than Wall Street Investment firms, and banks paying those obscene bonuses they instead used that money to hire a few more employees, or pay the lower employees a little more, or even used the money to start new businesses that would hire new employees. It would be legitimate “seed money.”
I’ve never understood how big business and the wealthiest of us have missed the point that the key to economic growth and greater income for them as well as the lower and middle class is not tax cuts but, is a growing middle class. The economic principle is simple…the more customers you have the more products you can sell and the more money you can make. Basically, everybody does better when everybody does better. The “cardinal rule” of EVERYBODY WINS! Paying $30 million dollars to a single employee is obscene and it’s happening thousands of times every year in our society. What would be wrong with executives, who by the way were the architects of the financial meltdowns and obviously aren’t worth the big salaries they’re getting, trimming their unjustified salaries back to $10 million a year and using the balance to hire new employees and create new companies that would create new jobs.
But, what we’re left with is Wall Street paying out billions of dollars of over the top bonus and Main Street unemployment topping 10%. It ain’t right! And, let’s keep this all in perspective…paying a 50% or 100% bonus to a $250,000 salaried worker isn’t the same as paying a $25 million bonus to a multi-million dollar executive.
A recently published article out of Time magazine’s September 9th issue by Allan Sloan accurately described the character of these Wall Street firms as having “collapsed out of ignorance fueled by avarice – a particularly toxic combination.” And, this avarice lives on.
The rescue of the financial industry by the Bush Administration and then followed up by the Obama Administration had a few very glaring holes in the plan. Some of this was justified…the plan had to be enacted on a emergency basis and unfortunately we didn’t have the luxury of knowing all the repercussions. However one glaring deficiency which needs to be corrected is there should be a requirement for the money to be lent to the public in the form of consumer, commercial and real estate loans…and not back to the government in the form of T-bill investments. The plan should correct this miscalculation today by refusing to allow the money to be directed back to T-bill investments for the spread between interest rate they got the money from the TARP (Troubled Asset Relief Program) Fund for and what the yield on T-bill is today. That money was to rescue all of us…not just Wall Street.
Let’s use the TARP money and those big bonuses to “seed” the economy. I think it would work.
Additionally, we all need to recognize this is not a problem that can be turned around on a dime any more that an ocean liner could. As a country we need to be smarter than we act like from time to time. It’s as though a builder was hired to build a billion dollar complex and we showed up at the site three months later and wondered why the building wasn’t finished. We need to get real…but, we need to hold commercial and investment bankers feet to the fire. Believe me, I’ve worked with them for my entire profession career and they really don’t get it!
But, let’s go back to their idea of seed money and consider that under their “snake oil” salesman pitch that maybe we could borrow that phrase from them in regard to our current national, and world, economic dilemma. What if rather than Wall Street Investment firms, and banks paying those obscene bonuses they instead used that money to hire a few more employees, or pay the lower employees a little more, or even used the money to start new businesses that would hire new employees. It would be legitimate “seed money.”
I’ve never understood how big business and the wealthiest of us have missed the point that the key to economic growth and greater income for them as well as the lower and middle class is not tax cuts but, is a growing middle class. The economic principle is simple…the more customers you have the more products you can sell and the more money you can make. Basically, everybody does better when everybody does better. The “cardinal rule” of EVERYBODY WINS! Paying $30 million dollars to a single employee is obscene and it’s happening thousands of times every year in our society. What would be wrong with executives, who by the way were the architects of the financial meltdowns and obviously aren’t worth the big salaries they’re getting, trimming their unjustified salaries back to $10 million a year and using the balance to hire new employees and create new companies that would create new jobs.
But, what we’re left with is Wall Street paying out billions of dollars of over the top bonus and Main Street unemployment topping 10%. It ain’t right! And, let’s keep this all in perspective…paying a 50% or 100% bonus to a $250,000 salaried worker isn’t the same as paying a $25 million bonus to a multi-million dollar executive.
A recently published article out of Time magazine’s September 9th issue by Allan Sloan accurately described the character of these Wall Street firms as having “collapsed out of ignorance fueled by avarice – a particularly toxic combination.” And, this avarice lives on.
The rescue of the financial industry by the Bush Administration and then followed up by the Obama Administration had a few very glaring holes in the plan. Some of this was justified…the plan had to be enacted on a emergency basis and unfortunately we didn’t have the luxury of knowing all the repercussions. However one glaring deficiency which needs to be corrected is there should be a requirement for the money to be lent to the public in the form of consumer, commercial and real estate loans…and not back to the government in the form of T-bill investments. The plan should correct this miscalculation today by refusing to allow the money to be directed back to T-bill investments for the spread between interest rate they got the money from the TARP (Troubled Asset Relief Program) Fund for and what the yield on T-bill is today. That money was to rescue all of us…not just Wall Street.
Let’s use the TARP money and those big bonuses to “seed” the economy. I think it would work.
Additionally, we all need to recognize this is not a problem that can be turned around on a dime any more that an ocean liner could. As a country we need to be smarter than we act like from time to time. It’s as though a builder was hired to build a billion dollar complex and we showed up at the site three months later and wondered why the building wasn’t finished. We need to get real…but, we need to hold commercial and investment bankers feet to the fire. Believe me, I’ve worked with them for my entire profession career and they really don’t get it!
Thursday, October 29, 2009
THE QUEST TO STAY IN POWER
Before the last election I received a phone call from the Congressional Campaign Committee soliciting funds. I declined to donate and expressed an opinion that because I felt the Speaker, Nancy Pelosi, and the Congressional Majority had failed to hold the former President accountable for his misdeeds. The solicitor began what ended up being a rather long solicitation call. He argued, very forcefully, that it was more important for the Democrats to stay in power than it was to pursue the former President for his misdeeds. I couldn’t have disagreed more then…and now!
About a week ago I listened to a Democratic Strategist, Steve McMahon, argue on the Ed Schultz Show that it was more important for Democrats in Congress to capitulate on the Public Option in regard to healthcare reform so they could remain in power. The same old tired argument.
Let’s get this straight here and now…we didn’t elect Senators and Congressmen, or the President, so they’d have a long and prosperous career. They were elected to make things better. To hell with whether they hang on to power. And, what good is power if you don’t use it for the good of the people. If they’re looking for a career path they need to find a job that provides for upward promotions. I don’t care if they stay employed simply because I voted and elected them to a prestigious position. We’re not voting for them…we’re voting for us. So, if they want to accept our “temporary job,” they need to do something that benefits us…not prolongs they’re precious careers. The candidates who improve society usually do stay in office for a long time. Those that don’t serve the people normally slip and fall along the way. I give you Ted Stevens (Senator – Alaska), Larry Craig (Senator – Idaho), Richard Nixon, Joseph McCarthy (Senator – Wisconsin), et al.
I would suggest the best way to stay in power is to do something positive. People reward that. Oh, there are those that are mesmerized by the power of elected office, or captured office in the case of dictators…but, those personalities normally end in tragedy, and rightfully so!
Reforming healthcare isn’t about staying in power. It’s about getting needed medical care to children, women, men, the poor, the left out and those who’ve given up hope. Vote the right way and the people will reward you. But, the voters don’t give a damn about whether you have the majority after the next election if you’re not doing any good for the people.
About a week ago I listened to a Democratic Strategist, Steve McMahon, argue on the Ed Schultz Show that it was more important for Democrats in Congress to capitulate on the Public Option in regard to healthcare reform so they could remain in power. The same old tired argument.
Let’s get this straight here and now…we didn’t elect Senators and Congressmen, or the President, so they’d have a long and prosperous career. They were elected to make things better. To hell with whether they hang on to power. And, what good is power if you don’t use it for the good of the people. If they’re looking for a career path they need to find a job that provides for upward promotions. I don’t care if they stay employed simply because I voted and elected them to a prestigious position. We’re not voting for them…we’re voting for us. So, if they want to accept our “temporary job,” they need to do something that benefits us…not prolongs they’re precious careers. The candidates who improve society usually do stay in office for a long time. Those that don’t serve the people normally slip and fall along the way. I give you Ted Stevens (Senator – Alaska), Larry Craig (Senator – Idaho), Richard Nixon, Joseph McCarthy (Senator – Wisconsin), et al.
I would suggest the best way to stay in power is to do something positive. People reward that. Oh, there are those that are mesmerized by the power of elected office, or captured office in the case of dictators…but, those personalities normally end in tragedy, and rightfully so!
Reforming healthcare isn’t about staying in power. It’s about getting needed medical care to children, women, men, the poor, the left out and those who’ve given up hope. Vote the right way and the people will reward you. But, the voters don’t give a damn about whether you have the majority after the next election if you’re not doing any good for the people.
Friday, October 16, 2009
CAPITALISM V. SOCIALISM – SOCIALISM V. CAPITALISM By Lt & Lt. Jr.
It’s time to correct the age old belief that capitalism is all good and socialism is all bad. The fact is there are some things about capitalism that are bad and, some things about socialism that are good. I’ve believed for some time that liberals are at their very best when they convince us that the “chain is only as strong as the weakest link.” And, conversely, conservatives are at their very best when they convince us that the “chain” is most efficient when it’s not all tied up in knots.
A complete free market capitalistic system leads to the “haves” taking advantage of the “have-not’s.” And, complete socialism discourages hard work. The polar opposite of capitalism is democracy, and the polar opposite of socialism is dictatorship. The fact is that this “great experiment” we speak of as the United States of America is a bit of both. It’s not all one or the other.
As I’ve written before the constitution provides for the “general welfare” of its subjects. We need rules in order to promote civil organization. Just picture what our highway system would be without organization. No stop signs, directional signs…everybody just doing whatever they think is right. The highway system would be disorganized, and a disaster. By the same token…we need to encourage and reward those who work hard. But, hard work doesn’t always equal high pay. I dare say the guy who pours concrete to build a highway probably works harder than the CEO of one of the major companies. But, we need to be fair about the distribution of wealth.
It has always amazed me that most of the extremely wealthy seem not to realize that the best way for them to make more money is to have more customers. So…BUILD THE MIDDLE CLASS. That is the best way to create customers. Think how much better off the whole economic system would be if the Wall Street CEO’s who make $100 million a year would redirect $85 million of that treasure chest to create a lot of $100 thousand jobs. The more people work and spend the more products they buy. The old story about Henry Ford (whether true or not) is the best example of this philosophy. Henry Ford supposedly said, “He wanted to pay the workers who built his car enough that they could buy his product.” The larger the middle class the larger the customer base…and let’s face it, isn’t that what capitalism his about? …selling to customers.
But, having had a life time of working with bankers I can honestly tell you they do not get it. They are not capable of any vision beyond their greed. Consequently, if we don’t keep them honest the disparity between the rich and poor will continue to expand until one day this “great experiment” will end in a revolution of the “have not’s.” Don’t believe me…go read about any great civilization and you discover that essentially how they all came to a conclusion. The oppressed will eventual strike back.
It’s time we ended the notion that our democracy is just about free market capitalism. It’s about how we treat the least in our midst. That sounds familiar, “The least of these.” I wonder whether our Christian capitalistic friends will remember where they’ve heard it before.
A complete free market capitalistic system leads to the “haves” taking advantage of the “have-not’s.” And, complete socialism discourages hard work. The polar opposite of capitalism is democracy, and the polar opposite of socialism is dictatorship. The fact is that this “great experiment” we speak of as the United States of America is a bit of both. It’s not all one or the other.
As I’ve written before the constitution provides for the “general welfare” of its subjects. We need rules in order to promote civil organization. Just picture what our highway system would be without organization. No stop signs, directional signs…everybody just doing whatever they think is right. The highway system would be disorganized, and a disaster. By the same token…we need to encourage and reward those who work hard. But, hard work doesn’t always equal high pay. I dare say the guy who pours concrete to build a highway probably works harder than the CEO of one of the major companies. But, we need to be fair about the distribution of wealth.
It has always amazed me that most of the extremely wealthy seem not to realize that the best way for them to make more money is to have more customers. So…BUILD THE MIDDLE CLASS. That is the best way to create customers. Think how much better off the whole economic system would be if the Wall Street CEO’s who make $100 million a year would redirect $85 million of that treasure chest to create a lot of $100 thousand jobs. The more people work and spend the more products they buy. The old story about Henry Ford (whether true or not) is the best example of this philosophy. Henry Ford supposedly said, “He wanted to pay the workers who built his car enough that they could buy his product.” The larger the middle class the larger the customer base…and let’s face it, isn’t that what capitalism his about? …selling to customers.
But, having had a life time of working with bankers I can honestly tell you they do not get it. They are not capable of any vision beyond their greed. Consequently, if we don’t keep them honest the disparity between the rich and poor will continue to expand until one day this “great experiment” will end in a revolution of the “have not’s.” Don’t believe me…go read about any great civilization and you discover that essentially how they all came to a conclusion. The oppressed will eventual strike back.
It’s time we ended the notion that our democracy is just about free market capitalism. It’s about how we treat the least in our midst. That sounds familiar, “The least of these.” I wonder whether our Christian capitalistic friends will remember where they’ve heard it before.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
FOCUS ON THE EXIT STRATEGY
The mission was already screwed long before President Obama took office. Afghanistan was where the real war should have been waged. Afghanistan was where our real enemies existed. George W. Bush and President Cheney (this is not a typo) never were serious about Afghanistan or bin Laden. They always wanted Iraq. Not because of Sadam, or weapons of mass destruction, or creating democracy in the Middle East. We may never know the real reason. But, we all think it was because of the oil.
However, nine years later, and our best intelligence says there may only be about 100 al Qaeda members left in Afghanistan. They were allowed to slip into Pakistan and now reside in country that actually has a nuclear weapon. Why would they want to return to Afghanistan? Since Pakistan isn’t exactly active in clearing them out, it seems they are quite content to wait out their exile until they can pounce on a real live nuke. Our real options are very limited.
We need to focus on an exit strategy from Afghanistan. It doesn’t matter whether it’s no new troops, or 100,000 troops. The real goal needs to be to leave. We have hundreds of years of world history to tell us this is not going to end well. If the Afghan’s want to save their country…they’ll have to be the ones to save it. The same goes for Iraq. If the Iraqi’s don’t take responsibility for their destiny they’ll return to another ruthless dictator.
I hate this because of what is likely to happen if the Taliban returns and what they’ll do, particularly to women. But, the Afghan’s have a history of being intense fighters and in the end they will have to fight for their destiny too.
All we’ll do is risk even more 18 to 30 year old men and women. I’m sick of reading the list of troops killed in action day after day. Twenty year old after twenty year old. This needs to end now!
I trust the President with this decision…but, unless he focuses on the exit strategy the outcome will be the same as Vietnam. These enemies are patient. They will wait forever. They are poor and they have no reason to be in a hurry. If there was a chance for us to succeed in affecting their future we missed it when we didn’t supply humanitarian effort and relief after the Afghan’s had defeated the Russians. Had we build schools, hospitals, municipal services, and assisted in creating small businesses we might have had a chance. That day is long past.
Commit one troop or 500,000…just focus on exiting this country as soon as possible.
However, nine years later, and our best intelligence says there may only be about 100 al Qaeda members left in Afghanistan. They were allowed to slip into Pakistan and now reside in country that actually has a nuclear weapon. Why would they want to return to Afghanistan? Since Pakistan isn’t exactly active in clearing them out, it seems they are quite content to wait out their exile until they can pounce on a real live nuke. Our real options are very limited.
We need to focus on an exit strategy from Afghanistan. It doesn’t matter whether it’s no new troops, or 100,000 troops. The real goal needs to be to leave. We have hundreds of years of world history to tell us this is not going to end well. If the Afghan’s want to save their country…they’ll have to be the ones to save it. The same goes for Iraq. If the Iraqi’s don’t take responsibility for their destiny they’ll return to another ruthless dictator.
I hate this because of what is likely to happen if the Taliban returns and what they’ll do, particularly to women. But, the Afghan’s have a history of being intense fighters and in the end they will have to fight for their destiny too.
All we’ll do is risk even more 18 to 30 year old men and women. I’m sick of reading the list of troops killed in action day after day. Twenty year old after twenty year old. This needs to end now!
I trust the President with this decision…but, unless he focuses on the exit strategy the outcome will be the same as Vietnam. These enemies are patient. They will wait forever. They are poor and they have no reason to be in a hurry. If there was a chance for us to succeed in affecting their future we missed it when we didn’t supply humanitarian effort and relief after the Afghan’s had defeated the Russians. Had we build schools, hospitals, municipal services, and assisted in creating small businesses we might have had a chance. That day is long past.
Commit one troop or 500,000…just focus on exiting this country as soon as possible.
IF THE R’S REALLY WANT TO COMPROMISE
Here’s the compromise…combine the Republican demand for competing across state lines with the creation of a robust, national, public option. Now if the Con’s (conservatives) really think this will bring down prices then the public options really won’t be an issue because purchasers will want the efficiency of private enterprise over the inefficient government, won’t they?
Con’s have assured us that private industry does EVERYTHING better…right? It seems this could be the soft landing we’re all looking for. It will prove that a ‘government run” system isn’t as good as the privately run healthcare industry. But, I believe the result will be something different. The “across state line” argument is nothing more than a “red herring.” It will be the same companies competing across state lines that now compete within state boundaries. And, the price is not going to be different from Wellpoint - New York, than it is for Wellpoint - New Jersey.
The real risk of this experiment for Con’s is that it may prove government isn’t so bad after all, and it may cause the whole country to take another look at this “anti-government” baloney the Con’s have been shoveling.
The Con’s go out of their way to demonize government at any level…although, my bet it they are pretty cautious about depositing their checking accounts with institutions that aren’t FDIC insured (FDIC as in FEDERAL Deposit Insurance). I’m guessing they wouldn’t want to replace the FAA when a plane they’re traveling on is landing with a “for profit” run business. I’m guessing they wouldn’t want to have a “for profit” company responsible for putting a fire out in their house. After all, a privately own fire fighting company may decide the effort isn’t worth it. I think we all pretty satisfied with public police protection too.
This anti-government argument needs a test…maybe this is it.
Con’s have assured us that private industry does EVERYTHING better…right? It seems this could be the soft landing we’re all looking for. It will prove that a ‘government run” system isn’t as good as the privately run healthcare industry. But, I believe the result will be something different. The “across state line” argument is nothing more than a “red herring.” It will be the same companies competing across state lines that now compete within state boundaries. And, the price is not going to be different from Wellpoint - New York, than it is for Wellpoint - New Jersey.
The real risk of this experiment for Con’s is that it may prove government isn’t so bad after all, and it may cause the whole country to take another look at this “anti-government” baloney the Con’s have been shoveling.
The Con’s go out of their way to demonize government at any level…although, my bet it they are pretty cautious about depositing their checking accounts with institutions that aren’t FDIC insured (FDIC as in FEDERAL Deposit Insurance). I’m guessing they wouldn’t want to replace the FAA when a plane they’re traveling on is landing with a “for profit” run business. I’m guessing they wouldn’t want to have a “for profit” company responsible for putting a fire out in their house. After all, a privately own fire fighting company may decide the effort isn’t worth it. I think we all pretty satisfied with public police protection too.
This anti-government argument needs a test…maybe this is it.
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