First, when Republican politicians begin to talk about economic policy, watch out! Every time they do so, two things happen. First, they demonstrate their illiteracy of Economics, and second, they manage to create fallout for the middle class and low income populations. Throughout the Bush Administration (GW’s), household income collapsed; it is still in free fall, and that’s mainly due to the recession begun under Bush's policies. That and continued Republican obstructionism has frozen Congress’ action to fix the recession, so the same people continue to be hurt.
Another plummeting statistic is the percentage of Americans owning homes. Home ownership has fallen disastrously in recent years, so much so that rental markets are booming and rents have inflated making it difficult for victims of foreclosed mortgages to find alternate housing.
Under Republican economics, senior citizens have watched their 401k and retirement investments dwindle sharply, in many cases disappearing altogether. Pre retirement employment has slumped, and replacement jobs for those over 55 years of age very difficult to find; this group of Americans has been devastated, and Republicans do nothing except to complain “the other guy is responsible.”
Bosh! If Republican economic theory is correct, why haven’t they used their congressional power to broker corrective policies? If tax breaks for the rich create jobs, where are they?
A dark truth is evident: fixing the recession now means it would occur during the Obama presidency and they are afraid he will garner voter credit for the solution. That doesn’t fit with the Republican goal of making Obama a one-term president. It’s beginning to look as though they have “thrown the baby out with the bathwater” and that’s us! All to support a political agenda that’s very anti-American. And it looks like they are getting away with it!
There is a reason why the Occupy Wall Street movement has legs and is growing globally. Most citizens live close to the result of failed policy. They know what it is like. They know when it started. They know who caused it but don't very much care. All they want is for it to be repaired. Now!
As Republican candidates dither over meaningless attacks on each other or posture against President Obama, they appear more foolish in the eyes of the electorate, Republican, Democrat or independent. The only people who don’t seem to understand this are Republicans and the Tea Party. Seems their skills of representing others are sorely lacking. How ironic.
It is distressing to observe what used to be a sound, economically sophisticated political party with the heritage and wisdom of Lincoln
President Obama has to respond because economics is not a hard science. It is a soft science reliant on perceptions and confidence of the public. If those two elements are shaken, the economy performs even worse than it is currently. So someone has to bring reality to the foreground. With Republicans in a full court press seeking voter support well in advance of the 2012 elections (they started their campaigns right after the 2008 election results were announced!), the President has an obligation to respond. I hope he responds with his own agenda and once again outclasses candidates from the opposing party.
Free speech is one thing. Ignorant broadsides of poor taste, and mock concern which hide dangerous public policy is another. I for one welcome Mr. Obama back to the campaign trail. Perhaps this is where the voters will show Republicans how ill-chosen their tactics are; at least it will be in a language they understand!
Meanwhile we can only laugh at the Republicans. Once again they waste their power while harming innocents.
October 20, 2011
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