Quote:
Originally Posted by Bond
It's interesting how our discussion of the stimulus package has turned away from facts and quantitative economic measures, to more of "feelings" arguments. I think this only mirrors the larger discussion in our country around economic issues, though. Complex economic discussions get boiled down to class-warfare and emotional arguments in the twenty-four hour news cycle that we live under.
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Part of this is the idea I maintain and shared earlier, that politicians just think we're too stupid to understand the economics and/or they want to "slip" something past us. I keep being reminded of Rahm Emanuel's statement that a good crisis should never go to waste.
In the end, the Republicans have the best argument based on real numbers but they are afraid to voice it (or apply those pronciples looking at the past 8 or so years), and democrats have the best argument based on "social justice" simply because pandering to class envy and anger is effective. Just look at Jason1's political views for a perfect illustration. Keep someone angry and spiteful against a common enemy and they'll stop thinking.
What has really angered me during all of this is how damaging it has been to our democratic process. We're passing massive bills that haven't been read or understood out of FEAR and ANGER, not reason. The only real argument we hear repeatedly from those that support this bill is that of immediacy; "something has to be done now!". But no one is talking about what that something is or how it will affect our nation beyond broad political arguments.
The last time that happened we ended up with The Great Depression and a lost decade of failed economic policies.