What Obama's Presidency Needs: A Big Reset

[alp227]

The Obama White House is dabbling in small ideas when what the country needs is a big reset of this presidency. My suggestion: dump the measured moderation. It’s not working as economic strategy or as politics. Take a deep breath and admit the Democratic Party failed to grasp the enormity of the economic upheaval facing the country—people will be grateful for some honest talk. Start over with a more aggressive and realistic economic agenda that measures success in the tangible results people can see, not rosy forecasts of macroeconomic models.

Instead of holding back, start using the government’s vast, untapped powers in more ambitious ways that directly generate real changes in the economy, starting with jobs, jobs, jobs. Stop saying "recovery" is here or right around the corner—people know better. Start explaining with painful clarity the hard facts of our situation, including that no one really knows how long it may last, how deep this ditch will become.

Make only one promise. The government will keep trying—whatever it takes—to help Americans through this until they can begin building better lives, a better country.

The problem with this suggestion is everyone knows it’s not going to happen. Adopting an aggressive, high-risk mobilization of governing powers would be out of character for the no-drama president. His policy team of super-brainy technocrats would reject it as irresponsible. They are fidgeting with smaller adjustments because they claim politics won't allow them to do more. The claim is defeatist, bordering on self-pity. Republicans will gain seats this fall exploiting the public confusion and misery. Paralysis will rule.

Full article: http://www.thenation.com/article/154668/what-obamas-presidency-needs-big-reset

[msongs]

1. obama is still stuck on catering to republicans. nt

[rhett o rick]

2. Go for it. Do or die. Kick the damn corporate asses or give up. nm

[notesdev]

3. If only he knew how to create jobs

Take a look at his economic advisors... every last one of them is highly experienced in destroying jobs.

Which one of them you think is going to teach him how to create a job?

Which one do you think is going to point out how our trade policies kill jobs here?

Or how our tax policies encourage companies to move jobs offshore?

[Tutankhamun]

4. The conclusion the author draws at the end is spot on.

We can expect a few future electoral cycles of "throwing the bums out" as our politicians continue to fiddle and America burns. Then, the Dems or another party will actually finally enact the necessarily sizeable changes.

[Demeter]

5. If there's anyone left alive by then

I see no end to the oppression by the obscenely wealthy.

[Hawkowl]

6. Things will get a lot worse

I agree completely. More tinkering around the edges until we have a few riots in the streets--then the PTB will actually make some changes.

[democracy1st]

7. this administration half hearted attempt at creating jobs has been a disaster!

[Sherman A1]

8. As Harry Truman said

You can always amend a big plan, but you can never expand a little one. I don't believe in little plans. I believe in plans big enough to meet a situation which we can't possibly foresee now.
Harry S. Truman