Nominate someone to replace Geithner and Bernanke

[BurtWorm]

The main problem with Bernanke--not to mention that he is showing no fortitude to change from the standard pro-supply side, pro-capital policies of the past 30 years that are stagnating the turnaround, allowing the banks to hold their cash and stifling the job market--is he's an uninspired, unimaginative choice if Obama wants to demonstrate that he understands real change is needed. (Amazing that we're even talking about Obama needing to demonstrate that he gets change, but that's where we are one year in.) We also know that Geithner inspires no confidence in anyone but his buddies on the Street.

So who, if you were Obama, would you put in those positions, keeping in mind that they have to be able to get the votes in the Senate. It's not an easy question, I know, but fresh thinking is clearly what's needed.

[tabbycat31]

1. Ravi Batra

I am sure i'm spelling his name wrong, but he's the economist that always appears on Thom Hartmann's program. He seems to know his stuff and understand what Wall Street did to us.

[BurtWorm]

3. Which position? Treasury?

I think of people like Stiglitz and Roubini, who predicted the jam we're in, and Elizabeth Warren who seems to be able to see ways out. People who have clear vision really are what's needed, and in a different political environment, they'd be in there right now. Unfortunately, we live in this incredibly stupid age when the most asinine Republicans can hold up nominations just to flex their muscle and keep the red-meat eaters happy. None of these people could make it through a committee, even, in this lame-brained environment.

[taught_me_patience]

2. Elizabeth Warren and Jamie Dimon n/t

[BurtWorm]

5. I just nominated Warren myself.

Unfortunately, she'd never make it out of the Senate. Unless the Dems develop spine and nerve.

[TornadoTN]

4. Stiglitz, Roubini, Reich, Krugman are all good candidates

Pick two.

[BurtWorm]

6. I mentioned Stiglitz and Roubini above.

And as I said above, they would never make it out of the Senate, alas.

[TornadoTN]

7. Yes, but they are the best

Thus, why they would never make it out of the Senate.

They are just my choices, if I had my way. :toast:

[BurtWorm]

8. I agree, They are exactly the kinds of people needed at this moment.

Unfortunately, we're saddled with a bottom-dwelling, thick-skulled, short-sighted, assininely partisan political scene that makes getting the right people in place absolutely impossible.