Tim H.

Recent Policy Decisions and a Greater Depression

I disagree with your analysis and here is why: A few years ago I had a discussion with my brother when the Iraq war was looking like as McCain said: "we will be there 100 years." Spending billions more on Iraq in process while this country's infrastructure decayed. Why were you not writing an article a few years ago stating the significant increase in cost of Iraq war was leading to a huge national debt and the Bush tax cuts of 2001 needed to be rescinded to help pay for the cost of war? My post is not an anti-war or anti-Bush rant. Merely my point is it seems to be okay to spend billions of US tax money to fund a war of choice. Yet when the government roles out stimulus bill which is more than just creating jobs but rebuilding the county's infrastucture. The people who were silent about the money spent in Iraq are now screaming bloody mary about the stimulus bill? Just seems kinda screwed up that this country spends billions on another country and that's okay. But if this country spends billions on itself. That's not right. Explain to me please why that is? I will use an example: There is $8 bil in bill to build high speed rail across country. This intent is to help decongestion our nation's roadways and air travel and promote conservation of energy. Being more energy efficient whether it's weather proofing, higher mileage in auto's or using power sources that use less energy (solar panels, energy efficient light bulbs) all lead USA to becoming more energy independent. So that stimulus bill is just not to create jobs but to upgrade this country's infrastructure. As for the foreclosure help... Fact is until the massive foreclosing's stop's this country's economy is never going to get revved back up. I understand the argument those people agreed to those terms but the foreclosing's need to be slowed down so people can stay in their homes. How does a foreclosed home that sits with no buying occupant help anyone? I find it really interesting that despite columns such as the one above and wall street's lack of excitement over what Obama is doing. His poll rating still remain high. Wall Street made alot of money in past few years and now the punch bowl has been taken away. Main street seems to approve. That bailout money is in loans so it is suppose to be repaid to tax payers years from now. As for the debt that is being created today. Under Reagan the national debt significantly increased yet I saw few columnist stating we were on our way to a great depression. Early in Reagan's term we were in a very bad recession too. No doubt down road the debt being created needs to be repaid and Obama has acknowledged this fact. Personally I think after economy recovers... A national gas tax is quickest way to repay that debt. This would force consumers to not go back to old driving habits, conserve energy and promote alternative energy travel. An author of a book about alternative energy said the technologies are there but to get the green energy infrastructure moving a base in the price of gas needs to be established. Bottom line is I disagree with this article but if the article is correct. Then Obama will have failed and as he told that audience in Florida: "We will have a new President." I hope Obama doesn't fail because it will be good for the country if he succeeds!