When liberals were on the outs in Washington, they claimed opposition to the president was their patriotic duty.
Now that liberals rule the nation's capital, opposition to the president is reflexively characterized as racism or, more generally, hatred.
This page is routinely accused of "hating" the president for opposing his policies. It's a cockamamie charge, of course, and indicative of someone who has no true argument to make.
But it's also even more outlandish by the day, as opposition to this president's economic policies, in particular, grows right along with the unemployment rate and financial uncertainty.
The truth of the matter is that this president's economic policies may be the polar opposite of what is needed to reinvigorate the economy. That is, it's becoming clear that his unwarranted faith in increased government spending may be doing more harm than good.
That is shown to be true enough by the administration's own figures: In selling his $787 billion stimulus package early in the year, the president's team said it was necessary to keep the unemployment rate below 8 percent. Without the stimulus, they said, unemployment would reach 9 percent in 2010.
Well, with the stimulus, unemployment has already topped 10 percent.
Moreover, we might look back at 10 percent with misty nostalgia soon: As Bloomberg financial news notes, David Rosenberg, chief economist at Gluskin Sheff & Associates Inc. in Toronto, predicts that 13 percent unemployment is possible in the months ahead.
It would be the highest unemployment rate ever recorded since monthly records started being kept in 1948.
"Additionally," Bloomberg writes, "the so-called under-employment rate, which includes part-time workers who'd prefer a full-time position, and people who want work and have given up looking, reached 17.5 percent last month, the highest level since records began in 1994."
"This is going to be the mother of all jobless recoveries," Rosenberg said.
It's likely that one of the reasons for that is the Obama administration's emphasis on government spending, rather than freeing up job-fueling capital in the private sector.
It's also likely that Democratic proposals to reform health care and place limits on carbon emissions will further erode job growth.
What would we propose? Earlier this year, rather than a "stimulus" package -- in which Congress would dole out our money as it sees fit -- we echoed others' proposal for a moratorium on the collection of income taxes. That would have put money into consumers' own pockets immediately. We believe lower taxes on commerce and industry, not higher, will stimulate private-sector growth.
We also wish the president would revitalize our manufacturing base through alterations in trade policies that currently hamstring American compan- ies.
The American people are beginning to agree in great numbers with economists and editorial writers that the Obama administration's government-centric approach -- which also failed during Japan's worst recessionary days -- is failing: 66 percent in a new IBD/TIPP poll say the stimulus package has fallen short.
Nor is the feeling limited to conservative skeptics: It is shared by 48 percent of Democrats, 80 percent of Republicans and 73 percent of independents. It's across the board.
All those people cannot possibly hate the president. Fact is, his personal popularity is still high.
This isn't about hatred or any other emotion. No one shall accuse Mr. Rosenberg or other independent economists of hating the president. Rather, it's about cold, hard facts. It's about Americans' ability to provide for their families.
And it's about what policies our government will pursue -- and whether those policies will improve our lot or add to it.
The Augusta Chronicle ©2010 Morris Communications, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
See cloward-piven strategy/obama
The real issue is the Democrats redistribution of wealth by providing government services. They use the economic crisis to further that goal instead of trying to create a robust capitalist environment. The funding for the services HAS to come from those who work sooner or later. It doesn't magically appear. You say no one "shall" accuse Obama's criticis of hating the president. Well, I'll bet on that. His critics are interfering with the primary objective of income redistribution, which is a serious radical, socialist undertaking that HAS to squash opposition by accusations of personal attacks to justify their own defamation of opponents via MSNBC, the NY Times and their comrades.
During China's Cultural Revolution any critic of Mao would soon have his house surrounded by hundreds of Red Guards chanting derogatory remarks while the public watched learning what would happen to opponents. Today if anyone criticizes Obama, MSNBC does it with many more watching.
A rising tide lifts all yachts.
Blah, Blah, Blah, we know that if the president would have allowed the Bush-initiated terrible economy to fail, by not injecting government stimulus to save some teachers positions, police & firemen, and help states get through a tough economical downturn, the debate would be: "The President should be doing something to stop the banks from failing and the states from going broke!" so, this whine, whine, is a red herring that everyone knows about. And to go on and on about what exactly will turn the economy around is useless, because economists can't agree on what ended the Great Depression. Some say, FDR acted correctly with a progressive agenda like the SSA Act or creating Civil Service Corps, while others say it was the start of WWII. Who knows? This president is acting correctly and driving the right out of their minds because his efforts will slowly become known, just like FDR, as an outstanding example of a leader, which is the secret fear of the right wing.
Outstanding example of a leader you say? Hell, he can't even make a war decision in a timely manner. Just think if it took this long during WWII. We would all be calling our leader de Fureur today!
"The Obama administration may buy a near-empty prison in rural northwestern Illinois to house detainees from Guantanamo Bay along with federal inmates, a White House official said Saturday." by AP - Of course he's eyeing Illinois. Did you expect any different?
wow, how dare the ac publish a story that states facts and cites references. Of course ole justas is already denying any connecting to big "O". what a psychophant. I expect gaseous, monica rose (happy chimer) and rcr along with hot foot to be here shortly defending the administration with their psycho babble...Such lemmings....run for the cliffs guys .....
Obama has no problem with a 787 billion dollar stimulus bill since it fits in line with his Socialistic redistribution of wealth philosophy, but he is stuck on giving his hand picked General the troops he needs because it will cost $40-50 billion. Obama's agenda is clear, he wants to take from the haves and give to the have-nots. He is not a leader, but one who cannot make the hard decision of what is right for the country for fear of alienating his far left base.
Where are the "shovel ready jobs" that were promised? Start with a USA Shovel Cpmpany.The donkey dung is getting deeper!!
This page sounds like a womanless wedding rehearsal.
America knew Obama had no leadership experience when he ran for office. America knew Obama was an admitted Marxist and felt the philosophy of socialism was far superior to capitalism, when he ran for office. America knew Obama was a puppet of the force that runs Chicago politics. America knew who Obama associated with. America knew Obama hid 90% of his college work from the press for a reason. The actions of this president are about as surprising as the likely path of a train. Still, that skin color made this president look like a good candidate. Now that the country is paying for ignoring the facts and voting for a fantasy we're having to recover under duress. At our current rate of decline, we'll soon qualify to join the European Union. Stop this horrible mistake in 2010 and replace it with a leader in 2012. Give America a chance to recover.
dashiel, then ignore it like you do everything else dealing with facts and the truth! Continue to follow the piper!
We can change this folks,,,BUY USA products as much as possible..It's not that hard to do. Stop giving your money to companies that send good paying jobs here overseas...Wake up we will be in a depression if we don't..
The Bush Administration was reckless, irresponsible and did not hold anyone accountable for anything. You can't lead a nation for 8 years, starting pre-emptive wars in two countries, budget a trillion dollars on ridiculous programs like the Missile Defense Shield System and expect to grow an economy. The Augusta Chronicle Editors apparently were out of the country while the Bush Administration was asleep at the wheel, but I remember them allowing the Oil Companies to run up record profits stifling the working man's budget with $3 and $4 a gallon gasoline. Also check your cable bill and the new "Digital Rates" courtesy of G.W. Bush's FCC. When President Obama took office (only months ago), the score was Bad Bush Economy 8 and America 0, with three Bush runners already on base. Even if the Unemployment Rate goes to 13 percent, this mess belongs to Bush for his eight years of bad policies and corporate greed. As for accusing the Editor of being an Obama Hater ...to borrow the eloquence of President Reagan, "If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck..."
Under fred's philosophy, then Clinton is responsible for 9-11 for his failure to deal with Islamofacists. The left proves once again that since they cannot make a valid argument based on facts (and a classic left of not taking responsibility) they must 1. blame Bush 2. attack the other side 3. change the subject. I am by no means giving Bush a pass, all presidents make mistakes, but to lay blame for everything in this country on Bush is giving Obama a pass and not making him take responsibility for his actions (or in the case of the "good war", his inaction). In this economy, how can Obama try to pass cap and trade (raising electric rates by his own admission), a $1 tillion plus health care bill for about 15% of the nation (but paid for by all in higher taxes and higher rates), and a stimulus bill that by his own measurement (creating jobs and keeping unemployment below 8%) is a huge failure.
johnston.cliff- we have never had a black president, we have one elected black governor in the US, no elected black senators, explain to me again how being black helps you win elections in the US
That's right Fred=idiot, blame it on bush! You might need to straighten your feathers too!
There are none so blind as those who refuse to see. If you're not concerned - You're not paying attention...
I'm doing OK today. Golfed yesterday and might hit the driving range a little today. Went out to dinner last night and saw "Pirate Radio", which is actually a great little movie. What Me Worry? Nope! I let that for the Republicants. If I were them then I would worry why their folks in DC are not doing anything at all. And furthermore, I would really worry about who they might think has a snowball's chance in you know where of competing with President Obama in 2012.
Concernednative, are you saying you didn't vote for this president because he is black? What are you, a racist?
Exactly Wizzard, you tell them. Just part of the scheme. People will be so grateful for those government provided jobs, they won't even know what him them.
"golfed". Tells you all you need to know.
Worrying about everything and being scared to death tell everyone the only thing that you know.
Make that "tells". I don't want half the yo-yos on this forum to immediately assume that I am a Black American. And even if I were, I'd still be 10X smarter than most of you.
I have no idea what you are talking about. But, hey let me know the next time you hear Tiger, any Pro golfer, or anyone with less than a 10, say they "golfed". It is the sure sign of a bonafided hacker.
niko, why do you always post how smart you are? We can tell how smart you are.
The only thing that the stimulus helped was large corporations,banks, Mortgage comp. wall street,banks,ect. Any one with even half a brain knows to create jobs you must have a demand for the goods that are to be sold. If people can't buy there is no demand thus lost jobs. This stimulus has not helped any one except large corporations that has nothing in creating jobs or demand. Many can put the blame on Bush or Clinton, but the facts are it is this current administration that has created this failing program. Thousands are still loosing their houses, cars and most,but not least JOBS. Taxes will sky-rocket and who will pay them? The few that are lucky enough to still have employment.
America elected a known anti-capitalist and then acts shocked when he turns out to be an anti-capitalist. Government NEVER creates anything, let alone jobs. It confiscates from the labors of the productive in order to "buy" the votes of the unproductive. I believe that if you don't pay taxes (which approx. 45% of Americans don't) then you ought not be allowed to vote.
Well so I am a hacker, but I have fun, I can play outdoors, it is something that the Mrs. and I can do together as we enter the lovely autumn of our lives. And it does keep me from sitting around "hacking" on the keys and keeping you Repubnicants from worrying yourselves to death. Better to be hacking on the course then hacking on the computer. And Cliff, I'm really smart and quite good looking too. Stay thirsty my friends!!!!!