Why Obama Will 'Own' the Recession

Reply to article and 'Thid World Nation'

I agree with the fact that many Americans will become impatient with the economic recovery. Things always ALWAYS get worse before they get better. And, quite frankly, BOTH wars, oil/gas prices, the real estate crisis and the stock market are not going to be fixed in a matter of months. So, unemployment rates will reach the double digits and we will continue to suffer through a recession/depression for years. So all in all I agree with this article and I do think that Obama has to act quickly; something drastic needs to be done in order to restore consumer faith.

NOW, MR. LOWE of OK... You have got to be one of the most ignorant people on here. I CANNOT believe that you would blame Mexican flag-waiving Latinos on the economic problems we are experiencing today. In case you weren't aware of it, there are millions of African Americans, Asian Americans, pacific islanders, and many other millions of people from all different ethnic and racial background who draw from Public Welfare to include WHITE, CAUCASIAN men and women. And lets not forget that that Mexicans and Latinos are not the only ones that commit crime. Isn't it a white man who is currently in the news for a $50 billion fraud? And what about the numerous white politicians convicted of sexual harassment, fraud, extortion, etc? You need to direct your anger of this economic down-turn to the millions of people who started living "outside of their means" when banks were approving everyone and anyone for loans. People couldn't afford the million dollar homes, the escalades and range rovers, but banks still approved them.

And lastly, if it weren't for these "uneducated peons and criminals" there would be far less fruits and vegetables at that grocery store, since 99% of white people think to highly of themselves to do work in "los campos."

Trust me Mr. Lowe, white folk aren’t as innocent as you're painting them to be. White folk, you know... those hillbilly, redneck kin of yours, use public welfare as well. Some of them even abuse it. EVERYONE is guilty.

And for the love of all that is mighty... it’s "a" not "an!" Not everything has "an" before it.

Jennifer of CA @ Jan 09, 2009 16:15:21 PM

Holy Hogwash, Batman!

Dude, Krugman et al. have already destroyed your opening premise (i.e., that Roosevelt's policies did nothing to ameliorate the Depression) with FACTS.

The fact is, Roosevelt's New Deal policies HALVED unemployment within 4 years, with GNP appreciably increasing also. If you don't think lowering the unemployment rate from 25% to 12% is "dramatic", then I guess nothing short of Roosevelt walking on water would impress you.

I find it amusing that you assert that Roosevelt's policies did nothing to restore the nation's economic health, yet in the very next breath you boldly claim that his policies snuffed out a "nascent recovery". Oops. Hoist yourself on your own petard much?

Gee, the fact that the economy began recovering within only 3 years (after 4 years of progressively getting worse under Hoover's "do-little-or-nothing" approach) had NOTHING to do with Roosevelt's policies; yet those same policies had EVERYTHING to do with "snuffing out" a recovery within the very millisecond it began, despite those policies having already been in place for 2+ years-wow, not only did these policies have a prophylactic effect on preventing the birth of any recovery, they apparently also had "insta-kill" staying power if one DID happen to develop. Wow, that's some powerful anti-growth mojo you ascribe to Roosevelt's policies.

I also note you don't cite any data to support your initial premise, which is unsurprising given that there ISN'T ANY. But hey, never let pesky little things like facts get in the way of a convenient prevarication.

Lying is always a convenient recourse when you don't have supporting data. And the upside bonus to lying is that when you repeat a lie often enough it becomes the truth, especially to those who are disinclined to be bothered by the actual facts in the first place.

I would encourage you to read Krugman's thorough, data-supported destruction of your anti-Roosevelt premise (it's available online, and I'd imagine you're aware of its existence) but it'd undoubtedly only fall on deaf ears anyway, so what's the use?

Christopher of NC @ Jan 09, 2009 15:14:59 PM

Obama and the Dems DO Own the Broken Economy

After doing all they could to redistribute wealth through the Fannie Mae / Freddy Mac fiascos, and then talking down the economy for TWO YEARS, it most certainly is the Democrats who are to blame for our financial straits.

Madame Speaker and her henchman have done about the worst job ever in Congress. They, too, are responsible. Though, Pelosi had the unmitigated gall to claim it was the Republicans, and not they, who are to blame.

Detestable woman.

Roger Cotton of CA @ Jan 09, 2009 15:12:05 PM

blame

Ha Ha you have become my favorite comedy writer.I cannot wait for more.

jdpaulus of OH @ Jan 09, 2009 14:42:49 PM

Conservatives are sociopathic liars? NOT!

Kuni of MO,

Nice Try but those numbers don't add up, Unemployment went down sharply why?

WW 2 (less of a base of unemployed worker with extended production due to needed wartime equipment and Materials)

It is proven FDR extended the depression for at least any college economics student can see that. The problem is the Liberals (not all Dem are libs, ie blue dogs) don't have the vision to realize government can't solve everything and sometimes situations just need to play out.

concerned citizen of NJ @ Jan 09, 2009 14:27:21 PM

I have great faith in Obama

Obama is the man who will fix our economy

i have great faith in him.

He has the confidence, and is smart to handle the nation and worlds problems.

some comments are against him, but what has Bush really done for this country, except create fear and turn us into a police state.

The problem with the American people, is that many of us think that we as a country should not have all these problems, that these problems should be somewhere else in the world. Our arrogance, has put us in this position. In some ways this recession is good for this country, because the arrogance and "Im better mentality", will dimish. Why do I read some comments that bash latino immigrants, bash third world countries etc? We are going to blame poor latino immigrants that are only looking for a better life. It is not all about money that they come here, but the idea of hope of a better future, for their kids and grandchildren, that everyone here has equal opportunity. They come here for the hope, that their lives will improve, just like every immigrant in the past. What we really have to blame is the rampent deregulation of our society and no oversight. GREED. People who were/are selfish, with the me me mentality are what caused our problems. Don't blame it on globalization. Globalization is a good thing, and twenty, thirty, forty years from now, the world will even be more connected. This fear mongering needs to stop, because it is getting very old now.

I believe that some people are against Obama because he is a minority, of mixed race. Yes he is different. But we need someone who is different. He is able to see things from a different prospective. He is truly a global president. He thinks more logical than our current president. He is truly for "all" the people. He is sincere, and smart, something that our current president is not.

John of IL @ Jan 09, 2009 13:32:03 PM

Re: Bill of OK's comments

Amen, Brother!

I am so sick of my federal tax dollars funding projects (and people) that should never receive a dime!

Our government has become so gargantuan there is no controlling it.

I fear the only way out of the mess that has become the US is to allow the self-implosion that seems imminent.

Tina of NV @ Jan 09, 2009 12:39:26 PM

Y'all

I generally see it as "ya'll," which would contract "ya" and "all," though I think it would more properly be "y'all," which would contract "you" and "all."

Lance of TX @ Jan 09, 2009 11:24:19 AM