Capital Commerce

Obama's Chicago-Style Economics

By James Pethokoukis

Posted: March 8, 2009

According to the always insightful Joel Kotkin, the president is giving a new definition to Chicago economics:

The question is what strategy? Right now it seems like Chicago style interest politics with a Moveon.org spin. Money will be there for key what passes for"left" groups - urban real estate interests, greens, smart growthers, wind/solar lobby and, the shocktroops, the public employee unions. This is not a growth strategy but a politic technique designed to knit together a coalition of poor urbanites, bureaucrats, professors, greens and the Gorite energy speculators. It may work politically but I wonder what it will do longer-term for the economy.

Few serious people outside the Administration and its "ditto heads" around think this will turn around the private economy, although it may boost many individuals' economies. Private sector employment is collapsing even in the last strong economies - the Great Plains and Texas. The hangover in capital markets will make the government the defacto funder of first resort.

Comedians Depend on a Short Attention Span

Short memory defines the nonsense coming from conservatives. Here's another Bushie unwilling to accept any responsibility for leaving Obama a complete disaster to clean up.

Chicago is "the city that works", unlike conservative crony capitalism Kotkin seems to advocate.

No surprise that its time to forget Kotkin's reactionary nonsense. I know its hard for supporters of Madoff's capitalism threatened by fair regulation of the economy. The current GOP resistance to subsidize Americans trying to survive Bush's squandering of America is mocked by the GOP priority of subsidizing oil companies while ignoring the wild ponzi party atmosphere on Wall Street.

Kotkin is right about a severe hangover but its from the former 'Administration and its "ditto heads"', and these clowns still trot out Bush's biggest cheerleader to harrass us to return to the failed polices of Bush and his rubber-stampin' republican congresses.

Paul of WA @ Mar 09, 2009 12:50:54 PM

The Chicago School

Yup. We haven't had a Republican mayor in Chicago since 1932. I'm philosophically inclined to Barry Goldwater myself, but Gov. Blago bought my vote with free transit. Hey, everyone has his price, and this country is going to the dogs anyway. It's every man for himself and devil take the hindmost. Does anyone take pride in being American anymore? Certainly there is no patriotism in Washington where the Dems and Repugs try to outdo themselves in giving the country away to Mexicans.

That's where the big payload is. Mexicans. The Chicago boys who know a little something about one party rule have imported 750,000 Mexicans with welcoming centers, healthcare for jackpot babies to teens, mortgage assistance, etc. What grown up jackpot baby would vote for a Republican who might send his abuelo back to Mexico? What Republican could think up something as corrupt and appealing to Hispanics as the DREAM act of Dick Durbin?

Watch for the Dems under Obama to consolidate one party rule through Comprehensive Immigration Reform.

Luther of IL @ Mar 09, 2009 03:21:11 AM

I agree somewhat...

I'm a left of center person, but can't stand the attention being brought to labor unions in all of this. As Amir stated, I wish the critics would come up with great alternatives to debate over. Instead we get seemingly partisan politics (block Republican "No" votes), consistent panning of "pork barrel" spending.

Can politicians please stop marketing to the American people? Can State legislators please call our National Representatives and Senators to the carpet? If this plan is bad, please give us alternatives.

Unfortunately, pounding the drum for "deregulation" and "smaller government" without any concrete plans is just taking up a contrarian position. Please stop the broken record of modern politics and do the job you've been given: helping the American people.

Todd of CA @ Mar 09, 2009 02:23:41 AM

Add Your Thoughts
About You

advertisement

Capital Commerce

Capital Commerce

U.S. News business reporter Matthew Bandyk examines the issues, people, and debates that shape the nexus of political and economic life in the nation's capital.

advertisement

advertisement

Subscribe

U.S. News Digital Weekly

A weekly insider's guide to politics and policy — in a multimedia, digital format. 52 issues for $19.95!

U.S. News & World Report

6 months of U.S. News & World Report's print edition for only $15. Save up to 67% off the cover price!