Five Economic Mistakes Obama is Making

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great idea. Get health care cost under control and make it available for everyone. Unfortunately extremely poor exectution. Mandated buying? Sorry but unconstitutional. Also the true problem isn't even addressed in his Obamacare and that is corruption in the system. Doctors claiming for tests and care that they did not provide and people not caring enough to find out why. Also people making deals with doctors like how about you throw another test on my bill that you don't give me that way i don't have to pay my co-pay and you make even more money. That is what is driving health care costs up.

R D of MA 2:29PM April 09, 2012

He has no long term economic plan?? Please. I am an independent and this enrages me because politicians and partisanship/hypocrisy expressed in this article (and in fairness most of the articles you find in liberal or conservative publications)
Obama has tackled or try to tackle the biggest economic danger that will face us in 10-20 years which is trying to get health care cost under control.
I think whether the way he did is the right way or the wrong way is a fair debate, but it is certainly unfair to say he has not adressed long term fiscal concern that our country is going to face. What are republicans solutions? Funny enough the healthcare mandate was their idea to begin with. Another is establishing interstate competition, which ironically would make health insurance an interstate commerce and would make a possible strike down by the supreme court very silly.
This after more than 8 years doing nothing to curtail costs.
And about the current "Staggering debt":
Bush took it from 5.7 trillions (january 2001, one year after he took office as spending for the first year was determined by predecessor) to 10.6 trillions (January 2009). Obama then took it to current 15.6 trillions as of today. (data from treasury http://www.savingsbonds.gov/NP/BPDLogin?application=np)
Given he took office in the worse part of the economic crisis, which means revenues were dramatically reduced and spending (stimulus, millions of people receiving unemployment compensation) then I think it is hard to blame his fiscal handling. Bush established an extra 5 trillions in debt in period of prosperity since recession hit in 2008 so revenues were still high but with two wars and a trillion dollar worth prescription bill before he left.....
The public deficit is now decreasing already and the economy is getting better so within 10 years most of the debt will disappear.
But the real danger is the soaring healthcare coast. And right now BOTH parties are engaged in the silliest of debates instead of the one that really matters: DECREASE HEALTH CARE costs !!!

Commoner81 of PA 1:25PM April 09, 2012

This is quite stupid report and driven by political motivation from GOP. How ?
1. Unnecessary Tax Cuts: I agree US has more debt to pay and need money to pay. However, tax cut to the poor and middle class will spur the economy someway. It is also fair for all of us, too. At least, it is a lot better than to reduce tax for the wealth like in Bush to boost economy.
2. Inefficient Stimulus Spending: Hard to tell due to it is difficult to get the figures. One thing for sure to invest by government during the crisis is necessary for boosting the economy. EU countries also did it too.
3. Failing to liberalize market: it is completely stupid comment. In Germany, Japan and France where have strong economy than US have had stronger labour than US until today. In japan, they do not like to fire employee and in Germany and France even harder to fire employee. These market proves that labour market regulation does not play important role in boosting economy.
4. Demonize market: it is also stupid article, even worse, this article claims what Obama complained to business sector who did bad or has too much greed is bad. what a hell it will be.

Aye of AK 1:15PM April 09, 2012

What a joke.
Where was all this thoughtful advice when we the Republican administration of George Bush charged 2 wars off the books to a chinese credit card, cut taxes for billionaires and gave away an unfunded trillion dollar drug package all the while creating 1.1 million jobs in 8 years and then losing close to 6 million?
Do you recall the stock market number on Bush's last day in office? It was 8218.22 - down form 14000+
And what's their plan now? Cutting taxes for the rich, cutting benefits for the poor, and gutting environmental and financial regulations...
The exact same scenario...
That's a 'free' America?
I don't think so.

kevin flynn of CA 12:54PM April 09, 2012

Any U.S. President who declares that "our freemarket system is a failure" -- like Obama did -- should lose his job immediately.
It just shows that Obama doesn't like our freemarket
system, and he wants it to fail.

Paul of OH 12:35PM April 09, 2012

Finally, someone that understands economics! I have been SOO frustrated by the complete ignorance on these issues by the typical media know-nots. All Obama has done is pass the buck to our kids and grandkids. The ridiculous spending, class warfare, over-reaching legislation and socialist policies he has rammed down our throats have been shown to destroy economies every time they are attempted. Only a fool would follow the path to certain failure as Obama has. The worst part is that there are even more fools that are falling for his slick speeches and phony moderate "let's work together and compromise" rhetoric.
I am truly afraid that we are witnessing the downfall of this great country. If Obama is allowed to continue on this path to certain failure, there will be NOBODY else to blame other than the ignorant liberals who support this clown.

CharlesKaye of AZ 12:34PM April 09, 2012

Obama is the most fiscally irresponsible president i have seen in my lifetime. I believe he has a long term plan he just can't reveal until after he's re-elected or he won't get re-elected. Although he could just lie like he usually does.

R D of MA 12:25PM April 09, 2012