I just read a wonderful definition of insanity, attributed to Albert Einstein. Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. By this definition, many of our politicians are crazy. We stick to the same old, same old policies and dogma that have not worked before and then keep repeating the process.
Take, for example, debt reduction without financial stimulus, a mantra of the Republican Party. It has not worked historically; why will it suddenly change now? Europe has been practicing this policy of debt reduction in the form of austerity and where are they? In the same old rat hole, up the proverbial creek with no paddle is the answer. European leaders are now beginning to consider measures to stimulate the economy.
The President is presenting measures---and has tried to do so in the past---to combine debt reduction with financial stimulus. The Republican Congress greets these measures like a colony of lepers invading their space.
Go back in history. When F.D.R. effected the New Deal in the thirties, the economy started to improve. When he gave in to Congressional pressure to slow these measures and emphasize only debt reduction, the economy faltered and nosedived. World War II restimulated the economy, which is not the ideal way to recovery.
And where are we today? The Republicans keep insisting on debt reduction alone---no “wasteful” expenditures on job programs like the infrastructure repair. If we stimulate the economy and get more people working, won’t that increase revenue; won’t that help to reduce the deficit when combined with sensible tax and entitlement reform?
Yes, sometimes I think we fulfill that Einsteinian definition of insanity. Could we try to be a bit less crazy?
A proven program that works; makes too much sense. Or we will just invade Iran. That will stimulate things.
ReplyDeleteSomething is wrong with the grand old party. They are behaving like idiots and you say they always behave this way. You'd think anyone with any intelligence at all would see through them and vote them out of office.
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