Thursday, March 27, 2008

Obama On The Economy

Obama gave a policy speech this morning on the current economic crisis.

If there is ever any more question that there is no difference between the two parties, read the text from his speech, and compare it to McCain's recent economic speech.

A few tidbits:

The policies of the Bush Administration threw the economy further out of balance. Tax cuts without end for the wealthiest Americans. A trillion dollar war in Iraq that didn't need to be fought, paid for with deficit spending and borrowing from foreign creditors like China. A complete disdain for pay-as-you-go budgeting -- coupled with a generally scornful attitude towards oversight and enforcement -- allowed far too many to put short-term gain ahead of long term consequences. The American economy was bound to suffer a painful correction, and policymakers found themselves with fewer resources to deal with the consequences.

After months of inaction, the President spoke here in New York and warned against doing too much. His main proposal -- extending tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans -- is completely divorced from the reality that people are facing around the country. John McCain recently announced his own plan, and it amounts to little more than watching this crisis happen. While this is consistent with Senator McCain's determination to run for George Bush's third term, it won't help families who are suffering, and it won't help lift our economy out of recession.


And the money shot:
Our free market was never meant to be a free license to take whatever you can get, however you can get it.


I want this guy to be my President.

5 comments:

Anne said...

In-freakin'-deed.

And let it never again be said that Obama's speeches are all rhetoric and no substance.

Steve said...

me too
and second option? anyone other than McSame

Bee said...

I just hope our two Democratic candidates don't get so bogged down battling each other that they lose sight of the ultimate goal.

Is anyone else getting really disappointed with Clintonian tactics?

So far, I think Obama is doing a pretty admirable job of trying to rise above . . .

And one more thing on the money subject: I honestly do not know how the unscrupulous "players" in the financial markets can live with themselves. Where do they think their ill-gotten gains come from? And I'm REALLY SICK of the argument that rich people should get tax cuts because their spending fuels the (luxury market) economy.

Brave Sir Robin said...

You're preaching to the choir Bee.

Anne said...

Indeed, Bee. I've been getting more and more disappointed with both of the Clintons. Obama hasn't been a saint, either, but overall he's run a pretty clean campaign. With the Clintons, there have been times when I'm not sure which side they're trying to help, D or R.

As for the economy stuff, Bee, that's exactly what McCain is proposing: make Bush's tax cuts permanent, AND remove more regulations. As if it weren't insufficient regulation, in part, that got us into this mess in the first place. He really seems to be flipping a giant bird to everyone who's not upper class.