Great Expectations: Worrisome Reality

Obviously, the country has great expectations of Barrack Obama. There is an overdue surge in economic populism, and despite Joe the Plumber -- there is an overdue need to do something about polarization of wealth in America.

The "Unseen Hand" has clearly run amok, but do we have the will to do something about it. Unless Obama can implement populist policies quickly and boldly in the form of reducing the taxes on the middle-class by increasing taxes on the mega wealthy and then injecting spending into the bottom of the food chain via expenditures on bridges and road, mass transit, environmental research and clean-up, and education, those expectations are not going to be met.

As a result, thought the expectations are great -- the reality may be harsh if we slump back into the same ole, same ole.

Comments: 8

Chris W. Oct 27, 2008, 1:20pm EDT

George and Jim, I think he will be in an unenviable position in January, if he wins in November. Are you sure you want the job, Barack?

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Jai S. Oct 27, 2008, 1:34pm EDT

The recipe is right on. Even a fool rich or otherwise must see this as the only way out Consumption is underappreciated by policymakers and economists. Maslow theory of motivation always plays out in economic. The really rich are begining to do too many foolish things with their money.

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X Tabber Oct 27, 2008, 3:01pm EDT

Indeed, let's hope that Senator (or rather President) Obama focuses on the key issues and not vague or general social engineering goals such as redistributing wealth.

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Debra C. Oct 27, 2008, 9:46pm EDT

I don't expect things to turn around overnight.

What I do expect, if Obama is elected, is a gradual re-establishment of mutual respect between the leaders of nations including the US.

What I do expect, if McCain is elected, is continued acrimony between nations with the US fomenting an acceleration of it ... and unnecessary additional wars.

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George McNaughton Oct 28, 2008, 9:21am EDT

My feeling is that the "unseen hand" needs to be more influenced by the consumers and the only way to do that is to get more money into the hands of the most voracious consumers in the world, the American middle-class. It is clear that the world is no paying the price of the Republican sacrifice of the American middle-class. Not sure the bail-out is going to play out to be of much benefit to this class especially if it is used to facilitate the consolidation of banks and employers.

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Chuck L. Mar 14, 2009, 5:14pm EDT

Lordy, we're surely a short-attention-span group, we Ammurric'ns. The President has said, over and over, "This is gonna take a wile, folks." So let's just give him a while. Waddaya say?

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Great Expectations: Worrisome Reality

Comments: 8

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