jpotts wrote:I'd also like to add that if the "tax cuts" go through, and the economy is still stagnant after a year or two, then the Democrats can then start saying that the now have proof that "tax cuts don't stimulate the economy." So, for the Dems, it is a conucopia of future talking points.
This is a very salient point.
The dems still control a great number of choke points of the economy.
Do I think they are weasel enough to intentionally tank things enough to effectively scuttle the economy
for the political gain of being able to say "we told ya so" in 2012? Some, certainly, but most, no.
But do I trust any of them to get it right enough to significantly improve the economy within 18 months?
Hell no.
The debate of "do tax/spending cuts/increases increase revenues and improve economy" will continue past 2012. In fact, my money is on that debate continuing forever.
A very few of the dems are pulling brer rabbit routine w/ their "disgust" at Obama's "capitulation", hoping the Repubs don't get tipped off to the true nature of their power of the moment.
The rest really are too stupid to see that the spending deal (unemploymnet extension) Obama worked out (with close to zero bargaining power) and the timing of the next tax rate expiration, was pretty masterful.
Unfortunately, the extension of benifits will be enough of a damper on the economy to ensure the economy is only showing signs of recovery in two years.
And whether their ideas work or not is not really the point in a lot of this.
Our futures are in the hands of the marginally ignorant few.
There will always be way out radicals on either side, a base of almost moderate on either side, those in the middle, and those who usually just don't care or are abjectly stupid.
The last of these groups is the fastest growing.
Win the last two of those groups, and you're in.