If we are to believe the current knocks on Pres. Obama, it is that he dares to talk responsibly about the economy. Rachel Maddow called it "talking like a grownup." If he keeps talking about the current mess with such (gasp!) honesty, then he might frighten it into a recession. So we should he needs to sweet talk it. He should have sent flowers and chocolates to it for Valentine's Day. Maybe take it out for a dinner and a movie once in a while. Poor neglected economy!
Even former Pres. Clinton got in the act. Stupid Bill. Don't you know that you're not supposed to be talking right now?
Not only is this line of reason pretty laughable, the truth of what they are saying seems to be lost on them. The fact that Wall Street (you know--legalized corporate gambling) runs on fear--that it rises and falls based on people's irrational responses to good and bad news--has been a recurring theme since the first stock market dip in 2001 and 2002. That fear-based selling and pack mentalities tend to cripple our economy when more stable-minded investing encourages long-term growth is well known, but seemingly unpracticed on Wall Street. Extending this idea to broader economic conditions seems logical.
Except for one thing: the president isn't the one doing the selling. He isn't even the one feeding information to stock-holders or CEOs. They are the ones acting immaturely and without regard to our economic future. You don't blame the victim of a crime for the perpetration of the crime any more than you blame the official that points out that a crime has taken place!
This is the "more of the same" has to change. This is the behavior that needs an overhaul.
The public (unsolicited and inappropriately open) "suggestion" that Clinton gave Obama was to express more confidence. A commentator compared this with FDR's "nothing to fear but fear itself", but they are missing the forest for the trees. The nature of addressing fear is not calling the president a cheerleader-in-chief, but the actual standing up to the fear. Confidence is great, but if it isn't used to stand up against the fear, it is misused.
I can't help but think of all of the abuse perpetrated on others because we don't want to rock the boat or make hay over things. Allowing criminals to go unpunished and victims to go without justice. It sanctions violence: physical, political, economic, psychological, and karmic. The only sollution to this kind of violence is to clear the air. This requires honesty and openness.
Perhaps its time the people entrusted with our economy, who demand an unregulated market, actually acted as if they could be trusted to spend five dollars on anything but candy.
Even former Pres. Clinton got in the act. Stupid Bill. Don't you know that you're not supposed to be talking right now?
Not only is this line of reason pretty laughable, the truth of what they are saying seems to be lost on them. The fact that Wall Street (you know--legalized corporate gambling) runs on fear--that it rises and falls based on people's irrational responses to good and bad news--has been a recurring theme since the first stock market dip in 2001 and 2002. That fear-based selling and pack mentalities tend to cripple our economy when more stable-minded investing encourages long-term growth is well known, but seemingly unpracticed on Wall Street. Extending this idea to broader economic conditions seems logical.
Except for one thing: the president isn't the one doing the selling. He isn't even the one feeding information to stock-holders or CEOs. They are the ones acting immaturely and without regard to our economic future. You don't blame the victim of a crime for the perpetration of the crime any more than you blame the official that points out that a crime has taken place!
This is the "more of the same" has to change. This is the behavior that needs an overhaul.
The public (unsolicited and inappropriately open) "suggestion" that Clinton gave Obama was to express more confidence. A commentator compared this with FDR's "nothing to fear but fear itself", but they are missing the forest for the trees. The nature of addressing fear is not calling the president a cheerleader-in-chief, but the actual standing up to the fear. Confidence is great, but if it isn't used to stand up against the fear, it is misused.
I can't help but think of all of the abuse perpetrated on others because we don't want to rock the boat or make hay over things. Allowing criminals to go unpunished and victims to go without justice. It sanctions violence: physical, political, economic, psychological, and karmic. The only sollution to this kind of violence is to clear the air. This requires honesty and openness.
Perhaps its time the people entrusted with our economy, who demand an unregulated market, actually acted as if they could be trusted to spend five dollars on anything but candy.
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