|
YouTube - Open for Questions: The State of the Union and the Economy
Goolsbee is always cool
I think the administration has pretty good long term policy and not bad short term policy. Their theme is building industry over the long term, which is actually very important. Things like energy focus is a part of that. Obama is a lot like Prop Joe: thinking long instead of short
However, short term policy would be better if instead of just unemployment checks, the government paid for the long term unemployed to go to school. We need a massive and focused effort in this area, and without it the lower end of the middle class will still remain vulnerable in the future.
We don't have an employment problem inasmuch as we have an education problem. Education is being improved some, as well as many other aspects of business, but I think the administration's plan allows some people to still fall through the cracks in the short term. This isn't necessarily a problem though given that we don't live in a perfect world. If policy is to focus on education for future generations, and make sure that the current older and uneducated can at least keep unemployment insurance and find a mediocre job until they retire, things are good. Revamping education for all would be very tough and intrusive after all.
All in all, I think something new has come out over the last few days about the administrations approach to economics. They really are shooting for long haul investment stuff. While shit is hard for many on the short term, they want to make sure that US is on top in twenty years instead of forming various sorts of pseudo-bubbles in the short term by propping up the weak aspects of the economy
So in a way I'm actually pleased. I'm usually all over the board on these things since there is quite a rift between the liberal and establishment parts of the Democratic Party. IMO it's primarily one of communication though. Because the establishment doesn't communicate to its liberals well, we're often left to diagnose policy on our own without having much insight on the administration's interworkings
Also, word is that Obama is actually learning. And that his wife is pissed at him for his failure to communicate and pursue more liberal policies
|