Krugman: Government Should Solve Unemployment By Hiring People To Repair Roads
Despite Obamanomics' failure to stimulate the economy, Nobel laureate Paul Krugman still believes Washington can solve all that ails us if we would just spend more money we don't have.
Toward that end, the avowed liberal in his Monday New York Times column called for a new New Deal-like program to hire unemployed people to - wait for it - repair roads:
The core of our economic problem is, instead, the debt — mainly mortgage debt — that households ran up during the bubble years of the last decade. Now that the bubble has burst, that debt is acting as a persistent drag on the economy, preventing any real recovery in employment. And once you realize that the overhang of private debt is the problem, you realize that there are a number of things that could be done about it.
For example, we could have W.P.A.-type programs putting the unemployed to work doing useful things like repairing roads — which would also, by raising incomes, make it easier for households to pay down debt.
Ah yes, Franklin Delano Roosevelt's famous Works Progress Administration.
Started in 1935, and peaking in 1938, the program never came close to achieving what proponents had hoped.
The unemployment rate was at 20.1 percent at WPA's commencement. Three years later, it was still 19 percent.
Sounds almost as effective as President Obama's 2009 stimulus plan.
Yet what's really hysterical about Krugman pushing this idea now is that in November 2008, he admitted on ABC's "This Week" that it was World War II that ended the Great Depression, not any of FDR's New Deal policies:
PAUL KRUGMAN, NEW YORK TIMES: What actually happened was, you know, there was an enor, there was a collapse in the financial system, which was not restored for a long time. There was a persistent deep slump in consumer demand, and therefore no investment demand and so you're stuck in this trap. Roosevelt got the economy moving somewhat. By 1937 things were a lot better than they were in 1933...
GEORGE WILL: And then they tanked (?)...
KRUGMAN: ...then he was persuaded to balance the budget, or try to, and he raised taxes and cut spending, and the economy went back down again, and it took an enormous public works program known as World War II to bring the economy out of a Depression.
"It took an enormous public works program known as World War II to bring the economy out of a Depression."
Indeed. Which means nothing FDR did prior to that point - including WPA - had its desired effect.
So why propose it now?
Krugman's response might be that we should have a similar public works program today as what we saw during World War II, but let's understand that total federal spending in 1940 was $9.5 billion. By 1945, this had risen almost tenfold to $93 billion.
Such an increase in today's budget would create a deficit greater than $30 trillion making our dollar and our treasury paper totally worthless.
Of course, this isn't specifically what Krugman is suggesting, but if WPA didn't work, and he acknowledges it took an almost tenfold increase in spending to end the Depression, exactly how much does he think would be necessary to get us out of our current economic condition?
In reality, I'm afraid to ask for his answer might be more shocking than what was hiding in Norman Bates's fruit cellar.
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Comments
Krugmen
Submitted by gAMEoVER on Mon, 05/30/2011 - 1:59pm.
Is and always will be ignored.Total Hack.Total Moron.
And what is so bad about that?
Submitted by mandrake on Mon, 05/30/2011 - 2:13pm.
What's so bad about fixing roads? The way I figure it the state of Michigan owes me $1000 dollars.
I was down there a while ago to visit some relatives and once I crossed the border I hit a pothole so big it blew out a tire and broke an engine mount. Cost me $1000 bucks to fix..so fix your roads already.
MI has the biggest allowance
Submitted by Zippy on Mon, 05/30/2011 - 3:43pm.
MI has the biggest allowance for trucks. And they still bust truckers for being over weight.
The MSP can eyeball a truck and 95% of the time it's over the limit.
The last 5-6 yrs. most all freeways are down to 1-2 lanes for repair.
After that bridge collapsed in WI( i think). MDOT Inspected all the bridges. Guess what????
Just about all needed repair.
I-75 South of Flatrock. Still had the original 1950 concrete.....
Now the freeway doesn't flood. But, the water goes into retention ponds. Perfect for mosquito breeding.
By the way. I live near
Submitted by Zippy on Mon, 05/30/2011 - 3:53pm.
By the way. I live near Detroit.
And I had another job offer, last week.
Oh! I still don't know anyone who is out of work. Who wants to work.
Even after a layoff/ firing/ golden parachute thingy at my company.
These slugs are still getting unemployment payouts.
Most don't want to work for $10-19/hr.
You don't understand our system of gov't, do you?
Submitted by Unsane on Mon, 05/30/2011 - 6:33pm.
Bitch at Lansing then, not Washington, DC.
"CONSUMED DEMOCRACY RETURNS A SOCIALIST REGIME" - Slayer, "Fictional Reality", from Divine Intervention (1994)
There are unions, years of
Submitted by kg on Mon, 05/30/2011 - 9:06pm.
There are unions, years of experience required to become journeymen and regulation hoops to jump through. It would be years before that first pothole is fixed.
"DumbAssity of Dope"
So, send the bill to the county road commission.
Submitted by UpNorth on Mon, 05/30/2011 - 7:32pm.
Provide a witness, and more than likely, if the pothole was big enough to swallow an 18 wheeler, they know about it, and you'll get compensated. But, be careful, it will require some effort on your part.
So we should spend 40% to 130% of the GDP because MI roads
Submitted by TheHistorian on Mon, 05/30/2011 - 8:48pm.
cost you $1,000? FDR had spent about 40% of GDP and had gotten no real relief from unemployment. We then went into WWII, and in 5 years the debt went from 40% of GDP to 130% of GDP. After the war, the recession came right back. This is despite the orders coming back home from Japan that huge amounts of military gear was to be deep-sixed so that it did not get into the economy and ruin the recovery (my Dad was a Marine that had that assignment on his return).
This is the problem with all who think that public works fixes the economy. The financial history is out there, but no one cares to read it. And you may get a recovery, but how do you keep it from stalling? The Government has been buying A, but consumers want B. So A goes out of business, and all of his people are laid off. The money for B to be capitalized is nowhere to be found because you spent it all in subsidizing A.
For being a Nobel Laureate, Krugman is pretty clueless. Maybe he got his like Obama, on what he was going to do in the future? If you read Thomas Sowell and Paul Krugman's writings, you will not come to the conclusion that Sowell is the lightweight.
Dennis Prager
If you hadn't noticed...
Submitted by retrocon on Tue, 05/31/2011 - 9:39am.
The Nobel Prizes, for some years now, have been the Oscars of socialism.
In any case, anyone who believes that temporary, low paying infrastructure construction jobs will revitalize the economy is a true economic moron.
Besides, if you accept the premise that the government can spend us out of recession (which i do NOT), then put the money into a trip to Mars. At least then, you spur the creation of new technology (unlike the green stuff which is based on bad science and false premise). You create white and blue collar jobs, and because of the infusion of new technology into the private sector, it lives on and causes real economic growth.
Anyone who defunds NASA and then claims that government funding for "shovel ready jobs" will spark the economy is either stupid or lying.
What is wrong with you Frosty Blue Troll of the North?
Submitted by The Vet on Tue, 05/31/2011 - 5:45am.
How crappy is your automobile? I have been in the most backward of backward ass countries both driving and as a passenger and I have never ever ever heard of some idiot driving a car so crappy and being so mindlessly dumb so as to hit a pothole at such a high rate of speed that his rusted out pile of junk broke the one piece of metal that was designed to maintain the heaviest hunk of metal in said vehicle, the engine.
Now tell us how far over the speed limit you were driving in such a haphazard manner so as to cause damage to your vehicle. On an unknown road no less.
Now you listen to me Frosty Blue Troll and you listen good. We have children here in this country and we don't cotten to little snots like you driving like a lunatic on our roads endangering our children should they be walking to the bus stop.
So take your crappy rusted out piece of junk and keep it off our roads. Got that?
Don't be as dumb as Krugman
Submitted by zenman1661 on Mon, 05/30/2011 - 2:08pm.
Could the drastic increase in Federal spending between 1940 ands 1945 NB references possibly be due to costs of WWII, not exactly a factor relevent to today's deficit situation. What Krugman fails to understand is that his road repair plan like cash for clunkers and the first time home buyer credit will only provide a small temporary bump to the unemployment problem The federal government is not good at creating permanent private sector jobs.
Then you get them their union cards, Krugman.
Submitted by SickofLibs on Mon, 05/30/2011 - 2:05pm.
What an a-hole.
be fair to Democrats
Submitted by Agnostic on Mon, 05/30/2011 - 2:05pm.
If you looked at US political history the New Deal policies and the 'cradle to grave' programs that followed have been bankrupting this nation but they did lead to nearly half a century of Democrat control of Congress and a firm stranglehold on the Federal Judiciary system. Democrat control is more important than the future of the nation so please tone down the rhetoric.
Agnostic...
Submitted by Jer on Mon, 05/30/2011 - 4:09pm.
The federal judiciary is appointed by the executive branch which has been controlled by the GOP for 36 of the past 58 years, and is the reason there are a preponderance of Republicans/conservatives on the federal bench.
Jer
Jer your funny
Submitted by Samshile on Mon, 05/30/2011 - 6:33pm.
By what percentage? and when did they get control of the house? Dems 72% of the last 61 years have had control of the house $$. Also, NOt all dems watch kiddie porn. But if it is a kiddie porn watcher, they more likely to be as Democrat.
With respect to current
Submitted by Jer on Mon, 05/30/2011 - 6:55pm.
With respect to current judges on the Circuit Court of Appeals Republican appointments exceed Democratic ones by 54% to 46%. I'm not sure what the ratio is regarding District Court judges, but it is probably close to those percentages.
Jer
Jer,
Submitted by Agnostic on Tue, 05/31/2011 - 12:00pm.
Maybe I was mistaken - who approves the appointees? Reading statements made over the years I have been left with the impression that the respective Republican controlled Executive Branches at various times has felt like their hands were tied in order to get their appointments approved. They nominated people that were generally far more conservative than the liberal appointees but too watered down to provide balance. You probably have a better understanding of the approval process than I do so if I am completely off base I would appreciate your input.
Even President Reagan was unable to 'stack the deck' the way the media claimed he would - over and over and over.
Agnostic...
Submitted by Jer on Tue, 05/31/2011 - 5:34pm.
The President nominates, the Senate confirms [although the process can be bottled up in committee, delaying and sometimes preventing a vote]. Both sides play politics with nominees whom they believe are ideological extremists, although the objections will often--but not always--be ostensibly based on non-philosophical grounds.
Bork was viewed as a far-right activist whose role in Watergate still left a sour taste with many Dems. Several SC nominees by Republican presidents gradually shifted to the left once on the bench, e.g. Blackmun, Souter, Stevens, and to a lesser extent, O'Connor and Kennedy. Liberal jurist Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who was thought to be more centrist than she turned out, had actually been suggested to Clinton by Orrin Hatch.
The current Supreme Court composition is roughly ideologically split, with Kennedy the swing vote who more often sides with the conservative faction.
Jer
Thanks Jer,
Submitted by Agnostic on Wed, 06/01/2011 - 8:38am.
I have to admire Kennedy though I don't always agree with him. The pressure he must be under considering that he is basically a one man Supreme Court right now.
Your source is Wikipedia, Jer?
Submitted by TheHistorian on Mon, 05/30/2011 - 9:10pm.
If so, you skipped the 9% vacant column. This means that by the end of BHO's first term, you are likely to see it swing to >50% again. It WAS 56/37 before Obama (2008), and at the end of Bill Clinton's term it was 44/42. This is not bad, considering that the plurality of the the people in this country are conservatives, with liberals only being 31% of the total. I know, Jer, when you don't like the poll, call it a conservative one. But Gallup is not a conservative polling agency.
The point, Jer, is that you libs have a heck of a lot more judges per capita than the rest of the country. That is how your agenda got there until 2006, when your Party leadership lied about giving us the "most ethical Congress" and then pulls stunts like "presuming" that a bill is passed in order to try to pass a revision. And complaining about the deficits, then giving us 10X of what they were. And Americans prefer conservative or moderate judges to the liberal ones.
See how easy it is to reference FACTS, Jer?
Dennis Prager
Historian...
Submitted by Jer on Tue, 05/31/2011 - 5:59pm.
In the post to which I first responded there was a clear implication that the Democrats have for tthe past half century enjoyed a "stranglehold" on the federal judiciary. That is the point I addressed and disputed--and the statistics support my argument.
Frankly, I'm not sure what your point is. Even if every currently vacant seat in the federal judiciary were filled by a flaming liberal--which is highly unlikely given the history of appointments in terms of ideology--there still wouldn't be anything close to a "stranglehold" by liberal-leaning judges. You also overlook the fact that several of the existing vacancies are Democratic ones so that a replacement by another Democratic nominee in those instances would not affect the percentage.
Jer
Really??
Submitted by NL207 on Tue, 05/31/2011 - 7:25pm.
"Even if every currently vacant seat in the federal judiciary were filled by a flaming liberal--which is highly unlikely given the history of appointments in terms of ideology"
Since Kommissar Obama is making these appointments, all other history is irrelevant. What is Obama's history? Kagan and Sotomayor? These two are quite literally enemies of the Constitution and the Republic. How much more radical can he get?
moron
Submitted by MidAmerica on Mon, 05/30/2011 - 2:11pm.
So does this guy think our roads are still fixed by unskilled labor with picks and shovels?
I would bet it takes more knowledge to run a road crew on a busy Interstate highway than what it takes to put out the blather Krugman does.
I would love to see Krugman dismantle an overpass, replace the steel girding, and then put back a road surface suitable for heavy high speed traffic. And do this within a budget, with no loss of life and while traffic moves past just a few feet away.
Actually...
Submitted by retrocon on Tue, 05/31/2011 - 9:51am.
In AZ, our road crews, and most other construction, is pretty much a couple of knowledgeable supervisors and a bunch of illegals. Well, it was until some recent laws went into effect ;-)
You might say "guv'ment doesn't employ illegals" and you'd be wrong. They hire companies who hire illegals, and because of the size and power of the of contractors, and "lowest bidder" status, they don't question anything.
Oh, but they are jobs that no citizen would want, right?
More bad advice from the Nobel Prize Winner
Submitted by Galvanic on Mon, 05/30/2011 - 2:14pm.
The disasterous stimulus bill that pumped $800 billiion into government employment and programs failed to stimulate anything. Unemployment rose 2-3%.
Krugman is a broken record. Whether the economy is strong or weak, he's always advocating bigger government.
Stimulus
Submitted by steamboat on Mon, 05/30/2011 - 2:14pm.
I'm sure Krugman can identlfy some "shovel ready" projects in his hometown.
broken
Submitted by look on Mon, 05/30/2011 - 2:14pm.
the Broken Windows Theory is a Liberal sham...
If I pay my neighbor $10 to dig a hole, and he pays me $10 to fill it, a Liberal would say that 2 jobs and $20 were generated into the economy...
in reality nothing was done...
Exactly...
Submitted by Order270 on Tue, 05/31/2011 - 1:17am.
A government job is not a job in terms of economic viability. The public sector is overhead. The private sector is profit. Government is the cost of doing business as a nation.
COMPLETE IDIOT
Submitted by bmac32 on Mon, 05/30/2011 - 2:20pm.
So who's going to fit the roadways, housewives? This guy has to be one of the biggest idiots on either the right or left. Everything he and his pals come up with costs more money, the debut needs to be cut NOW!
We can have a better GDP if
Submitted by rbosque on Mon, 05/30/2011 - 2:23pm.
We can have a better GDP if people stop listening to Keynesian/Marxist "intellectuals" and free the free-markets and let them be in charge of our economy. Not political hacks like Krugman.
Yup FDR was ahead of his time. pre-green Jobs
Submitted by upcountrywater on Mon, 05/30/2011 - 2:23pm.
Pre-OSHA and EPA, but hey carbon neutral. No filthy fossil fueled machinery competing for jobs, leveling the playing field.
You see, in this world there's two kinds of people, my friend: Those with loaded guns and those who dig. You dig. h/t Blondie
From landing on the moon to fast forward into the dark ages.
It's all paper now, forever and ever.
You Didn't Build That.
I'd put those on welfare to
Submitted by ricklail on Mon, 05/30/2011 - 2:46pm.
I'd put those on welfare to repairing roads. They are already getting paid let's get some good out of if. It would make Al and Jesse have a fit asking someone to work for their housing and food. I think they went ballistic when the authorities asked those in public housing to clean up around the place.
I don't know if they still it but at one time Germany had those on the public dole washing road signs and picking up trash off the roadways.
I agree, Rick
Submitted by DontFeedTheTrolls on Mon, 05/30/2011 - 3:43pm.
After all, that would be 'shared sacrifice' on the part of welfare recipients. They would just be doing their 'fair share'.
Ok, now we are on to something here.
Submitted by Order270 on Tue, 05/31/2011 - 1:27am.
I would add to that those that are on unemployment too. Having a national safety net is one thing, but making a living off of it is another. If the Democrats were thinking they would put those people to work and claim them as jobs created. The best of both worlds in a Liberal sense.
Anyone on welfare for more than a year--two max, should be put to work in the public sector. Anyone on unemployment more than three months--six max, should be put to work in the public sector.
You are not the first to have this idea
Submitted by NL207 on Tue, 05/31/2011 - 1:33am.
Perhaps you'd like to build some autobahns?
I think Krugman is on to something here
Submitted by Dave. on Mon, 05/30/2011 - 3:01pm.
We could actually save America by paving over all the commies like him who are working 24/7 to spend us into oblivion, thus destroying every last remaining vestige of it.
LOL - And yes, I am volunteering to operate one of the steam rollers - free of charge.
-Dave
Vote for the American in November
Noting the fact that Krugman
Submitted by bkeyser on Mon, 05/30/2011 - 3:00pm.
Noting the fact that Krugman and his ilk believe that road construction can be completed by anyone and that out-of-work accountants and librarians are as fit and able to preform such work as those in the construction trade, his proposal is nothing more than a dressed up transfer of wealth.
I have better idea
Submitted by buzzerdbait on Mon, 05/30/2011 - 3:13pm.
After returning from a long road trip, i noticed most of the road crews and heavy equipment drivers were of Hispanic origin. I'm not exactly saying that they are illegals, but if we were to check them out we may be able to open up some good jobs for Americans.
Let's put construciton workers out of work
Submitted by pockets64 on Mon, 05/30/2011 - 3:31pm.
So, we put the skilled contractors that are currently paid to fix the roads out of work and put unskilled labor driving the machines??
Oh, and whats so bad about this most wonderful plan? It doesn't work and it is not practical. The states and local communities need to maintain their roads wisely. That may mean skipping that new route to nowhere and maybe that bike or bus lane.
Paul Shihtzu
Submitted by AgentAmerican on Mon, 05/30/2011 - 3:33pm.
Joe's ugly brother is spewing his secret fetish of gulags...rat b*stard.
Wait...............Ir Krugman really going there?
Submitted by djwolf12 on Mon, 05/30/2011 - 3:35pm.
Krugman is actually advocating firing a bunch of union people only to replace them with more union people????? How many people have seen this in roadside construction: 1 guy is in a ditch digging. another guy is supervising that guy dig. Another guy is supervising the guy who is supervising the guy dig. Another guy is supervising the guy who is supervising the guy who is supervising the guy dig. Then there is another...........etc. You get the point. ENOUGH OF THE UNIONS!!!!!
You must be one of those
Submitted by Zippy on Mon, 05/30/2011 - 4:06pm.
You must be one of those guys. We call them Mr. Blister. They show up after the work is done.
And you have never dug a ditch. Prolly more dangerous than hooking up wires.
3-4 of those guys are taking a breather.
Then you have a safety observer. It's real easy to have the walls collapse on you in a ditch.
And your buddies can't dig fast enough to get you out. You are DEAD.
When You are in the ditch, you can't judge things for yourself. You are trying to concentrate on digging.
You have to be outside of the ditch to safety watch.
A guy welding something. Is not looking for fires. He's welding. He needs a fire watch........
Go into a tank/small enclosure. It's a 2 man rule. If the other guy drops. You run for the opening.
Try to help your buddy will get you killed.
A couple yrs ago. They found 8 guys dead. All trying to help their buddy.
Obviously you don't get it......
Submitted by djwolf12 on Mon, 05/30/2011 - 7:42pm.
I am talking about 9 or 10 people involved with 1 guy digging in a ditch. 1 person is supervising, while each person in the chain is watching the person supervising the person in front of them. If you want real progress, hire 20 people to get in the ditch and dig together to SPEED UP the project.
No wolf. You don't get
Submitted by Zippy on Tue, 05/31/2011 - 12:17pm.
No wolf. You don't get it.
Most ditches only fit one person.
If you were talking a hole. That's different.
10 guys standing around watching each other while
Submitted by djwolf12 on Tue, 05/31/2011 - 7:54pm.
1 person digs is not being productive. If there were more people digging and working, the more work would get done. Roadside projects would be completed much, much, much, much faster.
The union/gov value of one worker is why machines are here.
Submitted by upcountrywater on Tue, 05/31/2011 - 8:06pm.
Productivity is all about cutting costs. At the moment machines are much cheaper than humans. Machines have replaced legions of diggers on every huge job site even in China.
You will never see humans running around on a large job site with a wheel barrow, or bricks on their backs, some shovels yes, however that's just for finish work.
You Didn't Build That.
always - the gubmint should do it... sheeesh!! (*face-palm*)
Submitted by wizardjr on Mon, 05/30/2011 - 3:57pm.
If the roads need mending then put out a contract and hire a company that's trained to do it. That will employ skilled trades people and some non-skilled stop sign holders and flagmen. If they don't have enough folks they know WHO to hire so the job gets done correctly. (now there's a concept for ya Krugman)
As others have noted, the whole idea of being able to go to the labor exchange and hire on a skilled road crew onesy-twosy is ludicrous. But then this is Krugman we're talking about. What an assclown.
Here's another concept. "Low
Submitted by Zippy on Mon, 05/30/2011 - 4:09pm.
Here's another concept.
"Low cost bidder gets the job".
You just bought JUNK.
Picture of Krugman.
Submitted by Zippy on Mon, 05/30/2011 - 4:10pm.
That is classic Krugman.
When he does that "look". He's ready to spew BS. Or froth at the mouth......
It's like he's looking to see if his mom is watching. or granny......
Is granny out of the room????........... I gots some BS.......
I have news for Krugman ...
Submitted by NL207 on Mon, 05/30/2011 - 4:29pm.
The US economy slipped right back into recession as soon as the war was over.
WWII did not pull the US economy out of Depression. It merely concealed the malaise with a disastrous war. People were so grateful the war was over in 1946 they did not raise a fuss about the renewed economic doldrums. These had been the staple of life for 15 years at that point and young adults had never know anything better. The Democrats should have been recognized for the failure they were and ousted.
But then again...
Submitted by Red Jeep on Mon, 05/30/2011 - 4:51pm.
....in 1951 the presidency was term limited, so maybe people weren't too happy with them.
Franklin I
Submitted by NL207 on Mon, 05/30/2011 - 6:19pm.
That was more a consequence of King Franklin I and a desire not ever to have one man hold the reins of power for so long again.
You See!
Submitted by Bourbeau on Mon, 05/30/2011 - 4:42pm.
This is what is wrong with out society. Someone, supposedly learned in his skills, gets peeved thaty the 'goverment solution' that they endorse isn't working. So what's they're comeback; let's hire people to do roadwork. Now there's an idea! How stupid is this? Let me count the ways: (1) First - let's go hire 1,000 people and start work on the NJ Turpike and see how long it takes to hire them ffor that work at say $10/hr; 2) lets see where we can borrow the money at interest free; 3) lets see how long before they back door the development of the NJ Turpike Road Bailout Authority to oversee the project; 4) then lets wait for the unions to show up; 5) And then, it will be 2015, we will have spent $1 Billion and we're still waiting for environmental approval to do the work we hired the 1000 people for who spent their time picking up debris on the road.
Here's a better idea; lets grab Krugman by his shoulders; shake him till he sweats; and scream, You Sir, are a moron!!!!!!
Better one........
Submitted by djwolf12 on Mon, 05/30/2011 - 8:04pm.
Eliminate the unions then let the real people who want to work do the project. To the liberals, the only solution to everything is all government. If you see the Rachel Madcow Commercials on M.S.S.R. (lean forward and take the donkey **** in the ass) she says that public works should be stripped from the private sector and taken over by the Government in order to steer the Government vision of the country. Now, keep in mind, the Government runs the post office. Private companies own Fedex, Ups, and DHL. These 3 companies are successful. The post office needed a taxpayer bailout to save itself from bankruptcy.
Joke
"Why does the Post Office keep raising their postal rates all of the time?"
"Because they need to purchase more NEXT WINDOW PLEASE signs".
X
Submitted by serfer62 on Mon, 05/30/2011 - 4:43pm.
This No Bell prize you speak of, does it come as a toy in Crackerjack?
"...he raised taxes and cut
Submitted by robert108 on Mon, 05/30/2011 - 6:25pm.
"...he raised taxes and cut spending, and the economy went back down again..."
Funny, that's exactly what the Dems want to do now. Also, WWII was NOT a "public works program"; it was a struggle against the same type of governance that Krugman espouses.
Something to think about, that's all
Submitted by Unsane on Mon, 05/30/2011 - 6:37pm.
You know, I was reading Richard Evans's amazing, magisterial history of the Third Reich the other day, and the Nazis did in fact put people to work on roads to knock down unemployment numbers. Now, not that I am a fan of the old cliched "Nazi!" accusations, but it's just something to think about is all.
"CONSUMED DEMOCRACY RETURNS A SOCIALIST REGIME" - Slayer, "Fictional Reality", from Divine Intervention (1994)
They also had a "tax the
Submitted by robert108 on Mon, 05/30/2011 - 7:05pm.
They also had a "tax the rich" plan to fund their govt spending, it was called "The Final Solution". Also something to think about.
Well...
Submitted by Unsane on Mon, 05/30/2011 - 7:12pm.
Not so much "tax the rich" as much as "forcible seizure of assets from people we don't like, rich or not". For more, check out the three volume series on the Third Reich that Richard Evans came out with. You won't be disappointed.
"CONSUMED DEMOCRACY RETURNS A SOCIALIST REGIME" - Slayer, "Fictional Reality", from Divine Intervention (1994)
It was "tax the rich" along
Submitted by robert108 on Mon, 05/30/2011 - 7:23pm.
It was "tax the rich" along with general hatred of the Jews. Hitler needed money to feed his war machine, and rich Jews were a very attractive target for him. He also taxed the rich Austrians.
Okay, now back this up
Submitted by Unsane on Tue, 05/31/2011 - 7:38pm.
Source?
I mean, everyone knows about what happened to the Jews and the "Aryanization" of the economy, or plunder by virtually everyone else, including German businesspeople very happy to see their competition eliminated. That aspect is not up for debate. But I want to know about the rest of your allegation.
See, my guess is that you erroneously think the Nazis were on the Left.
"CONSUMED DEMOCRACY RETURNS A SOCIALIST REGIME" - Slayer, "Fictional Reality", from Divine Intervention (1994)
Most of these people won't do
Submitted by mostlymoderate on Mon, 05/30/2011 - 7:00pm.
Most of these people won't do it. Much easier to sit in a studio in Detroit and collect welfare and smoke crack cocaine.
Nutty....maybe we should build the American equivalent to
Submitted by Paarl on Mon, 05/30/2011 - 7:07pm.
Stalin's White Sea canal....employed a few million...killed a few million but it got the vagrants (unemployed and other neer do wells off the streets of leningrad and Moscow).
Truly Krugman is stuck in an intellectual snow bank...he cannot go forward and cannot go back. Economic began and ended with John Maynard Keynes as far as Krugman is concerned and there is nothing else to discuss.
And besides I am/was a trucker and if you watch road works there days it is highly automated especially repaving. My Dad, a pilot in China during WWII use to tell me that he would lead expeditions to central China locales to find sites for military airports. They would find the local warlord or district administrator..pay for land ..deliver 10,000 shovels and picks and wheelbarrow and in 3 days there would be 20,000 Chinese peasants building the airport....maybe that is what Krugman has in mind...have Americans work like ancient Egyptian pyramid builders..
And people pay 55,000 bucks a year to princeton university to study Krugman economics....???
Paarl of Rhodesia
How many unemployed and
Submitted by Rusty Shackleford on Mon, 05/30/2011 - 7:22pm.
How many unemployed and overweight office workers do you see passing up a life of collecting unemployment checks to go out in the hot sun to sling asphalt? Any?
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Chris Matthews: The Joy Behar of MSNBC.
Bill Maher: The Joy Behar of HBO.
Paul Krugman: The Joy Behar of The New York Times.
I do not think he has been riding a lot
Submitted by octavioj on Mon, 05/30/2011 - 8:00pm.
I am not sure we have enough damaged roads to employ 13 million people...
Flummery. Krugman is a dunce.
Submitted by Crash on Mon, 05/30/2011 - 9:09pm.
The last batch of shovel ready jobs I had to offer could not be filled by hard working American's, because even with their government educated unprepared brains, applicants knew they could continue to draw at least $325 per week in unemployment checks.
Now that the State of Georgia has chased off as many Mexicans as they were able too by shoving through an idiotic piece of legislation, we cannot find enough laborers to do unskilled jobs; like picking and packing crops ... oops. Krugman must have given them that idea.
Hey Leibniz
Submitted by hbnolikeee on Mon, 05/30/2011 - 10:02pm.
Great idea. Now where do we get the money? You volunteering to pay?
Print it.
Submitted by NL207 on Tue, 05/31/2011 - 1:30am.
.
hope and change...
Submitted by scarletandgold on Tue, 05/31/2011 - 1:53am.
were all supposed to go out and fix pot holes..lol wonderfull progressive idea pauly...and are we supposed to forget that we have been paying taxes that are supposed to do just that,...fix and maintain the roadways...but when one is born in a democratic hell hole county like cook county no one knows where the tax money goes..we need real people running this country...please wake up people..progessivism is a mental dis-order..
I know this may be a new concept to some people.
Submitted by The Vet on Tue, 05/31/2011 - 8:18am.
We already have people that repair roads. Case in point --- all the repaired roads we drive on day after day.
I have been getting some PM's.
Submitted by The Vet on Tue, 05/31/2011 - 8:59am.
Yes. It is true. We already have people that repair roads. Those guys in the orange vests with the orange barrels and the orange cones. They repair your roads.
In addition, sometimes roads are beyond repair. If you see these, it means they are laying an entirely new road.
I think the people that currently repair roads may be a little peeved at being put out of a job just so the unemployed have something to do.
I just got a tweet.
Submitted by The Vet on Tue, 05/31/2011 - 9:01am.
Those pictures I linked above. Some of the guys have yellow vests rather than orange vests. It is true. Sometimes the guys that repair our roads currently, not the new unemployed road repairers, but the current road repairers do indeed wear yellow vests.
Someone wrote on my facebook wall.
Submitted by The Vet on Tue, 05/31/2011 - 9:07am.
Seriously folks. There are people that repair our roads as we speak. Using unemployed people to repair our roads would put those folks on the, yep, unemployed rolls.
Here are some pictures of the folks that repair our roads.
As you can see, they do indeed wear orange and yes yes yes yellow reflective vests.
Who gave out my phone number? Seriously folks.
Submitted by The Vet on Tue, 05/31/2011 - 9:14am.
I know. I know. It is really hard to believe but you gotta believe me. We already have road repair crews that repair roads.
Here is a sign there may be people repairing the road you are driving on. Orange barrels. You see lots of orange barrelss and guys in yellow and/or orange vests standing around. They are repairing your road.
So please. No more calls or tweets or facebook postings.
So are you also ruling out a flash mob on your front lawn?
Submitted by SickofLibs on Tue, 05/31/2011 - 9:19am.
;)
I know. I know.
Submitted by The Vet on Tue, 05/31/2011 - 9:37am.
Sheesh. You tell someone like 50 times and they still don't get the point.
You really want the unemployed to work. Here is an idea. Let's put them to work delivering mail. It ain't like we have people doing that now.
double
Submitted by SickofLibs on Tue, 05/31/2011 - 9:18am.
new batteries in wireless mouse = powerful double click
~The Force is strong in this one
Submitted by Wrathful Brunette on Tue, 05/31/2011 - 9:26am.
.
Does he mean...nah he
Submitted by billb on Tue, 05/31/2011 - 10:43am.
Does he mean...nah he couldn't, but then again, why not. You have to give this guy credit. He's about to coin a phrase.
SHOVEL READY
Oh it has? Never mind!
Nobel Prize? You dummy. What a worthless "honor".
Submitted by JLin on Tue, 05/31/2011 - 10:58am.
This presupposes that government is running a surplus and that the economy is being aided by the government instead of being attacked and mauled by it. Dumb religious philosophies like this only work in free societies with unfettered markets.
This guy is dumb as a bag of hammers.
Submitted by JLin on Tue, 05/31/2011 - 11:05am.
"KRUGMAN: ...then he was persuaded to balance the budget, or try to, and he raised taxes and cut spending, and the economy went back down again, and it took an enormous public works program known as World War II to bring the economy out of a Depression."
Three wars, TARP, Stimulus I & II, Big 2 Bailouts.... Paul, by your logic the economy should be smokin' hot now and all of us rolling in cash and brand-new RVs. Please, shut * the * hell * up.
Socialist solution in search of an application
Submitted by Pilgrim1949 on Tue, 05/31/2011 - 4:43pm.
(or, a hammer in search of another nail to pound into the ground...)
Perhaps Herr Krugman would envision an endless series of workers: first one digs a hole, second one fills it in, third one digs it out again, fourth person fills it up....wash-rinse-repeat....
Voila! Full employment!
Reminds me of a trip I took to St. Petersburg, Russia, a few years ago. One of my tripmates was a general contractor who, on a previous trip to Russia, noticed a huge warehouse under construction and asked his Russian translator how long it would take the crew to finish the building. The translator said it would probably take a couple of years. The contractor replied that any team of his could easily complete the job in 9 months. The translator smiled and said, "Ah, yes, but then look how many people would be out of work!"
Thus we summarize the capitalist versus the socialist/statist worldviews.
"Ye canne change the laws of physics....." but some politicians believe that with the right legislation you can pretend they don't really apply to your own pet projects...
I almost read this
Submitted by megapotamus on Tue, 05/31/2011 - 1:03pm.
when it was on RCP but I looked at that name and I said to myself, at best this is gonna be some warmed over New Deal crapola and odds are, I'll see the gist of it before long. And so I did. Glad I didn't give Melvin here a click. Where are the elected Dems who OPENLY subscribe to the Krugman Plan? Howard Dean? Wiener maybe? But how many will push it secretly? Almost every damn one.