Playing the "Opposite Game"

[Gaspar]

Remember when President Obama scolded Germany for cutting spending, and reducing taxes in an attempt to spur economic growth and lower unemployment?

Remember how Merkel objected to Obama's suggestions? 
"Artificially reducing Germany's competitiveness would be of no use to anyone."

Remember how some crazy people suggested that cutting taxes like Germany (or like we did under Kennedy, Regan, and Clinton) would make more sense then spending like a frat-boy in Vegas? 

Merkel felt that to stimulate the economy,"Taxes must be simple, low and fair."  What a nutjob!

Guess what?  It worked!

[Conan71]

Swake, Wevus, and Heironymous will be here shortly to repeat all the Keynesian mantras to prove this is dead wrong.

Keynes is God.  He's infallible.

He's dead too.

[we vs us]

Swake, Wevus, and Heironymous will be here shortly to repeat all the Keynesian mantras to prove this is dead wrong.

Keynes is God.  He's infallible.

He's dead too.

I just popped in here to quote another little gem from Keynes:  "The long run is a misleading guide to current affairs. In the long run we are all dead."

As Conan points out, Keynes is indeed an ex parrot.

[Cats Cats Cats]

I say we start taking after Germany by adopting their vacation policies.

[we vs us]

I say we start taking after Germany by adopting their vacation policies.

Also all that state-run healthcare.  And pensions.  And sundry other socialist lifestyle enhancements.

[Red Arrow]

I know a (used to be young) engineer in Germany.  I met him when he was doing some summer intern work in the early 90s.  At that time he (rightfully) expected to be well paid and work  less than 40 hours per week, have a government pension, great vacation plans....etc.   Last I heard he was working just as hard as any USA engineer.

[Cats Cats Cats]

Ok, so national health care, more vacation, lower taxes and a better economy.

Cool, lets do it.

[we vs us]

Ok, so national health care, more vacation, lower taxes and a better economy.

Cool, lets do it.

Maybe that's the part that's supposed to get us out of the recession quicker . . .?

[Gaspar]

Why is it that Libs always cling to policies that propose less work, more dependency, and less innovation?  Imagine what would have happened in our less socialized system if we had adopted the same stimulus policy as Germany?

Oh, wait. We don't have too. We did it during the last few recessions.  I guess it was just time try something different. You know. . . Change!

[we vs us]

Why is it that Libs always cling to policies that propose less work, more dependency, and less innovation?  Imagine what would have happened in our less socialized system if we had adopted the same stimulus policy as Germany?

Oh, wait. We don't have too. We did it during the last few recessions.  I guess it was just time try something different. You know. . . Change!

Why is it that conservatives stubbornly see a social safety net as sapping some sort of imaginary vital essence, while decades of real world experience -- here and abroad --has shown that having your government provide services really doesn't affect the capitalist spirit one iota?

For further reference, see Merkel, Angela; also, German economy, 2010.   

[nathanm]

Swake, Wevus, and Heironymous will be here shortly to repeat all the Keynesian mantras to prove this is dead wrong.

I'll drop in to mention that you should note that Germany's "austerity" has not yet kicked in, so claiming it's responsible for anything is disingenuous at best. In fact, one of the main reasons they're doing so well is the continuing massive subsidization of solar and other renewable energy resources, which has helped to keep their manufacturing sector alive.

But hey, why let pesky facts get in the way? They just have a liberal bias, donchaknow?

Also, you might note that the recovery from early 90s recession here in the US ended despite the large tax increases passed by the Democrats in 1993...

[Red Arrow]

Also, you might note that the recovery from early 90s recession here in the US ended despite the large tax increases passed by the Democrats in 1993...

Those who believe that a tax increase won't affect or can cure the present economic woes have one last chance to prove they are correct.  Better get after it.

[Gaspar]

On the radio this morning Germany's economy minister Rainer Bruederle reports that "German business confidence at a 20-year high and they are on their way to full employment."

Looks like they're on the right track. 

[heironymouspasparagus]

Amazing how some can get half the story and then just ignore the other half.  Gaspar said:
Remember how some crazy people suggested that cutting taxes like Germany (or like we did under Kennedy, Regan, and Clinton) would make more sense then spending like a frat-boy in Vegas?


And then how Kennedy/Johnson, Reagan, and Clinton ALL followed tax cuts with tax increases.  And not just little ones either - Reagan's increases were world record increases. 

This is not Keynes, it is history.  And it is fact.  Maybe that's why it "plays" so poorly with the "you-know-who"...facts aren't a real big item way out there.

As far as "Frat Boy", well that is the way he did it for 8 years, isn't it?

[we vs us]

On the radio this morning Germany's economy minister Rainer Bruederle reports that "German business confidence at a 20-year high and they are on their way to full employment."

Looks like they're on the right track. 

You bet.  It's pretty awesome that they can offer government pensions, lighter workweeks, more vacation time and extended family/medical leave, as well as government-run healthcare, and still be a bright spot of productivity in the global marketplace.

I'm totally cool emulating this sort of economy.