"They defy both economic reason and economic experience."

That's the conclusion of 535 economists about Barack Obama's economic proposals.

Their lede:

"Barack Obama argues that his proposals to raise tax rates and halt international trade agreements would benefit the American economy. They would do nothing of the sort. Economic analysis and historical experience show that they would do the opposite. They would reduce economic growth and decrease the number of jobs in America. Moreover, with the credit crunch, the housing slump, and high energy prices weakening the U.S. economy, his proposals run a high risk of throwing the economy into a deep recession."

There is no question about the essential truth that statement makes.