Friday, January 23, 2009

More on the horribly wrong-headed Obama stimulus

David Brooks:

"There is a strong case to be made for a short, sharp stimulus package to restrain the collapse of the American economy. This would involve big, simple programs with immediate impact — a temporary cut in the payroll tax, big aid to the states, expanded unemployment insurance and food stamps.

There’s also a very strong case to be made for long-term government reform. America could fundamentally rethink its infrastructure policies — create a new model adapted to new modes of community-building. It could fundamentally rethink human capital policies — create a lifelong menu of learning options, from pre-K programs to service opportunities for the elderly. But the stimulus bill emerging in the House of Representatives does neither of these things."

I disagree with Brooks more often than I agree with him. However, this assessment is spot on.

Read the whole thing.

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