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ProSense

(116,464 posts)
Wed Jul 18, 2012, 12:04 PM Jul 2012

Krugman: Thirty Troubling Years

Thirty Troubling Years

There’s a tone of incredulity to the writings of Romney apologists. It seems as if they can’t believe that the magic words — capitalism! free markets! job creators! — aren’t managing to silence the critics. After all, they say, wasn’t Romney just doing what has been standard for the past 30 years?

Actually, we don’t know just how standard his behavior was — and won’t until we see his tax returns, which will probably never happen (there has to be something really explosive in there). In any case, however, the fact that we’ve had a Gordon Gekko economy for 30 years doesn’t make it OK.

A couple more illustrations of what those 30 years involved. First, wage stagnation despite rising productivity:

<...>

You might ask, what should be done about this troubling performance? Well, Obama is proposing mild meliorative measures: reform that at least assures workers of having health insurance, and modestly stronger financial regulation. Romney, on the other hand, wants to double down on the policies that brought us to where we are today: more tax cuts for the rich, more financial deregulation.

- more -

http://krugman.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/07/18/thirty-troubling-years/


9 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Krugman: Thirty Troubling Years (Original Post) ProSense Jul 2012 OP
Kick! n/t ProSense Jul 2012 #1
I know about these Thirty Troubling Years all too well NNN0LHI Jul 2012 #2
This says it all, imo... Spazito Jul 2012 #3
I don't think relief is coming next year Doctor_J Jul 2012 #4
Agree. nt hay rick Jul 2012 #5
"By electing Obama we will be holding off the worst of the far right's advance..." Exactly. scarletwoman Jul 2012 #7
Not to mention an alarming redistribution of wealth to an extremely small percentage of people. bluesbassman Jul 2012 #6
"a Gordon Gekko economy for 30 years" annabanana Jul 2012 #8
As someone who helped usher in ... bvar22 Jul 2012 #9

Spazito

(50,446 posts)
3. This says it all, imo...
Wed Jul 18, 2012, 12:38 PM
Jul 2012

"Actually, we don’t know just how standard his behavior was — and won’t until we see his tax returns, which will probably never happen (there has to be something really explosive in there)."

The unanswered question is the seed and it has found VERY fertile soil in which to grow. Romney and his campaign are unable to remove the seed, they are providing the fertilizer feeding it.

there has to be something really explosive in there.


 

Doctor_J

(36,392 posts)
4. I don't think relief is coming next year
Wed Jul 18, 2012, 12:43 PM
Jul 2012

Those who think the president is going to suddenly lurch to the left once he doesn't have to campaign any more are off their rockers. SP or Strong Public Option - not going to happen. Insurance robbers out of health care - not going to happen. More oversight of banks and such - nope. Ease up on medical marijuana users - nope. Prosecution of white collar criminals - nope. Defense Dept budget cuts - no. Replacement of Reaganomics adherent with Keynesians -

By electing Obama we will be holding off the worst of the far right's advance, but will not bring up back to a civilized country.

scarletwoman

(31,893 posts)
7. "By electing Obama we will be holding off the worst of the far right's advance..." Exactly.
Wed Jul 18, 2012, 02:13 PM
Jul 2012

That's how I see it, too. No bright dawn for progressive advances, just a holding action against the worst of the Dark Forces.

bluesbassman

(19,379 posts)
6. Not to mention an alarming redistribution of wealth to an extremely small percentage of people.
Wed Jul 18, 2012, 02:05 PM
Jul 2012

The last such massive concentration immediately preceded the Great Depression. Coincidence? I think not.

bvar22

(39,909 posts)
9. As someone who helped usher in ...
Wed Jul 18, 2012, 06:17 PM
Jul 2012

... the 30 year era of "Free Trade", "Free Markets", and De-Regulation,
Krugman should feel more than a little shame.

While he has become somewhat more evolved in his beliefs after witnessing the predicted carnage wrought on the American Working Class by "Free Trade", I have never heard a genuine Mea Culpa from him in this area.

[font size=4]The Graven Image on the Altar of the Church of Free Markets[/font]

[font size=3]This new religion invented 30 years ago by Rich Corporate Owners
and sold to gullible Americans by smooth talking politicians
demands absolute fealty and devotion
to a deity no one has ever seen, and for which no proof exists,
The Giant Invisible Hand.[/font]



If you Work for a Living,
do NOT trust anyone who espouses a belief in "Free Trade", Free Markets", or an "Invisible Hand".
NONE of these exist, and that person is NOT your friend.



You will know them by their WORKS,
not by their excuses.
[font size=5 color=green]Solidarity99![/font][font size=2 color=green]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------[/center]

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