re: #805 Targetpractice, Worst of Both Worlds

Problem is, the GOP’s already planning to run these elections as they did the ones in ‘10, portraying themselves as “concerned” about “runaway debt” and how it’s hurting everything from employment to kidney stones, and promising to be the ones who’ll bring it under control while passing “job friendly” policies that lead to a second Renaissance.

Thing is, we might take some comfort in the belief that a truly crazy GOP candidate will deny them the presidency. But even if Obama wins a second term, a House & Senate further in the control of the GOP will ensure another 4 years of gridlock and economic ruination.

There is always room for “job friendly” policies short of the Tea Party idea. Obama indicated as much with his regulatory review announcement last year. A GOP controlled Senate and House may not help the current economic crisis but it’s important to note that this economic crisis is global and outside the control of congress and the president. The jobs issue will remain a difficult one. The remaining job market is focused on the service industries and not manufacturing since there is no way we can compete with Chinese and 3rd world labor costs.

This puts the federal government in the position of being the prime employer during these hard times. For good reason and it does keep us from falling deeper into the hole. However, the long term goal should be in private job creation which has been a tough road considering the tightening of credit and the continually depressed real estate market and new construction (and other depressed markets). The cash is there and has been so for almost 2 years now.