Comments on: Obama: knowing when to be an asshole http://www.creditwritedowns.com/2009/08/obama-knowing-when-to-be-an-asshole.html Finance, Economics and Markets Fri, 10 Feb 2012 00:37:00 +0000 hourly 1 By: Blodget and Task say Obama suffers because “taxpayer always finishes last” « naked capitalism http://www.creditwritedowns.com/2009/08/obama-knowing-when-to-be-an-asshole.html#comment-7568 Blodget and Task say Obama suffers because “taxpayer always finishes last” « naked capitalism Thu, 17 Dec 2009 23:50:09 +0000 http://www.creditwritedowns.com/2009/08/obama-knowing-when-to-be-an-asshole.html#comment-7568 [...] Obama doesn’t know when to be an asshole [...] [...] Obama doesn’t know when to be an asshole [...]

]]> By: Edward Harrison http://www.creditwritedowns.com/2009/08/obama-knowing-when-to-be-an-asshole.html#comment-56872 Edward Harrison Fri, 21 Aug 2009 03:22:00 +0000 http://www.creditwritedowns.com/2009/08/obama-knowing-when-to-be-an-asshole.html#comment-56872 Kbob, you and I are 100% on the same page here. My biggest problem with the policy response to date is that it is an attempt to short circuit the natural deleveraging process and an attempt to maintain excess capacity. You hit the nail on the head in regards to uncontrolled deleveraging versus controlled. The deleveraging must happen, but to let it occur in an uncontrolled way invites chaos and the political opportunists, demagogues, strongmen, totalitarians and so on, who wish to fill the political vacuum. Kbob, you and I are 100% on the same page here. My biggest problem with the
policy response to date is that it is an attempt to short circuit the
natural deleveraging process and an attempt to maintain excess capacity.

You hit the nail on the head in regards to uncontrolled deleveraging versus
controlled. The deleveraging must happen, but to let it occur in an
uncontrolled way invites chaos and the political opportunists, demagogues,
strongmen, totalitarians and so on, who wish to fill the political vacuum.

]]> By: Edward Harrison http://www.creditwritedowns.com/2009/08/obama-knowing-when-to-be-an-asshole.html#comment-56868 Edward Harrison Thu, 20 Aug 2009 16:08:00 +0000 http://www.creditwritedowns.com/2009/08/obama-knowing-when-to-be-an-asshole.html#comment-56868 I know the 'A' word is a bit shocking, but I did use it in that way on purpose. Perhaps the only time you'll see that from me. I know the ‘A’ word is a bit shocking, but I did use it in that way on purpose. Perhaps the only time you’ll see that from me.

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.creditwritedowns.com/2009/08/obama-knowing-when-to-be-an-asshole.html#comment-56867 Anonymous Thu, 20 Aug 2009 16:06:00 +0000 http://www.creditwritedowns.com/2009/08/obama-knowing-when-to-be-an-asshole.html#comment-56867 I found your analysis, as with all of them, very interesting. Especially your point about whether a blind implementation of Austrian policies can give birth to another Hitler. I am a devout Austrian economist myself, and definitely believe that the only way to rectify an inflated bubble is to deflate (deleverage) it. The question is whether this deflation is going to be allowed to run its course naturally (chaotically), or if we are going to intervene and cushion it (less chaotic, but probably more prolonged). Either way, the deflating of the bubble has to happen, and trying to outright prop up these institutions is not the right way to go. I found your analysis, as with all of them, very interesting. Especially your point about whether a blind implementation of Austrian policies can give birth to another Hitler. I am a devout Austrian economist myself, and definitely believe that the only way to rectify an inflated bubble is to deflate (deleverage) it. The question is whether this deflation is going to be allowed to run its course naturally (chaotically), or if we are going to intervene and cushion it (less chaotic, but probably more prolonged). Either way, the deflating of the bubble has to happen, and trying to outright prop up these institutions is not the right way to go.

]]> By: @jporter http://www.creditwritedowns.com/2009/08/obama-knowing-when-to-be-an-asshole.html#comment-56861 @jporter Wed, 19 Aug 2009 17:51:00 +0000 http://www.creditwritedowns.com/2009/08/obama-knowing-when-to-be-an-asshole.html#comment-56861 Spot on Edward. It's time for Obama to step up and lead. And that's going to require knocking some heads together. Spot on Edward. It’s time for Obama to step up and lead. And that’s going to require knocking some heads together.

]]> By: doctorx http://www.creditwritedowns.com/2009/08/obama-knowing-when-to-be-an-asshole.html#comment-56858 doctorx Tue, 18 Aug 2009 16:03:00 +0000 http://www.creditwritedowns.com/2009/08/obama-knowing-when-to-be-an-asshole.html#comment-56858 Obama needs to be Reagan or either Roosevelt. Unfortunately, he's more like LBJ: domestic spending plus a land war in Asia, though w/o any of LBJ's legislative skills and a depression rather than a boom underway. IMHO it is a negative commentary on our times that such a brilliant thinker and writer as Ed Harrison uses the "A" word to describe that Mr. Obama needs to take a stand and fight for it. Why has the White House not submitted its own healthcare plan? Five competing plans in Congress provide 5 targets for critics. And why is PhRMA spending $150 MM in advertising if the President is really for the people and not the powerful? That's why Yves called healthcare reform DOA. My answer is that Barack Obama is a front man for the Establishment that wanted a fresh face to carry on its looting. But he's a rookie and is making rookie mistakes. Obama needs to be Reagan or either Roosevelt. Unfortunately, he’s more like LBJ: domestic spending plus a land war in Asia, though w/o any of LBJ’s legislative skills and a depression rather than a boom underway.

IMHO it is a negative commentary on our times that such a brilliant thinker and writer as Ed Harrison uses the “A” word to describe that Mr. Obama needs to take a stand and fight for it.

Why has the White House not submitted its own healthcare plan?

Five competing plans in Congress provide 5 targets for critics.

And why is PhRMA spending $150 MM in advertising if the President is really for the people and not the powerful? That’s why Yves called healthcare reform DOA.

My answer is that Barack Obama is a front man for the Establishment that wanted a fresh face to carry on its looting.

But he’s a rookie and is making rookie mistakes.

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