Still haven't

read all links in the last post, but I will extend the remarks :

There is no policy that President Obama has passed or proposed that added as much to the deficit as the Republican Party's $3.9 trillion extension of the Bush tax cuts. In fact, if you put aside Obama's plan to extend most, but not all, of the Bush tax cuts, there is no policy he has passed or proposed that would do half as much damage to the deficit. There is not even a policy that would do a quarter as much damage to the deficit.

Ezra Klein goes on to say:

The stimulus bill, at $787 billion, would do about a fifth as much damage. But that's actually misleading: The stimulus bill was a temporary expense (not to mention a response to an unexpected emergency). Once it's done, it's done.

But I don't think that the actual "stimulus effect" of the stimulus package or the tax policy can be included in these numbers. i.e. if any tax cuts provide stimulus or raising them would damage the economy

[Let alone]
[BTW: Happy Anniversary to both of us. Political Punch's 5th, my 8th Technically I have not relied much if any, on Political Punch]

Caging Godzillas

Sustainability Requires Caging Godzillas- Andrew Sheng (INET)
Finance reforms, to meet the challenges of trade cycles and the debt bubble require Financial, Social and Resource Stability and Sustainability.
Finance is ungovernable, because of creation of credit.(paraphrased and contexted 4:58 in video through 10 minutes and more on global game-local blame.) The bubble containment dilemma*: leveraged capital flow, ability to get around** boundaries and rules. My aside: Bailouts are not stimulus, and stimulus are not bailouts. The problem and the solution are at the vertex of the three in politics and governance. Finance reform recognizes the role of governments in creating a system(market rules) that balances consumption and "creative destruction". The Godzillas are the metaphor for the responsibility that is avioded by not taking on the responsibility and blaming the market. Rollover of debt to public debt, crisis of reserve currency and international monetary system. Segue: BO-OB Barack Obama -Optimism Bias Extra Credit: Debt is not just about borrowing, it is about not paying for it. All bailouts and stimulus, not being equal, let alone at all similar, they are not all bad. Something somewhere has got to give. It is not all about free markets and free trade, but providing a system that does not just take, whether it is freedom, labor or resources.

[Laffer Cry or D ' Ribble]

[Hint: to Obama: Wrong Try Pod? More Cow Bell.]
[Huntsman Aside, Ring Obama]
[AND Congress- as amended: cutting loopholes are on the spending cuts not the tax hikes side of the equation.]

* my model/metaphor related to Platonic Tetrahedron
[** not an endorsement of shape of the curve, but another Godzilla factor]
[Breaking News: Presidential Press Conference]
[See Comments below Re:]
[Update: 7-1-11 He has a long way to go to be a Boehner or a Whiner, let alone "Tricky D." ]

Reading (listening) between the lines.

For Howard Dean there is not much between the lines:
Getting something done "from the outside".

For President Obama there is much between the lines:
Getting attacks from "the Beltway press".
"a lot of criticism of it" (Stimulus Package)
"that could have been because of the name, because an effort, it's two thirds of it was actually spending."

Obama: What do you think a stimulus is?
"by necessity we are moving quickly"

Who owns the economy? It depends on if you are looking for responsibility or blame. Obama is looking at the responsibility of going forward without mistakes of the past, and "the Beltway press" is eager to pass the buck. Especially The Beltway Boys who are shooting clay pidgeons or is it cr...?(that game with dice)
[Hint "red herrings": Burris, Holder and the Fairness Doctrine. For me; no thumbs up or down, just side ways.]

Pass the Trillion.

The problem with some Democrats? They listen. The problem with others, they play by the rules. Grayson is the new Democrat, Franks the old Democrat. OK, I am trying not to spin this, but others spin about the situation.

I find it hard to blame the Republicans for holding the line for what they believe, right or wrong. I find it hard to urge the Democrats to hold the line by taking back from the table what may have been put in the package to appear non-partisan or to please certain pockets. But that is the nature of politics and the transparency is apparently being worked on. There still may be some passing the buck but it is about what works and change. Ching, ching, no pun.

BIG HINT: There is a table at the table;
Fiscal Economic Bank for the Buck Moody's basically seems to dispute what Republicans think(or at least say) works. In fact it seems that spending is 2 to 6 times more effective than tax cuts depending on the focus. In fact there is little bang for the buck Bush style. But this is apparently on GDP and that may not be an effective metric. One must still follow the money.

[filed]more for later
Stimulus package: Jobs gained or saved? Christopher S. Rugaber AP
Senate to demand big changes in stimulus bill. Zachary Coile, SF Chronicle

[for tinkering]
Poetic Justice
hiatus or sabbatical
Stop that!
Tinkering...
American Recovery
Previous post may take unwinding

hmmm?

New Thinking on the Economy
by Dean Baker,
co-Director of the Center for Economic Policy Research (CEPR)

also Beat the Press

[This points to an interesting problem or ROR:
(see labels for explaination)

The government is not getting its money's worth when buying bad assets. Anyone who understands how the economy works and the market works should not wonder. That is how it works. That is the point of buying bad assets, whether one wonders whether it should be done or not. If someone else would buy them the same would apply. The housing bubble* is a similar mechanism within the greater mechanism that is the financial problem.

How the economy works is different than how economics works. The economy is the thing. Economics is an equation. They both need tweaking and can work the way they are designed, but will tweak someone. Unfortunately an equation in economics will work only to the extent that everything (that is needed or wanted) is included in it. The economy works regardless but almost everything is included, except they are tweaking when they do the economics. And speaking of bubbles, they leak.

It might be easier to agree what not to do, than what to do, as long as failure is an option. But failure is not an option; it is a choice. This may seem like lost words, but failure is a potential outcome. And it can no more be simply allowed**, than freedom. Maybe this is Philosophy 701, but the Washington Post is not up to Journalism 201, let alone the economy.]

* housing equals assets except for the financial blowing of the economics.

** meaning failure should be prevented, and freedom promoted(are these not good points to work on?)

[Speaking of link(and equations): the stimulating if not shaky journalism below.(nfry)]

[only glanced at but likely recommended read: and see comments and embedded Krugman. For now: They'll be back.]

[That was Shwartznegger but later Ron Reagan covers similar territory with a guest who earlier slammed the stimulus. That was in December, so it was not the current plan. Which should be called what is: ARARA for Jobs! or just the begining or what is a quick and practical start. But does have a good chart on "Bang for the Buck", which depending on the math(see comments), could make a 1 trillion dollar difference in effectiveness.] [Post comment comment: of course this is as ridiculous a hypothesis as Plato's Republic, but for the sake of dialogue, a totally bipartisan package, could be seen to have potential for zero stimulus, as dollar for dollar is not really a bang.]

"Trust but Verify"

Not Iran "That's what they say".
but the Left. (Psycho Talk)
No diplomacy or patriots left behind.
The end is near. Butt not to humor.

Re: Do you know what "shovel ready" even means?
[It struck me that the title is just part of the set up and works well at that. I mean it was typical of me to assume that each Cc: was an indication that the sender did not know what "shovel ready" even means. (Maybe they do, maybe they don't, but it fits into my spin as I fell for it.)]
FYI: Most projects start from the ground up. I can't really think of any that don't. There is also the term in projects called "breaking ground", which takes a shovel or other heavy equipment. So really I guess I have made even more sense of the cartoon, since stimulus is a lot like fertilizer. I wonder where the blank think it comes from?

I use the term "blank", because I did not want to pin it on just the Republicans, Conservatives or the rich since that would be too much of a PC.(Political Cartoon)* But I wonder just what they are thinking.

*originally thinking of Proper Characterization

(Answer to awkward riddle here: For some stimulus comes from above, and for others it is all in their heads.)

[Maybe for most (or at least too many) it is not even wondered about.]

P.S. Oh and I actually have a compost pile, I just need to work it.
[The above was concocted between the "left behind" and the "shovel ready" links being embedded, not that I dig burro wing anyone, but we do all end up worm food. Not to mention hot air.]

The truth is not so irrational.

Paul Krugman austerity and the market
Robert Reich the market is not so rational.
Nor is it all that inspiring.
[Speaking or Stimulus Meet the Press edited ?, pressing congress forward nothing new]
[Or messing communications around the 14 to 17:22 minutes of Meet the Press. Progress is in the pipeline(congress) and the question of new stimulus is a question that would have a market impact if not distinguished from what is already suggested. Does that explain Axelrod awkwardly pressing Gregory?]

perfect the enemy

How French.
How bipartisan.
How Bush.

and D'enemy Stimulus
(at least it is a list)

word of the day: polarity(I was going add an Ironic label but everything seems to be.) But it does come down to who gets to spend and who gets to pay and the theory that government can't solve our problems but people like corporations can, and more freedom is the solution. Like freedom to fail? And freedom to make bundles failing.

Labels label in draft.

[Support the Stimulus:
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
A!ra!ra!
To end an error and an era!
a-ra-ra, A ra ra, ARARA, A rah rah EH?

A rah rah for jobs!
More embedded - shell

ARARA not big deal compared to New Deal

AKA: Jobs Bill / Stimulus Package
Compared to GNP and federal budget:
more to come.(xe.com)
But anacronistic comparisons to Iraq War?
Less than New Deal, and second New Deal.

[Update 2-16-09]
This post originated on the premise that the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARARA) is supposed to be the biggest economic bill in history, which the above Factbook (xe.com)link clearly disputes. But the saintliness and ruinousness of the New Deal may be just what Obama ordered. In other words: hopefully, lessons learned.

More to learn?
Next Stimulus
Bill Rekindles
Plan Bolder

Speaking of Shout Out and the American Dream: I woke up and googled Apples and Oranges Economics and then this was in my email from Thrasymachus.

Delta

[7-8-11 linkback added]
[7-9-11 Stimulus is in the works.]
[Prelude to Change...indeed]








Imaging 3D

[no pun* intended]

[* 7-7-11 click on first link within or here for the unpun
ALSO: having finished my book, there is a hint in this montage]

Romer Resigns

Full stimulus package considered by head of Council of Economic Advisers, not in the memo from Larry Summers, director of the White House National Economic Council. Ostensible reason for departure: family considerations.
[Speaking of deals,, from the bargain rack @B&N]
[I would propose that contrary to the fear of trade, that we consider the Egg. i.e. follow the money? No...the bubble. With social evolution, value has increasing variables in the equation*. All the kings men and all the kings horses, have to get a little yoke on their faces.]

*see p.3 here, it would seem that Nature is the original cost. I may be punning but it would seem that the number and impact of the deer and beaver would have a place in the equation. But my original intent, was not in the beginning values but the end values, and costs of the highest creations of finance.]

Who knew what when...

...is still unclear and contradictory.
(Update became too long and windy so I overlap here)

<< Correcting an Impression (1): still confusion(2). My own missing (3) link.

Apparently $30 Billion latest AIG potential for drawdown has been caught in this confusion and is potential leverage. Who knew what when is still unclear and contradictory. >>

(1) "Congress last month passed a bill that President Obama signed into law, allowing AIG to keep its bonuses. For days, no one would say who was responsible for the loophole that let that happen.

The $787 billion stimulus bill included a measure from Dodd to limit executive bonuses strictly. But slipped inside at the last minute was an exemption for bonuses agreed to "on or before February 11, 2009." That allowed AIG to go ahead with its controversial bonuses."

(2) "Although Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner told congressional leaders on Tuesday that he learned of AIG's impending $160 million bonus payments to members of its troubled financial-products unit on March 10, sources tell TIME that the New York Federal Reserve informed Treasury staff that the payments were imminent on Feb. 28."

(3)"The federal government agreed Sunday night to provide an additional $30 billion in taxpayer money to the American International Group and loosen the terms of its huge loan to the insurer, which is preparing to report a $62 billion loss on Monday, the biggest quarterly loss in history, people involved in the discussions said."

<> Date of sources: (1)today 3-19 (2) yesterday 3-18 (3)Sunday 3-1-09 <>

Imagine the scenario that the market actually had the information clear. The above confusion occurred likely due to the compartmentalization* of information and actions needed to be taken over a weekend. I am still uncertain about the spurious charges of "hush money" in regards to the "retention" bonuses but it is difficult to expect too much transparency** in such market sensitive negotiations or even authoritarian (or mob rule) expectations for responsibility.***

* and filtering through various departments, committees and branches of the process, including the media
**this does not excuse the outrage over bonuses but the speed that was needed and
is in contrast to previous manipulations or administrations and telegraphing our blows.
***(not to mention "...rotisserie of meaning and values and what is being skewered or brings stock aid to mind.": see P.S. verse us alternatives )
[Yes I played with verses as opposed to stocks versus stockade mentality]

[Footnoted Outrage: Between the lines: Embedded and bottom line.
A.I.G. Using "Suicide Strategy" to Push Bonuses by: Matt Renner, t r u t h o u t | Report
Venality Bites by: Brian E. Gray, t r u t h o u t | Perspective A synergy of strategy and legality and antagonistic con fluency of Authoritarian and Mob Rule.]

Deficit Pigeons?

Not Exactly Doves or Hawks.
And I am not talking target practice,
but Andrea Mitchell Reports,
with David Walker* of the Peter G. Peterson Foundation.

*not yet intended link** nor pun on running, other than nuanced flights

**David Walker discusses:[***] not all tax breaks are equal, nor spending cuts
[Nor are all associations equal when it comes to policy issues and positions. i.e. being concerned about the deficit, does not mean being against stimulus, not to mention what foundation or relationships one has.]
[***] 7-27-10: Avian Update MSNBC has yet to include the David Walker exchange under Andrea Mitchell Reports.

Lives

(or jobs) in the balance.
[Amy Goodman found earlier]

Meanwhile on the jobs front(or tax cuts/stimulus) Republicans claim no data[**] on millionaire target. Close enough for government* work.
(hardball breaking: fight or switch)
*context for chart
[further breaking: and pesky fact (not included) Bush appointee]
[Matt Laur?]
** on the other hand

SinCronyCity

or the Un-Try-Pod?

Well, not exactly.

The Un-Pun?

Just in case there is any question, I love humor and a lot of other things.
But this* is serious.

The original inspiration was a missing link, in regards to an article on a potential Fed Stimulus or QE3, which I had printed out and carried around before misplacing(unless I have embedded it somewhere) associated with the Krugman's Bernanke's Perry Problem in the New York Times with the synchronicity triggered by the Brian Morton piece.(a link on the same virtual page) Not that I believe there are any acausal events, especially in** economics, politics or religion.

*not the point but see bold links
** update charts label
[Oh what a mug we weave...

Fed's Ben Bernanke opens door to further economic stimulusFederal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke tells Congress that he expects no quick improvement in the weak job market, and says the central bank is prepared to take steps to aid the economy if necessary. But he suggests nothing is imminent.

...not to dis Krugman but discuss Perry.]

[No synchronicity? Robert Reich*** on Martin Bashir.]
*** link not there yet (OK NOW) [Not to mention: Dylan Ratigan on Social Media Trending Dangerously [8-31-11 link found], Bingo on Hardball, with Eugene Robinson, and retro Last Word. But actually while I am waiting, the president's jobs plan will probably be more of the same, and it should be, more of everything he compromised on and the Republicans blocked.]

[Charts Label Updated back thru 2011]

[8-31-11 Label Institute for New Economic Thinking]

Political Calculus

Or Real Economics?More Trickle Down for New Orleans?
Or just what the doctor ordered.
Just say no economics>

Trickle Down Employment or Intelligent Design?
Or is the tripartite design of the stimulus the design that gives an alternative to bipartisanship or return to partisanship?

I'm guessing recalculations might be in order.
P.S. Has Louisiana's economy really not been hit as hard a most or is it like the global warming scam? It would seem that following Katrina and with the slow trickle down of aide, the needs and opportunities could be the reason or is it season. I am inserting irony here, others can insert the facts or economics of comparative recovery from disasters. Does this translate to hope or luck in Louisianna and for whom?

[Did we include apoplectic in the Four Eh?*]

* or montage

Under the Radar

Tangent-Ribble-Insert*
Updates [Under-Construction]**
*(fighting back)in regards to media slant and projections
**Off the Charts Aye of Newt/Stay the Comity
[Just in, NOT* to mention]
* see comments and Roving
[Buried Lede]
[Adjacent comment: The Bailout was Bush's, and all spending/borrowing is not stimulus, some is to recover from deregulation and others to recover the infrasture not invested in, both of which fit into a jobs picture and making up for Reaganomics.]
[Big government is not the problem. Big corporations are not the problem. Special interests are not the problem. Balance with purpose is the project.]

Happy President's Day

Speaking of Shout Out:
Just where did George Washington say:
"Government is brute force." ?
Really! Not to mention where does the question mark go?
So even though it is neither president's actual birthday
and not our first president's till next Sunday,
I do him the reference here:Better context

At his inauguration, Washington stated, "This Constitution is really in its formation a government of the people . . . in which all power is derived from and, at stated periods, reverts to them. . . . It is purely a government of laws, made and executed by the fair substitutes of the people alone. . . [The American form of government is] a new phenomenon in the political and moral world, and an astonishing victory gained by enlightened reason over brute force."

[UPDATE:ARARA not... ]
In this regard for wondering:
From LewRockwell.com
and Where thin air meets hot air,
there is More Scrutiny Needed.

And more on Thrasymachus:
Or the Mealymouth Debates.*

The Nature of Justice. The question which opens this immense dialogue is: what is justice? Several inadequate definitions are put forward, but the most emphatically presented definition is given by a young Sophist, Thrasymachus. He defines justice as whatever the strongest decide it is, and that the strong decide that whatever is in their best interest is just (review again the Athenian position in Melian Debate). Socrates dismisses this argument by proving that the strong rarely figure out what is in their best interest, and this can't be just since justice is a good thing.

*No disrespect for the Athenian position but a play on the media or maybe the right. (Actually I did just review it, and then the history that Athenians were defeated by the Spartans or Typhoid. ) Story aside I wish to note my leap based on the words that preceded and how one leaps. To this: Some expect their thinking or success to not be based on others. While they may be right in parts, together they cannot stand without facing the wrong. Freedom in particular does not stand or fall alone. And in view of some wrongs, must not. Yet arguments on economics and the environment are a case of not even being able to survive without some outside force. Or a case of the case for a free market, not being able to survive without the workings of the market as it actually exists, while anachronism and stories run through it. [Bumper stickers and name calling aside, there is a tendency to oversimplify, but here goes. It may be a case of the bubbleheaded elite and who blows it for whom.]But I guess that is just disrespect for the Athenian position and respect for the review.

Myths for review:
Ruin your health with the Obama Stimulus...
Thin air meets hot air...

D or R

Thanks to Paul Begala and (Steph)Stephanie Miller.
A metaphor which does not exactly work...Do you want the car which was driven into a ditch and now pulled out, put in Drive or Reverse? Or maybe I am being too particular, but some are being too general. [More Charts* and back...what? But back to metaphors.]

*Fiscal Economic Bank for the Buck
[stimulus spending more effective than tax cuts]

[More context on con text of charts and tables.]
Macro link /Micro M y t h s Dis Spelled .
[Un-incorporated In-Box: Speaking of Steph("the sky is falling") beyond confidence is competence. No, this is not directed at Stephanie, but at Republicans** who have no confidence(or faith) in America.]

** and Conservatives (Tea-Partiers are too naive to have confidence.)
*** (Ribble) No mockery intended, but I might bring up my TOW trick.

[Just In-Box- Ouch]

A GPS of Sorts

...with the try[**] angle of PACS[***].

[under construction]
Global Public Square *
Center for American Progress
Campaign for America's Future
New America Foundation.

* Atlantic Time

[**]note * differences

[*** 9-6-11 spare room for Three Faces of Eve?]
[Ledership is Tricky.]

[9-7-11 No comment, but see tetrahedron of comments. Well actually I will comment. While the numbers may not be what some may expect,(see Three Faces of Eve) the focus and targeted nature on schools may be a tantalizing stimulus for more: "Advocates for FAST have called for approximately $50 billion in upfront spending, with the hope that early investment would beget future ones as neighboring school districts petition their members of Congress for money of their own." ]

[9-8-11 Grand Slam to carry the model.
Pivoting the metaphor from personalities to the diamond, not to imply that there is any sexism in the sorting. Timing is noted in the lede reference in the last link on the prospects for the presidents speech. The Grand Slam is not as it seems, not necessarily personalities but aggregate hits. My original slam was against the Morning Brew that Joe Scorborough pours, but I had yet to hear Robinson swing. He hit it out of the park, while Obama has yet to come up to the plate in the ninth.]