HoodaThunk?

President Obama has asserted that there was “no disagreement” that, to fix the economy, a recovery plan of action (and that’s action by the government, mind you) was necessary. There’s no doubt he meant exactly what he’s currently proposing: a massive spending spree by the government. Apparently, the assertion was a little – shall we say? – overstepping of the reality. According to Bearing Drift, a slew of economists are involved in taking out full-page ads in major newspapers today stating that the stimulus package being proposed is absolutely not the way to get our economy jumpstarted again. From the ad:

It is a triumph of hope over experience to believe that more government spending will help the U.S. today. To improve the economy, policymakers should focus on reforms that remove impediments to work, saving, investment and production. Lower tax rates and a reduction in the burden of government are the best ways of using fiscal policy to boost growth.

Have a look at the ad. The people signing on are neither few in number nor weak in credentials. We don’t take medical advice from strangers on the streets and we don’t let every bag-boy from the grocery store re-wire our houses. We rely on professionals who have the education and experience. Why are we content to let politicians unilaterally decide the best economic moves to make to get us out of this mess? We should demand that knowledgable voices be heard and their advice considered carefully in this debate.