Constructive gadfly
Published on September 12, 2011 By stevendedalus In Politics

The most important action the government can take to ease the economic crisis is to bypass the middle-fiddle manipulators of Wall Street and deal with the thousands of solvent local and regional banks that still exercise sound lending and investment practices. Moreover, there are countless ways to put people to work without having to wait for new technology such as wind turbine grids and high speed rails. Decaying malls and housing are in need of immediate clean up and repair. Many malls in decline should be open to walk in clinics, start up businesses, daycare centers, and schools of all sorts; low-income housing in distress are in need of not only energy efficiency but painting to basic plumbing. Unemployment insurance beneficiaries should be urged if only temporary to become security guards in shopping centers and in schools, not to mention the great need for teacher aides. And for the countless young men and women there is a great need, especially now, for Mexican border control.


Comments
on Sep 13, 2011

The most important action the government can take is to cut the red tape.  The amount of new regulations is swamping printers and killing forests - and business.  Uncertainty is the killer of jobs.

The best part of the solution is it costs NOTHING.

on Sep 13, 2011

Dr Guy
cut the red tape

Gov't isn't the only institution guilty of red tape--megabanks put borrowers through the wringer.

on Sep 13, 2011

The most important action the government can take to ease the economic crisis is to bypass the middle-fiddle manipulators of Wall Street and deal with the thousands of solvent local and regional banks that still exercise sound lending and investment practices.

Thought the left didn't like trickle down economics?

What would you have government do.... Fannieize and Freddieize these banks into lending? There is a reason they are still solvent. They were to small for the government to get its meat hooks into in the first place.

As for the malls, the last thing I want to see at the mall is a line of sick people waiting in line. It doesn't put people in a shopping mood. I'm all for small businesses moving in to start up, but your proposal completely ignores the owner or the cost of upkeep and security. What small business can afford those costs. It's probably cheaper for the owner to let the spaces go unfilled. Unless you want to nationalize these malls, you need a bigger draw than Aunt Alice's Arts and Crafts. I don't see government as the answer here. It will take a big box store willing to take a chance to make that work. Just don't put them next to the clinic.

on Sep 14, 2011

Nitro Cruiser
As for the malls, the last thing I want to see at the mall is a line of sick people waiting in line. It doesn't put people in a shopping mood.
What are we taliking about here? A LEPROSY COLONY?

Nitro Cruiser
What would you have government do.... Fannieize and Freddieize these banks into lending?
The Wall Streer Gang was way ahead of F&F and caused the foolish twins to get on the bandwagon of toxic assets. 

on Sep 16, 2011

stevendedalus
Gov't isn't the only institution guilty of red tape--megabanks put borrowers through the wringer.

Not arguing with you on that one.