Isn't that the way it is suposed to work?

 

I was listening to the news this morning when I heard that the GDP had jumped 3.5% in the last quarter; not only is that one of the larger positive movements in recent economic history, it "technically" signals the end of the deepest recession in seventy years. Now, I understand the arguments that the unemployment rates do not reflect anywhere near that time of growth, and without jobs, people don't buy houses. I have said that for years, especially in the run-up to the Presidential election in November of 2008. At that time, the economy was literally hemorrhaging jobs, with record layoffs and bankruptcies. I thought then, as I do now, that America needs to be "working" in order to have a truly strong economy.

But my point here, as a Progressive REALTOR, at lunch today, I was flummoxed while watching  conservative television (yes, I like to hear differing points of views). The newscaster (personality) was saying, in essence, that the movement upward in the economy was only a consequence of "Cash for Clunkers" and "The First Time Home buyer's Credit". I let that sink in for a while, but then I decided that was the point of both of these programs. Here is a contemporary example of how government is supposed to work. Following the virtual collapse of the national, and hence international banking system, the private markets either a)had no capital or b) were unwilling to risk their capital in such a turbulent market. Whatever the reason, capitalism was frozen in it's tracks. After the standard hullabaloo and political posturing the Congress basically followed the blueprint created by the Bush advisors and refined by the Obama Administration by dumping money into the system. That "stimulus" is still being infused today for worthy projects. My local utility company just yesterday announced a $110 million grant for improving the stability of their grid, which in turns, benefits several hundred thousand customers.
What bothered me about the TV story at lunch, was that there was no acknowledgement of the contradictory position that they had taken only a short time ago. They were very much against the "government giveaways" and "big spending" but now that those programs are showing real results, they credit those programs as the reason the GDP is growing, but cannot bring themselves to admit that it is yet another example of how government can and will be beneficial to the public at large IF and only IF government is staffed by smart, hardworking and qualified people.
On the pages of Active Rain I have seen Ronald Reagan's quote paraphrased several times. He has purportedly stated "government doesn't have a problem. government IS the problem"  While this often draws applause in various circles, I fundamentally disagree. To quote H.L. Mencken "For every complex problem, there is an answer that is clear, simple and wrong."
Many American's today are late blooming fiscal tightwads. They fight and scratch against any and all changes to our various belief systems regarding health care , taxes, helping the disadvantaged, improving educational opportunities for all citizens and the list goes on. If we allow the progress of our society to be short changed then we deserve what the future could hold for us. How many of you still reminisce about the days of the paper listing services, the post card mailing campaigns and those folks who managed the Katrina rescue. There are talented and smart people in the government now, and we should be thankful