THE QUESTION
Government spending: How to pick your battle?
The overwhelming consensus among economists is that the economy needs another shot of short-term stimulus spending. But as the president and congressional leaders have discovered in trying to pass a new stimulus bill, voters want to start bringing the deficit down now. Is this one of those leadership moments when it is better to accommodate strong constituent beliefs rather than trying to convince them they are wrong?
Posted by Steve Pearlstein and Raju Narisetti on June 22, 2010 2:20 AM
FROM THE PANEL
Chipping away at our structural debt
Concrete actions rather than words or processes will be needed to restore the public's faith in government. The time to start is now!
Posted by David Walker, on June 25, 2010 11:47 AM
Let our neighbors starve?
Accommodation to the loudest voices and trying to convince them they are wrong would be irresponsible.
Posted by Katherine Tyler Scott, on June 23, 2010 10:31 AM
Obama's opposable mind
F. Scott Fitzgerald famously said, "The test of a first-rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposed ideas in mind at the same time and still retain the ability to function."
Posted by Howard Gardner, on June 23, 2010 10:25 AM
Getting them back to work
Voters who are concerned about the economy simply want jobs so they can protect their families and enliven their communities.
Posted by Kathryn Kolbert, on June 22, 2010 1:02 PM
A simple three-step process
An educated public with different priorities than its own representative government starts to sound a little unconstitutional.
Posted by West Point Cadets, on June 22, 2010 12:52 PM
Cutting to the bone doesn't help
It's the true leaders who can make a recalcitrant public understand that the short-term plan isn't always in the nation's best interests.
Posted by Yash Gupta, on June 22, 2010 12:39 PM
No better than Greece
A true stimulus would be directed at the encouragement of long-term private employment.
Posted by Slade Gorton, on June 22, 2010 3:34 AM
Time for pragmatic political leadership
The question gets to the heart of what has enabled America to succeed: pragmatism over ideology. Such pragmatism requires political leaders who can both think for themselves as well as do the will of the people.
Posted by John Baldoni, on June 22, 2010 3:22 AM
Create jobs and tax the rich
The issue is not the false dichotomy between voters looking for a deficit reduction versus fiscal stimulus.
Posted by Warren Bennis, on June 22, 2010 3:17 AM
We need manufacturing jobs, not social programs
Most Americans would much rather be part of a high-performing manufacturing team than be dependent on government social programs.
Posted by Gen. John Batiste (Ret.), on June 22, 2010 3:11 AM
