No, they're not all Hitlers but rather than running a campaign where he says "We live in the greatest nation in history, now help me change it", "Change we can count on" and all of that stuff, coupled with everyone calling it "An historical election" to get everyone all gooey and excited, a more rational approach would have slowed the pace a bit. When you have this many people excited about things, a stampede isn't exactly what's needed. The GOP really screwed up in the last two terms, a lot of people got what they shouldn't have and a lot lost what they shouldn't have but it's never all one person or party at fault.
Obama railed on the Bush admin for doubling the debt and now, he just tripled it in a much shorter time. I don't see how we'll ever dig out of this hole. The bailouts help put money into the lenders' coffers but there aren't many details to the plans. It was done too quickly, IMO and that will make it easy for some to benefit, when they have no right to.
What we're doing here isn't much different from Congress- debate without agreement. Some common areas but different views completely, and it doesn't really accomplish much, unfortunately.
All reasonable positions.
Obama happens to have the ability to get people gooey and excited and he knows that's the key to passing legislation in his first term so that it takes effect before 2012. This is just politics and he's pressing his advantage. All politicians throughout our history have done the same.
With regards to the debt, Bush increasing the debt arguably did little for the overall economy. It's basically $5 trillion wasted. Granted, there's plenty of lousy spending in Obama's plans, but there are tons of good investments in there too.
I see two schools of thoughts regarding the debt. The first believes we should cut spending and give more money to the people. The second believes we should investment in the future and attempt to outgrow the debt. Both positions are valid and have their merit. I believe in the latter for the following reasons:
1. Tax cuts won't help the 6 million out-of-work.
2. Raising the tax on gains from real estate sales is moot as if the economy doesn't grow, no profits will be had.
3. I personally never tighten my belt. When more money is needed, I find a way to make it. I think if we cut, cut, cut, we'll fall behind and lose momentum.
4. Investing in long-term projects like energy, healthcare, etc makes sense now as it'll cost 10 times as much later. The longer we put it off, the worst off we'll be. Think about it, you go into heavy debt so you can get a medical degree. It's stupid economically at the present, but it makes sense to do so as the reward later will be larger rendering that debt moot.
5. Tax cuts for the top 10% won't spur as much growth these days as it's now a global economy.
6. Cutting benefits to the elderly just isn't right.
There are plenty others, but I'm just throwing out some off the top-of-my-head. The bottom line is, everyone has to go into debt to get ahead. Most of us have mortgages, student loans, etc... If we waited till we had cash, very few would have anything. Of course there's a balance to be had here. Government is no different.
I'm not a socialist, but do believe we need some government programs. I believe healthcare should go to the government and I do believe the government should hold a stake in any companies bailed out. We may argue about giving a bailout or not, but if we do, we should have a say. If we don't like what they do, we can vote politicians out. With business in control, we can't vote them out. All we can do is stop buying their product and hope others will follow suit. Fat chance when so many fall for tricks that Bose and Monster use. Many feel that government is terrible at managing things and that's warranted, but they also get some things right. For example, the student loan programs the government offers are excellent.
Overall, if healthcare goes to the government and the tax rates go back to where they were pre-Bush, I don't think that's socialism.
