Obama is creating a host of new programs and obligations on borrowed money

by Gary Andres, Weekly Standard:

Increasing the role of government during economic turmoil is not a novel concept. Some believe people are hungrier for an extra helping of Washington stew at times like this. And President Obama, along with Democrats in Congress, seem more than willing to serve it up.

But something is missing. Government spending and more borrowing can only provide temporary stimulus. The economy needs a different food to spur growth longer-term.

Right now, however, those meals are missing from the menu. In fact, Obama and Democrats in Congress seem headed in the opposite direction — creating a host of new programs and obligations on borrowed money, without also adding components that will stimulate more enduring economic growth.

Democrats’ version of rented prosperity is particularly troubling to independent voters. Democratic pollster Doug Schoen told Politico’s Ben Smith last week, “This is a huge sea change that is playing itself out in American politics. Independents who had become effectively operational Democrats in 2006 and 2008 are now up for grabs and are trending Republican.”
[...]

MORE