Originally Posted by Villages Kahuna

You hit the nail on the head, DK. But I fail to see why "BO has no intention of making that happen" as you allege. What is the entire TARP and then stimulus program all about if it's not to increase employment, which will lead to positive economic growth?

The TARP program was intended to strengthen the banks who would then begin to lend to both individuals and companies, providing the leverage to promote economic growth as quickly as possible. The stimulus program was intended to employ people so they would have money to spend.

Unfortunately, neither program has fixed plummeting housing prices, employment in the construction industry and most important, consumer confidence. Most recent statistics indicate that Americans are using any excess cash they have to either pay down debt or save--neither of which will result in economic growth anytime soon.

The government economists and the administration are in uncharted waters in trying to re-start the economy. History will prove whether the programs they've decided upon were the best or not. But to suggest that the administration will purposely avoid steps to make that happen doesn't make sense. Of course the Obama adminstration wants it to happen, just as a McCain administration would have, had he been elected. The problem is, as I've said, the administration is trying to solve a worldwide economic problem that has lots of moving parts. The magnitude of the problem is greater than anyone has ever experienced and they're using economic tools that have never been used before. At the same time, the geo-political situation is far from settled, which adds to the problem.

Americans have every right to be concerned and even a bit impatient. But to suggest that our political leaders aren't trying and have some motive for recovery not happening is simply wrong.

I'll ask the question that I've asked on this forum many times...rather than simply criticizing what our leaders are doing, what would you do to fix the economy? Getting people working, earning moeny, and then spending it, is the only thing that will lead to economic recovery (measured by reduced unemployment and increased GDP). What would you do, DK, to make that happen?