Obama's Fix For Unemployment? A New Cabinet Level Department.
The New York Times published an article this weekend about how President Obama's administration is considering whether to get more verbally combative about economic issues. Meaning, they're thinking about going on the attack against Republican ideas on the economy rather than "continuing to pursue elusive compromises."
If only that's where the story ended. Seriously. I'd love for the administration to stop doing things that destroy the economy, even if it means they'd spend their time going after political opponents instead.
But it doesn't end there. The article has some funny parts, such as the line that the administration believes "moderate voters want tangible results rather than speeches." Are you kidding me? If anyone in the administration believes that, how to explain the last two and a half years of non-stop speechifying?
But the last part of the article actually scared me:
The administration may also merge the Department of Commerce, the Office of the United States Trade Representative and some economic divisions at the State Department into a new agency, administration officials said. Possible names include the Department of Jobs or the Department of Competitiveness.
Oh wow. So the first thing I find interesting is that this new Department of Jobs would not be a renaming of the Department of Labor but a brand new department built out of various other agencies? And, of course, almost all of these agencies are in the business of over-regulating industry as opposed to job creation.
James Taranto tweets:
If we need a department to deal with unemployment, why not be witty and call it the Department of Redundancy Department?
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Re: Obama's Fix For Unemployment? A New Cabinet Level Department.
Well, it'll certainly create jobs in the Washington Metropolitan Area…
Jul '10
Re: Obama's Fix For Unemployment? A New Cabinet Level Department.
He has descended into unintentional self parody. The Onion will never be able to top this. He is reduced to relying on an economist-free economics team as heralded by the LA Times here:
When Obama took office in early 2009, he was counseled by an all-star economic team that included former Treasury Secretary Lawrence H. Summers, Great Depression scholar Christina D. Romer and former Federal Reserve Chairman Paul A. Volcker.
Also on the roster were well-regarded economists such as Budget Director Peter R. Orszag, Jared Bernstein and Austan Goolsbee. All of them have since resigned.
No Keynesian wants to be at wheel at John Maynard's greatest moment of triumph? Say goodnight, Gracie.
Edited on Aug 15, 2011 at 12:29amJul '10
Re: Obama's Fix For Unemployment? A New Cabinet Level Department.
If Obama doubled the federal civilian workforce it would almost make up the shrinkage in the workforce since he took office. Of course, hiring more federal workers and overpaying them is a big part of how he shrank the workforce to begin with.
May '11
Re: Obama's Fix For Unemployment? A New Cabinet Level Department.
The Department of Competitiveness will be created along with the Anti Dog-Eat-Dog Act.
Mar '11
Re: Obama's Fix For Unemployment? A New Cabinet Level Department.
A more appropriate name for this new department might be the department of silly walks.
Mar '11
Re: Obama's Fix For Unemployment? A New Cabinet Level Department.
How about just cutting to the chase and creating the Department of It's All Bush's Fault?
They have to keep flogging that -- it's all they have left.
Jun '10
Re: Obama's Fix For Unemployment? A New Cabinet Level Department.
Just for good measure, let's throw in a US Department of Personal Hygiene. They can study and regulate the various bar soaps and shampoos that we'll be allowed to use. It would create some private sector lobbying jobs no doubt.
Feb '11
Re: Obama's Fix For Unemployment? A New Cabinet Level Department.
Mollie Hemingway, Ed.:
But the last part of the article actually scared me:
Oh wow. So the first thing I find interesting is that this new Department of Jobs would not be a renaming of the Department of Labor but a brand new department built out of various other agencies? And, of course, almost all of these agencies are in the business of over-regulating industry as opposed to job creation.
'Progressive' government and Wile E Coyote have a great deal in common.
The next election can't come soon enough. For now, two Advil and back to bed.
Jun '10
Re: Obama's Fix For Unemployment? A New Cabinet Level Department.
No surprise here. Liberals create a new department: problem solved.
Doesn't anyone remember how education achievement took off when Carter created the Department of Education?
Sep '10
Re: Obama's Fix For Unemployment? A New Cabinet Level Department.
If the last Federal agency created is any guide, that means the Obama administration never stops groping the economy.
Edited on Aug 15, 2011 at 10:46amOct '10
Re: Obama's Fix For Unemployment? A New Cabinet Level Department.
Good take, somehow the Fish Slapping skit applies as well..