Probably the worst thing since the New Deal

DEATHPIGGIE · I'm fat and nobody likes me

RE: Probably the worst thing since the New Deal

Andy001 · Spaghetti

The New Deal was the right decision under the circumstances surely.

Andy001 · Spaghetti

Also, yet again I love Piggie's objective news sources.

Jason · Only in cartoons

Andy001 wrote:

The New Deal was the right decision under the circumstances surely.

I would disagree with this. It actually delayed economic recovery, so far as I understand.

In terms of helping people through a tough time, FDR can be credited for inspiring confidence and hope. However, I do not consider his economic policies a success.

Andy001 · Spaghetti

I'd have to study the economic history of the period in a lot more depth than I have to be able to judge that fairly. However, I'm a bit fed up of the trend among right-wing economists to treat FDR like he was Stalin or something, he seems like one of your more admirable presidents.

Andy001 · Spaghetti

I feel that we ought to have a new Serious Topic about climate change that talks about it in a wider frame than the usual 'oh no the government is coming' fashion, but I'm not quite sure how to phrase it.

Jason · Only in cartoons

I think it depends on how you judge a president. If you judge him as a trumpeter of morale, then you can judge the quality of a president by approval ratings. In this case, I'm sure, FDR would rank pretty highly. However, if you judge him as a chief engineer of a system, then you can judge him by the efficacy of his policies in bringing about determined social goals. Of course, in reality we judge our presidents by any number of criteria, the weights of which vary from person to person.

FDR was not Stalin. However, I do not consider him a fine man or a good president. The only thing he was particularly good at was manipulating the masses into going along with him in what I take to be a decidedly negative direction. He was a good politician, and I mean that in the worst way.

Jason · Only in cartoons

Andy001 wrote:

I feel that we ought to have a new Serious Topic about climate change that talks about it in a wider frame than the usual 'oh no the government is coming' fashion, but I'm not quite sure how to phrase it.

I gave it my best shot.