Comments for Washington Post Runs Another Front Page Editorial on the Budget at http://www.cepr.net , comment 1 to 5 out of 5 comments http://www.cepr.net Mon, 20 May 2013 01:29:41 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.3 http://www.cepr.net/index.php/blogs/beat-the-press/washington-post-runs-another-front-page-editorial-on-the-budget#comment-19869 "These are exactly the sorts of cutbacks that advocates of deficit reduction want since they free up capital and labor for other purposes." Regarding labor, I wonder what those other purposes are, given not only the high unemployment rate, but also the decreased participation in the labor force. - John M Sat, 27 Oct 2012 08:18:19 +0100 http://www.cepr.net/index.php/blogs/beat-the-press/washington-post-runs-another-front-page-editorial-on-the-budget#comment-19855 I would hesitate to call the deficit situation a 2007 a non-problem (such that the current situation isn't a "longstanding" one). Governments (not just in D.C.) really should have been in surplus then, since demand at that time was higher than could be sustained over the long term. The deficit problem in 2007 was at least as serious as it is now, in my view, but less apparent. I ran for public office myself in an early 2008 election because I had this idea that I'd raise awareness. I didn't bother in 2012 not just because I was a poor politician and lost so badly in 2008 but because people were both a lot more aware this year and there is far less room to do something about it in the near term. - Brian Dell Fri, 26 Oct 2012 09:12:36 +0100 http://www.cepr.net/index.php/blogs/beat-the-press/washington-post-runs-another-front-page-editorial-on-the-budget#comment-19851 Can someone explain to me why the VSP's are calling for a mix of tax increases and spending cuts to help cut the deficit, while at the same time these same VSP's are freaking out about the Fiscal Cliff, which consists of tax increases and spending cuts which are aimed at cutting the deficit? I don't understand. - Ray Fri, 26 Oct 2012 07:03:00 +0100 http://www.cepr.net/index.php/blogs/beat-the-press/washington-post-runs-another-front-page-editorial-on-the-budget#comment-19848 [quote]In other words, these cutbacks may have nothing to do with the budget battles themselves but rather stem from Mr. Kelly's assessment that Congress is likely to reduce funding for his product.[/quote] - Last Mover Fri, 26 Oct 2012 06:11:58 +0100 http://www.cepr.net/index.php/blogs/beat-the-press/washington-post-runs-another-front-page-editorial-on-the-budget#comment-19843 Dean is right that the specific numbers in the article are not credible (and the anecdotes are not of much value, as usual), but as I pointed out before the probability of a deadlock must have some effect even before the alleged "cliff" is reached, unless you assume that businessmen do not have to plan ahead. It seems most likely that Congress will continue to be split, so it is very likely that Republicans will hold the economy hostage again. If Obama is reelected, Republicans will have an interest in preventing economic improvement, according to their own leaders. There is no good reason to assume that the deadlock would only last a few days, and people who make economic decisions can't assume this. Should we bet that Republicans will be more reasonable or less reasonable than in the past? - skeptonomist Fri, 26 Oct 2012 04:32:05 +0100