Krugman column

Why is it that Paul Krugman in his Aug. 29 column, “It looks, smells and tastes like tough times,” continues to blame the Republicans for President Barack Obama’s failing economy? Krugman insists that what was needed was a larger stimulus. He blames the failure to pass a supplemental stimulus on “Republican obstructionism.” He said the administration cannot get legislation past the “Republican blockade.”

Why continue to blame the Republicans when the Democrats have a majority in both houses? They had the votes to pass Obamacare. Cap and trade passed the House but is stalling in the Senate because it’s a political hot potato.

Anything that smells like deficit spending is going to be unpopular with the voters, and Democrats running for re-election know this. Herein lies Krugman’s “obstructionism.” He says the government should use Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae “to put money in the hands of American families.” Wasn’t poor management at Freddie and Fannie part of the reason for the housing market meltdown? Didn’t this precipitate some of the economic problems we are seeing today?

It’s time to clean house. This isn’t working, and the American constituency gets it.

Vote this November.

Mark Haskell
Olathe