Posted on 05/16/2018 6:58:31 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
Larry Kudlow, who took over as director of the National Economic Council (NEC) after Gary Cohn's departure last month, is so far demonstrating extraordinary leadership in being able to reconcile the disparate factions within the Trump administration, all the while promoting growth-centered policies that would only strengthen an economy already in its best shape in years.
Naturally, Mr. Kudlow's transition to his current role was made easier by inheriting an economy rejuvenated by one of the largest across-the-board tax cuts and reforms in modern American history. Unemployment has reached its lowest point in nearly two decades; wages are up categorically; a moribund manufacturing sector is beginning to show signs of wholesale recovery; and labor participation, though still a far cry from where it should be, is nonetheless moving in a positive direction.
These measures, coupled with the continued slashing of regulations that in large part artificially retarded the Obama economy from making a full bounce back, speak volumes to the power of free-market and pro-growth policies. To his credit, Mr. Kudlow in his short duration as NEC director has already put forth a slew of additional proposals – including a second round of tax cuts that could make permanent some of the measures of the tax reform bill, the administration's crowning legislative achievement to date, such as business investment incentives and further reductions in personal income tax. An infrastructure bill, a re-evaluation of NAFTA and the TPP, and another stab at health care are additional policies on the docket, though each is accompanied by numerous political hurdles.
Inasmuch as Mr. Kudlow hopes to continue the success of his predecessor, Gary Cohn, and engender a grand economic vision in accord with the president's overriding agenda and in service to the interests of the American public,
(Excerpt) Read more at americanthinker.com ...
Good job, keep it going!!
WTF! I expected to see things about him helping to get rid of holdovers from the last administration.
This was mostly a puff piece.
Yes, and I think at best, I would just like Kudlow to stay out of Trump’s way. We certainly don’t need more stimulus.
“I read the whole article and saw nothing about cleaning house.”
That is true, it is really an assessment of Larry Kudlow’s approach. He is a long time ideologically committed free trader. So it could signal a shift in the Trump Administration away from Nationalist/Populist trade positions - or it could signal a shift among Republican free-traders toward a more pragmatic assessment of trade.
As a thought leader among free traders, Kudlow can play a leading role in moving conservative economic thinkers away from the abstract ideological allegiance to free trade above all, to a more pragmatic appreciation that you need very strong, and very active, checks and controls to keep it fair - smart people around the world put all their efforts into finding ways to cheat.
Fair competition is as important as free trade in theory - but more so in practice. Just opening the doors to competitors without monitoring or enforcement of their practices and reciprocity, is a foolish invitation to thieves.
In theory, theory and practice are the same.
In practice, they are not.
Even more than free trade, Kudlow’s ideology seems to value growth as the most important single objective (he is also a proponent of maintaining a strong dollar).
With his (righteous) emphasis on growth, he is right in line with President Trump. Accelerating GDP growth, is one cure for a thousand ailments.
Free trade must be balanced against National Security/Foreign Policy concerns. There is no such significant tradeoff to growth. It’s all good.
Growth is probably the best single metric of success - the right goal.
Tax and regulation cuts are the gist of the growth policies that Kudlow has long promoted - since he worked in the Reagan Administration. Kudlow seems to harbor a strong identification and affection for Ronald Reagan and the Reagan revolution. He was a general in Reagan’s successful battle to improve the American economy.
Kudlow is a sophisticated economic expert, with a rare combination of media and political skills. He brings a lot to the team.
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