Posted on 02/09/2009 2:47:02 AM PST by yoe
From crisis to catastrophe. Off a cliff. Dark, darker, darkest. Mortal danger of absolute collapse. Armageddon.
President Obama and top Democrats on Capitol Hill are deploying these and other stark predictions of doom and gloom to push through their economic-stimulus package. In terms not heard in Washington since the late 1970s under President Jimmy Carter's watch, the new president has sought to terrify Americans into supporting the $800 billion-plus bailout bill.
While President Bush was accused shortly after taking office in 2001 of "talking down the economy" - and for saying the economy was "slowing down" - Mr. Obama is using ever-heightening hyperbole to hammer home his message. But the strategy brings great risk for the "Yes, We Can" man, who just three weeks ago told America in his inaugural address that despite "a sapping of confidence across our land," his election meant Americans had "chosen hope over fear."
"Mr. Hope has to be careful not to become Dr. Doom," said Frank Luntz, a political consultant and author of the book "Words That Work: It's Not What You Say, It's What People Hear."
"The danger for him is using the Jimmy Carter malaise rhetoric, particularly for Mr. Obama, who was elected because people thought he was the solution. There's only so much negativity they will tolerate from him before they will feel betrayed," Mr. Luntz said.
Brad Blakeman, a senior aide to Mr. Bush from 2001 to 2004, said the new president's language is immature.
"It's not presidential. An American leader needs to be hopeful and optimistic - and truthful. Everything he says is parsed; everything he says is searched for deep meaning. When he goes to 'DefCon 5' on the economy and says that we're on the brink of catastrophe, it's absolutely insane."
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtontimes.com ...
We're not.
We're not.
Agreed. But we could be and I fear that is the real point of this far left bill.
You know, there are people who *want* the USA to drop in power and influence globally. I'm beginning to think that at least two branches of our own government feel this way. That's the only way this stuff makes any logical sense to me.
The rise of the demagogue.
That's exactly what they're doing. When the economy shows the least bit of revival it will all be becuase of the wonderful stimulus package. Down the road we'll end up with high inflation and a devalued dollar. The democRATS are idiots. I can't wait until we take back the house and senate and get rid of this one term fraud of a president.
I work part-time for an online retailer too. Our Spring (baseball) catalog is out and people are ordering like crazy. Plus we sold a lot of urban clothing wear and Jordan shoes as well. Right now, we got on the board for extra hours for associates.
My main job though in logistics some folks got laid off though.
We trimmed down staff last year, because things were slow the latter half (I think there were some cuts in shipping, and phone personnel.) But about December things started to turn around and are still going strong.
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