[cdcdawg]

people like the idea of someone “running” the economy. It’s comforting to think that there are experts there to act as guardrails. This is how a majority views the economy.

[oldbrowser]

people like the idea of someone “running” the economy. It’s comforting to think that there are experts there to act as guardrails. This is how a majority views the economy.

The dependent class wants someone to tell them what to do and provide for them.
The independent class wants to do their own thinking and be left alone.

[ex-snook]

"So why, whenever there’s a downturn, do politicians resuscitate the idea that bigger government will “stimulate” the economy? "

What alternatives are available to politicians? They can't force business to hire. Waiting for the long term market to rally fulfills Keynes' admonition 'in the long run we will all be dead'.

Long lines of people looking for work or looking for food await an immediate solution. What is it?