“Fair And Balanced” Discussion Topic on Forbes On Fox: Has Congress Gone Insane?
Reported by Guest Blogger - November 30, 2009 -
Guest blogged by Brian
Forbes on Fox host David Asman neatly combined a few Fox News memes in one segment Saturday (11/28/09) as he “asked,” “Another $100 billion on something that didn't work to begin with? Is this insane?" The “question” neatly combined several Fox News memes in one: swipes against the first stiumulus, the latest proposal and Congress, as a whole. With video.
Forbes publisher Rich Karlgaard said, "It's clinically insane… The insanity is by pursuing these policies, you’re depressing unemployment."
Neil Weinberg said, "The short term it'll be a creator. Saying that this hasn't worked is kind of like blaming the fire department because it comes to a burning house, and it throws water on the house, then you see that the house is charred and you say,
My goodness, it didn't work.’ …We have 10.2% unemployment right now, it might be 12.2% unemployment if it weren't for the stimulus."
Steve Forbes said, "It's not the Fire Department, it’s an arsonist putting more gasoline on the fire, is what we have going on here. We do need a second stimulus, but do a Reaganesque stimulus… Slash spending, cut taxes, don’t try to nationalize the economy." Comment: I'm surprised he didn't say “flat tax.”
Quentin Hardy said, "The first stimulus had over $200 billion in tax cuts. You didn't think that was a good idea? I thought it was a good idea… In March, the Dow was 6000, the stimulus happened around then, last time I looked, the Dow had done pretty well. Maybe we're heading into a better period now, but nobody I know feels confident. …Banks aren't lending, and small business can't get started, maybe they do a need a shot in the arm."
Weinberg said, "The stimulus has helped us prevent the firing of teachers, and firemen, and policemen around the country."
Once again, Asman didn’t even try to sound impartial. "You can never prove how it would've been if it hadn't happened."
Weinberg said, "I totally agree with Steve. The smart thing to do is to turn this into tax cuts, to turn this into a private sector type of stimulus, but right now it's the fire brigade we need."
Asman said small businesses want "less regulation, less taxes, and… that is a formula that has worked time and time again." Comment: When, David?
“Then you're going to have a deficit," Hardy added.
"We are repeating mistakes. That is a sign of insanity," Asman reiterated.
