Defending the New Deal: some small evidence that the narrative is reaching TV

[ProfessorPlum]

A few weeks ago I was writing to defend the New Deal, to show that it did bring the US out of the Depression, and that in any case, spending for WWII (which is often cited as the actual end of the Depression) was also Keynesian. Keynesian stimulus (getting money into the hands of the lower classes, often while hiring them to do useful things by the government, the employer of last resort), is thus doubly proven to be effective. I was pleased to see this week that there was some support for that thesis on the airwaves (where the New Deal is almost never defended). The first was by Rachel Maddow, the smartest television host on today. At about the 3 minute mark in this video, Rachel shows that the New Deal really did work to arrest and turn around the Depression. She doesn’t make the connection that spending on WWII was Keynesian, though. That connection is made here by Jonathan Alter, who also shows the rare ability to just come right out and state that a Republican is talking nonsense. It’s good to see this narrative finally making an appearance. Is it too much to hope that Democrats will now start to tell it?

[Captain Hilts]

1. Yaay!

ER: Isn't that Professor Plum just grand?
FDR: Indeed he is! A capital fellow!
ER: How'd he do it?
FDR: With his computer!
ER: Where?
FDR: In the library!

[The_Commonist]

5. That's the funniest thing I've seen all day!

And I've seen quite a few funny things today...

[JitterbugPerfume]

2. watching Rachel Maddow

and her guests is like getting an education . She is indeed right up there with the likes of Bill Moyers in explaining difficult things to people like most of us .

AND she is hilariously funny while doing it!

Keynesian economics is our one best hope of getting out of this mess.

[ProfessorPlum]

3. Hear hear!

i love your login name, also.

[JitterbugPerfume]

4. thanks Prof!

I considered changing it , but I have been JP for so long---

[The_Commonist]

6. One of MY favorite books!

I want to be Alobar...

[JitterbugPerfume]

8. that book

is a wild ride! I love it .

[Captain Hilts]

7. I don't know the book, but a friend of mine's mother reigned as "Jitterbug Queen of the Canal Zone."

[wyldwolf]

9. Bob Shrum had a great piece recently on it as well.

[ColbertWatcher]

10. The GOP-controlled media's talking points regarding the New Deal ...

... stem from their hatred of FDR.

I learned that when the GOP pushed to have Reagan put on the dime to replace FDR. Despicable bastards.

They are hoping no one remembers their history.

[Captain Hilts]

11. The fuckheads don't know why FDR is on the DIME!

The March of Dimes!

I have to give Nancy Reagan credit - just this once - for opposing this stupid idea.

[FatDave]

12. They have to discredit FDR.

He proved that their ideology was bankrupt and that liberal policy was what worked for the country. It's the same reason they will fight Obama with everything they've got. They cannot afford to have liberal fiscal policy solve our problems again.

[ProfessorPlum]

13. kicking myself for the evening crowd

Thanks for the recs, everybody