Excellent article by Krugman. I love it when Paul sticks to economics, where he shines. I was a bit harsh on him in his last Sanders article, but I do have these questions for PK. I would hope that he addresses them in an upcoming article.
What would be the best cabinet post to give Bernie?
What about the idea of running with Bernice as VP, assuming he would do it?
If she does not do the former, how is she going to get the Bernie or Bust people to support her? How is she going to get the Independent vote she so desperately needs, and she is losing to Bernie in this primary cycle? I would love to see PK crunch some demographic numbers on the 43% Independent electorate in the USA, and then apply them to their affinity to Bernie, to Drumpf, and to Hillary. She needs them, we need them as a country, to support her in the general.
What would be the best cabinet post to give Bernie?
What about the idea of running with Bernice as VP, assuming he would do it?
If she does not do the former, how is she going to get the Bernie or Bust people to support her? How is she going to get the Independent vote she so desperately needs, and she is losing to Bernie in this primary cycle? I would love to see PK crunch some demographic numbers on the 43% Independent electorate in the USA, and then apply them to their affinity to Bernie, to Drumpf, and to Hillary. She needs them, we need them as a country, to support her in the general.
33
Haha. The KruggoTron's delusions of competence.
7
While real estate development can be hard work, it is far from rocket science. The world is chock full of rich real estate investors, they are a dime a dozen. Success in that field is simply nothing special. Outside of leveraging his pompous personality on "The Apprentice", Trump has failed miserably in virtually every other major venture he has attempted. His operating style has now become crystal clear. Tell them anything they want to hear to get what you want. Say anything you need to in order to obliterate your competition. Morals and ethics are for losers, a concept not unfamiliar to today's Republican Party.
73
No, voters won't recognize that it is ludicrous to think Trump knows how to run the economy. No POTUS really does, because the economy is largely independent of government. The POTUS can tweak here and there. But Trump's danger lies in his ignorant arrogant belief that everything is negotiable and is just like putting up a new building where a few inspectors can be "convinced" that all is well.
The tragedy really is that so many voters trust Trump to represent them. Undoubtedly, in many ways he does, in his bombastic, carnie-barker style. That's what people have been conditioned to expect. Calm reason and logic are toxic in this cycle. Trump can sound his dog whistle (e.g., Vince Foster) and then back off. But his supporters have already understood the message. Sewage masquerades as strength.
The tragedy really is that so many voters trust Trump to represent them. Undoubtedly, in many ways he does, in his bombastic, carnie-barker style. That's what people have been conditioned to expect. Calm reason and logic are toxic in this cycle. Trump can sound his dog whistle (e.g., Vince Foster) and then back off. But his supporters have already understood the message. Sewage masquerades as strength.
48
Being a successful business man is about beating the competition - key word, competition. Being a successful political leader is about co-operation with others and coming to agreements beneficial to all. Key word - co-operation. There are grey areas of course. Trump's vision of success is the business man's vision - beating others, same as Kruschev, Putin, Mussolini, Hitler, Stalin. Not about co-operation to better the lives of humankind. He has all but pounded his shoe on the desk and shouted "we will bury you!" Even Nixon knew better. He will "lead" us all to disaster.
62
We do not need the federal government to "run the economy." We need for the federal government to stop interfering with the economy. The last time a five year plan created by the central elite powers worked was never.
Hillary received significant amounts of money from foreign and business interests through surrogates (husband plus Clinton Foundation)while she had official actions before her as Senator and as Secretary of State. We know that her policy positions are motivated solely by her own financial interests. That disqualifies her from being President.
It is unfortunate that it apparently has come down to a choice between a crony socialist who enhanced his wealth by buying favors from the political class and a woman whose sole claim to fame is that she is politically well connected by marriage and whose wealth is solely derived from selling political influence.
Hillary received significant amounts of money from foreign and business interests through surrogates (husband plus Clinton Foundation)while she had official actions before her as Senator and as Secretary of State. We know that her policy positions are motivated solely by her own financial interests. That disqualifies her from being President.
It is unfortunate that it apparently has come down to a choice between a crony socialist who enhanced his wealth by buying favors from the political class and a woman whose sole claim to fame is that she is politically well connected by marriage and whose wealth is solely derived from selling political influence.
14
The polls favor Trump on the issue of managing the economy because of the halo effect. People decide - based on emotion, whim, appearance, alcohol consumption, whatever - that they "like" him, then ascribe to him the qualities they should have looked for in the first place before deciding. When someone on their favorite NFL team is a lying, wife-beating cheater, fans find some excuse - upbringing, poverty, hormones - to let him off the hook; when the same guy is on a rival team they condemn him as an unforgivable lowlife. That's what happens with what passes for "politics" these days: If "your" candidate is a bum, you blame some extraneous factor or claim that the opposition is worse.
32
There are businessmen and there are con men. I can see where running a successful complex legitimate business while having a healthy curiosity about economics, government and the human condition could prepare one well for the rigors and responsibilities of governing. But Donald Trump is not that kind businessman.
He is pure and simply a con man, and now the entire nation are his marks. Trump Steaks, Trump Network, Trump University, his casinos and his construction businesses are all organized around the principles of flim flam operations and ponzi schemes. Businesses destined to fail from the start. He gets his money out before they crater, leaving others holding the bag. This is not business, it's monkey business. His book should be titled, "The Art of the Scam," and now he's running the biggest scam of all. Wake up Trump supporters. You are being had.
He is pure and simply a con man, and now the entire nation are his marks. Trump Steaks, Trump Network, Trump University, his casinos and his construction businesses are all organized around the principles of flim flam operations and ponzi schemes. Businesses destined to fail from the start. He gets his money out before they crater, leaving others holding the bag. This is not business, it's monkey business. His book should be titled, "The Art of the Scam," and now he's running the biggest scam of all. Wake up Trump supporters. You are being had.
145
trump has delusions of competence
americans have delusions of exceptionalism
youre all mental
americans have delusions of exceptionalism
youre all mental
78
You still don't get it. It's not about policy anymore. It's become a matter of "change at any cost". Donald Trump is the middle class's revenge on the media, the pundit class, and the neoliberal intelligentsia that has seized the mantle of Masters of the Universe.
Guess what. Nobody trusts your paper, your editorials, or basically anything else in the media. By the media's total and demonstrable inability to deliver factual coverage, people have begun deciding what the facts are for themselves. And they are naturally inclined to choose those facts which support their implicit biases. The media destroyed its own credibility, and the Bernie Sanders campaign -- not the Trump campaign -- has PERFECTLY demonstrated why. So you can belittle Trump all you like, but the American people, for the most part, take pundit hand-wringing about as seriously as pundits took Donald Trump in 2015.
I've volunteered for the Sanders campaign in many states now, and I've come across a whole lot of Trump supporters. People view his policy fluidity as a plus. He's seen as non-ideological and willing to implement "whatever works" whether it fits with party dogma or not. If I did a word cloud for what his supporters say, 90% of the space would be taken up by three words: WE. NEED. CHANGE.
Well, having just today paid my student loan bill for this month, I have to say: it's hard to argue with that.
Guess what. Nobody trusts your paper, your editorials, or basically anything else in the media. By the media's total and demonstrable inability to deliver factual coverage, people have begun deciding what the facts are for themselves. And they are naturally inclined to choose those facts which support their implicit biases. The media destroyed its own credibility, and the Bernie Sanders campaign -- not the Trump campaign -- has PERFECTLY demonstrated why. So you can belittle Trump all you like, but the American people, for the most part, take pundit hand-wringing about as seriously as pundits took Donald Trump in 2015.
I've volunteered for the Sanders campaign in many states now, and I've come across a whole lot of Trump supporters. People view his policy fluidity as a plus. He's seen as non-ideological and willing to implement "whatever works" whether it fits with party dogma or not. If I did a word cloud for what his supporters say, 90% of the space would be taken up by three words: WE. NEED. CHANGE.
Well, having just today paid my student loan bill for this month, I have to say: it's hard to argue with that.
33
Enough already. Almost every comment here recognizes trump for what he is, and trumpets for who they are. Elect the creep. Obviously nobody has learned anything from the republican/Christian sharia law disasters known as Kansas, Lousiana, and Oklahoma. Apparently a faction of the democrats, led by Barbra Boxer, would rather lose with Clinton than win with Sanders. So stop wringing your hands and waxing eloquently. Give the jerks "their" hero. He can't make any bigger mess of the economy than Larry Summers did.
8
Here's a fresh example of Trump's business acumen.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/real-estate/toronto/torontos-trump-tower-...
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/real-estate/toronto/torontos-trump-tower-...
5
The last successful businessman who became President was also a Republican.
His name was Herbert Hoover.
History has shown that his policies were the wrong approach to resolving the Great Depression. Thus Hoover became a one term President.
If Trump is elected President, his narcissism, disinclination to learn and unwillingness to get inputs from people who are NOT yes men/women will sink him. Due to his inability to follow through with his proposals & rash handling of the world economy, Trump too would be a one term President.
His name was Herbert Hoover.
History has shown that his policies were the wrong approach to resolving the Great Depression. Thus Hoover became a one term President.
If Trump is elected President, his narcissism, disinclination to learn and unwillingness to get inputs from people who are NOT yes men/women will sink him. Due to his inability to follow through with his proposals & rash handling of the world economy, Trump too would be a one term President.
18
As much I agree with Paul Krugman and his assessment of one Mr. Trump, politicians today also have little understanding of the economy. The ascent of Trump is a wake up call for career politicians - politicians who make outlandish growth claims (5.3% growth - really??), claim they have the power to single- handedly fix the economy and try to whittle down economic woes to over simplistic villain based arguments - The billionaires are to blame, the tech tycoons are to blame, the down trodden have only themselves to blame.
Voters are tired of these explanations and - here is a novel thought - they just want politicians to tell it like it is. Quacks like Trump ride on the coat-tails of these politicians. The voters' have already lost trust in most of the current elected officials, the bar has already been set so low, in their minds even a lying, flip-flopping and bigoted Trump is a more acceptable option.
Voters are tired of these explanations and - here is a novel thought - they just want politicians to tell it like it is. Quacks like Trump ride on the coat-tails of these politicians. The voters' have already lost trust in most of the current elected officials, the bar has already been set so low, in their minds even a lying, flip-flopping and bigoted Trump is a more acceptable option.
7
Probably the first time I have ever posted in agreement with Krugman but on this {cringe} he is right.
11
Paul Krugman writes: "In general, you shouldn’t pay much attention to polls at this point . . . while Bernie Sanders hasn’t conceded the inevitable."
When are we going to get an explanation from the Pulitzer Prize winning NYTimes columnist Paul Krugman detailing how the State Department's Inspector General got it all wrong about this email controversy?
He should also explain why not a single Democratic Party establishment superdelegate “hasn’t conceded the inevitable” conclusion at this point that Hillary Clinton is untrustworthy and not deserving to be the party’s nominee for President of the United States.
When are we going to get an explanation from the Pulitzer Prize winning NYTimes columnist Paul Krugman detailing how the State Department's Inspector General got it all wrong about this email controversy?
He should also explain why not a single Democratic Party establishment superdelegate “hasn’t conceded the inevitable” conclusion at this point that Hillary Clinton is untrustworthy and not deserving to be the party’s nominee for President of the United States.
8
"The truth is that the idea that Donald Trump, of all people, knows how to run the U.S. economy is ludicrous. But will voters ever recognize that truth?"
Dr. Krugman, as an economics professor you should know how to make a better case. You surely must know something about math, right? I suggest working with ZERO. Trump has ZERO experience in government. He has never worked a day of his life in any public office. Here it is for you:
0.00000 (Total Trump government experience)
----------------------------------------------------------
Why don't you use this number in your commentaries, over and over, again? And I don't know why Hillary Clinton does not use it. She could make the sign of a ZERO or a OK sign with the fingers and the thumb. in your face.
Trump is "in your face" with his sound bites. Why isn't Clinton "in your face" with some gestures, like ZERO?
Dr. Krugman, as an economics professor you should know how to make a better case. You surely must know something about math, right? I suggest working with ZERO. Trump has ZERO experience in government. He has never worked a day of his life in any public office. Here it is for you:
0.00000 (Total Trump government experience)
----------------------------------------------------------
Why don't you use this number in your commentaries, over and over, again? And I don't know why Hillary Clinton does not use it. She could make the sign of a ZERO or a OK sign with the fingers and the thumb. in your face.
Trump is "in your face" with his sound bites. Why isn't Clinton "in your face" with some gestures, like ZERO?
18
"In general, you shouldn’t pay much attention to polls at this point, especially with Republicans unifying around Donald Trump while Bernie Sanders hasn’t conceded the INEVITABLE".
I almost spit out my morning coffee when reading this. While it is apparent that Hillary Clinton willfully lied and will likely be recommended for indictment in an upcoming FBI report, Mr. Krugman and the powers that be of the New York Times insist that her nomination, election and coronation are inevitable.
Maybe for them...but not for the rest of us.
Are you listening, California and New Jersey primary voters? Please send Ms. Clinton a loud and clear message on June 7th! We are counting on you.
I almost spit out my morning coffee when reading this. While it is apparent that Hillary Clinton willfully lied and will likely be recommended for indictment in an upcoming FBI report, Mr. Krugman and the powers that be of the New York Times insist that her nomination, election and coronation are inevitable.
Maybe for them...but not for the rest of us.
Are you listening, California and New Jersey primary voters? Please send Ms. Clinton a loud and clear message on June 7th! We are counting on you.
19
Still a Hillary shill, eh Paul. Found out a very probable reason for your doing so just the other day. Seems in 1999 you got paid $50,000.00 by ENRON for an adviser fee! Wrote a positive piece for ENRON, believe it was in Forbes magazine. Paul that was not only bad judgement on your part, it also is no different than Hillary's Wall St. speeches. And the republican tactic of pooh poohing it as old news, after stalling, is a hound that just won't hunt anymore. Bad judgement in 1999 and bad judgement today!
26
Mr Krugman:
I recall this line from earlier coverage in the NYT, within the last month, "Remember, too, that Mr. Trump is a clear case of someone born on third base who imagines that he hit a triple..".
Doesn't this deserve attribution?
I recall this line from earlier coverage in the NYT, within the last month, "Remember, too, that Mr. Trump is a clear case of someone born on third base who imagines that he hit a triple..".
Doesn't this deserve attribution?
3
As someone who can appreciate these things, I have to admire the good doctor's passive-aggressive mention of Hoover as a successful businessman.
Sometimes it's better to leave the punchline unsaid.
Sometimes it's better to leave the punchline unsaid.
2
"... several recent polls showing Mr. Trump favored over Hillary Clinton on the question of who can best manage the economy."
If you want to fathom the complete, utter political incompetence, the sheer uselessness of the Democratic party, that's all you have to know. That after two generations of failed conservative economics the GOP is not only not laugh-out-loud ludicrous to the nation and world, but preferred. You don't think it might have anything to do with the fact Ds not only don't rebut con market economics, but ape as much of it as they can so as to snuggle up to the donor constituency. They attempt to mollify their voters by claiming to care about the exploited yet do nothing politically but tinker around the edges. It's no wonder when the country got NAFTA signed by a D president, it got Wall Street deregulation signed by a D president (both the husband of the certain D nominee, of course), it got persistence toward another "free" trade agreement (TPP) out of President Useless when he persisted on nothing else economically, it got the insurance industry more deeply embedded into the broken American health care system, ...
So yeah, Krugman "was struck" by those polls. And guess who K has thrown his hat in the ring for? That's right, Clinton, who along with her husband are singularly responsible for making the D party the failure it is today.
I stopped reading after the first paragraph. No reason to continue. It's the D party's delusion of competence. Not Trump's.
If you want to fathom the complete, utter political incompetence, the sheer uselessness of the Democratic party, that's all you have to know. That after two generations of failed conservative economics the GOP is not only not laugh-out-loud ludicrous to the nation and world, but preferred. You don't think it might have anything to do with the fact Ds not only don't rebut con market economics, but ape as much of it as they can so as to snuggle up to the donor constituency. They attempt to mollify their voters by claiming to care about the exploited yet do nothing politically but tinker around the edges. It's no wonder when the country got NAFTA signed by a D president, it got Wall Street deregulation signed by a D president (both the husband of the certain D nominee, of course), it got persistence toward another "free" trade agreement (TPP) out of President Useless when he persisted on nothing else economically, it got the insurance industry more deeply embedded into the broken American health care system, ...
So yeah, Krugman "was struck" by those polls. And guess who K has thrown his hat in the ring for? That's right, Clinton, who along with her husband are singularly responsible for making the D party the failure it is today.
I stopped reading after the first paragraph. No reason to continue. It's the D party's delusion of competence. Not Trump's.
7
As I told a Trump supporter just the other day: this man wants to run the largest economy in the world and he has not even been so much as the mayor of a small town. What in the world are people thinking? He knows nothing of governance, nothing about U.S. or world economies, nothing of the law and has no military experience either. (Unless you want to count four deferrals in order to avoid serving in Vietnam.) And some still think he'll do fine as President? This level of wishful thinking and naivete could effectively destroy the U.S.--and possibly the global economy as a whole and plunge us all into a world wide recession. My friends' response: crickets. No answers. Can you imagine hiring a businessman to be your cardiac surgeon? Can you imagine hiring a businessman to be your pilot? Can you imagine hiring a businessman as your hairstylist? No? Well then why in the world would we think that this four times failed businessman can run the U.S.? This election is nothing short of terrifying.
29
Yes, from the point of view of businessmen, that is employers, cutting wages is always good. But a national policy of minimizing wages would be nothing new if Trump is elected. This has always been the Republican policy, and it has been effectively mimicked by the dominant faction of the Democratic party for many years. It's too bad that there won't be a candidate with a convincing record of standing up for the benefit of workers rather than corporate profits.
4
No one has even mentioned this yet, if, God forbid, Trump were to become president, what will happen to the White House? Will it have the TRUMP brand somewhere? And the over-the top decorating of his Manhattan living quarters has a Vegas feel to it, will that be part of the re-do. It will be a nightmare to be sure. Just needed to lighten the mood.
This is the longest primary or has gotten more medial coverage than usual. But I am sick to death of Donald Trump. What he says is not that interesting, kind, profound, enduring, or enlightened. If the media has just ignored him or given any other viable candidate the same amount of coverage we would not be in this mess. I for one have stopped watching any political news. There are issues in our everyday world that are virtually ignored because of this. Flint Michigan almost did not make it. The NY Times barely covered it. What else are you all missing? Give Trump a rest or at least highlight the everyday issues the POTUS has to/or should deal with.
This is the longest primary or has gotten more medial coverage than usual. But I am sick to death of Donald Trump. What he says is not that interesting, kind, profound, enduring, or enlightened. If the media has just ignored him or given any other viable candidate the same amount of coverage we would not be in this mess. I for one have stopped watching any political news. There are issues in our everyday world that are virtually ignored because of this. Flint Michigan almost did not make it. The NY Times barely covered it. What else are you all missing? Give Trump a rest or at least highlight the everyday issues the POTUS has to/or should deal with.
8
The problem, Dr. Krugman, is that you are going to be (for the most part) wasting your column from now until the second Tuesday in November. Facts and reason will play almost no role in swaying potential Trump voters. These are people who used watch the Colbert Report and find it entertaining because they interpreted what they saw literally rather than as the satire that is was. The only to possibly reach and sway the majority of them is to reach their basest emotions, which Trump has already done. Now that the emotional connection has been established, it will be that much harder to break. 15-second ads (30 seconds is too long) featuring dark music, grainy photos, and brief statements about his history and contradictory quotations are the only thing that has a chance to break through the Trump force field.
13
One more point about lowering wages. If you do this then workers are forced to apply for safety net programs which will increase the debt. The only answer would be to shrink the safety net and bring more workers into poverty, put them out on the street, without health care or starvation rations of food.
If Trump does not remember from moment to moment what he says perhaps it is early onset senility. He probably needs a nursing home rather than the White House.
If Trump does not remember from moment to moment what he says perhaps it is early onset senility. He probably needs a nursing home rather than the White House.
24
Grover Norquist helped destroy the GOP by deciding the perfect candidate was any “Republican with enough working digits to handle a pen.” Whether he realized it or not, Grover was borrowing the banking industry’s commonly used synonym for a cosigner - An idiot with a pen.
Instead of telling Norquist what to do with his pen, the idiots kept lining up to sign Norquist’s pledge.
By doing his part to eliminate Republicans of substance Norquist helped make Trump look like an unbeatable giant among pygmies.
The problem is, instead of ending up with an idiot with a pen willing to sign anything his party put in front of him, Grover paved the way for a world-class idiot capable of fooling some of the people all of the time, starting with himself.
Instead of telling Norquist what to do with his pen, the idiots kept lining up to sign Norquist’s pledge.
By doing his part to eliminate Republicans of substance Norquist helped make Trump look like an unbeatable giant among pygmies.
The problem is, instead of ending up with an idiot with a pen willing to sign anything his party put in front of him, Grover paved the way for a world-class idiot capable of fooling some of the people all of the time, starting with himself.
28
Trump is just a liar, and the less educated would rather believe rosy lies than the ugly truth.
Given his racist statements against Moslems, and since Moslems and Jews are Semites, Trump is an Anti Semite. Who knew?
Given his racist statements against Moslems, and since Moslems and Jews are Semites, Trump is an Anti Semite. Who knew?
15
Trumps "policies" seem (re)crafted for whatever audience he is trying to whip into a frenzy. For the NRA, he sounded like a full-out gun crazy. For the oil & gas crowd, he sounded like Sarah Palin on strong hormones. Never mind what he might have said before. I'm pretty sure his economic "positions" are only semi-related to actual facts, proven principles, etc.
10
I'll take the delusional blowhard over the smug liar.
9
Excellent dissection of how Mr. Trump performs his magic act during almost any interview: http://politi.co/1TELjM1
Must reading for journalists.
Must reading for journalists.
The problem is that cheerleaders are no longer cheering or even cheerful. They are irrelevant.
As Hillary gets more and more mired (according to NYT) in her own mistakes, misjudgment, and arrogance, Sanders has a real chance for nomination. I hope Clintonites will keep their word to vote for whoever the Democratic nominee is going to be.
As Hillary gets more and more mired (according to NYT) in her own mistakes, misjudgment, and arrogance, Sanders has a real chance for nomination. I hope Clintonites will keep their word to vote for whoever the Democratic nominee is going to be.
7
Trumped by the Google search and the "Smart" phone ...
"But will voters recognize that truth?" Krugman implicitly assumes that truth can be recognized given evidence and argument. But ask any random person what significance contradiction has on determining the validity of an argument, nearly all will not understand the question. Furthermore, how do you persuade someone your facts are real and their's not when most do not understand logic, particularly inductive and deductive reasoning. "The truth always wins in the end." (From Ben Kingsley in Ghandi) That seems comforting, but is it true?
Apparently the U.S. has reached a point of relativism that truth is mutative, what is true for one is not for all, each has their own truth. Furthermore, nearly all positions can be "validated" by internet "research".
Try Googling the following: (or feel free to think up something crazy all your own)
>>Nixon's involvement in JFK assasination?
>>Did Hitler survive the war?
>>Myths about the great depression.
We have returned to a world that we have been struggling to leave since Socrates. The Wests long ascent to rational thought has been completely undermined by the internet. For nearly any wild position, a web page can be found to support it. What is true is not what actually is true, but rather what the preponderance of voters "believe" to be true. Evidence and reason have been Trumped by the Google search and the "Smart" phone.
"But will voters recognize that truth?" Krugman implicitly assumes that truth can be recognized given evidence and argument. But ask any random person what significance contradiction has on determining the validity of an argument, nearly all will not understand the question. Furthermore, how do you persuade someone your facts are real and their's not when most do not understand logic, particularly inductive and deductive reasoning. "The truth always wins in the end." (From Ben Kingsley in Ghandi) That seems comforting, but is it true?
Apparently the U.S. has reached a point of relativism that truth is mutative, what is true for one is not for all, each has their own truth. Furthermore, nearly all positions can be "validated" by internet "research".
Try Googling the following: (or feel free to think up something crazy all your own)
>>Nixon's involvement in JFK assasination?
>>Did Hitler survive the war?
>>Myths about the great depression.
We have returned to a world that we have been struggling to leave since Socrates. The Wests long ascent to rational thought has been completely undermined by the internet. For nearly any wild position, a web page can be found to support it. What is true is not what actually is true, but rather what the preponderance of voters "believe" to be true. Evidence and reason have been Trumped by the Google search and the "Smart" phone.
5
A bad argument could be made for Trumpismo, back last year (a year!) when he said, yes, he would hand over his tax returns, Mexico would pay for the Wall, 11,000,000 people would be deported, and Muslims would be stopped at the gate until.... whenever, and women were dogs.
He stuck with all that for months, the crowds adored him, claiming he knew exactly what they wanted, oh, yes, millions couldn't wait to vote for him.
But all that stopped a month or so ago.
Contradictions started leaking in.
Old mainstays got dropped, never to be heard again.
Now he is just a typical Republican, down to the one last item on the agenda.
The demonization and regulation of women.
Women who have abortions must "be punished".
Heard that one before.
Clinton is "a low-life".
Heard that one before.
The top Latina in the Republican Party is lazy and slow, incompetent.
Heard that one before.
Elizabeth Warren is a racial smear.
Yup.
Ditto. Yawn.
No more "wall" talk.
The Mayor of London is welcome, why, Trump didn't mean HIM!!!
Deportation has been dropped.
And his tax returns are "none of your business".
Oh, and Bruce Jenner can stay out of Trump's bathroom.
But the War on Women? That Republican staple? The Holy Grail of the Party of Stupid?
Stop that? Give up that?
Why there wouldn't be any reason to continue to exist!!!
There we go, folks.
That's all there is to Trump and the Republican Party: Ladyparts.
Stop expecting any thing else from these clowns.
An economic policy?
Faggitaboutit!
He stuck with all that for months, the crowds adored him, claiming he knew exactly what they wanted, oh, yes, millions couldn't wait to vote for him.
But all that stopped a month or so ago.
Contradictions started leaking in.
Old mainstays got dropped, never to be heard again.
Now he is just a typical Republican, down to the one last item on the agenda.
The demonization and regulation of women.
Women who have abortions must "be punished".
Heard that one before.
Clinton is "a low-life".
Heard that one before.
The top Latina in the Republican Party is lazy and slow, incompetent.
Heard that one before.
Elizabeth Warren is a racial smear.
Yup.
Ditto. Yawn.
No more "wall" talk.
The Mayor of London is welcome, why, Trump didn't mean HIM!!!
Deportation has been dropped.
And his tax returns are "none of your business".
Oh, and Bruce Jenner can stay out of Trump's bathroom.
But the War on Women? That Republican staple? The Holy Grail of the Party of Stupid?
Stop that? Give up that?
Why there wouldn't be any reason to continue to exist!!!
There we go, folks.
That's all there is to Trump and the Republican Party: Ladyparts.
Stop expecting any thing else from these clowns.
An economic policy?
Faggitaboutit!
21
Everything you say here is correct, Paul; however, the people who need to read this will not nor do they read NYTimes. Trump's 'campaign' is devoid of intellectual content. It's all about emotion and that emotion is fear. And intellectually cogent arguments are useless against fear. But, Paul, you're still correct! Even though it doesn't matter.
12
If someone's idea of success includes putting the screws to God knows how many workers, suppliers, vendors and investors, Trump is definitely your guy.
If those pesky tax returns offered actual proof that Trump is every bit as awesome as he claims, he'd have Tweeted the damn things by now.
For proof of GOP economic brilliance, take a long, sad look at Kansas.
If those pesky tax returns offered actual proof that Trump is every bit as awesome as he claims, he'd have Tweeted the damn things by now.
For proof of GOP economic brilliance, take a long, sad look at Kansas.
17
I guess that many of you do not understand why we are backing Trump. We are tired of the current situation. Trump promises to change that .HC does not . Ergo, he'is the only viable candidate. Do you think , that as a columnist you have done anything to correct the problems that we are experiencing, by supporting the status quo? Shame on you!
23
- Will voters ever recognize the truth?
Those of us who read Mr. Krugman in the New York Times probably already know this truth. Those who are voting for Trump probably do not read The New York Times much less Mr. Krugman. Alas.
Those of us who read Mr. Krugman in the New York Times probably already know this truth. Those who are voting for Trump probably do not read The New York Times much less Mr. Krugman. Alas.
123
paul - where did you ever get the idea that an american president, or any world leader, runs an economy, on the national or global scale?
4
I wish people were as interested in the dismal science as they are in the dismal candidate this year.
7
Wasn't it Ross Perot, not so very long ago, who attracted a considerable following, preaching basically that he could run the country like a business? We've heard that refrain countless times from the GOP. Their being "the party of fiscal responsibility" is a myth, and easily disproved by the statistics and records over the years. But... yeah... who cares about facts?
17
Sorry, but I just think Trump is clinically ill. He is THE poster child for Narcissistic Personality Disorder. We have not had a person in the White House with a true need for a psychiatrist since Grant with his alcoholism or Lincoln with his depression. People who say that "Hillary is just as bad" don't have a clue how dangerous this deranged individual can be to the nation. Many of the Republicans in leadership roles are not supporting him, and it is not always because of a policy disagreement. They know him and are flat scared to put him in the driver's seat. As Jeb Bush said, "The man needs therapy."
22
I cannot understand why - with all of the talented rich people who care about people - we had to wind up with the someone like Trump. Why not Buffet or Gates? I have a feeling - no data - that the people who are in favor of Trump hated the Kennedys because of their wealth and priviledge. They were not perfect but at least they tried to help people.
7
I keep thinking that the last time the world had a loud mouth with an unusual haircut who railed against "other" groups of people to churn up his followers,who didn't make a lot of sense, who was more show than substance, it didn't work out so well.
8
As usual, you ignore the obvious. Wage cuts would be bad for workers. That is the economy.
5
Google "Personality Disorders Donald Trump". That explains what we are seeing.
7
If you want to talk about Trump's energy policy, all you have to say is that Trump is a loser, backing losers. Coal has already lost - to natural gas, which is a lot cheaper and has been for several years. Case closed.
7
Well one truism is that most Americans are stupid, naive and are susceptible to the slick ads from networks who are nothing more than propaganda machine. We Americans have a bumper sticker mentality and depend on gut feelings more than logical reasoning. Oh well let the cards fall where they may and we will suck up and bear it in our corporate ignorance as usual.
2
What signs are there that Donald Trump could actually function within the larges bureaucracy, most overheated political arena and the World's Most Important Stage? Consider:
1. As the owner of a closely-held corporation, he has no Board or Shareholders to answer to. Also, he makes the final decision on everything. Spoiled brat?
2. Trump is an outlier even within the GOP. He says what he feels at the moment, attacks any other viewpoints and, with his ego, would certainly not be willing to listen to any advisors whatsoever.
3. He has already picked a fight with British Prime Minister David Cameron about police, in some parts of London, fearing for their lives. Why did he even assert his "Expert Opinion" where it was neither wanted, nor asked fore?
People like Donald Trump should only be allowed out with a hazardous waste warning emblazoned upon them
https://thetruthoncommonsense.com
1. As the owner of a closely-held corporation, he has no Board or Shareholders to answer to. Also, he makes the final decision on everything. Spoiled brat?
2. Trump is an outlier even within the GOP. He says what he feels at the moment, attacks any other viewpoints and, with his ego, would certainly not be willing to listen to any advisors whatsoever.
3. He has already picked a fight with British Prime Minister David Cameron about police, in some parts of London, fearing for their lives. Why did he even assert his "Expert Opinion" where it was neither wanted, nor asked fore?
People like Donald Trump should only be allowed out with a hazardous waste warning emblazoned upon them
https://thetruthoncommonsense.com
11
No.
2
Many politicians suffer from the "Dunning-Kruger" effect.
You don't have to be wise to be financially successful; clever, hard working, manipulative........yes, but not wise; and wisdom is what is needed and in short supply.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunning%E2%80%93Kruger_effect
Many, many people think that a person who is financially successful must be smart and wise, but most often that is not the case. They get elected to office because they are charismatic, good(?) orators, drive a nice car, live in a big house, yada, yada.......
You don't have to be wise to be financially successful; clever, hard working, manipulative........yes, but not wise; and wisdom is what is needed and in short supply.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunning%E2%80%93Kruger_effect
Many, many people think that a person who is financially successful must be smart and wise, but most often that is not the case. They get elected to office because they are charismatic, good(?) orators, drive a nice car, live in a big house, yada, yada.......
3
To Trump, campaigning on being "a very rich man" while snapping that his taxes are "none of your business," I say: Show me the money!
14
The line about being on third base and thinking he hit a triple is spot on. Dude was born into privilege. He is insecure at his base. Never wrong, wags his finger incessantly, goes into vicious attack if he senses the slightest of slights. And his hair! you'd think with all that money he could fabricate something a little more natural. But I digress. Actually, the fact that he is a megalomaniac scares me most. Can you imagine the YES men/women he'd appoint? I don't see him heeding advice.
9
Paul, PLEASE stop writing articles critical of Mr Trump based on logic. There is a small but real chance that a few people who might vote for Mr Trump will read it, and after doing so will be completely convinced to vote for him.
1
I'm wondering if Paul really understands how to run a business. As President, Trump can't fire or lay off Americans when the economy falls short ("Sorry, we don't have enough work for you so you'll have to leave!). He can't eject states that are always in the red. He can't file Chapter 11 bankruptcy every time he can't pay his bills. Why can't the Dems get out even the SIMPLEST messages?!!! Horrible essay, Paul.
4
Americans believe someone rich and famous must also be smart and hard-working. After all that's the only way you get to be rich and famous. And Trump himself has told us, “You have to be wealthy in order to be great, I’m sorry to say.” So now we know why Gandhi wasn't great, Einstein wasn't great, and Christ wasn't great. Losers, all.
7
That "substance-free news coverage" is the key. It seems to be in the interest of the controllers of our "news media" to have it so. And frequently our "news" is pure and shameless propaganda for the status quo. Historians debate the fall of the Roman Empire. If we lose our democracy...our new media will be a major cause. And as in most narratives villains as symbols will be cited. Murdoch and his empire will have a firm place in history. -Rudy
3
Pot, meet kettle.
2
Democratic elections place no competence requirement on the candidates. Ignorant selfish voters choose leaders with similar qualities. You get what you educate for, you might say.
3
Four corporate bankruptcies, Trump Air Failed, Trump University not only failed but fraudulent, Trump Steaks did not sizzle, his pretentious hotels built with Mafia cement and immigrant labor, his father's fortune based on Federal loan programs, Mar-a-Lago soon to be literally under water...we can go on.
8
Another Trump column, hating on stupid, hating on the obvious. Another elitist, solidifying elite opinion, when many (most?) voters decide on a gut level. For all his brains and Nobel prize, PK and other media figures just cannot figure out how to stop digging this hole, and their candidate Clinton is going to fall right in it.
23
Here's a real problem for the Democrats: since the economy does better under Democrats than Republicans--something that has been true for decades and has been known for decades--why do people think the economy does better under Republicans? Doesn't the persistence of this belief represent a colossal failure on the part of the Democrats?
7
A Big Business narcissist appointing two pro Big Business SCOTUS cronies. It scares the Hell out of me. Are the majority of American people really that dumb? Too much Fox news and cell phone time?
8
His recent press conference sums it up: I don't know anything about the issue (a pipeline) but I have an opinion and would approve it anyway! Of course, this is the approach of the Glenn Becks of the world. "Don't bother me with the facts or book larnin'!!"
7
Krugman, you nailed it! The only thing I would have added was a few colorful insults. Strictly for effect, you understand :)
2
Krugman forgot the mention that the NYTimes was saved from ruin with a $250 million in 2009 by a Mexican robber baron Carlos Slim.
Krugman works for a bankrupt enterprise and he wants to lecture us on economic policy?
Trump is popular because he questions the conventional wisdom that the U.S.A. needs free trade at the cost of our jobs, that unfair trade practices are business as usual, that outsourcing jobs and industries will somehow benefit American workers.
People like Krugman inhabit a fantasy world where you can be wrong and still be paid with borrowed money; he's an economist for the NYTimes.
Krugman works for a bankrupt enterprise and he wants to lecture us on economic policy?
Trump is popular because he questions the conventional wisdom that the U.S.A. needs free trade at the cost of our jobs, that unfair trade practices are business as usual, that outsourcing jobs and industries will somehow benefit American workers.
People like Krugman inhabit a fantasy world where you can be wrong and still be paid with borrowed money; he's an economist for the NYTimes.
4
A big failure. Everything he touches turns to orange. Fake orange, of course.
4
In general, posturing and braggadocio do not indicate competence. The more Donald Trump crows about how he has the best buildings, the most money, the biggest fortune etc etc etc -- the more I think: He lies, and for heaven's sake, look how insecure he is.
14
Well, we all know how "fake" life in America has become, so why not a Fake President? It doesn't seem to matter in our lousy 2-party system who is in the White House. The opposition will block the road into and out of town. Trump? A clown for sure. Hillary Clinton? A bit better, and a woman, and it's time for a Woman President. Yeah, FAKE is in, so maybe Trump/Drumph has a shot...
The truths you speak in regards to the illusions Mr. Trump creates, mean little or nothing.
Eventually the real truth will win out, but in the mean time, he is taking the public for suckers and they are the willing Lemmings following him off a cliff.
Eventually the real truth will win out, but in the mean time, he is taking the public for suckers and they are the willing Lemmings following him off a cliff.
1
Mr. Trump has made so many contradictory statements, the smoke has obscured how he would really lead. You can’t spitball, or shoot from the lip as leader of the free world, or politicking with the other branches of the federal government.
2
All these reports here about how bad Trump really is gets boring. We got it, Thank you. But please focus on Hillary Clinton. Who is that woman, who is voting for her, what did she do as Secretary of State (other than writing emails). what did she achieve as NY representative, who is the real Hillary.
2
I await the comments that will use this column as a method of attacking Hillary Clinton, although her name is nowhere to be found in it. Sigh.
3
Ms. Clinton will not handle the economy. As she announced, it will be her husband.
2
Okay, Mr. Krugman, I don't know if you coined this phrase originally, but it's a good one: "Managing economic policy is all about the feedback." Feedback is an understandable catch phrase that could explain Democratic Party economic policies to the American worker -- especially Feedback vs. Trickle Down. If someone (say Hillary Clinton) could get your message to the voters: "It's all about the feedback, sweetheart," well, she might get something catchy going.
3
Extremism in economics arises from frustration with the results on left and right.
When you state that Bernie (who needs 2/3 in California to win the nomination) has no chance, it kind of undermines the rest of your article....
Trump certainly knows how to go bankrupt, and just as certainly brags he came out on top, spitting on his small business suppliers he buried in his ego.
4
Trump says the same things which Berlusconi said when he entered the Italian political arena (and they have the same attitude at manipulating media, at saying something and then immediately saying they have been misunderstood...at being verbally violent or abusive toward someone and then complain if that someone reacts calling him violent and abusive).
The sad part is that also US people are reacting the same way Italian did over 20 years ago...they falsely believe that a business man cares about other people (he might, but his first "job" is to make money), that successful businessman would make also his followers richer, that he has enough money so he would do everything right because he has no interest in having more money and power....wrong, simply wrong....
The sad part is that also US people are reacting the same way Italian did over 20 years ago...they falsely believe that a business man cares about other people (he might, but his first "job" is to make money), that successful businessman would make also his followers richer, that he has enough money so he would do everything right because he has no interest in having more money and power....wrong, simply wrong....
6
H.L. Mencken:
“No one in this world…has ever lost money by underestimating the intelligence of the great masses of the plain people. Nor has anyone ever lost public office thereby.”
“No one in this world…has ever lost money by underestimating the intelligence of the great masses of the plain people. Nor has anyone ever lost public office thereby.”
7
This is a lopsided, angry, partisan rant even by your standards, Paul.
After 8 average-at-best, numbers skewered years under the far less than skilled political organizer Obama, the economy...and America are ready for real change. In reality, Hillary offers a much more Republican-like take on politics and the economy than anyone.
After 8 average-at-best, numbers skewered years under the far less than skilled political organizer Obama, the economy...and America are ready for real change. In reality, Hillary offers a much more Republican-like take on politics and the economy than anyone.
1
I agree with most of what you are saying, but don't discount the polls because you don't like them. It's not honest to say that polls only matter when they agree with the conclusion you started with.
So can we apply the same logic to everything? Just because someone is a good economist, does that make them a good political operative?
I believe that American voters will make the right choice in November no matter what any polls say. And thanks to the US Constitution, America is a great country that has and will outlive all our bad Presidents so "bring 'em on."
Bernie,after sitting idle and ignored for years in congress,is on an amazing ego trip that he simply refuses to end.His latest escapade,to agree to a debate with The Idiotic Donald,will do more damage to his recently adopted party than he has already managed to do.His constant cries of 'foul play" re:the DNC being "rigged"is merely a case of not doing his homework and throwing a hissy fit about being unprepared to play by rules set in place in 2014.
In a debate with DJT he will end up parroting the idiotic and false criticisms of HRC instead of talking policy which neither of them have done to date.Let's hope no one will put up the 15 million DJT wants["for women's issues"]..puhleese.When will everyone realize HRC is the only QUALIFIED candidate running in this scary contest?
In a debate with DJT he will end up parroting the idiotic and false criticisms of HRC instead of talking policy which neither of them have done to date.Let's hope no one will put up the 15 million DJT wants["for women's issues"]..puhleese.When will everyone realize HRC is the only QUALIFIED candidate running in this scary contest?
7
To put it bluntly ... the human race (that is, of course, Americans - because who else out there really matters, anayway?) has mastered the art of convincing itself that True is False and False is True ... advertising wins over facts ...
... is this where we make the final mistake that ensures that we doom all future generations so that we can relish some adolescent self-centered belief about something we refer to as our individual liberties?
shame on us; ethical empathetic human beings can do better than this.
... is this where we make the final mistake that ensures that we doom all future generations so that we can relish some adolescent self-centered belief about something we refer to as our individual liberties?
shame on us; ethical empathetic human beings can do better than this.
3
Where is the passion to make our Union Stronger? Where is his history of "caring" about anything besides personal aggrandizement and p[pursuit of personal gain? Where is the INTELLECT and deliberation we require of our President and Commander? You won't find that at Trump Tower. I know, I've been there.
6
I disagree with you on one point, Professor Krugman: I believe that success in business should IMMEDIATELY disqualify someone from running the government, period. Not because the economic reality of leading a successful business is fundamentally different than leading a country, but because the political reality of leading a successful business is fundamentally different than leading a democracy.
2
Perforce I must agree with you, Dr. Krugman. Trump is incapable of running the US economy. Even more ludicrous, however, would be Mrs. Clinton running it.
What we have here is an upcoming election with no candidates worthy of it. None.
What we have here is an upcoming election with no candidates worthy of it. None.
2
"even though the economy has consistently performed better under Democratic presidents."
Are you saying that Obama is really good at improving the economy? You libs keep bringing back GW Bush when that question comes up but all statistics show that the economy is still sick despite almost 8 years of Democratic rule.
The cons have done well despite the fact that the middle class---the group that should be supported by the libs---has done very poorly.
How about Carter's economy?
Would Truman's economic policies have been successful if he had not had the post war boom to propel it?
Did FDR really excel? Why did it take a war to get us out of the depression?
Back to Clinton: The dot com bubble propelled him and that got very few of us wealthy---again, mostly money holders. Most of us lost money when the bubble burst.
You do need to be more persuasive, as you mentioned in this article, in getting your message across. You haven't persuaded me.
Are you saying that Obama is really good at improving the economy? You libs keep bringing back GW Bush when that question comes up but all statistics show that the economy is still sick despite almost 8 years of Democratic rule.
The cons have done well despite the fact that the middle class---the group that should be supported by the libs---has done very poorly.
How about Carter's economy?
Would Truman's economic policies have been successful if he had not had the post war boom to propel it?
Did FDR really excel? Why did it take a war to get us out of the depression?
Back to Clinton: The dot com bubble propelled him and that got very few of us wealthy---again, mostly money holders. Most of us lost money when the bubble burst.
You do need to be more persuasive, as you mentioned in this article, in getting your message across. You haven't persuaded me.
2
When Trump's businesses fail, he declare bankruptcy and moves on.
I wonder how that model will work for America?
I wonder how that model will work for America?
8
Mr. Krugman speaks from experience.
The answer to Mr. Krugman's last question is NO. The masses are....... you-know- what.
Being 'delusional' is Mr. Trump's problem, and he has clearly learned to live and prosper by it. As to why so many of his followers fail to see his delusion was summarized by Shakespeare over 400 years ago: 'The fault, dear Brutus, lies not in our stars, but in ourselves .....'
Many people (voters, mostly) are born stupid, and choose to stay (and vote) that way, but why so many ostensibly intelligent members of the 'fourth-estate' echo such sentiments is quite a mystery. Maybe its because they just aren't ad intelligent as we think they are.
Jus sayin'
Many people (voters, mostly) are born stupid, and choose to stay (and vote) that way, but why so many ostensibly intelligent members of the 'fourth-estate' echo such sentiments is quite a mystery. Maybe its because they just aren't ad intelligent as we think they are.
Jus sayin'
2
I once thought that Krugman was an economist, but I was wrong. Maybe he was before he won his Nobel Prize, but like Obama he decided to use the prize as a springboard for other ambitions. Krugman became a nutwing economist in that great Republican tradition of Austrian nutwing economists, the better to trash Bernie Sanders, and Obama became the Obomber in order to make his bones in the Great War on Terror, in which we are disconcertingly allied with Saudi Arabia, which is the source of all Sunni terror!
Well what the Hell? Kissinger won a Noble after he orchestrated the terror bombing of North Vietnamese paddy dikes to ultimately starve 1,000,000 peasants. Teddy Roosevelt got one for acting as mediary between China and Japan, after he had encouraged Japan to attack China in order to open up China's Markets. Who'd a thought that a Nobel would become the mark of a dangerous nutwing? But it apparently has.
Well what the Hell? Kissinger won a Noble after he orchestrated the terror bombing of North Vietnamese paddy dikes to ultimately starve 1,000,000 peasants. Teddy Roosevelt got one for acting as mediary between China and Japan, after he had encouraged Japan to attack China in order to open up China's Markets. Who'd a thought that a Nobel would become the mark of a dangerous nutwing? But it apparently has.
1
Relax, people. Don't trouble yourselves about Trump's lack of knowledge or curiosity, made up for by a stunning level of hubris.
He's already announced that he doesn't plan to trouble his pretty little head with the detail stuff--he'll have people for that. He's not going to be the CEO and certainly not the COO, more like the chairman of the board. He's just going to go around making sure everything is great and firing up the troops (literally).
If you want to worry about something, worry about who he'll put in charge. Now that's something truly terrifying. Secretary of the Treasury Larry Kudlow?
He's already announced that he doesn't plan to trouble his pretty little head with the detail stuff--he'll have people for that. He's not going to be the CEO and certainly not the COO, more like the chairman of the board. He's just going to go around making sure everything is great and firing up the troops (literally).
If you want to worry about something, worry about who he'll put in charge. Now that's something truly terrifying. Secretary of the Treasury Larry Kudlow?
2
Gee, Paul, if you're so good at economics, why aren't you a billionaire? (I am just taking on the burden of writing the clueless comment so that no one else has to.)
2
(T)heir thoughts...are commonly exercised rather about the interest of their own particular branch of business, than about that of the society....The interest of the dealers...in any particular branch of trade or manufactures, is always in some respects different from, and even opposite to, that of the publick....The proposal of any new law or regulation of commerce which comes from this order, ought always to be listed to with great precaution....It comes from an order of men, whose interst is never exactly the same with that of the publick, who have generally an interest to deceive and even to oppress the publick, and who accordingly have, upon many occasions, both deceived and oppressed it."
Adam Smith, *Wealth of Nations,* I.xi.p (end of first book)
Adam Smith, *Wealth of Nations,* I.xi.p (end of first book)
1
Mr Krugman:
Trump's incompetence, general ignorance & unsuitability to be President is no recommendation to support Hillary Clinton a.k.a. Drama Queen of the Potomac. Choosing between a moron (Trump) & a scheming, lying, pandering, self-entitled, overly ambitious politician (Hillary Rodham Clinton) is no choice or at least no good choice.
If the purpose of the Democratic nominating process is to select someone who will actually win in November the choice is obvious- Senator Bernie Sanders. If the purpose is to make a bunch of long time Clinton supporters happy by nominating her regardless of her considerable and ongoing baggage your choice might be Hillary Clinton.
As to things being inevitable, neither ms Clinton or Senator Sanders can get a first ballot nomination based upon Pledged Delegates. Super Delegates are going to pick who gets to be the nominee and Ms Clinton has an appointment with the F.B.I. over those "damn emails" & it looks far more serious than Ms Clinton or her minions (whom I count you among) have let on or admitted to.
The email thing & her speeches to Wall Street which she has yet to release show us all we need to know to not support her. She thinks rules, laws & good sense apply only to the little people and she most certainly is not one of them. Behind her veil of secrecy, she wants us to just to take her word on so many things she will not come clean on.
If Hillary is elected she will be Impeached by a Republican Congress. Is that what you want?
Trump's incompetence, general ignorance & unsuitability to be President is no recommendation to support Hillary Clinton a.k.a. Drama Queen of the Potomac. Choosing between a moron (Trump) & a scheming, lying, pandering, self-entitled, overly ambitious politician (Hillary Rodham Clinton) is no choice or at least no good choice.
If the purpose of the Democratic nominating process is to select someone who will actually win in November the choice is obvious- Senator Bernie Sanders. If the purpose is to make a bunch of long time Clinton supporters happy by nominating her regardless of her considerable and ongoing baggage your choice might be Hillary Clinton.
As to things being inevitable, neither ms Clinton or Senator Sanders can get a first ballot nomination based upon Pledged Delegates. Super Delegates are going to pick who gets to be the nominee and Ms Clinton has an appointment with the F.B.I. over those "damn emails" & it looks far more serious than Ms Clinton or her minions (whom I count you among) have let on or admitted to.
The email thing & her speeches to Wall Street which she has yet to release show us all we need to know to not support her. She thinks rules, laws & good sense apply only to the little people and she most certainly is not one of them. Behind her veil of secrecy, she wants us to just to take her word on so many things she will not come clean on.
If Hillary is elected she will be Impeached by a Republican Congress. Is that what you want?
2
"America is a stupid country." - Bill Maher
10
Krugman, where art thou?
Clinton, Inc.? Inc.-ed in Delaware. They're not in business?
Not only are they in business. Their ROI, starting with nothing and offering to sell their public service, thereby amassing a 1%-er fortune, trumps Trump's ROI by a country mile.
Clinton, Inc.? Inc.-ed in Delaware. They're not in business?
Not only are they in business. Their ROI, starting with nothing and offering to sell their public service, thereby amassing a 1%-er fortune, trumps Trump's ROI by a country mile.
2
The Clinton campaign should make a TV ad that shows Trump calling for lower wages and then broadcast that ad to all the white working-class voters who -- we are told -- support Trump because they are "struggling to get by"...
4
The Republicans learned with Reagan that competence isn't what the voters seek - they like an image. Nixon said so in an interview saying that Americans would vote for Hitler if he were packages as a "vegetarian artist that loved dogs".
Reagan was the confident, folksy frontiersman. W was the nice guy you would like to kick back and have a beer with.
Its even more pronounced in lesser offices - Michigan's last Republican Senate candidate was a "nice career civil servant" who, after a meltdown at at the economic forum at Mackinac Island, did not campaign for the office and instead relied on vicious attack ads funded by out of state donors.
Trump's theme is "We're madder than hell and we're not going to take it anymore."
It doesn't matter what they say or think - what's important is that once they get into office that they will do as they are told. That's why we are seeing other Republicans fall in line behind him,
With Trump, you are voting for the same Regonomics that got us where we are today.
Reagan was the confident, folksy frontiersman. W was the nice guy you would like to kick back and have a beer with.
Its even more pronounced in lesser offices - Michigan's last Republican Senate candidate was a "nice career civil servant" who, after a meltdown at at the economic forum at Mackinac Island, did not campaign for the office and instead relied on vicious attack ads funded by out of state donors.
Trump's theme is "We're madder than hell and we're not going to take it anymore."
It doesn't matter what they say or think - what's important is that once they get into office that they will do as they are told. That's why we are seeing other Republicans fall in line behind him,
With Trump, you are voting for the same Regonomics that got us where we are today.
5
"Policy pronouncements?"
"Policy pronouncements?"
You mean like when then-candidate Obama "pronounced" that he would make Wall Street "fatcats" (HIS word) pay for their 'sins', then, as his first act after being elected--not inaugurated, mind you--he invited them all in to his office to talk bailout.
You mean like that "policy pronouncement"? Huh?
You, Paul, don't seem to want to admit that we the people have this thing figured out, and just in the nick of time . Please stop acting as if these silly "pronouncements" mean anything.
We've stopped listening.
"Policy pronouncements?"
You mean like when then-candidate Obama "pronounced" that he would make Wall Street "fatcats" (HIS word) pay for their 'sins', then, as his first act after being elected--not inaugurated, mind you--he invited them all in to his office to talk bailout.
You mean like that "policy pronouncement"? Huh?
You, Paul, don't seem to want to admit that we the people have this thing figured out, and just in the nick of time . Please stop acting as if these silly "pronouncements" mean anything.
We've stopped listening.
2
I challenge from Dr Krugman on one observation.
We very recently had a CEO in the executive branch. Have you forgotten Mr. Dick Cheney who left his job as CEO of Halliburton to select himself as Vice President?
That worked out very well - for Halliburton, not so much for the US.
The same will be true under President Trump.
We very recently had a CEO in the executive branch. Have you forgotten Mr. Dick Cheney who left his job as CEO of Halliburton to select himself as Vice President?
That worked out very well - for Halliburton, not so much for the US.
The same will be true under President Trump.
5
Fat cat Trump also believes he is a comedian. He's a cruel man and vulgar, an imitation wise guy, like the gangsters in a Scorcese movie.
6
Bankrupt the businesses,throw the rest under rugs & get rich quickly from rugs to riches.
2
Trump listen to other "experts" when he considers himself to be the greatest expert? Surely, you jest. Trump is psychologically incapable of real discussion for he hates having his authority or intuition called into question. Serious study and discussion are not the art of Trump's deal.
4
Trump's supporters are tone deaf to what his opponents say
They will need to see and hear Trump saying things that would hurt them, as he has about the minimum wage
" But I think having a low minimum wage is not a bad thing for this country."
Source: Morning Joe, "Trump: Minimum Wage Isn't a Bad Thing," msnbc.com, But I think having a low minimum wage is not a bad thing for this country."
Source: Morning Joe, Aug. 20, 2015
"what I'm really looking to do is get people great jobs so they make much more money than that, so they make more money than the $15. Now, if you start playing around too much with the lower level, the lower level number, you're not going to be competitive..." Source: CNN, "Donald Trump's Official CNN Interview as Presumptive Nominee (Part 2)," youtube.com, May 4, 2016
"I have seen what's going on. And I don't know how people make it on $7.25 an hour. Now, with that being said, I would like to see an increase of some magnitude. But I'd rather leave it to the states. Let the states decide. Because don't forget, the states have to compete with each other." Source: NBC News, "Meet the Press - May 8, 2016," nbcnews.com
"Goofy Elizabeth Warren lied when she says I want to abolish the Federal Minimum Wage. See media—asking for increase!”
Source: Donald Trump, Twitter post, twitter.com, May 11, 2016
We've just reviewed Trump's media statements about the minimum wage. So, Donald, who are your supporters going to believe, you or their own lying eyes?
They will need to see and hear Trump saying things that would hurt them, as he has about the minimum wage
" But I think having a low minimum wage is not a bad thing for this country."
Source: Morning Joe, "Trump: Minimum Wage Isn't a Bad Thing," msnbc.com, But I think having a low minimum wage is not a bad thing for this country."
Source: Morning Joe, Aug. 20, 2015
"what I'm really looking to do is get people great jobs so they make much more money than that, so they make more money than the $15. Now, if you start playing around too much with the lower level, the lower level number, you're not going to be competitive..." Source: CNN, "Donald Trump's Official CNN Interview as Presumptive Nominee (Part 2)," youtube.com, May 4, 2016
"I have seen what's going on. And I don't know how people make it on $7.25 an hour. Now, with that being said, I would like to see an increase of some magnitude. But I'd rather leave it to the states. Let the states decide. Because don't forget, the states have to compete with each other." Source: NBC News, "Meet the Press - May 8, 2016," nbcnews.com
"Goofy Elizabeth Warren lied when she says I want to abolish the Federal Minimum Wage. See media—asking for increase!”
Source: Donald Trump, Twitter post, twitter.com, May 11, 2016
We've just reviewed Trump's media statements about the minimum wage. So, Donald, who are your supporters going to believe, you or their own lying eyes?
4
Your pundit class said Trump was delusional for entering the primary. I guess you were deluded.
https://emcphd.wordpress.com
https://emcphd.wordpress.com
Any one who thinks that a businessman (Trump is not a businessman, he is a trust fund baby who has parlayed his indifferent business record and his flair for self-promotion into a reality TV career) can successfully run a state or national government should come to Michigan. Rick Snyder, the CEO, thought he could run the state better-- came close to being indicted for what he didn't know. It isn't just about the money-- and if you don't believe that, I have a glass of lead tainted drinking water from the city of Flint here for you to drink.
4
Trump is more entertaining than Hillary. There's only one candidate with a message powerful enough, and clear enough to break through "substance-free" news coverage to successfully put the donald away. And it's not Hillary. Time to face the truth, Paul.
1
If Trump is,such a"successful" entrepreneur WHY won't he RELEASE his TAX RETURNS? The media should be pressing this issue every single day. Voters have a right to see. Put your money wealth on display Trump. WHAT are you HIDING in your TAX RETURNS?
5
Voters that think Trump has been successful at running businesses need to take another look. Rolling Stone detailed his multiple failures in March 2016: Trump Airlines, Trump beverages, Trump: The Game, Trump casinos, Trump magazine, Trump Mortgages, Trump Steaks, Trump's travel site, Trump's comms company, Trump Tower Tampa, Trump University, Trump Vodka (http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/donald-trumps-13-biggest-busin...
As one joke has it, Donald Trump was given the name of "Walking Eagle" by an Indian Tribe because he was so full of you know what that he has been unable to fly. I think that gets it right about Mr. Trump and his so-called success in business -- it is all hot air.
As one joke has it, Donald Trump was given the name of "Walking Eagle" by an Indian Tribe because he was so full of you know what that he has been unable to fly. I think that gets it right about Mr. Trump and his so-called success in business -- it is all hot air.
17
Watching Trump on TV at some of his rallies, i noticed, when there is a loud noise or disturbance, Trump flinches or ducks and looks around like a deer in a spotlight, the man is scared to death up on the stage.
6
A few weeks ago Krugman wrote about how this race would not be close. Hillary would win a landslide and the media would make the race seem closer than it actually is. In classic Krugman style he has spent the last few weeks bashing Trump. If Trump is not a threat, then why spend so much time writing about him?
4
What is somewhat shocking is simply that people trust Trump. What about Trump is trustworthy? Why do people believe him when he claims to understand government? Why do people not demand his taxes? The media is scared of him yelling at them. The television media are not doing their jobs. We need answers.
20
I can't wait to see how he would bluster when forced to relinquish control of his businesses if (God forbid) he became president
5
"The truth is that the idea that Donald Trump, of all people, knows how to run the U.S. economy is ludicrous. But will voters ever recognize that truth?" -
The New York Times, the so-called "paper of record" is really reaching as they try everything in their editorial power to enable Hillary Clinton. Is it the hope of The NYT that should she win The Presidency, which is no sure thing, that she will ingratiate and be thankful for The NYT giving her such political cover?
Hate to break it to you, but Hillary Clinton is an evil human being. If she succeeds in getting what she wants, chances are you sycophants at The NYT will be an afterthought.
This is Hillary's Her view on the economy and The American People in general: "EAT CAKE!"
The New York Times, the so-called "paper of record" is really reaching as they try everything in their editorial power to enable Hillary Clinton. Is it the hope of The NYT that should she win The Presidency, which is no sure thing, that she will ingratiate and be thankful for The NYT giving her such political cover?
Hate to break it to you, but Hillary Clinton is an evil human being. If she succeeds in getting what she wants, chances are you sycophants at The NYT will be an afterthought.
This is Hillary's Her view on the economy and The American People in general: "EAT CAKE!"
1
I am hopeful that Trump will once again prove Lincoln right:
You can fool all the people some of the time, and some of the people all the time, but you cannot fool all the people all the time.
You can fool all the people some of the time, and some of the people all the time, but you cannot fool all the people all the time.
8
Email from an alarmed elderly gentleman from overseas, "Hiroshima bomb like news for Americans, is that Trump has won the required Republican delegates." Oh Boy.
7
Trump did not do what limousine liberals do with their money, "park it in an index fund".
They use it to build and create jobs.
That's the difference.
Hillary went from "Dead Broke" to amassing a staggering $3,000,000,000.00 family slush fund in just a couple years as a "public servant".
Go Hillary. LOL
They use it to build and create jobs.
That's the difference.
Hillary went from "Dead Broke" to amassing a staggering $3,000,000,000.00 family slush fund in just a couple years as a "public servant".
Go Hillary. LOL
6
"The truth is that the idea that Donald Trump, of all people, knows how to run the U.S. economy is ludicrous. But will voters ever recognize that truth?" It's hard to say. When an economist like Dr. Krugman tells his readers that America cannot afford universal healthcare and free college when our friends in France and Canada, and Denmark have both and pay far less than we do, we question the "truth" of economists. We also wonder how we can support a candidate handicapped by scandal whose choice by Democrats may deliver the election to Mr. Trump? What should voters do Dr. Krugman? Listen to you?
1
Another claim Trump is fond of making is that he will help our economy because he is such a good deal maker. If he’s so great at making deals then why couldn’t he good deal himself a casino in Atlantic City that wouldn’t go bankrupt?
8
If you want to consider arrogance, Hill is right up there with the best of them.
1
Professor Krugman.
You don't understand the phenomenon of "populism".
You missed it in your analysis of Sanders as well.
This psychotic moment in American history is defined
by delusion and irrational anger amongst a disenfranchised
populace who the huckster, Trump has masterfully wrapped
around his little fingers.
Wake up Paul !
Wake up America !!
You don't understand the phenomenon of "populism".
You missed it in your analysis of Sanders as well.
This psychotic moment in American history is defined
by delusion and irrational anger amongst a disenfranchised
populace who the huckster, Trump has masterfully wrapped
around his little fingers.
Wake up Paul !
Wake up America !!
2
Bernie is NOT delaying an inevitable end to his campaign. With Trump a world-wide object of ridicule, and Hillary's lies under investigation by two Federal departments, Bernie could and should win the White House.
"The truth is that the idea that Donald Trump, of all people, knows how to run the U.S. economy is ludicrous."
Really? Perhaps he can do a better job than a community organizer?
Really? Perhaps he can do a better job than a community organizer?
1
Perceived competence doesn't win elections. Just ask Dukakis. Or Bob Dole. Or Mondale. Election victories are driven by narratives whose time has come. Recall Reagan. Ask Bill Clinton. Ask Obama. If 2016 is competence vs narrative, Clinton is sunk.
Well right back at you, Krugman. Economic expertise does not make you an expert on business. There is more to selling a product or running a business than coming up with clever slogans or blindly cheering on the powers that be. If that worked, you'd be secretary of the treasury, and that's not gonna happen.
1
Try to imagine the blustering, egomaniacal, cartoonish, orange-haired, red-faced Trump-et making a gracious speech at Hiroshima's Memorial Park like the one that President Obama made yesterday -- it's an impossible task. It's impossible because Trump represents everything ugly about America and any trip abroad or at home would reinforce the image of the "ugly American."
8
People keep hitting the index fund thing, but I would imagine even most successful businesses don't keep up with the S&P over decades.
Businessmen may make a lot of wrong economic predictions. That puts them squarely in the company of another profession we all know... one that is often said to make astrologers look respectable by comparison!
Businessmen may make a lot of wrong economic predictions. That puts them squarely in the company of another profession we all know... one that is often said to make astrologers look respectable by comparison!
"No, businessmen aren't economic experts."
Perhaps neither are economists. You know what they say—put 100 of them in a room and you get 100 answers…
Or as Shaw quipped : "If all the economists were laid end to end, they’d never reach a conclusion."
Perhaps neither are economists. You know what they say—put 100 of them in a room and you get 100 answers…
Or as Shaw quipped : "If all the economists were laid end to end, they’d never reach a conclusion."
6
Then you won't be surprised to know that the VC types in Boston and Silicon Valley are voting for Trump, their kids overwhelming for Bernie.
2
Do you really think these kinds of constructs of logically constructed arguments and appeals to reason with have any impact on those planning to vote for Trump?!? This premise, the premise of this article, is more delusional than anything that has come out of Trumps mouth!!
Get out of your ivory tower Mr Krugman. Trump voters can't even hear you.
It's time to get down and dirty.
Get out of your ivory tower Mr Krugman. Trump voters can't even hear you.
It's time to get down and dirty.
2
Dr Krugman,
What's keeping him from hiring his own Geithner & Summers?
BTW: US poverty rates rose 25% from 2007 to 2014.
What's keeping him from hiring his own Geithner & Summers?
BTW: US poverty rates rose 25% from 2007 to 2014.
4
What is the point of this op-Ed? I'm sure most Times readers already agree with you on this point. You're preaching to the choir here
Trump has mismanaged the finances of the thing he cares most about - himself. No way I want him working to help "improve" our economy.
9
Let's face it, this election is going to be between bad (Hillary) Donald Duck (worse). And the fact is the Duck is likely to win. Quack!
2
How disappointing that the NYTimes's pick are not only few but 2 of 5 (with over double the words of the other three) are by people who don't just disagree but who don't understand Krugman's article nor do they have a clue about economics.
2
Prof. Krugman:
a few small reminders:
belittling the opposition is rarely a convincing formula,
especially in the political arena.
not in middle school, and especially not in 2016.
DJT is gaining voters in almost all locales.
he is NOT a politician and does not respond as such.
measuring him against a backdrop of "politics" is a fools errand in this cycle.
our constitutional-democratic-republic requires its
citizens to actually vote.
the Electoral College is very actively involved again this year.
in order to prevail in this environment:
DFT's opponents must:
first, get out the vote;
second, listen to the voters - - - and their needs and wants;
third, present an actual, consistent and cohesively-simple set of positive principles and suggested policies that voters can understand, accept, and support.
a bully cannot be out-shouted,
except by another bully.
recalling middle school again, is that the type of campaign we wish to choose?
to play into the absolute strengths of DFT?
this election requires a very different, non-political approach in order to succeed.
there is still time...
move on smartly, humbly, honestly and decisively.
52
Paul, you drank the poll-koolaide. In the age of technology and social media polls became obsolete. They are mere political tools these days.
1
Does anyone remember how George W. Bush was being marketed at the very beginning of his first term?
One of his handlers must have been behind it and the media must not have had much else coming in on the wire. In any case, the spin on W was that his would be a CEO presidency because, after all, he had an MBA from Harvard.
And how well did that turn out?
One of his handlers must have been behind it and the media must not have had much else coming in on the wire. In any case, the spin on W was that his would be a CEO presidency because, after all, he had an MBA from Harvard.
And how well did that turn out?
9
The part that is being missed is: the electorate realizes that politicians lie. Trumps are just bigger. So 1st amendment / 4th estate types start calling ALL of them out on it. Please. That is the story.
2
Paul: As you so aptly point out, "it’s far from clear how good he really is at the 'art of the deal'” -- or at hitting triples. What he has proven adept at is the "art of off the cuff."
Now that's a skill, but because he is so "substance free," it only serves him as good for a come back to a high school locker room insult, or the like, a practice at which he seems indomitable.
Now that's a skill, but because he is so "substance free," it only serves him as good for a come back to a high school locker room insult, or the like, a practice at which he seems indomitable.
1
Trump's message: "No more of those boring fruits & vegetables. No more politically correct exercise. Twinkies and video games for everyone!"
2
This myth of the businessman automatically being the best candidate for government office has got to stop. Here in Maine we are being ruined by our mini-Trump businessman, Gov Paul LePage, a similar fount of lies and pettiness.
We are citizens first, not taxpayers first. Government is NOT business. I don't want politicians who have done a payroll as the first requirement--what does that MEAN? I want someone who has ideas other than household or business budgeting. I actually want a politician, a statesman, which apparently is heresy these days.
We are citizens first, not taxpayers first. Government is NOT business. I don't want politicians who have done a payroll as the first requirement--what does that MEAN? I want someone who has ideas other than household or business budgeting. I actually want a politician, a statesman, which apparently is heresy these days.
1
Donald Trump says that if he is elected he will "Make America Great Again" just like the GOP did the last time.
2
Often, businesses succeed, NOT because of the people who run them, but IN SPITE of the people who run them. Trump demonstrates this maxim. I don't want to see it put to the test with our nation as guinea pig.
3
Reads as if Krugman sketched out this piece, saw it was pretty good, but then thought: "Even though it doesn't pertain, I've gotta jam in the obviously flawed party spin on Hillary's performance against Trump in the polls. Might as well get it over with at the beginning."
I don't have to see Trump's tax returns to know he is a phony. Some things are just obvious.
3
Imagine if President Trump could do what he has said: build a wall and deport 12 million "illegals" from our country. What would the effect be and what would happen next?
In most societies, an explicit or implicit underclass performs those jobs no one else wants. Garbage pickers, agricultural workers, domestic "servants" and the like would disappear.
Do we expect legions of angry Americans to line up to do these jobs (not counting Mike Rowe of "Dirty Jobs" fame)? Or do we expect the "magic of the market" to keep our McMansions pristine and our mesclun fresh?
Be careful what you wish (and vote) for.
In most societies, an explicit or implicit underclass performs those jobs no one else wants. Garbage pickers, agricultural workers, domestic "servants" and the like would disappear.
Do we expect legions of angry Americans to line up to do these jobs (not counting Mike Rowe of "Dirty Jobs" fame)? Or do we expect the "magic of the market" to keep our McMansions pristine and our mesclun fresh?
Be careful what you wish (and vote) for.
2
Real estate developers like Trump have corrupted most state legislatures in the US already. With Trump in the White House, there won't be an adult in charge anywhere.
4
"But will voters ever recognize that truth?"
Some have and do, but will the majority?
Some have and do, but will the majority?
1
Will Krugman ever recognize the truth of his flawed thinking?
Will Hillary finally accept the inevitable and cede the nomination to Sanders before Trump crushes her in November?
Here is what the dinosaurs at the NYT don't understand: we are now in the 21st century. You can no longer fool enough of the people to influence an election, so you may as well act with a little integrity.
Hillary is a congenital liar. That cannot be fixed.
The NYT, WaPo, et al all seem to think that the constant drumbeat of "Trump is so scary, you must be afraid, and you must vote for Hillary" is going to be enough to sway a majority to trudge dutifully to the polls and cast that ballot for Hillary.
I no longer read Krugman's columns, but stopped by today because I knew Krugman would still be beating his same drum, thinking that the lemmings would be waiting for their next set of instructions.
Krugman, aren't you supposed to be super smart?
Try to absorb this information: Hillary has lost most of the Independent vote, as well as any Democrats with a moral compass.
Donald Trump is a symptom of a morally bankrupt nation.
Your purpose should be to ponder how we can get ourselves out of this hole.
The first rule of holes, as most people know, is to stop digging.
Hillary has doubled down on the victim role, as every close observer knew she would, and the NYT keeps digging on her behalf.
The moral rot is the first thing to understand, but the NYT would rather just march toward president Trump.
Will Hillary finally accept the inevitable and cede the nomination to Sanders before Trump crushes her in November?
Here is what the dinosaurs at the NYT don't understand: we are now in the 21st century. You can no longer fool enough of the people to influence an election, so you may as well act with a little integrity.
Hillary is a congenital liar. That cannot be fixed.
The NYT, WaPo, et al all seem to think that the constant drumbeat of "Trump is so scary, you must be afraid, and you must vote for Hillary" is going to be enough to sway a majority to trudge dutifully to the polls and cast that ballot for Hillary.
I no longer read Krugman's columns, but stopped by today because I knew Krugman would still be beating his same drum, thinking that the lemmings would be waiting for their next set of instructions.
Krugman, aren't you supposed to be super smart?
Try to absorb this information: Hillary has lost most of the Independent vote, as well as any Democrats with a moral compass.
Donald Trump is a symptom of a morally bankrupt nation.
Your purpose should be to ponder how we can get ourselves out of this hole.
The first rule of holes, as most people know, is to stop digging.
Hillary has doubled down on the victim role, as every close observer knew she would, and the NYT keeps digging on her behalf.
The moral rot is the first thing to understand, but the NYT would rather just march toward president Trump.
1
Anyone out there want to buy a used car from Donald Trump?
2
To answer your closing question, Paul, I think the folks will come around. I think the general will, by degrees, drain his balloon. I think it will soon start to become apparent, and that, by election day, his crowd will have shrunk back down to its core of lunatic fringe dead-enders. We'll see it starting to show pretty soon. I think this will happen. The dude cannot be POTUS.
And, when he loses it will be extra awesome to behold the craven spectacle of all the Republicans who: first cried "never Trump!"; then folded like a cheap suit to line up behind him; and will lastly tie themselves in knots explaining how they never could stand him. And then he'll cozy up to Democrats by pointing out how he single-handedly got Hillary elected. This will be good.
And, when he loses it will be extra awesome to behold the craven spectacle of all the Republicans who: first cried "never Trump!"; then folded like a cheap suit to line up behind him; and will lastly tie themselves in knots explaining how they never could stand him. And then he'll cozy up to Democrats by pointing out how he single-handedly got Hillary elected. This will be good.
1
This all just gets scarier and scarier, especially now that Trump seems to have clinched the nomination.
I applaud Elizabeth Warren for challenging him out and his childish name calling only increasingly points up what a ridiculous buffoon he really is. Now if only Paul Ryan had the courage to point out the obvious: This man is no more fit to be president than my Jack Russell. Wait!! Come to think of it....
I applaud Elizabeth Warren for challenging him out and his childish name calling only increasingly points up what a ridiculous buffoon he really is. Now if only Paul Ryan had the courage to point out the obvious: This man is no more fit to be president than my Jack Russell. Wait!! Come to think of it....
3
Professor Krugman it is ironic that you talk about competence. Three weeks ago you declared that the presidential race was decided because Mrs. Clinton had an insurmountable lead in the polls. Now Mr. Trump has edged ahead. You were wrong then and you are wrong now. Three weeks ago I was in a small town in New Jersey which was totally depressed with all their stores closed and boarded up. I saw many Trump signs and asked one Trump supporter what was going on. He said the democrats have destroyed this town. Trump is our only hope.
2
For too many on the "right" D.T. Is better than Hillary. The right media and GOP politicians have created fear and anxiety toward Hillary. You can't argue anything with those convinced any Republican candidate is better than Hillary. Logic, facts, have no influence. By the numbers Benghazi, 4 died. By the number thousands, hundreds of thousands died under Bush's Iraq War and 100+ Marines under Reagan (along with Iran deals!). Still all we hear is Benghazi. And D.T. can hire out of the country workers, have his clothing made out of the country and go bankrupt still he is better than Hillary. Hopefully all the religions, races, women, D.T. has offended will say "no" to this man. Hillary may not be your most dynamic speaker, but she has spoken in favor of raising the minimum wage, has a long positive record on women's issues, cares about health care for all, understands the climate is changing, knows the infrastructure must be addressed, etc. Let's hope more see Hillary as presidential and not to be feared. The fear is displaced! Americans need to fear D.T.and his childish rehetoric, name calling, daily change on issues, and dangerous use of power.
2
Not that I have a huge representative sample, but, I have never met a successful businessman who admit they didn't know, what they didn't know.
Two thoughts. It wasn't all that long ago that America had its first MBA president - George W. Bush. Has everyone forgotten what happened to the economy on his watch?
Second, there's a joke going around the internet right now that seems apt.
Why can't Donald Trump ever finish a novel?
He always gets stuck in Chapter 11.
Second, there's a joke going around the internet right now that seems apt.
Why can't Donald Trump ever finish a novel?
He always gets stuck in Chapter 11.
2
Most of Trump's supporters' knowledge of him begins and ends at "The Apprentice".
'nuf said.
'nuf said.
2
Substance-free news coverage is something you will never provide for us, Paul. Yesterday Donald Trump announced victory - that he had clinched the Republican nomination for the Presidency. Surely that is not substance-free? The art of the compromise is more exigent in our society than the art of the deal. Bill Clinton's record on the economy and job-creating surpassed Ronald Reagan's by a long shot, to use a gun metaphor, our country being the world leader in gun use and death by guns. Trump promises guns in every school and his followers eat that up. How do you like them apples? A country is not a corporation and running this one isn't like running a business. Toupee or not toupee - call it what you will, Paul, Trumps' ranting against raising the minimum wage is ruinous for America's alienated, angry, anxious, social media-addicted society today, and they don't know that. And no voter will ever recognize the truth that neither Trump nor Clinton nor Sanders knows how to run the US economy. Pandering to voters doesn't translate into running the economy. Maybe Willard Mitt Romney could run our economy, but his caravan having passed him by years ago still has the dogs barking like crazy.
1
Paul Krugman should be our president
3
"True, the historical record isn’t much of a guide, since only one modern president had a previous successful career in business. And maybe Herbert Hoover was an outlier."
Huh. I seem to remember W being touted as a Bidness Man Presadint. How'd that work out? Guess that modifier "successful" gets you off the hook though.
Huh. I seem to remember W being touted as a Bidness Man Presadint. How'd that work out? Guess that modifier "successful" gets you off the hook though.
1
Well, you get what you deserve. The United Stses has been saddled with a myth: businessmen ( seldom women) are the pinnacle of success in the United States. They know what is best cause freedom is American Capitalism!
And let's not mention the duplicitous anti democratic right wing press promulgating Trumpism.
Money as a deity!
And let's not mention the duplicitous anti democratic right wing press promulgating Trumpism.
Money as a deity!
2
Facts? You give us facts? As the ingenious gentleman of La Mancha once said, "Facts, my dear Carrasco, are the enemy of truth." And Trump supporters know the truth.
3
The only poll that matters is in November and the main stream voters, not the hard right fanatics, will then have there say. I am hopeful they will see Hillary as the far lesser of 2 evils. I am not a Hillary fan but she will be a capable president. Besides, the big kahuna is not POTUS; it's SCOTUS and the next POTUS may get to pick 2 or 3 thus changing the direction of the country for as few generations.
2
The answer to the last question is No, Mr. Krugman. Everything you say is so true, but you make the mistake of assuming Mr. Trump is a serious candidate. Mr. Trump just is making up policy as he goes along, changing his opinions according to the way he feels at the moment, or according to the way the political winds appear to him to be blowing. Mr. Krugman seems to believe that using logical reasoning in their support of Trump. It is difficult for me to believe that Mr. Krugman's writings continue to evince no sign of awareness that irrational forces command the minds of Trump supporters, their protestations that they believe him to be the best candidate notwithstanding.
Mr. Trump is not and has never been a serious candidate. He's a bored boor of a plutocrat with megalomaniac fantasies who is amusing himself by doing what people with too much money do -- squander it on some wasteful purpose that is utterly without meaning other than alleviating their boredom and feeding their narcissism. Why does the media continue to take this caricature of a candidate seriously? And what is wrong with America that many of us are willing to vote for Mickey Mouse or Donald Duck?
Mr. Trump is not and has never been a serious candidate. He's a bored boor of a plutocrat with megalomaniac fantasies who is amusing himself by doing what people with too much money do -- squander it on some wasteful purpose that is utterly without meaning other than alleviating their boredom and feeding their narcissism. Why does the media continue to take this caricature of a candidate seriously? And what is wrong with America that many of us are willing to vote for Mickey Mouse or Donald Duck?
2
Given the nature of Paul "Let's Create a Housing Bubble" Krugman's policy pronouncements, Donald is a better choice.
Hillary, on the other hand:
- Tax the rich more (Paul agrees)
- Tax the corporations more (Paul agrees)
- Tax the middle class more (Paul agrees)
- Give more free stuff to people with "special" needs (Paul agrees)
- Give more cash to cronies (Paul agrees)
I'm looking for a candidate whose policy pronouncements are: Take less money from people who earn it, and give less money to people who don't. But that's waaaaaaaay too much freedom to expect the government to restrain itself from destroying.
Hillary, on the other hand:
- Tax the rich more (Paul agrees)
- Tax the corporations more (Paul agrees)
- Tax the middle class more (Paul agrees)
- Give more free stuff to people with "special" needs (Paul agrees)
- Give more cash to cronies (Paul agrees)
I'm looking for a candidate whose policy pronouncements are: Take less money from people who earn it, and give less money to people who don't. But that's waaaaaaaay too much freedom to expect the government to restrain itself from destroying.
3
The short answer to "will voters ever recognize that truth," is NO. The popular myth is that government doesn't know what it is doing because business would never do it. The cry from business is DEREGULATE! Let the banks do what they wish. Let the polluters, pollute. Make the prisons private and send men to prison for idiotic crimes - i.e. smoking marijuana so the jailers can profit. End public education because it costs too much. Forget that Nader ever existed and go back to making cars without airbags and seatbelts. End taxes as we know them for the rich and super rich. That is the tip of the iceberg for the people like Trump. Those of us old enough to remember WWII can recall Hitler's rise to power. The images of an eager nation supporting that lunatic abound. The rest of that society was so intimidated they were silent. The very irrationality of Trump is his appeal for the "voter." The only signs I see are TRUMP signs! Why? Just ask your friendly know-nothing. he'll tell you Trump is a regular guy. Just listen to what he says about those bigshots like Hillary and the rest of them. A friend of mine commented that the guy with the sign was bullied when he was a kid and now supports the bully!
1
We aren't claiming that politicians, economists or the Federal Reserve know how to "run" the economy, are we?
George W was an MBA and a businessman born on third base. I think that qualifies as a good example of bad Mr. Trump would be for our lives. And people just liked him.....just like they like Trump.
3
I could say that I'm tall and handsome, but that wouldn't make it true. I can understand that many of the people who rabidly support Trump do not want to be confused by facts. It's more satisfying for them to believe that they've found a Moses to lead them out of bondage.
Trump is a huckster and promoter. The truth has never been his friend. What I don't understand is why the "independent" media does not call him on the baldness of his lies. The is the real world, not "Celebrity Apprentice". This is the Presidency at stake. Walter Cronkite is watching. News and opinion media, do your duty!
P.S. Mr. Trump, American patriot who called John McCain a loser, where were you when I was serving in Vietnam?
Trump is a huckster and promoter. The truth has never been his friend. What I don't understand is why the "independent" media does not call him on the baldness of his lies. The is the real world, not "Celebrity Apprentice". This is the Presidency at stake. Walter Cronkite is watching. News and opinion media, do your duty!
P.S. Mr. Trump, American patriot who called John McCain a loser, where were you when I was serving in Vietnam?
3
We're a nation of morons, sir! We elected George W. Bush! TWICE! We're going to elect Donald Trump because he plays a cartoon rich man on the television. We understand the television and cartoons are a good fit for our attention span. We will be angry in maybe the third year of his presidency that the economy is really lousy and that so many of us are out of work. If he feels like running again...check that...first off, he may decide being President is not very fun so he may be quit to write a book and do many talk show interviews about it. Assuming he decides to run again, he will have to address our being largely upset about how crummy things are. He understands how to communicate with us though! Hooray! So he will gin up our feisty American pride and get us focused on some Bad Guy who lives Over There. And we'll all say, "Boo! Get the Bad Guy, President Rich Man!" And he'll give us a crinkly smile and a thumbs up before he directs the military men to start flinging rockets at the Bad Guy. We'll cheer because Our Troops are involved in an important mission to beat the Bad Guy! And the scuffle with the Bad Guy will make many of us feel like we should stick with Our Guy and vote him in again. And we will! Unless of course he decides during the first term that it's more fun to look at beauty queens and build gaudy things than do President stuff. In which case he'll quit and make big bags of money with $$$ signs on them and we'll think that's pretty cool.
2
Krugman assumes Trump doesn't listen and learn, but you know what they say about those who assume making the proverbial donkey out of you and me.
In truth, what has most surprised those who have met privately with Trump is how carefully he listens and how perceptive and plentiful he asks questions.
Doesn’t sound to me like a know-it-all business tycoon.
Furthermore, as a business man, Trump might not have been as naive as Obama to have bailed out AIG and others with no executives bonus strings attached; nor to have kept the same Goldman Sach and Harvard advisors who were in large part responsible for the financial crisis.
And it seems like just yesterday when Krugman was complimenting Trump in his Sept.9th 2015 op-ed entitled “Trump is Right on Economics” http://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/07/opinion/paul-krugman-trump-is-right-on...
Guess that praise lasted only as long as Trump appeared to have no chance of becoming President.
In truth, what has most surprised those who have met privately with Trump is how carefully he listens and how perceptive and plentiful he asks questions.
Doesn’t sound to me like a know-it-all business tycoon.
Furthermore, as a business man, Trump might not have been as naive as Obama to have bailed out AIG and others with no executives bonus strings attached; nor to have kept the same Goldman Sach and Harvard advisors who were in large part responsible for the financial crisis.
And it seems like just yesterday when Krugman was complimenting Trump in his Sept.9th 2015 op-ed entitled “Trump is Right on Economics” http://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/07/opinion/paul-krugman-trump-is-right-on...
Guess that praise lasted only as long as Trump appeared to have no chance of becoming President.
3
And, as Dr. Krugman notes, the one genuinely superb businessman to hold the position of president did not - could not - transfer that expertise to public policy. I'm sure Mr. Trump would claim superior qualifications to those of Mr. Hoover, but it's doubtful the claim could stand. Personally, I'm doubtful that Mr. Trump's business acumen, much less his inclination toward public service even comes close to that of one of Mr. Hoover's (and later Queen Marie of Roumania's) allies, Col. Joe Boyle, King of the Klondyke. Col. Boyle made his money the old-fashion way. He dug it out of the ground.
2
Donald Trump's apparent (as opposed to real) success in business - and his very high profile and lack of modesty probably explain the confidence so many Americans place in his abilities to set economic policies.
I had a year of economics in college, and economic policy is something I've given much thought to. I think there's a huge gap between what people think government can do, and what's actually possible. The state of the economy worldwide is influenced by very many factors beyond the control of elected and appointed officials. So, the door is open to hustlers like Trump. And those like Bernie Sanders, too. I suggest political candidates who are most modest about economic policy are also the most credible.
I had a year of economics in college, and economic policy is something I've given much thought to. I think there's a huge gap between what people think government can do, and what's actually possible. The state of the economy worldwide is influenced by very many factors beyond the control of elected and appointed officials. So, the door is open to hustlers like Trump. And those like Bernie Sanders, too. I suggest political candidates who are most modest about economic policy are also the most credible.
2
We in Michigan are suffering through the confused, inept and misguided administration of a governor who fancied that, as a successful businessman, he would be able to successfully helm a government. But, as Mr. Krugman wisely points out, a corporation is not a government. I'm no business expert, but my take on corporations is that they exist to earn profits for shareholders by selling products or services to consumers. Governments exist --- despite 35 years of the GOP depicting them as evil --- to provide critically important products and services --- schools, roads and bridges, health-care and housing assistance for the poor --- to constituents who HAVE ALREADY PAID FOR THEM WITH THEIR TAXES. One need only to look at the robust and successful economies of California and Minnesota --- run by Democrats --- to see examples of government doing well what it is designed to do. Politicians who, like Rick Snyder and his infamous "emergency managers," focus solely on the "bottom line" simply don't understand that governments don't exist to "turn a profit." The disaster in Flint, which will continue to unfold for years to come, is a prime example of this warped attitude.
3
As a businessman I couldn't agree with Krugman more. But I don't understand the current business model that equates employees as costs to be cut and customers as nuisances to be dealt with.
But, T rump does reflect the modern corporate crony capitalist perfectly....If costs of doing business gets too much in the way of easy profits..... well just walk away from those costs.
In T rump's case it was through bankruptcies, which ended up stiffing hundreds, if not thousands, of workers and subcontractors. In other cases, it might mean dumping waste into our rivers, or fraking chemicals into our wells, or entire towns left to board up and close down.
Then We the People, who are not the job creators so many of US seem to worship, get to pay for the clean up while the "job creators" get to sit on the piles of money and think of US as rubes.
There is a comment below as to the consequences of democracy and elections; something about the American people not being stupid. Well, sorry, but the election of 2000 brought home the point that there are indeed a lot of stupid people in America, people who are not paying attention to facts but instead want to rely on their "gut" instinct.
It will be up to smart people to see behind the ruse that is T rump and get to the poles and insure that we do not do something stupid and put him in the White House.
But, T rump does reflect the modern corporate crony capitalist perfectly....If costs of doing business gets too much in the way of easy profits..... well just walk away from those costs.
In T rump's case it was through bankruptcies, which ended up stiffing hundreds, if not thousands, of workers and subcontractors. In other cases, it might mean dumping waste into our rivers, or fraking chemicals into our wells, or entire towns left to board up and close down.
Then We the People, who are not the job creators so many of US seem to worship, get to pay for the clean up while the "job creators" get to sit on the piles of money and think of US as rubes.
There is a comment below as to the consequences of democracy and elections; something about the American people not being stupid. Well, sorry, but the election of 2000 brought home the point that there are indeed a lot of stupid people in America, people who are not paying attention to facts but instead want to rely on their "gut" instinct.
It will be up to smart people to see behind the ruse that is T rump and get to the poles and insure that we do not do something stupid and put him in the White House.
2
Here in New Hampshire in 2003 we elected Craig Benson, multimillionaire founder of Cabletron, who campaigned on a promise to run NH like a business - get budgets in balance, run a tight ship, cut costs, all that stuff. He was also aggressive and abrasive and soon learned that as Prof K says, " a [state] is nothing like a corporation, and running a [state] economy is nothing like running a business." He alienated people, things got cranky, and he was voted out on his run for reelection.
I would expect Trump to be much much worse, and the stakes are much much higher
I would expect Trump to be much much worse, and the stakes are much much higher
2
Even Trump's delusions are delusional.......to him, his associates, the GOP and most other politicians of all parties. Amazing how we would even consider the man as Presidential material.........
2
If the Trump Tower in Toronto is typical of the brand then anyone who believes that Donald Trump is a good business man is delusional. This hotel/condo development has been a disaster from day one and is in default, with mostly unsold condos and empty hotel rooms. Donald Trump's biggest coup is in selling himself as a "yuuge" success and in pulling the wool over the eyes of naïve voters. Hopefully they will open these eyes before November and will vote for Hillary Clinton.
3
It would appear Donald Trump's supporters care little for the truth, otherwise Trump would not be the nominee of the Republican Party. It matters not to his fans if he contradicts whatever he says every two minutes. Divorces? Bankruptcies? Misogynistic remarks? Racist remarks? Xenophobic remarks? Does not matter. His mostly white male supporters cheer him on. It is exactly what they want to hear. He is their spokesperson. He says loudly and clearly what other Republican candidates carefully veiled. Trump's economic experience one way or another doesn't matter to those who will vote for him, he is the person they feel will be the tough guy who will represent their interests. To them, "make America great again" means just like the America of the 1950's before Civil Rights and women's rights were championed. Trump is a dangerous master showman who will sacrifice this country on the altar of his megalomania.
2
For all the posturing about "third parties and "independents", the vast majority of Americans vote straight red or straight blue. There's very little variance.
The narrative that somehow people who reliably vote for the GOP would be so aghast by Trump that they would refuse to support him was always garbage. Anyone paying attention knew that the second he was the clear nominee, the entire GOP from top politician down to each usual voter in the base would fully embrace the bigot as their own. They vote for party first, the rest is negotiable.
And why shouldn't they? He is the creation of the American right wing's most base desires - not some aberration run amok. He is truly the GOP's dream candidate.
Everyone else needs to wake up and mobilize to make sure the closest this man gets to the White House is being stuck in traffic on Constitution Avenue.
The narrative that somehow people who reliably vote for the GOP would be so aghast by Trump that they would refuse to support him was always garbage. Anyone paying attention knew that the second he was the clear nominee, the entire GOP from top politician down to each usual voter in the base would fully embrace the bigot as their own. They vote for party first, the rest is negotiable.
And why shouldn't they? He is the creation of the American right wing's most base desires - not some aberration run amok. He is truly the GOP's dream candidate.
Everyone else needs to wake up and mobilize to make sure the closest this man gets to the White House is being stuck in traffic on Constitution Avenue.
1
People are not voting for Trump. They are voting against the status quo and the wonders that "free" markets and private enterprise has failed to deliver growth to anyone but the very rich.
It is irrational, but Trump has made it to the Republican nomination by expressing the anger of those who have lost ground economically even as those in power have gained immensely. They really don't care if he is an economic whiz as long he shakes things up and overcomes the economic stagnation.
He or she who underestimates that depth of anger and dissatisfaction out there and fails to cater to it will lose in November.
It is irrational, but Trump has made it to the Republican nomination by expressing the anger of those who have lost ground economically even as those in power have gained immensely. They really don't care if he is an economic whiz as long he shakes things up and overcomes the economic stagnation.
He or she who underestimates that depth of anger and dissatisfaction out there and fails to cater to it will lose in November.
2
And economists aren't experts at anything.
1
This column references "substance-free news coverage" and then asks whether voters will figure out the truth.
Trump's nomination is surely an indictment of the Republican party and what appears to be a whole lot of racist voters in America. But is the news part of the problem? If the news had not gravitated toward infotainment, and if the media didn't have a policy of being "balanced," then would Trump be able to get away with this?
Trump's nomination is surely an indictment of the Republican party and what appears to be a whole lot of racist voters in America. But is the news part of the problem? If the news had not gravitated toward infotainment, and if the media didn't have a policy of being "balanced," then would Trump be able to get away with this?
106
No. Trump's cult of supporters won't recognize or care that it's ludicrous to think Donald Trump can run (and not ruin) the US economy. They also won't recognize or care that, in addition to the economy, he doesn't know much about how the world in general operates--and he doesn't know he doesn't know, so he won't learn what he needs to learn. And that I believe, simply speaking, is because his campaign is more about psychology than it is about policy. In that to win, to be number one through vote getting (which is all that matters to him) he's giving his followers what they need: turn back time (nostalgia politics), stop accelerated change, increase safety and security by reducing diversity (build walls, kick out the undocumented, keep out Muslims, and let foreign countries, like China, know they can't mess with the USA and so on. In other words, his followers need an alpha male bully, not anyone with economic savvy or domestic/foreign policy savvy. And horrifyingly that's just what they (and all the rest of us will get) if we who see this charlatan for who he is, fail to go to the polls come November and vote our little hearts out.
4
So, the economist has become a prophet of the inevitable. This ought to be fun to watch.
Businesses "don't need to worry about the effect of their cost-cutting measures on demand for their products." Really? I can't imagine any person engaged in business who would not be concerned about a decline in demand for the products or services of that business.
The dumbing down of America's population is disconcerting. That the majority of American's get their "news" from the 24 hour fanfare that is called news is horrific. What happened? Do we not want an intelligent, thought provoking leader who has substance in their policies and decision making???
Bring me Obama, FDR, Lincoln....anytime!!!!
Bring me Obama, FDR, Lincoln....anytime!!!!
1
I will be voting for the Greens, but if I had to, I would choose Trump over Clinton.
Why?
Because Clinton is obviously for huge trade deals that give away our economy and our sovereignty to international trade organizations that are staffed by corporate lawyers. And Henry Kissinger is her mentor, someone who has been giving the world away to global corporations for 60 years.
I am far more worried about the global corporate coup that is taking over governments and the economy, than I am about an old fashioned dictator. Dictators can be deposed. What do you do about Goldman Sachs having its tentacles throughout every part of policy decision making?
Vote Green.
Why?
Because Clinton is obviously for huge trade deals that give away our economy and our sovereignty to international trade organizations that are staffed by corporate lawyers. And Henry Kissinger is her mentor, someone who has been giving the world away to global corporations for 60 years.
I am far more worried about the global corporate coup that is taking over governments and the economy, than I am about an old fashioned dictator. Dictators can be deposed. What do you do about Goldman Sachs having its tentacles throughout every part of policy decision making?
Vote Green.
So Mr. Krugman, tell me how the present occupier of the White House who never had a real job or operated a lemonade stand was so ready to run the nation's economy and was so much more qualified than Mr. Trump ? Let's see if the NYT's moderators will allow this question to be asked of you.
2
You state that Bernie Sanders "hasn't conceded the inevitable." Well, out here in California (which he is probably going to win), many of us can't wait to vote for him. Given that Mrs. Clinton is "drowning in emails", Bernie may well be the knight in shining armor we need to defeat Trump. Mrs. Clinton's email server scandal is getting worse and worse, and she is probably as we speak considering dropping out of the race. The comparisons between her email scandal and Richard Nixon's carry a lot of validity.
1
A friend, a small businessman, said to me recently that he liked Trump, because he would be good for business. I asked him to give me an example of why Trump would be good for business and the only answer was that Trump built a big empire. This is simplistic thinking and that sadly is how many Americans think. By the way, Professor Krugman is correct about Donald Trump being born on third base. Trump likes to say that his father lent him only one million dollars to start his business, but I have seen the coops that his father built in Coney Island, which probably made the family millions. And that was only one construction project. So the question is where did the father's millions go? The easy answer is to Donald and his siblings. Donald took the family name and millions and built upscale properties in Manhattan instead of in Brooklyn. Donald didn't start on the Lower East side with a push cart.
180
Well, we now officially face the prospect of a Trump presidency. With Bernie's Revolution it just might become a 'fait accompli'. Just when we have the chance to finally get rid of Reaganomics, instead only to enter the wastelands of broken down Casinonomic bankruptcy, aka Trumpsville. I'll be thanking Bernie in advance since I've already reached retirement age. Oh wait. That's right, most of Trump's supporters along with a sizable group of Bernie's Revolution consist of many people in this same age group. Well at least these folks will leave their grandkids something to strive for: survival.
3
The polls that are getting so much attention are likely not at all representative of how people will actually vote in November.
If a Sander's supporter was asked who they would support, Clinton or Trump, they would as likely say Trump as Clinton at this stage as they still consider the election of Sanders to be viable.
The irony of this election is that we have perhaps the most qualified candidate in decades running against the most unqualified candidate in history and it is considered competitive at this stage.
Unfortunately the media is complicit, as it i easy to change the narrative from policies and qualifications to personalities and pseudo-scandals.
Trump has always been a guilty pleasure.
He is boorish, loud, ignorant, preposterous and funny - just like his Queen's neighbor Archie Bunker.
People tuned in to watch Archie Bunker not because they liked him, but because he was hilarious in his outrageousness.
His ignorant views and racist generalizations made life black and white, and therefore simple to analyze. He held court on various topics for the general amusement of the people.
But Trump makes Archie seem tame.
Trump advocates torture, denies climate change, will dismantle the EPA and Education departments, disassemble NATO, allow nuclear proliferation, and proposes more tax cuts for the wealthy while floating the idea of giving Treasury investors a haircut.
He may bring the change people regret for generations.
If a Sander's supporter was asked who they would support, Clinton or Trump, they would as likely say Trump as Clinton at this stage as they still consider the election of Sanders to be viable.
The irony of this election is that we have perhaps the most qualified candidate in decades running against the most unqualified candidate in history and it is considered competitive at this stage.
Unfortunately the media is complicit, as it i easy to change the narrative from policies and qualifications to personalities and pseudo-scandals.
Trump has always been a guilty pleasure.
He is boorish, loud, ignorant, preposterous and funny - just like his Queen's neighbor Archie Bunker.
People tuned in to watch Archie Bunker not because they liked him, but because he was hilarious in his outrageousness.
His ignorant views and racist generalizations made life black and white, and therefore simple to analyze. He held court on various topics for the general amusement of the people.
But Trump makes Archie seem tame.
Trump advocates torture, denies climate change, will dismantle the EPA and Education departments, disassemble NATO, allow nuclear proliferation, and proposes more tax cuts for the wealthy while floating the idea of giving Treasury investors a haircut.
He may bring the change people regret for generations.
5
Trump brags to hide his own shortcomings, be they a smaller net worth than he has claimed, or his short fingers. I don't believe anything he says. He calls his opponent a liar. Takes one to know one, I think.
6
With the Koch's and Trump in charge of our country, I am so very frightened.
7
So who does know how to run the economy? The lawyers in Congress and the lawyer lobbyists who used to be in Congress? I don't think so, and Dr. Krugman doesn't provide an answer. Maybe he thinks economists can run the economy; well, let them have a stab at it. Where are they all? Writing op-ed pieces and in the groves of Academe?
You are screaming into the wind, Mr Krugman. But I hear you.
5
Don't know when trump got his little million dollar loan from daddy, but it would be interesting to know the result if he had invested it in an s&p 500 index fund. the same fir inherited assets.
2
OK. I get it. Trump is nothing more than a successful con man. But, when you come down to it, all leaders of all countries are successful con men. Trump, a true patriot, will be a great president because he will know how to deal with them.
While most business men don't understand economics, economists don't understand business. That is why there are so few rich economist.
"The answer, I suspect, is that voters see Mr. Trump as a hugely successful businessman, and they believe that business success translates into economic expertise. They are, however, probably wrong about the first, and definitely wrong about the second: Even genuinely brilliant businesspeople are often clueless about economic policy."
And neither business people nor economists know anything about K-12 public schooling, yet they've been pontificating and dictating to educators since Gates started his meddling in 2000.
And neither business people nor economists know anything about K-12 public schooling, yet they've been pontificating and dictating to educators since Gates started his meddling in 2000.
73
You can have a business fail. Having a country fail is quite another thing. Especially if it takes the world economy and other countries with it. That will be "your problem", not his in Trump speak.
11
Regarding Trumps "wealth" (I'm worth 10 Billion) and "Intelligence" (I'm really, really smart); "The woman doth protest too much".
6
"CEOs are proven to be awful at predicting the economic future"
So are economists
So are economists
4
No future US president can out run the economic drag of a thoroughly corrupt political process.
Missing from today's column is an acknowledgment of the burden of garden variety corruption places on US society, and as expressed in income inequality.
Which candidate shows any reasonable likelihood of tackling the problem of using private money in campaigns for public office?
Oh yes, Senator Sanders, who has yet to bow to "the inevitable".
Unless of course the FBI actually follows the lead of the recent state dept review, and indicts Hillary Clinton over her email gamesmanship.
Well, a guy can hope...
Missing from today's column is an acknowledgment of the burden of garden variety corruption places on US society, and as expressed in income inequality.
Which candidate shows any reasonable likelihood of tackling the problem of using private money in campaigns for public office?
Oh yes, Senator Sanders, who has yet to bow to "the inevitable".
Unless of course the FBI actually follows the lead of the recent state dept review, and indicts Hillary Clinton over her email gamesmanship.
Well, a guy can hope...
3
The answer to your question in your final sentence is NO! Our shallow, celebrity driven, me first society will blindly go over the proverbial cliff, believing a talk show faux businessman has their interests at heart. Lower taxes for the 1%, more coal and less regulation, conversely worse air and water for the 99%. Wake up, it's what he says and what he will do. If that's the desired outcome, go for it, but make no mistake, that is what Mr. Trump is going to do. He has said so.
8
Obama didn't know anything either. But he got up to speed pretty fast as will Trump if he gets elected. I don't think there is a whole lot of difference in Presidents. They pretty much do what has to be done no matter what party or background they come from. Trump would not be the end of America as we know it.
3
Thank you over and over, PK, for another insightful defining article detailing the workings of the silly Trumpster--Con Job Don is simply being (acting out) just who he is even despite his worldliness and education. Not everyone who gets a degree is educated though. This 'tycoon's' lack of humility as you point out in all things is all that should be placed under the microscope. I would guess this is one boss no one would want to work with or under, but lemmings there will always be.
9
Trump is an abomination.
But Hillary isn't a top shelf prize herself. She's just too self serving, too secretive, too untrustworthy, too Nixonian.
In this fallen world we often are faced with less than optimal choices, so we do the sensible thing and make the best of it.
I'm for Hillary, whilst holding my nose.
But Hillary isn't a top shelf prize herself. She's just too self serving, too secretive, too untrustworthy, too Nixonian.
In this fallen world we often are faced with less than optimal choices, so we do the sensible thing and make the best of it.
I'm for Hillary, whilst holding my nose.
11
Actually, economist don't know much about the economy. How many of them predicted the last recession and how many of them can predict what the economy is going to be like 5 years or 10 years from now. Wasn't it Larry Summers , an esteemed Harvard Economics professor who thought it would be a great idea to dismantle Glass Steagall and thought it was a bad idea to regulate derivatives. As Sam Goldwyn said about predicting a movie's box office performance " No body knows anything".
5
Capitalism is good way to make a lot of money, but it is a bad way to run a country.
Financial capitalism, which is the dominant strain in the United States today, is based on one simple rule: Maximize Shareholder Value. All other considerations are secondary. That means a corporation must internalize benefits whenever possible and externalize costs wherever possible.
Capitalist-inspired thinking, dubbed "fiscal conservatism", has infected our government. When our economy crashed after a financial meltdown, our leaders tried to conserve government resources by cutting expenditures. It was corporate cost cutting writ large. The costs of that wrong-headed strategy were enormous, but the costs were external to the government and dismissed.
A corporate leader like Trump isn't concerned with stewardship, circular flows, and unintended consequences. In the corporate world, being focused, small-mined and competitive is successful. Those are not good traits in public service.
Financial capitalism, which is the dominant strain in the United States today, is based on one simple rule: Maximize Shareholder Value. All other considerations are secondary. That means a corporation must internalize benefits whenever possible and externalize costs wherever possible.
Capitalist-inspired thinking, dubbed "fiscal conservatism", has infected our government. When our economy crashed after a financial meltdown, our leaders tried to conserve government resources by cutting expenditures. It was corporate cost cutting writ large. The costs of that wrong-headed strategy were enormous, but the costs were external to the government and dismissed.
A corporate leader like Trump isn't concerned with stewardship, circular flows, and unintended consequences. In the corporate world, being focused, small-mined and competitive is successful. Those are not good traits in public service.
21
Sadly, Trump's supporters won't read this column or others like it. And even if they did, the implications would be lost on them.
25
As a businessman, Trump will be the ultimate deregulator. His energy policy is more drilling and fewer rule. He must not be aware of the current crash in the oil market. The next Trump policy will be Wall St deregulation. Then tax cuts for business. An obnoxious Reagan with orange hair.
14
Economics may be a bit like climate change to the average voter: they are exposed to money and to the daily weather, so they take those experiences to deal with concepts they in fact know little about.
Not only do highly successful business leaders often fail to be great elected officials, corporate lobbying often fails to produce good laws. The drivers for corporate profit, although essential to growth and expansion, are no substitute for sound economic policy from the government. Policy matters, and the Republican presidents have been vague about creating sound policy as opposed to making popular decisions about taxes, wages, and the role of the Fed.
Yes, it may have snowed today but that doesn't directly relate to climate. And yes, higher wages increase costs but that doesn't thwart economic growth as a policy. Trump can proclaim he is a master of the deal, but he doesn't know what he is dealing with.
Not only do highly successful business leaders often fail to be great elected officials, corporate lobbying often fails to produce good laws. The drivers for corporate profit, although essential to growth and expansion, are no substitute for sound economic policy from the government. Policy matters, and the Republican presidents have been vague about creating sound policy as opposed to making popular decisions about taxes, wages, and the role of the Fed.
Yes, it may have snowed today but that doesn't directly relate to climate. And yes, higher wages increase costs but that doesn't thwart economic growth as a policy. Trump can proclaim he is a master of the deal, but he doesn't know what he is dealing with.
18
The problem is not incompetence of Mr. Trump, but incompetence and ignorance of the American voters who vote by gut feelings as to how the candidates appear on TV and what slogans they use. It had been used in the past over and over again with initial success and catastrophe afterwards.
40
As my Trump voting relatives have told me, he is going to make America great again. As of yet, they haven't produced much in the way of concrete proof that he has a carefully and viable plan to do that, stating that since President Obama was ONLY a "community organizer" Trump is superior in every way and isn't telling his plans so that Clinton won't steal them.
I give up.
I give up.
19
"But will voters ever recognize that truth?"
Simple answer -- NO.
And that is precisely what Trump wants.
Just as a carnival barker knows what people are likely to respond to, Trump knows just what straws voters are going to grasp at in an emotional effort to get out of there financial woes. If he doesn't know which straws might work at a particular venue, he asks a local representative what straws will likely work and he then makes his proclamations. Just look what he did in North Dakota and see the results.
What has Trump said? "I want to win the deal". That's it.
That's all there is. He is a simpleton.
But as luck would have it, he is barking his wares at just the right time. There are no other barkers with his bravado on the midway. That makes him the winner, and that's all he wants.
There is a sucker born every minute!!
Simple answer -- NO.
And that is precisely what Trump wants.
Just as a carnival barker knows what people are likely to respond to, Trump knows just what straws voters are going to grasp at in an emotional effort to get out of there financial woes. If he doesn't know which straws might work at a particular venue, he asks a local representative what straws will likely work and he then makes his proclamations. Just look what he did in North Dakota and see the results.
What has Trump said? "I want to win the deal". That's it.
That's all there is. He is a simpleton.
But as luck would have it, he is barking his wares at just the right time. There are no other barkers with his bravado on the midway. That makes him the winner, and that's all he wants.
There is a sucker born every minute!!
11
Of course, there's a third big reason for the bad policy advice given by businessmen: they're bound by fiduciary duty to their shareholders to advise policies which are good for their company's bottom line, not for the country.
11
Trump reminds me of the emperor from H. C. Andersen's "The Emperor's New Clothe" Instead of making invisible clothe Trump has dreamed up an economy that is invisible to those who are unfit for their positions, stupid, or incompetent.
The average American voter is not stupid or incompetent and when Trump parades towards the White House there will be someone in the crowd saying: "But he isn't wearing anything at all!"
The average American voter is not stupid or incompetent and when Trump parades towards the White House there will be someone in the crowd saying: "But he isn't wearing anything at all!"
16
On television, we are getting "substance-free news coverage."
The campaigns are presented purely as competition. There's the scandal-du-jour, the spinster's response, and the resulting poll numbers. I've taken to watering plants during the evening news's political coverage.
The campaigns are presented purely as competition. There's the scandal-du-jour, the spinster's response, and the resulting poll numbers. I've taken to watering plants during the evening news's political coverage.
8
Krugman infers that Trump himself, and not the people he brings in to advise him, will be shaping and defining ultimate policy.
Can Trump build a better team and drive toward an actionable consensus better than Hillary or previous Presidents? That is the real question, not whether Trump himself has every answer already figured out.
Krugman is sad that Trump's advisors won't include a washed up, one-trick pony.
Can Trump build a better team and drive toward an actionable consensus better than Hillary or previous Presidents? That is the real question, not whether Trump himself has every answer already figured out.
Krugman is sad that Trump's advisors won't include a washed up, one-trick pony.
3
This op-ed gives the impression that Trump is a businessman, but he really isn't. He took a real estate empire handed to him and ran it into bankruptcy time and again, after which he started licensing the use of his name. That is his "business." He is a self promoter and nothing more. If he is president we can be sure that the American public will get a bad deal.
21
"Businesses sell stuff to other people; they don’t need to worry about the effect of their cost-cutting measures on demand for their products."
But they should.
But they should.
2
Trumpisareal Estate rapist who comes along.. has his way with a project and leaves it once he gets his money out of it.. By rapist I would suggest his Atlantic coity investments or should I say his investments of other peoples money.
He's outta there and didn't even leave a tip in the ash tray. Sorta kinda the way he thinks of women.
He's outta there and didn't even leave a tip in the ash tray. Sorta kinda the way he thinks of women.
4
People in Hillary's inner circle who are advising her to "remain above the fray" are mistaken. When you are bullied, you promote the bullying by letting yourself be intimidated, so the best course of action is to bully the bully. Trump is not only an ignoramus on global affairs, he's also an ignoramus on the nation's economy. He gloats that he amassed a fortune from a mere million dollar loan, yet many of his business ventures have been a train wreck. Elizabeth Warren is doing a fine job as Hillary's surrogate attacker of Trump, the bully. Hillary should be doing that job, attacking Trump as an incoherent, cruel, bombastic boor. There comes a time to say enough is enough, and when Trump coyly plays the Vince Foster card, with his usual I don't want to go there but this is what I'm hearing ploy, Hillary should batter him and keep on battering right through to November. Trump is a puncher with a glass jaw.
10
How to make a small fortune? Inherit a big fortune. That's the Donald. Hype to get partners to put their money on the table and borrowing the rest. Most of his projects lost money, but the hype worked. Now he wants to do the same for the rest of us. How will he make America great again? Borrow a lot more money and pump up inflation so the dollars we pay back are worth a lot less. And if it doesn't work, just default and negotiate with creditors, like Argentina did.
10
Diplomacy is the art of settling disputes without violence. A good thing. Big business, especially real estate is the art of stealing money without violence. A bad thing.
9
You miss the point with your own wild suspicions. Its is not how Americans see Trump that has driven his popularity, it is how they view the incompetence of the Obama Administration these past 8 years, combined with the fear of Hillary Clinton continuing the radical transformations.
No, don't pay much attention to Trump and do continue to give those you support a total pass on all failures.
No, don't pay much attention to Trump and do continue to give those you support a total pass on all failures.
3
Says the economist who believes in the broken window fallacy, called for the real-estate bubble and then made incomprehensible excuses that he didn't. Competence is very often a mirage.
Hoover's not the only R president whose business career was seen as an asset. W's people touted his success in the oil business and the baseball business. Those two sure turned the economy around! Vote Trump and short everything
3
I really don't think Trump even wants to be president and actually do the incredibly difficult job of governing the lone superpower. He just wants to win. If he does win, it will be a disaster for the country and the world.
Hillary is a terrible candidate and I really don't like her. But I do believe she will at least have a consistent thought from the beginning of the sentence to the end of the sentence. Trump can contradict himself in one sentence and has done so many times. We really don't know him and what he will do. I pray the American people never want to find out.
Hillary is a terrible candidate and I really don't like her. But I do believe she will at least have a consistent thought from the beginning of the sentence to the end of the sentence. Trump can contradict himself in one sentence and has done so many times. We really don't know him and what he will do. I pray the American people never want to find out.
4
The problem is not so much Mr. Trump's "delusions of competence" as the electorate's perception that he is more competent than he really is.
3
Trump's America: A Casino in Forfeiture
One of the common tools of American businesses leaders is bankruptcy. Trump has made good use of it throughout his mendacious career.
But how does that work out for a nation? We cut staff, terminate social benefits, and sell the national parks and highways? Maybe.
To get a better idea of Trump's America, take a look at the sham economy of Atlantic City. That's Trump's USA. A vast casino in forfeiture.
One of the common tools of American businesses leaders is bankruptcy. Trump has made good use of it throughout his mendacious career.
But how does that work out for a nation? We cut staff, terminate social benefits, and sell the national parks and highways? Maybe.
To get a better idea of Trump's America, take a look at the sham economy of Atlantic City. That's Trump's USA. A vast casino in forfeiture.
6
Whatever his net worth, his intellectual worth is next to nil: a macho lunkhead with wobbly educational credentials and clearly not someone who was ever interested in the art of study.
I find the people who support him much more terrifying than the man himself.
I find the people who support him much more terrifying than the man himself.
6
Paul, thank you for pointing out Trump's glaring, inconceivable deficiencies. I wish your employer would spend more time questioning his policies, instead of trying to make a big deal out of a private email server and pretending it's on the same level of incompetence as that of this snake oil salesman.
5
"...we haven’t had many business leaders in the White House..."
But those Democrats and Republicans sure love to appoint business leaders to key economic posts, and Krugman had no qualms about Obama's appointment of a bunch of white men from the financial sector - you know, the sector that created the '08 meltdown.
Even if mainstream presidents didn't appointment members of corporate America, they will surely steward the economy in ways that are favorable to business.
But those Democrats and Republicans sure love to appoint business leaders to key economic posts, and Krugman had no qualms about Obama's appointment of a bunch of white men from the financial sector - you know, the sector that created the '08 meltdown.
Even if mainstream presidents didn't appointment members of corporate America, they will surely steward the economy in ways that are favorable to business.
4
This column rings true, no doubt. But it is in league with the entire posture of the Clinton campaign: Donald Trump is bad, so don't vote for him. Unfortunately, Hillary is feckless and vile in her own ways, and she is easily attacked by Trump. Yes, he's bad. But, why is she better? Why is she running for president? Without good answers to those two questions, we may be seeing a Trump administration.
Seems like the entire campaign season balances on the fulcrum of delusion, particularly for the do-nothing, know-nothing Republicans. Unless voters send a clear message, all we'll get is more of the same, as we circle the drain.
6
Meanwhile, our current President, without a business background, actually did save our economy from the precipice of collapse - having been brought to the brink by the previous President, one MBA named George W. Bush.
The Republicans would rather die than give President Obama credit for stabilizing our country, but he deserves it.
The Republicans would rather die than give President Obama credit for stabilizing our country, but he deserves it.
13
The headline for this column could also be "Clinton's Delusions of Competence and Honesty". Trump is a businessman and knows how to manage businesses, regardless of how ruthless he may be at times. So what if he bankrupted some of them (all were casinos)? That's what business people do, thanks to the tax rules that were bipartisan-approved years go. Nothing is ever mentioned about the Democrats who do the same, because of the double standard.
I don't approve of what Trump does, but I don't consider him to be incompetent in running businesses. Clinton, on the other hand, does not know how to run a business, and certainly does not know how to run a government. Her only interest in being President is being crowned the first female President.
I don't approve of what Trump does, but I don't consider him to be incompetent in running businesses. Clinton, on the other hand, does not know how to run a business, and certainly does not know how to run a government. Her only interest in being President is being crowned the first female President.
When we talk about a great businessman, that would be someone who indeed knows how to deal and over the course of a career makes a lot of money. In this regard I certainly don't think of Donald Trump (who loves to show off his trinkets); I think of Warren Buffet. Warren Buffet, the quiet, unassuming businessman who lives in Omaha. He has given most of his fortune — none of which he inherited — to the Gates Foundation in order to help mankind. Next to him, Donald Trump is trash. That the Republican Party would nominate this guy is a national disgrace.
12
A word or two from Edgar Bronfman, who also inherited huge money (Seagram's) but did not drift into insanity. a la Trump.
"To turn $100 into $110 is work. To turn 100 million into $110 million is inevitable."
"To turn $100 into $110 is work. To turn 100 million into $110 million is inevitable."
8
With all due respect, Professor Krugman, you seem to have as little knowledge of what it takes to be a modern business leader as Mr. Trump has about running an economy.
You cite Trump’s [contradictory] comments about wage rates as an example of how business leadership does translate into economy leadership, as if managing wage rates was a key part of his job description. Managing wage rates is something on which a plant manager (or hotel manager) might focus. I assure you, with a few exceptions I’m sure, that is not how a successful CEO spends his or her time. A good CEO must drive the vision for the company, surround herself with great people, and have the intellectual capacity to challenge her management team and the judgment to sort out good advice from bad. I happen to think those would be pretty good qualities for a president. You are right that there are few examples, but there are examples of businessman making food governors, and good governors making good presidents, so it does not seem far-fetched.
I fully agree that Trump is not qualified to run our economy, much less the country (quite apart from the more important issue that his ideas are despicable), but I cannot buy into your argument that business leadership skills are irrelevant to managing an economy.
You cite Trump’s [contradictory] comments about wage rates as an example of how business leadership does translate into economy leadership, as if managing wage rates was a key part of his job description. Managing wage rates is something on which a plant manager (or hotel manager) might focus. I assure you, with a few exceptions I’m sure, that is not how a successful CEO spends his or her time. A good CEO must drive the vision for the company, surround herself with great people, and have the intellectual capacity to challenge her management team and the judgment to sort out good advice from bad. I happen to think those would be pretty good qualities for a president. You are right that there are few examples, but there are examples of businessman making food governors, and good governors making good presidents, so it does not seem far-fetched.
I fully agree that Trump is not qualified to run our economy, much less the country (quite apart from the more important issue that his ideas are despicable), but I cannot buy into your argument that business leadership skills are irrelevant to managing an economy.
3
I worked in the private sector for 10 years in 3 major corporations. Then for 24 years in the Federal Gov. for 24 years at a significant level. I saw a number of high level executives from the private sector join the Federal Gov. Almost all left the government within a year, totally frustrated with the red tape, not understanding why it exists. If they tried to get around law or regulation, there was a good chance that the federal employees who worked for them would blow the whistle.
Trump thinks he can push around the federal employees and the Congress.
Is he in for a surprise! If he is elected, based on what is known about his knowledge and style, I think he will never finish his first term.
Trump thinks he can push around the federal employees and the Congress.
Is he in for a surprise! If he is elected, based on what is known about his knowledge and style, I think he will never finish his first term.
8
I think it was Charlie Wilson who said it: :”what’s good for General Motors is good for America.” That was long before Barak Obama bailed out GM while the GOP screamed. What Obama did was good for America and demonstrated that when management fails policy can save the day.
Mr. Trump is not a hugely successful businessman. Trump is a successful con-man, opportunist, self-promoter and snake oil salesman with a trail of bankruptcies which victimized those who invested or thought they were investing with him. He sold untested “personalized” health drugs, leaving investors holding the bag and in debt and an unlicensed college, Trump University which scammed hundreds and left them in debt because they believed Trump lies. Trump even lost money in the casino business where he did not know what he did not know. Want to buy a Trump steak or a Trump presidency where he will sub-contract out various presidential duties. The Executive Branch a 3 ring circus with Trump barking the tickets.
Voters must understand the difference between a business tycoon and a public servant. The tycoon, okay Trump, says what’s good for me. What will make ME more $$$, The competent president says what is good for America. What will help the economy of the broad majority, Trump says, and maybe believes, that’s what’s good for Trump is good for America; but his tax return may say otherwise. Wanna buy a pig in a poke?
Mr. Trump is not a hugely successful businessman. Trump is a successful con-man, opportunist, self-promoter and snake oil salesman with a trail of bankruptcies which victimized those who invested or thought they were investing with him. He sold untested “personalized” health drugs, leaving investors holding the bag and in debt and an unlicensed college, Trump University which scammed hundreds and left them in debt because they believed Trump lies. Trump even lost money in the casino business where he did not know what he did not know. Want to buy a Trump steak or a Trump presidency where he will sub-contract out various presidential duties. The Executive Branch a 3 ring circus with Trump barking the tickets.
Voters must understand the difference between a business tycoon and a public servant. The tycoon, okay Trump, says what’s good for me. What will make ME more $$$, The competent president says what is good for America. What will help the economy of the broad majority, Trump says, and maybe believes, that’s what’s good for Trump is good for America; but his tax return may say otherwise. Wanna buy a pig in a poke?
7
This reminds me of (the late) John Kenneth Galbraith's observation in the 70's: "Nothing so gives the illusion of intelligence as close association with large sums of money." Trump is the poster boy for this illusion.
3
Every time Trump makes yet another incoherent policy statement I wish he would preface each one by saying: "For all my voters who really don't care what lie I put forth because they know I cater to the unintelligent right wingers in the country who will believe anything coming out of my mouth I say".............
In Understanding Stupidity, James F. Welles defines stupidity this way: "The term may be used to designate a mentality which is considered to be informed, deliberate and maladaptive." Welles distinguishes stupidity from ignorance; one must know they are acting in their own worst interest. Secondly, it must be a choice, not a forced act or accident. Lastly, it requires the activity to be maladaptive, in that it is in the worst interest of the actor, and specifically done to prevent adaption to new data or existing circumstances.
In Understanding Stupidity, James F. Welles defines stupidity this way: "The term may be used to designate a mentality which is considered to be informed, deliberate and maladaptive." Welles distinguishes stupidity from ignorance; one must know they are acting in their own worst interest. Secondly, it must be a choice, not a forced act or accident. Lastly, it requires the activity to be maladaptive, in that it is in the worst interest of the actor, and specifically done to prevent adaption to new data or existing circumstances.
1
To be sure, running economies is nothing like running businesses. For one thing, business don't have the right to actually print real money; witness the jail terms for those who try. That aside ...
The evidence is that the majority of academic economists are equally clueless at understanding their own trade, as is Trump. Guys, your models, while paragons of mathematical sophistication, just don't work. It's the equivalent of theology. Much ado about the purely imaginary. The pieties of the Chicago School of economics are as connected to reality as the actions of rain-dancers to actual weather. Yourself, Sir, I graciously and freely admit are an exception to this. You could actually produce rain - if permitted to do so. Which Blessed Day may yet arrive!
But meantime, it's 'the pot calling the kettle black', to decry The Donald's lack of understanding of economic reality. And I'm not even a fan of his!
The evidence is that the majority of academic economists are equally clueless at understanding their own trade, as is Trump. Guys, your models, while paragons of mathematical sophistication, just don't work. It's the equivalent of theology. Much ado about the purely imaginary. The pieties of the Chicago School of economics are as connected to reality as the actions of rain-dancers to actual weather. Yourself, Sir, I graciously and freely admit are an exception to this. You could actually produce rain - if permitted to do so. Which Blessed Day may yet arrive!
But meantime, it's 'the pot calling the kettle black', to decry The Donald's lack of understanding of economic reality. And I'm not even a fan of his!
Community organisers are even worse regarding economics. Yet we made one president and look how the focus of justice Department is on bullying schools on bathrooms, while letting the wall Street frauds roam free.
1
Mr. Krugman is talking facts--but Trump voters don't care about facts. They've latched on to the hatred for women and minorities, and they're going to run with it, no matter the cost to themselves and to future generations. They love him for his rejection of "political correctness," otherwise known as courtesy.
They love him for all the people he's going to hurt.
What they don't, and won't realize, what they refuse to realize, is that they are among those people.
They love him for all the people he's going to hurt.
What they don't, and won't realize, what they refuse to realize, is that they are among those people.
6
I have known several very successful businessmen in my time and not one of them ever declared bankruptcy once, let alone four times.
I'm hoping for some more details about those failures and the people he hurt by throwing in the towel. I'm sure it wasn't just "big banks" who suffered from his poor judgement. There are probably a lot of small contractors and other vendors who could tell a very sad tale about getting involved with Donald Trump.
I'm hoping for some more details about those failures and the people he hurt by throwing in the towel. I'm sure it wasn't just "big banks" who suffered from his poor judgement. There are probably a lot of small contractors and other vendors who could tell a very sad tale about getting involved with Donald Trump.
4
When Bill Hughes was Representative of New Jersey's Second District in which Atlantic City is located, he got a call from Donald Trump. Trump first informed him that he'd given the Democratic Party $15,000 then asked Hughes to do something for him: ban all Indian Reservations from owning and operating casinos. Hughes was a member of the Judiciary Committee and told Trump that it wasn't going to happen. Whereupon Trump unleashed a tirade punctuated by a torrent of profanity and ended by threatening to run against Hughes for his seat in Congress. That's how this particular businessman "negotiates."
3
People who support Trump do not care about how little he knows or how poor his judgment or character is. They have been left behind by the 21st century economy and are disgusted with national policy that favors people from other countries over Americans, not caring that free trade lowers the prices of goods because they cannot afford the goods. They are willing to bring everyone else down to their level in the muck of the American economy in the hope that, then, different polices will be a tide that raises all boats, not just the successful boats. In that respect, they should be supporting Bernie Sanders--they just don't know it.
1
Well, yes, of course. Running a government is not the same as running a private for-profit business. The two have goals and means that are not only different, but sometimes antithetical. This is, or should be, a 'duh' observation.
And even in the field that's supposedly his forte, he's five times bankrupt - the Wizard of Oz, a dumpy failure hiding behind a curtain and a yuuuge false front that barks and bellows about how great and powerful he is. He's mastered the art, not of the deal, but of selling a persona, and of crashing the plane and being the only one to walk away from the wreck without even a split fingernail. (Ask Atlantic City about his business acumen.)
Honestly, it startles and dismays me some people are still buying into his act.
And even in the field that's supposedly his forte, he's five times bankrupt - the Wizard of Oz, a dumpy failure hiding behind a curtain and a yuuuge false front that barks and bellows about how great and powerful he is. He's mastered the art, not of the deal, but of selling a persona, and of crashing the plane and being the only one to walk away from the wreck without even a split fingernail. (Ask Atlantic City about his business acumen.)
Honestly, it startles and dismays me some people are still buying into his act.
6
Trump is an abomination and the absolute worst Presidential nominee in American history.
Opposing him is the patriotic duty of every decent American.
The Republican Party should be groveling in shame for having presented to the nation this bigoted, odious fraud as it's nominee.
Opposing him is the patriotic duty of every decent American.
The Republican Party should be groveling in shame for having presented to the nation this bigoted, odious fraud as it's nominee.
7
Trump is the wildfire feeding off the debris of economic stagnation, and he will consume that and every structure on the land. And we are but field mice in his path. Squeak!
4
"Even genuinely brilliant businesspeople are often clueless about economic policy."
Funny, I thought only economists were clueless about economic policy.
Funny, I thought only economists were clueless about economic policy.
1
Trump and Bernie arrived at their current elevated stature because of the pervasive corruption of state and national politics and most especially the politicians have totally ignored the needs of the average voters for decades.
Economics on a voters' level boils down to two questions:
1) does my family have a stable income that we can depend on?, and
2) can my family achieve the future we deserve?
The answer to both of those questions for middle-class Americans has been a resounding NO for more than a decade.
Along come Trump and Bernie.
Trump selling "Trust Me" snake-oil.
Bernie selling "Hope" big-gulps.
Hillary, please listen. "It's the economy, stupid."
Economics on a voters' level boils down to two questions:
1) does my family have a stable income that we can depend on?, and
2) can my family achieve the future we deserve?
The answer to both of those questions for middle-class Americans has been a resounding NO for more than a decade.
Along come Trump and Bernie.
Trump selling "Trust Me" snake-oil.
Bernie selling "Hope" big-gulps.
Hillary, please listen. "It's the economy, stupid."
2
Trump is ignorant and unprincipled in all respects but three - he is Racist, he is a Misogynist, and he is a Xenophobe. These prejudices are his North Star and all who follow him welcome his Point of Light and assume everything else will be Great Again when White Male Supremacy is restored. Everything else is negotiable, everything else is posture and politics, and the People get it.
1
Political instincts are important in politics and Trump appears to have them, otherwise he would not have beaten 15 others to get to where he is. Hillary, on the other hand, has no talent for reading or interacting with the common people and that is the reason for her strong negative rating.
2
Ah, so many balls in the air at the same time.
1. Trump is an obvious fraud. He reminds me of the truck careening down the highway, weaving crazily but, when you look there is no trailer behind it. Sanders has a trailer but there is nothing in it - he is also weaving into the left lane towards oncoming traffic. Hillary's trailer is loaded with practical solutions and riding the middle lane safely. Who ya gonna trust?
2. I don't give a hoot about the media's alarm over Hillary's e-mail server. For one thing, Colin Powell did the same thing. I suspect the State Dept's e-mail system is cumbersome and insecure, old technology to boot.
3. Fact is, Hillary is our only choice. We can see reports of Sander's attraction fading as he revels himself as an ego driven, late bloomer with no history of accomplishment.
1. Trump is an obvious fraud. He reminds me of the truck careening down the highway, weaving crazily but, when you look there is no trailer behind it. Sanders has a trailer but there is nothing in it - he is also weaving into the left lane towards oncoming traffic. Hillary's trailer is loaded with practical solutions and riding the middle lane safely. Who ya gonna trust?
2. I don't give a hoot about the media's alarm over Hillary's e-mail server. For one thing, Colin Powell did the same thing. I suspect the State Dept's e-mail system is cumbersome and insecure, old technology to boot.
3. Fact is, Hillary is our only choice. We can see reports of Sander's attraction fading as he revels himself as an ego driven, late bloomer with no history of accomplishment.
5
Millions of people play the lottery, drive cars they can barely make the payments on, drink too much, eat too much, spend too much, owe too much, and dream of the lucky strike. A vote for Trump has nothing to do with economic policy; appeals to reason won't work. He's just a childish whining wish conjuring the promise of a past that never existed for people who never made it and can't make it in America. He's the loser's candidate.
1
Progressive liberal Marxist Alinsky "community organizing" democrats are delusional about competency. They haven't a clue about morality or economics. Suggesting that some have too much that government must force fairness is immoral. Progressive liberal Marxist democrats are motivated by corrosive divisiveness and envy.
Obama is a failure. Carter was a failure. LBJ was a failure. FDR set the USA on a path to ruin, Wilson was a Marxist.
We need a Calvin Coolidge .
Obama is a failure. Carter was a failure. LBJ was a failure. FDR set the USA on a path to ruin, Wilson was a Marxist.
We need a Calvin Coolidge .
Don Trump knows how to run his own personal economy in a unique profit making way; he is running for President and his free advertising is probably enriching his brand name and enterprises and that might be why he refuses to release his tax returns. They might show a profit windfall. Then people would say he is just running for President to get rich.Micheal Bloombergs' brand made billions during his twelve years as Mayor. Just think about all that free advertising he received.
Don Trump might be good at making money, but maybe only for himself.
Don Trump might be good at making money, but maybe only for himself.
Sadly voters won't know the truth. Or will deny the truth. You would think that any candidate who says "wages are too high" would be toast, but Trump's rise indicates to me that our electorate cannot or will not consume facts. The astonishing thing about Trump is he is a master deflector because he has no shame. The contradictions. The insults. The mocking. The lies. The stupidity. None of it matters. And he leads by creating enemies and telling his followers that they are victims and he still save them. Let's hope their aren't enough voters willing to drink the Kool Aid.
1
This election cycle was never about the truth, it is about the convergence of tipping points.
Too many lost living-wage jobs.
Too much inequality.
Too much hate news from Fox and others - and too many believers.
Too much war.
Too much greed - too little justice.
Too much money in politics.
Too much debt.
Too many destroyed dreams.
Too little opportunity.
Too much corruption.
Too ....
Too many lost living-wage jobs.
Too much inequality.
Too much hate news from Fox and others - and too many believers.
Too much war.
Too much greed - too little justice.
Too much money in politics.
Too much debt.
Too many destroyed dreams.
Too little opportunity.
Too much corruption.
Too ....
1
I just read an article by a pundit who described the United States as a nation in decline. Sadly, I think he's right. For voters to even consider an incompetent like Trump to be of presidential caliber is strong evidence of decline.
4
Sorry mr Krugman I find it hard to take your opening sentence: "In general, you shouldn’t pay much attention to polls at this point" seriously given your own opinion of only a few weeks ago:
"First, and least harmful, will be the urge to make the election seem closer than it is, if only because a close race makes a better story. You can already see this tendency in suggestions that the startling outcome of the fight for the Republican nomination somehow means that polls and other conventional indicators of electoral strength are meaningless.
The truth, however, is that polls have been pretty good indicators all along. Pundits who dismissed the chances of a Trump nomination did so despite, not because of, the polls, which have been showing a large Trump lead for more than eight months. "
and " If the average of recent polls shows a strong lead for one candidate — as it does right now for Mrs. Clinton — any individual poll that disagrees with that average should be taken with large helpings of salt."
Now the average has shifted and polls are not important any more?
The polls are scary maybe, but not meaningless.
"First, and least harmful, will be the urge to make the election seem closer than it is, if only because a close race makes a better story. You can already see this tendency in suggestions that the startling outcome of the fight for the Republican nomination somehow means that polls and other conventional indicators of electoral strength are meaningless.
The truth, however, is that polls have been pretty good indicators all along. Pundits who dismissed the chances of a Trump nomination did so despite, not because of, the polls, which have been showing a large Trump lead for more than eight months. "
and " If the average of recent polls shows a strong lead for one candidate — as it does right now for Mrs. Clinton — any individual poll that disagrees with that average should be taken with large helpings of salt."
Now the average has shifted and polls are not important any more?
The polls are scary maybe, but not meaningless.
1
Let's see - would I trust a politician or a reporter to know more about business and/or the economy. Neither! Mr. Krugman has no idea what it takes to run a business or a country - unfortunately, neither do politicians. They've mismanaged our fiscal budget and have leveraged our economy with $21 trillion dollars of debt. I'm wondering, would Mr. Trump be any worse than the congressmen and senators who are bankrupting this country? I think reporters and politicians should take a few accounting courses to learn about debits and credits and how to balance a budget.
The problem is I fear that Donald Trump's supporters don't understand how the US economy or the global economy works any more that he does so they are easily swayed by the promise of the magical fix.
4
We have been waiting for months for Trump to say something so outrageous that even his most devoted minions will abandon him in droves. He keeps saying outrageous things, and now he's the nominee. What on earth makes anyone think that this buffoon, who is so blatantly unqualified to be elected to any office, much less the President of the United States, will say something so utterly despicable now that he won't win the election?
That is, unless he goes against Bernie Sanders. We have one shot to win this election, one shot before the Evil Empire takes over the United States. It's up to you, Virgin Islands, Montana, California, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota and DC. That's 931 delegates (plus or minus super-delegates.) Hillary, bless her heart, has made too many missteps that a wiser person wouldn't have made, but against Bernie Sanders, Trump has no ready-made ammunition. So help us, aforementioned states! You're our only hope!
That is, unless he goes against Bernie Sanders. We have one shot to win this election, one shot before the Evil Empire takes over the United States. It's up to you, Virgin Islands, Montana, California, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota and DC. That's 931 delegates (plus or minus super-delegates.) Hillary, bless her heart, has made too many missteps that a wiser person wouldn't have made, but against Bernie Sanders, Trump has no ready-made ammunition. So help us, aforementioned states! You're our only hope!
2
Hawks of a feather, Clinton and Trump, nether of which think twice before destroying the lives of others for profit. The first creates chaos wherever she goes, as does the second. Not with my vote they won't.
Keep going Bernie, through the primaries and on to the Convention.
Keep going Bernie, through the primaries and on to the Convention.
3
Mr. Krugman is trying to make sense out of a campaign that so far has made no sense at all. The unbelievable republican nominee could possibly win because the democrats have put all their eggs in the HRC basket. She has proved to be a poor choice to rally democrats and independents. The country is split right down the middle and Hillary is the wedge that will keep it that way. This slow moving and unbelievable spectacle has most voters wondering how this could have happened and how we will look 4 years from now.
2
Prof. Krugman,
Are you going to do a column on Hillary and the State Dept. findings - or is it all Trump all the time? One of the things that adds credibility to a journalist is willingness to address events that amount to cognitive dissonance for his or her political views. I'm sure I'm not the only reader who would like to get your views on this important development in the campaign.
Are you going to do a column on Hillary and the State Dept. findings - or is it all Trump all the time? One of the things that adds credibility to a journalist is willingness to address events that amount to cognitive dissonance for his or her political views. I'm sure I'm not the only reader who would like to get your views on this important development in the campaign.
1
An interesting phenomenon is Americans selection of political leaders. When we need medical care, home, car, or appliances repair we want the best professional we can find. This is not true for selection of political leaders. Why is that?
Trump may be like the second Bush. It will be important who Trump selects for important positions and advisors. W Bush listen to Cheney and Rumsfeld and the overthrow of Saddam changed everything in the Middle East. Daddy Bush was wise enough to see that and kept Cheney and Rumsfeld in check.
Let us home Trump chooses wisely.
Trump may be like the second Bush. It will be important who Trump selects for important positions and advisors. W Bush listen to Cheney and Rumsfeld and the overthrow of Saddam changed everything in the Middle East. Daddy Bush was wise enough to see that and kept Cheney and Rumsfeld in check.
Let us home Trump chooses wisely.
1
"But will voters ever recognize that truth?"
Most of them think they already know the truth, when in fact they don't, and couldn't find of they looked for it. They wouldn't even know where to start.
Most of them think they already know the truth, when in fact they don't, and couldn't find of they looked for it. They wouldn't even know where to start.
4
What seems clear to me is that if you actually read all the way through this op-ed, whether or not you agree with its conclusions, you are head and shoulders above the majority of American voters. Trump is proud of his appeal to the "poorly educated" low information voters. They, sure as hell, aren't reading this. All the erudite fact-based arguments Prof. Krugman can muster are as likely to known to this crew as 1930s radio signals traveling through deep space. Trump's incurious base love a showman and need only remember "Lyin' Ted" and "Crooked Hillary" when pulling the lever. Can it be that we are reaping the harvest of decades of underfunded public schools outside affluent suburbs?
4
Billionaire = incompetence.
VA a well run government program = musings of the competent.
Brilliant!
VA a well run government program = musings of the competent.
Brilliant!
1
What Mr. Krugman doesn't understand is that the business of America is business. While it is true that being a good businessman doesn't make one an economist, the reverse is true as well.
Paul Krugman would have supported Thomas E. Dewey in 1948, authorizing that famous headline 'Dewey Wins" and crowing with H V Kaltenborn that despite Truman's lead Dewey would triumph, presaging Karl Rove. Let's ignore that Trump has repeatedly beat the odds and announcements of his death have, unfortunately, been premature.
Hillary Clinton's candidacy is in a world of trouble but let's ignore that because Hillary is inevitable because that Hillary's position - "I will be the nominee" seconded by The Times. Never mind that she's a looming disaster as a candidate the voters are uneducated about Donald but they'll learn. What they're learning is that the State Department Inspector General has concluded Hillary is a serial liar -- just like Trump -- but where Trump's lies are those of a private egomaniac Hillary's are those of a highly placed officer of Government who influenced peace, war, arming nations and issues of national politics.
Hillary Clinton's candidacy is in a world of trouble but let's ignore that because Hillary is inevitable because that Hillary's position - "I will be the nominee" seconded by The Times. Never mind that she's a looming disaster as a candidate the voters are uneducated about Donald but they'll learn. What they're learning is that the State Department Inspector General has concluded Hillary is a serial liar -- just like Trump -- but where Trump's lies are those of a private egomaniac Hillary's are those of a highly placed officer of Government who influenced peace, war, arming nations and issues of national politics.
1
Paul Krugman's column is always a refreshing, fact-filled empirical oasis in the fantasy, entertainment-media, reality-TV world we now live in.
To use the Orwellian terminology, Paul's column is about the only place left in today's crazy media world where 2+2 still equals 4 (what Orwell called "the greatest truth in the universe").
In a great example of "2+2=5" media thinking, the NYT editorial today would actually have us throw out all of Prof K.'s careful analysis here and not vote for the more competent and experienced Hillary Clinton because she mishandled the office e-mail system.
As Paul has said previously in his columns, if the "substance-free" news media refuse to cover and discuss the important policy issues, how can we expect voters to be able to make an informed choice in November?
To use the Orwellian terminology, Paul's column is about the only place left in today's crazy media world where 2+2 still equals 4 (what Orwell called "the greatest truth in the universe").
In a great example of "2+2=5" media thinking, the NYT editorial today would actually have us throw out all of Prof K.'s careful analysis here and not vote for the more competent and experienced Hillary Clinton because she mishandled the office e-mail system.
As Paul has said previously in his columns, if the "substance-free" news media refuse to cover and discuss the important policy issues, how can we expect voters to be able to make an informed choice in November?
2
"Even genuinely brilliant businesspeople are often clueless about economic policy."
And to be fair, the converse of this is equally likely: Even those brilliant about economic policy are often clueless about business.
And perhaps, Even those brilliant in business and/or economics are clueless about politics?
And to be fair, the converse of this is equally likely: Even those brilliant about economic policy are often clueless about business.
And perhaps, Even those brilliant in business and/or economics are clueless about politics?
Trump wont release his tax returns which would prove a few things. He isnt as rich as he brags, he pays very little in taxes (if anything), he gives nothing to charity (but he deducts free rounds of golf at his resorts). We havent recovered from the last republican administration yet (thanks in large part to the republican congress that has stifled any progress) so we cannot handle another one for decades. Keep on telling it like it is Paul.
4
"It's the economy, stupid!"
This article successfully reads the mood of most voters, but continues the myth that Hillary's coronation is "inevitable." Given the well-documented disgust most Americans have for "business as usual" in Washington, it seems to me there remain exactly two choices for our next president: Bernie or the Donald.
No matter how much the corporate media hypes Hillary, they cannot remove the "establishment" tattoo from her forehead. And so all of you faithful Democrats who continue to march lockstep to block any hint that Bernie might be a better candidate, or that he still has a chance to secure the nomination, are essentially guaranteeing a Trump presidency and all of the domestic and international chaos that will unleash.
Does anyone on the Times editorial staff really think that the same people who prefer Trump and all of his baggage over someone like Jeb or Kasich are going to suddenly change their tune and vote for the quintessential establishment candidate? Your predictions during this election season have been colossal failures thus far - when are you going to start learning from your mistakes?
This article successfully reads the mood of most voters, but continues the myth that Hillary's coronation is "inevitable." Given the well-documented disgust most Americans have for "business as usual" in Washington, it seems to me there remain exactly two choices for our next president: Bernie or the Donald.
No matter how much the corporate media hypes Hillary, they cannot remove the "establishment" tattoo from her forehead. And so all of you faithful Democrats who continue to march lockstep to block any hint that Bernie might be a better candidate, or that he still has a chance to secure the nomination, are essentially guaranteeing a Trump presidency and all of the domestic and international chaos that will unleash.
Does anyone on the Times editorial staff really think that the same people who prefer Trump and all of his baggage over someone like Jeb or Kasich are going to suddenly change their tune and vote for the quintessential establishment candidate? Your predictions during this election season have been colossal failures thus far - when are you going to start learning from your mistakes?
1
I want to see the poll numbers after Bernie Sanders gets off this ridiculous state of mind that he could be the Nominee of the Democratic Party and the system is rigged.
That is not the case as Sanders benefited from the States of low voter turnouts.
Enough of such notion, between Trump and Clinton only one person is fit to be the President of US of A.
That one ain`t Donald Trump.
That is not the case as Sanders benefited from the States of low voter turnouts.
Enough of such notion, between Trump and Clinton only one person is fit to be the President of US of A.
That one ain`t Donald Trump.
2
Please while you're at it list us the number of economic and social problems Barack Obama addressed efficiently during his 8 years (Obamacare is for about 10 million people).
You can cite the housing bubble / banking collapse, but that is part of the current economic model of the United States, and there is definitely no guarantee against future financial upheavals.
That's about it. Hillary Clinton is heiress to Barack Obama.
So compared to nothing, Donald Trump could supposedly have something.
Your point is Prof. Krugmann, that Donald Trump has less then nothing. That he'll be detrimental for the country's economy.
But how can someone be detrimental for a country's economy, if he argues for re-industrialisation, use of available energy sources, rebuilding the infrastructure?
That's what he does.
Let's see your main point:
“Our wages are too high. We have to compete with other countries."
But he argues against competing with other countries doesn't he? So he doesn't propose a wage cut. He proposes to make more products home.
One cannot beat an "imaginary" opponent Prof. Krugmann.
You can cite the housing bubble / banking collapse, but that is part of the current economic model of the United States, and there is definitely no guarantee against future financial upheavals.
That's about it. Hillary Clinton is heiress to Barack Obama.
So compared to nothing, Donald Trump could supposedly have something.
Your point is Prof. Krugmann, that Donald Trump has less then nothing. That he'll be detrimental for the country's economy.
But how can someone be detrimental for a country's economy, if he argues for re-industrialisation, use of available energy sources, rebuilding the infrastructure?
That's what he does.
Let's see your main point:
“Our wages are too high. We have to compete with other countries."
But he argues against competing with other countries doesn't he? So he doesn't propose a wage cut. He proposes to make more products home.
One cannot beat an "imaginary" opponent Prof. Krugmann.
1
I'd never vote for Donald Trump, but I'll bet he knows the difference between his personal email account and a State Department email account. If Professor Krugman is right about the inevitability of Hillary Clinton becoming the Democratic candidate there are going to be a lot of us simply staying away from the polls in November
2
No, the voters won't recognize the truth. As the saying goes, they can't handle the truth (that being Democrats are better for the working class and therefore America as a unit). The real problem is the non-voters. The non-voters are more moderate and therefore give the right leaning voters more clout. As long as a third or more of our citizens take the position that voting is not important, we can't then ask the dumbed down to perk up.
And what do economists know about business, that is, real business, not what "economic theory" tells us what business people should do according to economics, as opposed to what they really do. The American economy is run on business practices and if economists don't understand this, they don't understand the economy.
Dr. Krugman, were you or your colleagues in the field of economic "science" able to predict the collapse of the financial system? Is there any consensus now on explaining why it occurred?
Dr. Krugman, were you or your colleagues in the field of economic "science" able to predict the collapse of the financial system? Is there any consensus now on explaining why it occurred?
1
The foundation for a Trump presidency was laid when an actor/action hero, Arnold Schwarzenegger and a professional wrestler, Jesse Ventura were voted into their respective State offices as Governors. Is a "business man" less qualified than those two? Does a successful acting or wrestling career make a better Governor? The people thought so. How else do you explain their becoming governors. So then, why not a well-known business man for President? Appears that the public is ready to try that.
2
I understand bias, but many of the points made in your article demand correction.
If a son borrowed $1,000 from his father and grew it to a $100,000,000 enterprise, his success would be considered astonishing.
Mr Trump did that 1,000X, turning $1 M into $10 Billion!
The difference between Mr Trump's evaluation of his networth of $10 B and Forbes $4 B is the evatuation of the TRUMP brand. Forbes says it has no value. Really?
Mr Trump is not only the most qualified economic POTUS candidate in USA's history, he is a true patriot, risking his fortune, and perhaps his life, to restore Constitutional democracy.
His supporters understand liberal media, like the majority of elected representatives, are biased toward the special interests of multinational corporations who have effectively shanghaid our representative government.
If you believe, as President Obama obviously does, that "The World's" future would be brighter with a weak America, you are wrong. China, Russia, radical Islam, and others will fill the vacuum resulting from a weakened America.
For the sake of America's future generations please join with us in support of Mr Trump's effort.
If a son borrowed $1,000 from his father and grew it to a $100,000,000 enterprise, his success would be considered astonishing.
Mr Trump did that 1,000X, turning $1 M into $10 Billion!
The difference between Mr Trump's evaluation of his networth of $10 B and Forbes $4 B is the evatuation of the TRUMP brand. Forbes says it has no value. Really?
Mr Trump is not only the most qualified economic POTUS candidate in USA's history, he is a true patriot, risking his fortune, and perhaps his life, to restore Constitutional democracy.
His supporters understand liberal media, like the majority of elected representatives, are biased toward the special interests of multinational corporations who have effectively shanghaid our representative government.
If you believe, as President Obama obviously does, that "The World's" future would be brighter with a weak America, you are wrong. China, Russia, radical Islam, and others will fill the vacuum resulting from a weakened America.
For the sake of America's future generations please join with us in support of Mr Trump's effort.
Trump has many more bankruptcies in his past than he does wives, and probably more than he has (claimed) paramours to boot. Most Americans who are forced to declare bankruptcy do so only once in their lives, and very often that is precipitated by a health crisis. Trump's explanation is that his bankruptcy proceedings were all "great" business decisions, and he came out ahead, yugely ahead, due to his impeccable business acumen.
So, a man builds a casino and goes bankrupt. Then, in Trump's telling, builds another casino and goes bankrupt again. And again. And again. Oh, and along the way there are other lesser financial difficulties, lawsuits, insignificant hiccups here and there, and over there and...come out ahead every time. That is a consistent, if uncorroborated, track record, at least. Funny, but bankruptcy laws are rigged to make it difficult to declare you are broke and walk away from your debts. How come Trump makes it look as easy as stealing a baby's ice cream?
So Trump can start out with a lot of money, make it disappear, go bankrupt and end up with more than he had at the start. Maybe, just maybe he can take over a country with trillions, many trillions, of dollars of debt but is not yet bankrupt, and after finally leading it over the edge of that cliff, then miraculously make America Great (and every citizen rich in the process) Again.
So, a man builds a casino and goes bankrupt. Then, in Trump's telling, builds another casino and goes bankrupt again. And again. And again. Oh, and along the way there are other lesser financial difficulties, lawsuits, insignificant hiccups here and there, and over there and...come out ahead every time. That is a consistent, if uncorroborated, track record, at least. Funny, but bankruptcy laws are rigged to make it difficult to declare you are broke and walk away from your debts. How come Trump makes it look as easy as stealing a baby's ice cream?
So Trump can start out with a lot of money, make it disappear, go bankrupt and end up with more than he had at the start. Maybe, just maybe he can take over a country with trillions, many trillions, of dollars of debt but is not yet bankrupt, and after finally leading it over the edge of that cliff, then miraculously make America Great (and every citizen rich in the process) Again.
1
The economics works for Trump, not for the Clinton's. The idea of globalization has some negative effects, and people are feed up with their paltry wages, lost jobs and long working hours. Trump, interestingly, singing to their tunes, but Sanders nailed it. Since Trump has the only possible chance, he will gain a lot possibly some Sanders voters in the general elections. Again the so-called political pundits are living in a fantasy world: Why should the Sanders supporters, who are independents and democrats should choose Hillary over Trump? Another question they have failed to answer is: Why should the Sanders supporters support Hillary at all, considering the treatment from the party and the condescending attitude from her? But Trump plays better to their fears, aspirations, and other stuff. He has done better than Obama in demagoguery. I don't see him lose for his economic stances, just like other controversial stances he raised. Get ready for the Trump run nationalistic economy!
2
Spin, spin, spin. At least Bernie has gone from "dead ender" to "not conceding the inevitable". Those same polls showed Bernie leading Trump by 15 points. When Bill Clinton got the "talk" from Wall Street on how the world works (in Wall Street's favor) shortly after being sworn in, he got on board big time. The only economic policy Hillary has is what proves to be expedient to her donors. It's politics, Paul, not economics.
Our belief that businessmen can operate government better than bureaucrats is an outgrowth of our belief that "government is the problem" and "the marketplace is good"... So outsourcing government functions like the oversight of parking meters, public schools, and military logistics is preferable to paying a "government bureaucrat" to do the work.
1
I live in MI with a CEO governor (along with a tea party legislature and Supreme Court). Our state has consistently gone downhill since Snyder was elected. He gave a $1.8B cut to businesses ("they will flock to MI") while raising taxes on the poor (cut to EIC) and pensioners (put a tax on pensions). Education is in the toilet and he follows the ALEC playbook (since he doesn't have the courage to fight for things he wants and signs whatever the legislature asks him to) by cutting revenue to schools and municipalities, allowing him to put his cronies in power by giving them the title of Emergency Financial Manager. The only jobs brought to this state have been minimum wage, non-union, no benefit jobs (except for those by the auto companies, due to Pres. Obama's policies, not Snyder's). DPS and Flint will always be his legacy as he proves that CEO politicians are only interested in the bottom line, not the citizens they serve. We are trying to out-Mississippi now in our race to the bottom. Just call us "Pure Michissippi."
The Clinton-Summers trashing of legitimate financial regulation and their unleashing of unregulated speculation on the American economy makes the return of the Clintons to office the most horrifying prospect I can imagine. Another Clinton candidacy is not the answer to the very much that needs undoing because of them.
1
The Hindu's say the highest form of intelligence is Buddhi, (discrimination)
Which means that at any given moment the person is able to choose the correct path.
Unburden by dogma, doctrine, talking points, Trump by winning the nomination has shown an ability that i haven't seen before. Even the Trump haters must admit what he has accomplished before our eyes has been spectacular.
People say Trump knows nothing, he is this, he is that.
If we were at war, and we are, Trump has leadership qualities that i have not seen in my lifetime.
The war i am referring to is the decline of America.
Donald is a side to side thinker, not a linear clone like most of our society.
Say what you want, but give credit where credit is due.
Which means that at any given moment the person is able to choose the correct path.
Unburden by dogma, doctrine, talking points, Trump by winning the nomination has shown an ability that i haven't seen before. Even the Trump haters must admit what he has accomplished before our eyes has been spectacular.
People say Trump knows nothing, he is this, he is that.
If we were at war, and we are, Trump has leadership qualities that i have not seen in my lifetime.
The war i am referring to is the decline of America.
Donald is a side to side thinker, not a linear clone like most of our society.
Say what you want, but give credit where credit is due.
1
Donald Trump isn't getting ahead because of any real quality, like business acumen.
He is getting ahead because we have trained a lot of people to believe that anything that is shouted at them over and over, must be true.
So when the Donald shouts that he is great, that he has all the fixes, don't worry about the details, he is a doer, a negotiator, a player, people just take him at his own face value.
A huge portion of us voters want to have our problems dumbed down and simplified, and want simple easy to explain, easy to understand answers. They are jumping to the people who can make reality look easy. Demagogues.
We need to grow up. The problems are complex, long term, and difficult. And they are unsolvable if we cannot remember how to compromise, and how to recognize that none of us can get everything we want or need. But that is a campaign message that is a non-starter.
So we get the big, orange cartoon character of a candidate instead. And get no closer to improving our national welfare.
He is getting ahead because we have trained a lot of people to believe that anything that is shouted at them over and over, must be true.
So when the Donald shouts that he is great, that he has all the fixes, don't worry about the details, he is a doer, a negotiator, a player, people just take him at his own face value.
A huge portion of us voters want to have our problems dumbed down and simplified, and want simple easy to explain, easy to understand answers. They are jumping to the people who can make reality look easy. Demagogues.
We need to grow up. The problems are complex, long term, and difficult. And they are unsolvable if we cannot remember how to compromise, and how to recognize that none of us can get everything we want or need. But that is a campaign message that is a non-starter.
So we get the big, orange cartoon character of a candidate instead. And get no closer to improving our national welfare.
It seems to me that Trump is listening to somebody about economic policy because he is adopting every retrograde economic policy that is orthodoxy for movement conservatives. To wit, he now opposes minimum wage increases because wages are too high. And, in an era of petroleum and natural gas abundance he is going to bring back coal mining jobs.
1
The key issue missed is that Trump will surround himself with talented people, like any good CEO would do. A CEO is indeed the best qualification possible for fixing the economy -- they manage complex constituencies and unlike politicians, they must answer to the man (shareholders) each quarter. Meanwhile we have heard nothing substantive from the dem side other than destroy banks, the life blood/oil of economic propulsion, and give aways. The only thing that one can expect from the dem side is more of the same and 2% growth at best. Why would anyone vote for that...?
1
Without an excess of optimistism, I keep waiting for the Joseph Nye Welsh moment when someone with a microphone and an audience thunders "Have you no sense of decency, sir?" to Donald J. Trump, who shows no compunction whatever in broadcasting baldfaced lies that he either knows to be untrue or that demonstrates an embedded clinical psychological disorientation.
Better, perhaps that we examine our own psychological balance as we seem determined to swamp the collective sense of reality that faces us every day with the satisfaction of hearing the bluster, bigotry and serial mendacity of the orange-topped bullhorn who would be President.
www.endthemadnessnow.org
Better, perhaps that we examine our own psychological balance as we seem determined to swamp the collective sense of reality that faces us every day with the satisfaction of hearing the bluster, bigotry and serial mendacity of the orange-topped bullhorn who would be President.
www.endthemadnessnow.org
1
"The truth is that the idea that Donald Trump, of all people, knows how to run the U.S. economy is ludicrous. But will voters ever recognize that truth?"
Many voters are intelligent enough to recognize it, but our country is loaded with incredibly ignorant imbecile voters who might outnumber the intelligent ones.
In that case we are doomed.
Many voters are intelligent enough to recognize it, but our country is loaded with incredibly ignorant imbecile voters who might outnumber the intelligent ones.
In that case we are doomed.
The set of skills needed to be a good politician is totally different than those needed to be a good businessman, especially a good real estate speculator, or developer or investor.
The President is a servant of the people and works for all of the people. I think the Democrats would do well to ask Trump who he would be working for if he were elected. Trump, a servant of the people- what a laugh.
The President is a servant of the people and works for all of the people. I think the Democrats would do well to ask Trump who he would be working for if he were elected. Trump, a servant of the people- what a laugh.
Paul, please stop with the veiled denunciation of the only decent knowledgeable candidate for President, Bernie Sanders.
Death and taxes are inevitable, nothing else.
Hillary must withdraw, for the good of our nation.
The next shoe, a very large one, may drop even before the convention, and make us look like blithering idiots, to an already horrified world.
Death and taxes are inevitable, nothing else.
Hillary must withdraw, for the good of our nation.
The next shoe, a very large one, may drop even before the convention, and make us look like blithering idiots, to an already horrified world.
2
"The Dunning–Kruger effect is a cognitive bias in which unskilled people make poor decisions and reach erroneous conclusions, but their incompetence denies them the metacognitive ability to recognize their mistakes. The unskilled therefore suffer from illusory superiority, rating their ability as above average, much higher than it actually is, while the highly skilled underrate their own abilities, suffering from illusory inferiority.
You don't even know enough to realize just how little you know."
You don't even know enough to realize just how little you know."
Often speaking out of his "wherever" the Republican nominee for president benefited from republican and the media failures. They are all too eager to talk about what he said and rush to find "strategic" reasons why his approach makes sense. Frankly, this is nonsense. One can find some cowardly explanation for the behavior of the Republicans. But it is getting progressively more difficult to excuse the media, especially the "talking heads" to rationalize Mr. T's behavior. It is not a virtue to explain the strategic benefits of his behavior, but it is to call it totally unacceptable.
Where are the journalists, commenters, opinion vending machines, who would stop rationalizing this sick behavior and call it what it is: Sick!
Where are the journalists, commenters, opinion vending machines, who would stop rationalizing this sick behavior and call it what it is: Sick!
There's business and then there's funny business. A successful business model these days hinges on keeping wages and benefits lower to help maximize profits. Many employers use questionable labor practices to create a labor force of on-call part-time workers. Job security and retirement benefits have dried up. Maybe you could once argue that a successful businessman could use his or her skills to improve the lives of Americans, but today's working Americans should flee the man who claims his experience will be good for their future.
1
You hit the nail on the head. It's not that The Donald knows so little about economic policy (let alone economic policy that works) that is alarming. It's that he demonstrates with each utterance that he has no interest in learning. His overblown ego is the exact thing that attracts many to him (when he says "I am so smart" or "I am so successful" they believe him, and who but an egoist would make such pronouncements). Yet, sadly, it is also the central character flaw that dooms him to ignorance and should disqualify him from the presidency.
2
I trust Paul Krugman. But the back story makes no sense to me.
If we accept the insinuations of many recent news reports, which claim that Trump's supporters are generally disaffected, suffering, opioid-addicted, unemployed, angry, gun-owning, suicidal, resentful white males (and their partners) who favor authority figures, why would these suffering men fail to remember and appreciate that Democratic presidents tend to support social programs, lift us out of recessions, and defend higher wages? Why do they hate the Clintons? And Obama?
Is it really because Obama's black, and Hillary's female?
Dunno. The whole story seems too simple to me. And also accurate.
If we accept the insinuations of many recent news reports, which claim that Trump's supporters are generally disaffected, suffering, opioid-addicted, unemployed, angry, gun-owning, suicidal, resentful white males (and their partners) who favor authority figures, why would these suffering men fail to remember and appreciate that Democratic presidents tend to support social programs, lift us out of recessions, and defend higher wages? Why do they hate the Clintons? And Obama?
Is it really because Obama's black, and Hillary's female?
Dunno. The whole story seems too simple to me. And also accurate.
3
But Trump would cut taxes and increase military spending. That's Keynesian fiscal stimulus, however Republicans would characterize it, and we need fiscal stimulus. If it worked, it would be another victory for supply-side economics.
Thank you for stating *He inherited a fortune, and it’s far from clear that he has expanded that fortune any more than he would have if he had simply parked the money in an index fund.* Anyone with that amount of wealth has prospered immensely with their investments without so much as lifting a finger.
It is fiction that Trump is a builder, rather, he is a masterful brander, selling the use of his name to other builders.
It is doubtful voters will ever recognize the truth.
It is fiction that Trump is a builder, rather, he is a masterful brander, selling the use of his name to other builders.
It is doubtful voters will ever recognize the truth.
1
The thought of Trump becoming President is terrifying. The idea that there are millions of Americans out there who are so angry, deluded or ignorant out there who may vote for him is profoundly depressing. We need a better educational system -- one that fosters more respect for evidence and analytical thought.
1
The most telling thing about Trump is that he can't even articulate a cogent economic policy. He essentially answers every concern with his alleged ability to negotiate a better deal, buttressed by threats of steep tariffs if China and others don't comply. Half baked is too complimentary regarding his ideas.
3
One of the biggest fears which reasonable people have about putting Donald Trump into the White House – okay, not as big as his starting a nuclear war – is that he will push America back into a very bad recession.
Because of the roadblocks thrown by Republicans in the way of the Obama Administration, many Americans have been left behind in the recovery of the past seven years. Those folks, still struggling, are receptive to the Trump message, as garbled as it is. The problem is, even many of the people who are doing okay, but who cheered the obstruction of Obama’s efforts. are also warming to Trump.
It is not a pretty picture. People who should be able to spot a con artist are suspending their disbelief.
Because of the roadblocks thrown by Republicans in the way of the Obama Administration, many Americans have been left behind in the recovery of the past seven years. Those folks, still struggling, are receptive to the Trump message, as garbled as it is. The problem is, even many of the people who are doing okay, but who cheered the obstruction of Obama’s efforts. are also warming to Trump.
It is not a pretty picture. People who should be able to spot a con artist are suspending their disbelief.
2
Not only are business men not economists, they are also not politicians. While a non-politician may appear attractive in a campaign, a little thing called the Constitution of the United States, with its co-equal branches of government, sets a context in which even POTUS, leader of the most powerful nation in the world, has to make his case rather than be able to dictate policy as a business leader can in his organization. Krugman points out there are reasons no businessmen cum politicians have become President. Just ask Rick Scott about his learning curve in FL, if indeed he has learned anything.
2
I realize that Mr Krugman is immune to partisan issues influencing his economic ramblings, but, asserting that a lifetime politician from Chicago or a former wife of a president who used his influence to gain office in NY were / are any more economically qualified is just silly.
As an aside, if your not well versed in how a desktop email system works, how can you possess the mental capacity to understand economics or how to read a balance sheet.
As an aside, if your not well versed in how a desktop email system works, how can you possess the mental capacity to understand economics or how to read a balance sheet.
1
And don't forget Trump's scheme to buy back the debt at discount prices. I thought it was an SNL skit.
"Will voters ever recognize that truth?" No. Voters don't respond to truth; they respond to emotional appeals that resonate with their existing biases. Even HIllary knows that.
Why would voters recognize Trump's "delusions of competence" when well-paid, highly educated media personalities seemingly cannot?
I see and hear (on NPR!) more fawning over Trump, more parroting of everything he says, more breathless adulation of him and his "record" from the media than I do from anyone who isn't already a diehard Trump supporter.
What is wrong the media? Trump success so far is on your hands, not just the voters'!
I see and hear (on NPR!) more fawning over Trump, more parroting of everything he says, more breathless adulation of him and his "record" from the media than I do from anyone who isn't already a diehard Trump supporter.
What is wrong the media? Trump success so far is on your hands, not just the voters'!
1
It's not hard to understand, you know. Push people too far and you get Wat Tyler and the Peasants's Revolt, Jack Cade, the French Revolution, the American Revolution and countless others.
You may feel the revolting peasants are unjustified as they wave their pitchforks and torches at you. You can try to reason with them, perhaps HRC is Richard II and will persude them to go home. My bet's on Bolinbroke.
You may feel the revolting peasants are unjustified as they wave their pitchforks and torches at you. You can try to reason with them, perhaps HRC is Richard II and will persude them to go home. My bet's on Bolinbroke.
9
The people "revolting" aren't the peasants. They are the people who want to stop others from helping the peasants.
I seem to recall that Bolinbroke was considered a pretty competent guy. So you can't compare him to Trump.
Mr. Krugman has certainly pinpointed the failing media with this catchy phrase, "substance-free news coverage." I'd like to add a second phrase: "Hey, what's the problem. You can trust me."
I hope voters come to their senses sooner than later. Now that Trump has secured the nomination, his campaign can easily become a far greater open season on baloney: more so than it already is.
I hope voters come to their senses sooner than later. Now that Trump has secured the nomination, his campaign can easily become a far greater open season on baloney: more so than it already is.
12
I used to read Krugman. Ho hum.
3
Thank you, Mr. Krugman, for voicing what I have been wondering about for months now. Government is not a business -- its purpose is not to make money, but to provide services for all. It is essentially a non-profit entity. Running a successful for-profit business (and I know some will dispute Mr. Trump's claim in this regard) does not mean you have the knowledge or experience to run a country. For-profit business is inherently selfish -- those who govern our country cannot be if we want our country to thrive.
17
Trump has had a lifetime of business experience. He sees government as a business. One of Trump's greatest attributes is his seeing the long term effects of decisions. Owning hotels Trump sees what is efficient and what really works.
As far as I know Clinton has absolutely no business experience at all. Lecturing for huge amounts of money is not business experience. Her ideas of putting in more regulations for business, opening up entire industries for frivolous lawsuits, and greater concern for social issues than the economy won't help our troubled economy.
Clinton will only be a 3rd term for the failed Obama administration.
As far as I know Clinton has absolutely no business experience at all. Lecturing for huge amounts of money is not business experience. Her ideas of putting in more regulations for business, opening up entire industries for frivolous lawsuits, and greater concern for social issues than the economy won't help our troubled economy.
Clinton will only be a 3rd term for the failed Obama administration.
6
mr - The rolling Drumpfster fire would be a return to the faaaaaantastic Dubya years and GOP'er policies that ended in spectacular collapse; Drumpfster is just like any other GOP'er would be - the hood ornament that GOP'ers hopes will obscure their failed policies (on steroids) that they want to take us back to, given half a chance.
2
"the failed Obama administration." I do wish that those who believe this would give us evidence of that failure. For me the job creation, low unemployment, and declining annual deficit are evidences of success. What is your evidence of failure?
5
Are you nuts? Knowing what kind of toilet paper to put in guest rooms means he'll know how to negotiate with China?
There is nothing even remotely "long term" about any of Trump's businesses. The single guiding principle of his business philosophy is "Do anything it takes to make the biggest profit." The lie that business experience makes for the best political leadership is persistent and may prove fatal.
There is nothing even remotely "long term" about any of Trump's businesses. The single guiding principle of his business philosophy is "Do anything it takes to make the biggest profit." The lie that business experience makes for the best political leadership is persistent and may prove fatal.
Adam Smith wrote that the economic well-being of the working class always correlates with the overall economic well-being of a nation, the well-being of the landowners usually correlates with it, but what is good for businessmen is loosely correlated since their fortunes can rise even when others are doing poorly. Trump said as much when, in 2008, he thrilled to the prospect of economic collapse as an opportunity for making money for himself.
25
Krugie needs to boil it down to the lowest common (but most telling) denominator of economic performance. It's simple black and white math: in the 8 years of Obama progressive social engineering and shenanigans to shift focus to "inequalities" to cover the damage done by inept policies to the economic recovery one key fact tells all.
In the last eight years, more businesses have closed and/or failed than business started. That's a first in any presidential period since WWII.
That's frightening. The progressive shenanigans and entitlements have to be funded by tax revenue. Less tax revenue + more spending = continuing economic malaise.
In the last eight years, more businesses have closed and/or failed than business started. That's a first in any presidential period since WWII.
That's frightening. The progressive shenanigans and entitlements have to be funded by tax revenue. Less tax revenue + more spending = continuing economic malaise.
8
Please cite your evidence. If so many businesses have failed, why have so many new jobs been created in the private sector?
http://www.npr.org/2016/04/03/472745523/fact-check-the-white-houses-priv...
http://www.npr.org/2016/04/03/472745523/fact-check-the-white-houses-priv...
I guess battling a huge recession during almost his whole first term, one started under the previous President, a recession that doomed countless businesses, doesn't count in your estimation.
2
Paul, I wish you would argue against this comment as I do not believe it is even close to true and such a comment undermines a factual discussion of the upcoming election.
Trump's incompetence has more to do with his past failed business ventures. His speeches, including his energy speech yesterday, was all about bragging on his stats in the polls, and maligning everybody else. I suggest if he insists on appearing on national TV so frequently, he should at least hire a grammar coach to assist him in getting his ideas across, however imaginary they might be, rather than stumbling through, and repeating everything at least twice, or three times for emphasis. He does not articulate well.
26
What is happening here is that Republicans are looking for a new kind of leadership in Donald Trump. Dr. K describes the leadership qualities most NYT readers look for - understanding, knowledge, consistency, expertise and the ability to build a team - as those every voter is looking for. They're not.
Donald Trump's leadership skills stem from his ability to say anything to anyone at anytime. After doing so, he looks to the future and says he'll make deals and break deals all to make us great again. He says his words don't matter - what matters is who's boss when the real negotiations start.
Republicans have bought in to the notion that mastering the initial position in negotiation is the key leadership trait we need, and they think Donald Trump has it.
Once Donald barks up to the top in economics negotiations, Donald steps back and his experts step in - and we get biggest piece of what Larry Kudlow can offer.
Donald Trump's leadership skills stem from his ability to say anything to anyone at anytime. After doing so, he looks to the future and says he'll make deals and break deals all to make us great again. He says his words don't matter - what matters is who's boss when the real negotiations start.
Republicans have bought in to the notion that mastering the initial position in negotiation is the key leadership trait we need, and they think Donald Trump has it.
Once Donald barks up to the top in economics negotiations, Donald steps back and his experts step in - and we get biggest piece of what Larry Kudlow can offer.
8
Ha! Excellent!
"Never underestimate the the ignoarance of the (American, my word) electorate," someone once said. Indeed: 'we' elected Reagan twice and GWBush twice, too. That, in spite of the evidence that they were (are) politicians catastrophically out to lunch and beyond their depth.
Run for the life jackets, lifeboats.
Run for the life jackets, lifeboats.
76
So Mr. Krugman, if Trump doesn't fit the bill according to you, what makes Hillary Clinton competent in your view to be POTUS and to succeed in improving the economy? While it is true that she's been appointed to many key government positions, her track record has shown her lack of competence in achieving anything memorable. Quite the opposite. The state department inspector general just released his report on Mrs. Clinton concerning her behavior and her breaking of federal laws by using a private server. There is a parallel investigation by the FBI for the same reason. As she was secretary of state, four people died at the embassy in Benghazi, Libya. The Clinton Foundation has received money from several nations in connection with Bill Clinton's Speeches and Mrs. Clinton favors to those nations or companies. Let's not talk about the Hillary tapes when she defended a child rapist in 1975 and laughed about it. Let us not mention her behavior during her stay at the White House and how she attacked the women that accused her husband's sexual harassments. Instead of a list of Mrs. Clinton accomplishments, what I see is that her only accomplishment is to have evaded the law for so many years and to have the nerve to become a presidential candidate. Do you think her impressive track record will make her succeed as POTUS? Thank you for your insight Mr. Krugman.
12
Clinton started the first rape hot-line in Arkansas after being required to defend the accused rapist. She ran a legal-aid clinic and was appointed by a Judge.
There are no favors for foreign companies or nations as a result of donations to the Clinton Foundation. None. If you're babbling about the sale of the US uranium mine, owned by a Toronto businessman and approved by 4 states, the Nuclear Energy Commission, 6 other departments (federal and state) before ever being presented to State Dept, take a nap. No favor. And we've been buying uranium in spent form from the Russians for years for our plants.
Any nuke could've told you this.
There are no favors for foreign companies or nations as a result of donations to the Clinton Foundation. None. If you're babbling about the sale of the US uranium mine, owned by a Toronto businessman and approved by 4 states, the Nuclear Energy Commission, 6 other departments (federal and state) before ever being presented to State Dept, take a nap. No favor. And we've been buying uranium in spent form from the Russians for years for our plants.
Any nuke could've told you this.
3
So if both Trump and Clinton are unfit to be president, then who is left that is technically still in the running? Yep, you've got it: Bernie Sanders.
1
So Trump is one of those benighted people who confuses profit-oriented business (income to shareholders) with service-oriented government (defense, education, infrastructure, medical care) and would be a terrible economic manager, while Hillary is an across-the-board loser and fugitive from the law.
So I presume you're supporting Bernie?
So I presume you're supporting Bernie?
I have been following Krugman's articles for a year, and I fail to have found a cogent explanation of why the basic principles of a balance sheet are essentially different in a business venture and a national economy.
4
A big difference is that a business does not print its own currency. The United States does. Therefore, a business can go bankrupt, the nation can not. Another is a business is concerned with selling a product at a price that creates a profit for shareholders. A nation is not selling products, is not concerned about profit; rather, a national economy must be sufficiently fluid as to allow all it citizens to earn a living and thrive. At times that means there must be deficit spending to get money flowing from your pocket to mine.
1
That would be in lines 47 to 68 of this article
2
Does this help? In a business your sales are usually external. Your employees aren't making products and selling them mostly to each other. In a national economy we pay for infrastructure which benefits many. We decide how much to collect in tax to cover our infrastructure and service expenses.
Wait a minute..... pick up Krugman's text books on economics. Get a used one without too many notes in the margins. When you tire of reading, you can take a break, use it for weight lifting. Buy two. Take your time.
Wait a minute..... pick up Krugman's text books on economics. Get a used one without too many notes in the margins. When you tire of reading, you can take a break, use it for weight lifting. Buy two. Take your time.
I am not surprised by the polls and I'll tell you why. Forty years of being trampled by Reaganomics has left the vast majority of Americans, including myself, far worse off than they could ever have imagined. At this point, people are grasping at anything that might change the equation, hence, the rise of Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders. I truly believe that most Anericans have been pushed to the breaking point and it is very possible that Donald Trump will win the presidency... the final grotesque twist of the "trickle down" economy.
71
I think the polls are a joke and are fixed......not like the polls of old.....someone is making this S...up..
1
Your fatalism is silly. Go out and fight against Trump, if you feel this strongly.
Obamanomics is trickle up economy. The poor and middle class give money to the wealthy to increase wealth disparity.
"The truth is that the idea that Donald Trump, of all people, knows how to run the U.S. economy is ludicrous. But will voters ever recognize the truth?" No, not a chance. Trump's groupies are immune to the truth. They wouldn't know the truth if it slapped them in the face. They are incapable of critical thinking. Reality, facts, truth: all are politically correct lies to be denounced, ignored, rejected. If Trump is elected, they will look back on the ruins of the Trump Administration, and blame anyone and everyone except Trump and their own blind bigoted stupidity.
98
The truth does slap Trump groupies in the face. And it hurts. And that's why they hate and try to avoid the truth.
1
Don't know how to say it better! As far as the economics part of this debate goes, it will be decades before an honest appraisal will be done. The Fed carry trade policy, bailouts of millionaires, billionaires in the 08 crisis along with other advantages given to " job creators" such as the recovery act etc were justified based on saving John/Jane Q.
Now, we are going to pay for it, Trump or not. Trumps greatest contribution, when he wins, will be this nation being forced to start over.
In other words, all those " free marketeers" who were " bailed out" ( contradiction intended) get held to account. Well, a few anyway.
Now, we are going to pay for it, Trump or not. Trumps greatest contribution, when he wins, will be this nation being forced to start over.
In other words, all those " free marketeers" who were " bailed out" ( contradiction intended) get held to account. Well, a few anyway.
Thin: Let's not be too hard on the educationally-deprived. They have been pawns in the capitalist game since Adam delved and Eve span.
2
How about sheer ignorance and willful gullibility as explanations for the american voters' preference of Trump to Clinton as their economist-in-chief?
65
“Our wages are too high. We have to compete with other countries.”
His supporters might agree. Many wouldn't mind dollar an hour rates, no benefits, and no bathroom breaks as a way of life for workers.
Trump would make an excellent pharaoh. Are you listening miners?
His supporters might agree. Many wouldn't mind dollar an hour rates, no benefits, and no bathroom breaks as a way of life for workers.
Trump would make an excellent pharaoh. Are you listening miners?
99
Krugman's Delusions of Communication?
Another carefully measured, insightful op-ed that could only penetrate its most needful audiences by the "trickle down" commentaries of political buffoons. To mix proverbs badly, these pearls preach to the choir but can't even get before the swine. And such a societal wall, like a proposed "Mexico" is a dangerous shame.
Another carefully measured, insightful op-ed that could only penetrate its most needful audiences by the "trickle down" commentaries of political buffoons. To mix proverbs badly, these pearls preach to the choir but can't even get before the swine. And such a societal wall, like a proposed "Mexico" is a dangerous shame.
4
Mr. Krugman forgets that Mr. Trump has the force of the media behind him as we have seen in the primary. Trump was given over 2 billion dollars in free ads by the media in this primary, so we can say that Trump is the media's candidate. for president. .
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/16/upshot/measuring-donald-trumps-mammoth...
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/16/upshot/measuring-donald-trumps-mammoth...
25
"If it bleeds, it leads."
The Trump Media Swarm is because the media loves violence - of any type. Television and social media achieves much higher ratings and eye-balls if it's about a bunch of people getting murdered rather than something nice, like somebody saving a cat from a tree. Ultimately, it's a statement about America's fascination with violence.
In 2016, the violence is being committed on the very political fabric of our country. The media here is not the messenger, but merely the mirror.
The Trump Media Swarm is because the media loves violence - of any type. Television and social media achieves much higher ratings and eye-balls if it's about a bunch of people getting murdered rather than something nice, like somebody saving a cat from a tree. Ultimately, it's a statement about America's fascination with violence.
In 2016, the violence is being committed on the very political fabric of our country. The media here is not the messenger, but merely the mirror.
1
@Sharon5101
Concerning some of Bernie Sanders' advisors and BDS:
Clinton would support the suppression of our 1st Amendment Rights of free speech, just as she has been too enthusiastic about the suppression of our 4th, 5th and 8th Amendment rights already. Deliciously ironic is that the police-surveillience state that she supports, with her votes for the Bill of Rights killing "PATRIOT Act" and the condemnation of a truly ethical whistle blower, Edward Snowden, is the fact that if she is indicted for her email crimes, it may be under the same draconian Espionage Act that Snowden is charged under; and quite possibly with the help of the NSA, which most likely has been carefully preserving the contents of her illegal home email server for many years.
Concerning some of Bernie Sanders' advisors and BDS:
Clinton would support the suppression of our 1st Amendment Rights of free speech, just as she has been too enthusiastic about the suppression of our 4th, 5th and 8th Amendment rights already. Deliciously ironic is that the police-surveillience state that she supports, with her votes for the Bill of Rights killing "PATRIOT Act" and the condemnation of a truly ethical whistle blower, Edward Snowden, is the fact that if she is indicted for her email crimes, it may be under the same draconian Espionage Act that Snowden is charged under; and quite possibly with the help of the NSA, which most likely has been carefully preserving the contents of her illegal home email server for many years.
9
"Clinton would support the suppression of our 1st Amendment Rights of free speech..."
Have any evidence? Or is just saying it enough??
Have any evidence? Or is just saying it enough??
2
it is interesting to think people put more trust in Trump's version of the economy than they would in the person Trump calls Pocahantas, Elizabeth Warren.
Also it is interesting those very same people think it is humorous Trump says Warren is a "big mouth" - I mean, look at who is saying that!
As a woman who has worked on a Native American reservation, in fact is attending a high school graduation on a Native American tonight, I can tell you Trump's Pocahantas statement is not only insulting to Elizabeth Warren, it is insulting to Native Americans. You think these graduating young people looking to their futures, as Native Americans, think Pocahantas name calling is funny?
I don't care what Trump thinks about his self proclaimed economic superiority.
We would hope becoming president would include some kind of respect for diversity. Obviously that is not important to Donald Trump nor his supporters.
Also it is interesting those very same people think it is humorous Trump says Warren is a "big mouth" - I mean, look at who is saying that!
As a woman who has worked on a Native American reservation, in fact is attending a high school graduation on a Native American tonight, I can tell you Trump's Pocahantas statement is not only insulting to Elizabeth Warren, it is insulting to Native Americans. You think these graduating young people looking to their futures, as Native Americans, think Pocahantas name calling is funny?
I don't care what Trump thinks about his self proclaimed economic superiority.
We would hope becoming president would include some kind of respect for diversity. Obviously that is not important to Donald Trump nor his supporters.
72
Did you forget that Warren lied about being a Native American?
I sometimes wonder if a great mass of the public suffers from mass delusional blindness. A voter may hate HRC for any of a number of reasons, but no one can deny she is a capable public servant. She is a clear case of weighing the benefit she will bring to the common good versus a clear abhorrence of her personal qualities. In my book, I would rather have an effective leader rather than have a glamorous larger-than-life personality in the White House.
As to Trump and the Republican Party he has hijacked, recent historical evidence shows that neither has the ability to contribute anything positive to the common good, but we are regaled with the glory and brilliance of the Donald, Reagan, and pseudo intellectuals like Gingrich and Ryan. To a great extent, the R's present personality cults, and the general public suffers from misguided policies and studied anti-intellectualism.
My mother would have given the world the same advice I am giving you: Don't cut off your nose to spite your face. Asked yourself, what has the Republican Party given to the country and what has Trump ever contributed to the common good? Not much at all.
HRC may be personally repugnant in many ways, but if voters put personal likes ahead of performance and competence, those voters will be the first to notice their missing noses, but they won't need them anyway, since there won't be any roses to smell.
As to Trump and the Republican Party he has hijacked, recent historical evidence shows that neither has the ability to contribute anything positive to the common good, but we are regaled with the glory and brilliance of the Donald, Reagan, and pseudo intellectuals like Gingrich and Ryan. To a great extent, the R's present personality cults, and the general public suffers from misguided policies and studied anti-intellectualism.
My mother would have given the world the same advice I am giving you: Don't cut off your nose to spite your face. Asked yourself, what has the Republican Party given to the country and what has Trump ever contributed to the common good? Not much at all.
HRC may be personally repugnant in many ways, but if voters put personal likes ahead of performance and competence, those voters will be the first to notice their missing noses, but they won't need them anyway, since there won't be any roses to smell.
25
Actually, whether true or not, the criticism levied against the Clinton candidacy denies that she has proven to be a capable public servant. Many commenters on these pages are writing that this is not the case and giving facts and reasons for that opinion. The response that she has gotten more votes in closed primary elections is not sufficient. The votes in November are what will count, and the slippery slope that was set up years ago to assure her nomination is looking very chancy right now.
I want very much to see a woman president, but not a failed woman nominee. Perhaps Krugman is right, that it is too late to change course now. But his assurance that the nominations are closed reminds me of the story of the world's greatest magic trick. (The magician has someone pull a card at random out of thousands of boxes of cards. The magician guesses wrong. Well, he says, If it had worked it would have been the world's greatest magic trick–and there was always a chance.) There is a very good chance that Krugman will be proved right (unlike the magician), but no credit to him if that is the case. Especially if he is contributing to the alienation and disenfranchisement of progressive voters that will be needed in November. And at this point, with all that is going on, the nomination is not a 100% certainty.
I want very much to see a woman president, but not a failed woman nominee. Perhaps Krugman is right, that it is too late to change course now. But his assurance that the nominations are closed reminds me of the story of the world's greatest magic trick. (The magician has someone pull a card at random out of thousands of boxes of cards. The magician guesses wrong. Well, he says, If it had worked it would have been the world's greatest magic trick–and there was always a chance.) There is a very good chance that Krugman will be proved right (unlike the magician), but no credit to him if that is the case. Especially if he is contributing to the alienation and disenfranchisement of progressive voters that will be needed in November. And at this point, with all that is going on, the nomination is not a 100% certainty.
Either you believe in democracy or you don't! All these words about Trump being nothing more than a carnival barker, or Clinton being untrustworthy, or Sanders being unrealistic; the truth is Trump has put away 16 other contenders, Clinton and Sanders are still struggling against each other. Whoever gets the most votes in our peculiar electoral college system will ultimately become President. I refuse to believe that in the collective the American People are stupid. If Clinton wins it will likely be because more people want more or less the status quo. If Trump wins it will likely be because more people want to shake things up, and let the pieces fall where they may. If Sanders wins it will likely be because more people want a semi-revolution.
8
" If Trump wins it will likely be because more people want to shake things up, and let the pieces fall where they may."
Trump has spoken of using nuclear weapons, so the "pieces" could land on innocent people, depending on which way the wind blows.
You label this "Democracy,' but I call it insanity. Such a man should not be allowed to be president.
Trump has spoken of using nuclear weapons, so the "pieces" could land on innocent people, depending on which way the wind blows.
You label this "Democracy,' but I call it insanity. Such a man should not be allowed to be president.
In our "peculiar electoral college" system getting the most votes actually does not count---as Al Gore found out. Which state the votes come from does count since the right combination of electoral votes--not direct citizen votes-- is what is needed to become President.
In the end I doubt any reasonable person--even a Republican--will want to hand the Presidency to D. Trump anymore than they wanted to hand it to Spiro Agnew who was speedily removed as NIxon's VP. All the establishment Republican support for Trump is based on HRC being a sure bet to win in 2016.
In the end I doubt any reasonable person--even a Republican--will want to hand the Presidency to D. Trump anymore than they wanted to hand it to Spiro Agnew who was speedily removed as NIxon's VP. All the establishment Republican support for Trump is based on HRC being a sure bet to win in 2016.
1
Not necessarily more "people" in any of your 3 scenarios, due to what you accurately describe as our "peculiar" electoral college.
1
Donald J. Trump is the most well-documented liar in recent American political history, a buffoon posing as a "successful businessman", one who inherited a fortune, which he parlayed into a series of bankruptcies and scams like Trump University. Americans need to start asking themselves what in the culture produces tens of millions of people foolish enough to risk the country's future by putting a fellow ignoramus in the White House.
15
Until voters know how much Donald Trump is really worth, as opposed to what he says he's worth; know the size of debt he has accumulated and owes to whom; know who the investors are in his properties, and know the economic and personal impact of his many business failures over the years, a significant portion of them will continue to believe what Trump wants them to believe, if only because they will reject anything the establishment media (e.g. the Times) says to the contrary. Journalists and analysts who have published numbers about Trump's wealth significantly smaller than he claims, are routinely sued by Trump. The media must dig, dig, dig on these matters, get the real story out, and not back down when Trump screams "Wrong!"
11
The thesis of this article is flawed on two counts. First, Tump has never claimed to be an economist. (Who would ever want an economist to run anything?). Trump is a businessman, pure and simple, with an extraordinary ability to get things done. And that is the attraction for many voters after the mediocrity of the last two presidents.
Second, while Trump is clearly a flawed candidate, denying that Trump is an outstanding businessman, is naive and reflects a lack of journalistic integrity.
For those of us who are truly struggling to decide who to support, we need our journalists to focus on thoughtful, well researched commentary, not personal attacks with no factual basis.
Second, while Trump is clearly a flawed candidate, denying that Trump is an outstanding businessman, is naive and reflects a lack of journalistic integrity.
For those of us who are truly struggling to decide who to support, we need our journalists to focus on thoughtful, well researched commentary, not personal attacks with no factual basis.
4
But there is no factual basis for saying he is a business success.
3
Trump is a classic sociopath. Such mentally ill people often exaggerate their wealth or have none, other than what they managed to steal and then hide behind a sense of social superiority. They live in a fantasy world of their own contrivance and so many manufactured lies they often willfully forget they made them. I hope the bill put forward by Senate democrats requiring presidential candidates to release three years of tax returns exposes the viral hypocrisy that is a Republican hallmark, enablers of sociopaths like Trump.
14
If anyone has savings in the market and are concerned with market volatility, they should be especially wary of a Donald Trump presidency. His outrageous and usually false statements could roil the markets like an old time mix master if he ever did become president. The amount of uncertainty and fear would be huge due to his congenital lack of discipline. To paraphrase Bette Davis in "All about Eve", we would have to put on our seat belts, its going to be a bumpy ride tonight. Unfortunately that ride would last four white knuckle years.
13
I agree that Trump's economic policies are incoherent. But even if he could put together effective policies, they would be effective at enhancing the fortunes of people just like him. And those are precisely the people who have been receiving the lion's share of our economic growth over the past several decades.
15
Trump is essentially a tourist in the US. He's currently taking his open mic nights on the road, getting a little taste of what happens on the America we reside in, it's quite foreign compared to the America he resides in. But, he's gonna be the working man's savior. How gullible do you have to be to believe that? Besides, we already went the malleable doofus businessman route with GW Bush, how'd that work out for us?
2
Donald Trump has mastered the perception of competence not because he is competent but because americans have been so enamored of celebrity and wealth. This love affair with the wealthy and famous is not new but in Trump has reached new heights. Our american culture has made of wealth almost the only measure by which individuals are considered.
The importance attached to wealth is closely related to the american myth that an american can rise from poverty and become wealthy on the basis of effort and intelligence . But I do not think this is the whole case. Many americans are anti-intellectual and are not attracted to bookish types They don't like the idea of professors running the country and see them as people distant from day to day reality.
In being attracted to men and women of wealth and celebrity there is something of escapism and fanciful thinking in imagining that the rich and famous will lead them to the promised land. In short the more distressed Americans are the less they want to hear complicated solutions and the more they gravitate to simplistic formulations…and Donald has obliged them with the celebrity , the wealth and his tweets …all you need to keep the delusion alive.
The importance attached to wealth is closely related to the american myth that an american can rise from poverty and become wealthy on the basis of effort and intelligence . But I do not think this is the whole case. Many americans are anti-intellectual and are not attracted to bookish types They don't like the idea of professors running the country and see them as people distant from day to day reality.
In being attracted to men and women of wealth and celebrity there is something of escapism and fanciful thinking in imagining that the rich and famous will lead them to the promised land. In short the more distressed Americans are the less they want to hear complicated solutions and the more they gravitate to simplistic formulations…and Donald has obliged them with the celebrity , the wealth and his tweets …all you need to keep the delusion alive.
14
Great post Walter. I have been watching the championship basketball games. The commercials bear out what you say: Matthew McCon... waltzing through a fancy home, diving into a pool backwards and driving off in a fancy car. Tina Fey going into stores buying bags of items she knows she doesn't need on her AmEx card. I mute them and cover my eyes. But Americans seem fascinated by these two nothings who shill for brands and products when they are already richer than Salomon. It is as you say, delusional escapsim. And sad, very sad.
Here's what you don't get Professor Krugman. From at least "The Best and the Brightest" to those of the intelligentsia who are now advocating TPP, this country has been pushed down the wrong roads by a well educated ruling class in suits and ties. Wrong roads internationally and domestically. As a consequence we have had a continual succession of devastating foreign adventures and a loss of real income for most of our population and it has decimated the once thriving American middle class. A great number, a very great number of Americans are certain that the last generation of well educated, sophisticated, and oh so competent leadership has left us worse off then we were, worse off than other advanced countries and has eviscerated the "American Dream" which would have our children do far better than we have done.
And you wonder why a plain spoken, "clueless" Trump can find a willing audience? Clueless about economic policy? Look at where those with the clues (including the Bushes, the Clintons and Obama--and their courtiers) have gotten most of America. It's not a pretty picture.
Thi
And you wonder why a plain spoken, "clueless" Trump can find a willing audience? Clueless about economic policy? Look at where those with the clues (including the Bushes, the Clintons and Obama--and their courtiers) have gotten most of America. It's not a pretty picture.
Thi
6
Business types would make exceptional political leaders only if their firms sold stuff to customers who when asked for payment say, "make the next person pay for it" and then walk happily away with the product or service they wanted. Supporting a candidate for public office based on that candidate's business experience is silliness squared.
9
I can't wait to vote for Hillary Clinton. I'm very afraid that the Sanders people will give us a Trump presidency; God help us, given his passionate embrace of fossil fuels.
I remember the Clinton presidency clearly, and luckily I'm not young enough to be fooled by the 20 years of GOP slander that all of these millenials have absorbed. I know Hillary will be a great President; strong on the environment. strong on climate change, strong for the working class and children and everyone who's not a billionaire. She is the person that Sanders is pretending to be. I wish I could transfer that knowledge, which is so obvious to me (a woman who's closely followed these politicians for 40 years) to the Sanders supporters.
As for Sanders himself - boy do I regret the money I gave him last year. If I knew what a vicious, vindictive narcisscist lived in that head, I'd have kept that money.
I remember the Clinton presidency clearly, and luckily I'm not young enough to be fooled by the 20 years of GOP slander that all of these millenials have absorbed. I know Hillary will be a great President; strong on the environment. strong on climate change, strong for the working class and children and everyone who's not a billionaire. She is the person that Sanders is pretending to be. I wish I could transfer that knowledge, which is so obvious to me (a woman who's closely followed these politicians for 40 years) to the Sanders supporters.
As for Sanders himself - boy do I regret the money I gave him last year. If I knew what a vicious, vindictive narcisscist lived in that head, I'd have kept that money.
40
Carol,
Thank you, thank you, thank you! You have succinctly written EXACTLY my thoughts and feelings.
Thank you, thank you, thank you! You have succinctly written EXACTLY my thoughts and feelings.
2
Unfortunately, the media has perpetuated the myth that Trump is somehow an economic genius in the eyes of his supporters. That's because no one, that's no one, pressures him for an explanation. When asked, he usually just bloviates as to how successful is (doubtful) and how he knows how to makes "deals", whatever that means. No one seems to be brave enough to just wait for Trump's answer because waiting means that you might have to extend the public's attention span. Is there any interviewer who is willing to go out on a limb with patience and insist on a detailed explanation and not just a referral to his website. He's really not very smart and relies on bullying and deception to lure the sheep into the wolf's den.
36
Many of the "uneducated" people, the very same that the donald professes to love so much, are the ones who actually have been re-educated for years by unscrupulous politicians and even less scrupulous extremist media celebrities (of all political and religious convictions) to believe that achieving their personal dream or salvation depends on hating anyone who is different and filling their "leader" coffers with whatever little money they can scrape together.
Walk into any shabby convenience store, dilapidated bowling alley, grungy dive or opulent mega-church and you shall find multitudes willing to gamble their last few dollars on the latest Power Ball, drugged-up pony or coiffed pastor with a good voice.
Until there is no pundit or politician honest enough to go into those place and trying to really understand what is being done to those people, no one has the right to blame just the most recent charlatan (or freshly corrupted idealist) who happens to use gullible people to feed his own ego and pockets.
But watch what happens, when the mobs really had enough. It won't be pretty.
Walk into any shabby convenience store, dilapidated bowling alley, grungy dive or opulent mega-church and you shall find multitudes willing to gamble their last few dollars on the latest Power Ball, drugged-up pony or coiffed pastor with a good voice.
Until there is no pundit or politician honest enough to go into those place and trying to really understand what is being done to those people, no one has the right to blame just the most recent charlatan (or freshly corrupted idealist) who happens to use gullible people to feed his own ego and pockets.
But watch what happens, when the mobs really had enough. It won't be pretty.
14
The problem is that right now Sanders has 0 chance of winning the Democratic nomination and yet the Democrats may lose since he continues to undermine Clinton. His latest stunt is inviting Trump for a debate. Something like this for Trump has only an upside. If Sanders beat him, this undermines Clinton. So - if we don't want Trump somebody must convince Sanders to drop out. But he continues to hold on like a leach. I can't understand his purpose. he will not be running 4 or 8 years from now. He will be too old.
30
if HRC goes down in the flames of an indictment in the next month, we'll hear "Thank goodness Bernie didn't drop out."
Perhaps he believes in serving his country, and the people, you know that thing we call "Government of the people, by the people, and for the people", instead of corrupt Hillary with her "Rule of the people, by Hillary, and for Hillary".
Yes, I do believe that states it quite nicely.
Hillary is toast.
Yes, I do believe that states it quite nicely.
Hillary is toast.
By your logic, Clinton hurt Obama's chances in 2008.
Stop blaming others because Clinton is not trusted (she wasn't trusted long before the primaries) and is not liked by the majority of the nation. She's only winning because of election fraud, media bias, DNC rigging things (Debbie was her co-chair for her campaign in 2008... biased), and the fact closed primaries are undemocratic and too many states ignore millions of voters (ignoring the mass voter purges eh?)
So the only one who is to blame if she loses to Trump is Hillary herself.
Stop blaming others because Clinton is not trusted (she wasn't trusted long before the primaries) and is not liked by the majority of the nation. She's only winning because of election fraud, media bias, DNC rigging things (Debbie was her co-chair for her campaign in 2008... biased), and the fact closed primaries are undemocratic and too many states ignore millions of voters (ignoring the mass voter purges eh?)
So the only one who is to blame if she loses to Trump is Hillary herself.
Trump is playing the ultimate numbers game trying to figure out if there are enough credulous people scattered about the nation to drive a victory in the electoral college. Given that there a lot of people in the 99% who are hurting from the last 6 years of conservative instransigence, it is a close calculation. The solution to Trump is ridicule and humor and unfortunately Hillary is not one to do either very well. Surrogates like Elizabeth Warren might hold the key to this election.
1
I suspect much of the reason people believe that a Republican - any Republican - would be genetically better at managing the economy - facts be damned - is that the GOP has been seen as the party of the owners of the companies while the Dem's have been the party of the workers and of the middle class, those without whom there would be no wealth and no consumers.
It was assumed the latter knew nothing about the economy in which they toiled.
But it doesn't take rocket science to know that it is only when the workers and the middle class are thriving that the economy can thrive. The 1%, as much as they would like to think so, cannot drive the economy alone. Especially when they stash away so much of their obscene wealth rather than put it back to work in the economy.
In a consumer based economy the consumer must have enough money to consume. Each purchase is a stone in the pond, causing concentric circles to literally spread the wealth across the community and the nation.
Job creation? As a wise small business owner once said, I don't create jobs, my customers do.
A businessman? Remember, that while his serial bankruptcy's were good for Trump they were devastating for the creditors - not just big lenders (whose loss trickled down) but the subcontractors and their employees who never got paid for their work, and the creditors they owed, and so on.
Wages too high? Lower wages less purchases. Concentric circles.
It's not rocket science, and boy, he's not one..
It was assumed the latter knew nothing about the economy in which they toiled.
But it doesn't take rocket science to know that it is only when the workers and the middle class are thriving that the economy can thrive. The 1%, as much as they would like to think so, cannot drive the economy alone. Especially when they stash away so much of their obscene wealth rather than put it back to work in the economy.
In a consumer based economy the consumer must have enough money to consume. Each purchase is a stone in the pond, causing concentric circles to literally spread the wealth across the community and the nation.
Job creation? As a wise small business owner once said, I don't create jobs, my customers do.
A businessman? Remember, that while his serial bankruptcy's were good for Trump they were devastating for the creditors - not just big lenders (whose loss trickled down) but the subcontractors and their employees who never got paid for their work, and the creditors they owed, and so on.
Wages too high? Lower wages less purchases. Concentric circles.
It's not rocket science, and boy, he's not one..
7
We are in the season of illogic. While I admire Mr. Krugman the economist, it is sad to see him use illogic in his political arguments. He has repeatedly used illogic to make the case against Bernie Sanders. Now, he is using illogic against Trump.
Businessmen aren’t economic experts. Nor are politicians.
“In general, you shouldn’t pay much attention to polls at this point”. Why? Because they do not show Hillary in the lead. Great logic.
“Bernie Sanders hasn’t conceded the inevitable.” It is probable that Hillary will get the Democratic nomination, but not inevitable.
“Does business success carry with it the knowledge and instincts needed to make good economic policy? No, it doesn’t.” Nor does being a First Lady, a senator, or a Secretary of State.
“But while we haven’t had many business leaders in the White House, we do know what kind of advice prominent businessmen give on economic policy.” True. Just look at Hillary’s advisers.
Trump is an idiot on economics. But so is Hillary, who is opposed to a $15 minimum wage because she thinks it is too high, and she opposes higher tariffs, which would cause American wages to rise.
The truth is that the idea that Hillary Clinton, of all people, knows how to run the U.S. economy is ludicrous. But will voters ever recognize that truth?
5/27 @ 6:50 am
Businessmen aren’t economic experts. Nor are politicians.
“In general, you shouldn’t pay much attention to polls at this point”. Why? Because they do not show Hillary in the lead. Great logic.
“Bernie Sanders hasn’t conceded the inevitable.” It is probable that Hillary will get the Democratic nomination, but not inevitable.
“Does business success carry with it the knowledge and instincts needed to make good economic policy? No, it doesn’t.” Nor does being a First Lady, a senator, or a Secretary of State.
“But while we haven’t had many business leaders in the White House, we do know what kind of advice prominent businessmen give on economic policy.” True. Just look at Hillary’s advisers.
Trump is an idiot on economics. But so is Hillary, who is opposed to a $15 minimum wage because she thinks it is too high, and she opposes higher tariffs, which would cause American wages to rise.
The truth is that the idea that Hillary Clinton, of all people, knows how to run the U.S. economy is ludicrous. But will voters ever recognize that truth?
5/27 @ 6:50 am
4
She is not against a $15 minimum wage. She supports a more incremental approach to getting there. Her voting record is as liberal as Bernie's. She was rated more factual than Bernie by politico. Yet these myths, disseminated by white men, persist. Wonder what's so different about Hillary with all her experience in government that disqualifies her?
Could it be that extra X chromosome has maddened those who cannot get over having to share the fruits of our economy with people who aren't white and male? They clam to be falling behind as everyone else gets ahead. The sense of entitlement is rancid. In the modern world, success isn't handed to white men the way it was handed to Donald anymore.
Bernie isn't automatically deemed more qualified based on a Y chromosome anymore so he wails "unfaaair" to all the other guys like him out there. You know what I call a white man who came of age in the period of white male entitlement who never held a job before the age of 40? A man who was objectively a failure in a time when success was handed to people like him? A deadbeat. His rants about Hillarys qualifications ring hollow when he is judged fit for office solely on account of his ethnicity and gender. He hasn't exactly sparked that revolution he's always ranting about from his cushy spot in the senate.
The media has given credence to the claims of competency of Bernie and Donald. It is utterly inexplicable without reference to gender identity in politics. Shame on all of you.
Could it be that extra X chromosome has maddened those who cannot get over having to share the fruits of our economy with people who aren't white and male? They clam to be falling behind as everyone else gets ahead. The sense of entitlement is rancid. In the modern world, success isn't handed to white men the way it was handed to Donald anymore.
Bernie isn't automatically deemed more qualified based on a Y chromosome anymore so he wails "unfaaair" to all the other guys like him out there. You know what I call a white man who came of age in the period of white male entitlement who never held a job before the age of 40? A man who was objectively a failure in a time when success was handed to people like him? A deadbeat. His rants about Hillarys qualifications ring hollow when he is judged fit for office solely on account of his ethnicity and gender. He hasn't exactly sparked that revolution he's always ranting about from his cushy spot in the senate.
The media has given credence to the claims of competency of Bernie and Donald. It is utterly inexplicable without reference to gender identity in politics. Shame on all of you.
1
People forever conflate their own finances with the way the government should be run. So no surprise that they think a good businessman will bring the same success to economic policy.
That said, the only way to puncture Mr. Trumps teflon personality is to show that he is a fake. But who is up to that task? In an election season dominated by fantasy proposals, critical thinking has taken a back seat to "we won't take it anymore".
That said, the only way to puncture Mr. Trumps teflon personality is to show that he is a fake. But who is up to that task? In an election season dominated by fantasy proposals, critical thinking has taken a back seat to "we won't take it anymore".
6
If business success, as measured by the wealth one has acquired during a career, is the primary qualification to lead the nation, then I recommend that Donald Trump withdraw from the presidential race in favor of the team of Warren Buffett and Bill Gates (which one will be president and which vice president is immaterial). After all, Mr. Trump's fortune is a mere bag of shells when compared to the billions and billions of Buffett and Gates.
4
Don't forget he inherited his wealth from a fTher who had a close associations n with the Koch brothers.
Trump supporters, when I chat with them in an informal setting, casually having a non-political discussion, consistently prove to be some of the least informed human beings on the planet. They are the Pop Tarts / Lucky Charms Honey Boo Boo people, raised on intellectual indolence and refined white sugar. But for years, in places like the American south, republicans have been undermining schools and increasing availability of guns. A Trump presidency appeals to people who exist solely in their emotional mind and have very little rational ground to stand on. I've yet to meet an intelligent Trump supporter.
12
Mr. Krugman doesn't understand economics or business and isn't qualified to judge others on the subject. Our politicians are bankrupting our Country - we have $21 trillion in debt - we can't sustain a balanced budget - Social Security will be out of funds in 2035, the nation's bridges, rail and infrastructure is deteriorating and Congress continues sidestepping decisions to address this major event. I really don't think Mr. Trump can makes things much worse!
1
Mr. Krugman has a phd in economics, a Nobel Prize for economics, and is a professor of economics at Princeton University. To suggest that he doesn't understand economics, and that Lawrence Kudlow perhaps does, is ludicrous, and I might add, part of the problem.
8
Com men often succeed because people sometimes are gullible and fail to see, or even go to great lengths to excuse, the obvious signs. The Donald is a con artist and a fraction of the population today is buying into his con, line, hook and sinker. That is their privilege in a democracy. However, it would be a collective abdication of responsibility if we as a people should elect him in the name of some inarticulate anger against the political class. I for one will not take part in such delusion. As the saying goes, people in a democracy get the leadership they deserve.
382
Trump voters will never recognize the truth. That's because the Republican party learned a long time ago to offer the American people the narrative that they desperately want to hear. And that is, that you can live the great life and not have to sacrifice, compromise or pay for it. Just free up the marketplace, cut taxes, eliminate regulations on businesses and it will be utopia. Trump knows this better than anyone. So he will run huge deficits and blame Obama when things go bad.
Trump's economic policies will result in a degradation of the environment and America being hated around the world. The more Trump flexes American muscle to subdue other nations the greater the rise of terrorism. And our allies will be less than motivated to help America the more Trump sticks it to them.
In the end it will be the poor (Trump's "losers") who will have to pay for those tax cuts. It will get really ugly out there with violence breaking out across America. People will be shocked at what we have allowed to happen to our country. Trump will unleash a modern version of Bread and Circuses to keep the people diverted while he plunders America's resources to enrich the few.
Trump's economic policies will result in a degradation of the environment and America being hated around the world. The more Trump flexes American muscle to subdue other nations the greater the rise of terrorism. And our allies will be less than motivated to help America the more Trump sticks it to them.
In the end it will be the poor (Trump's "losers") who will have to pay for those tax cuts. It will get really ugly out there with violence breaking out across America. People will be shocked at what we have allowed to happen to our country. Trump will unleash a modern version of Bread and Circuses to keep the people diverted while he plunders America's resources to enrich the few.
2
"Com men often succeed because people sometimes are gullible and fail to see, or even go to great lengths to excuse, the obvious signs."
This eloquent sentence sums up the entire Obama presidency.
As a Black attorney in Washington DC with a degree in American History, I sat helplessly as Barack Obama pulled the ultimate con on the Black Community. 8 years later take a good look around at our people. Look at what's happening today on the Southside of Chicago, all over Washington DC, Detroit, or South Central Los Angeles.
And look at where Barack Obama is today and what he's doing.
My ancestors came here as slaves, and died as possessions and chattel. Nothing they sacrificed for me to be here today "deserved" a moment of the Obama presidency, which is everything Dr. King hoped would never happen to my race.
This eloquent sentence sums up the entire Obama presidency.
As a Black attorney in Washington DC with a degree in American History, I sat helplessly as Barack Obama pulled the ultimate con on the Black Community. 8 years later take a good look around at our people. Look at what's happening today on the Southside of Chicago, all over Washington DC, Detroit, or South Central Los Angeles.
And look at where Barack Obama is today and what he's doing.
My ancestors came here as slaves, and died as possessions and chattel. Nothing they sacrificed for me to be here today "deserved" a moment of the Obama presidency, which is everything Dr. King hoped would never happen to my race.
1
Most "Tea Party" types that I talk to all seem to think the U.S. started rapidly falling apart about 35 years ago. They fail to do the natural correlation and see that this coincides with the steady rightward shift of USG policies and political power. The "cascade up" economics begun in the Reagan administration continued to the Bush II administration with an 8 year respite of centrist progress in the Clinton administration which accomplished the professed goals of the GOP with welfare reform and a budget surplus (not to mention a nearly casualty free war!)
Trump is their darling because he so clearly epitomizes their fantasy history.
lff
Trump is their darling because he so clearly epitomizes their fantasy history.
lff
5
We can only hope that a debate emerges between Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders before the California primary. The economy should be a major focus and Sanders can test how much Trump knows about the economy. No doubt, this debate is tantalizing for Trump because he thinks he can pull some Sanders voters in the general election.
The myth of Trump as an economic leader with knowledge about how to manage the world's largest economy could be exposed for what it is in this much anticipated debate. Bernie Sanders could be doing the country a great service.
Trump will feel the Bern.
The myth of Trump as an economic leader with knowledge about how to manage the world's largest economy could be exposed for what it is in this much anticipated debate. Bernie Sanders could be doing the country a great service.
Trump will feel the Bern.
5
there will be no debate between the two unless sanders is nominated, which he won't.
I do not believe that ISIL, any organization or country represents an existential threat to the United States. They could cause some level of destruction, but not threaten our existence. What is an existential threat is the general willful ignorance of large portion of our electorate. If, god forbid, Donald Trump were elected President it would be because of the preternatural stupidity of a majority of voters. In the end, we get the government we deserve. If we elect him, we deserve him and all the economic and social chaos he will bring.
One other thing. I would strongly encourage anyone even remotely considering voting for Donald Trump to read Sinclair Lewis' book 'It Can't Happen Here". It was written in 1935, but is frighteningly relevant.
One other thing. I would strongly encourage anyone even remotely considering voting for Donald Trump to read Sinclair Lewis' book 'It Can't Happen Here". It was written in 1935, but is frighteningly relevant.
10
It's called the Dunning–Kruger effect; "a cognitive bias wherein relatively unskilled individuals suffer from illusory superiority, mistakenly assessing their ability to be much higher than is accurate." Or Trump just doesn't get what he doesn't get, but he's sure he gets it. And if you don't get his point of view you're a loser.
I put this all on the patsies in the Media who just shine a camera on Trump knowing he'll say something which they can sensationalize in a story devoid of any real value to the debate, diverting their viewers from the real issue and allowing Trump to spew absolute garbage without being challenged.
There have been too many walk-backs of outrageous of Trump remedies, from suggesting that US debt holders take a haircut to encouraging Japan and South Korea to join the nuclear club, to deporting all "illegals" and starting a Trade war with China. Trump can't find any expert in any area; Military, Diplomatic, Economic, Immigration to support his ever changing policies. countless credible, knowledgeable veterans from both GOP and Democratic administrations are not only dismissive of Trump's lunacy, they are completely aghast as to how antithetical Trump's proposals are to known and established policies, and in many instances Trump's stances which are entirely UnAmerican.
Trump needs to be exposed as an ignoramus to his followers who unfortunately also suffer from delusions of their ability to comprehend the issues. That's the Media's Job.
I put this all on the patsies in the Media who just shine a camera on Trump knowing he'll say something which they can sensationalize in a story devoid of any real value to the debate, diverting their viewers from the real issue and allowing Trump to spew absolute garbage without being challenged.
There have been too many walk-backs of outrageous of Trump remedies, from suggesting that US debt holders take a haircut to encouraging Japan and South Korea to join the nuclear club, to deporting all "illegals" and starting a Trade war with China. Trump can't find any expert in any area; Military, Diplomatic, Economic, Immigration to support his ever changing policies. countless credible, knowledgeable veterans from both GOP and Democratic administrations are not only dismissive of Trump's lunacy, they are completely aghast as to how antithetical Trump's proposals are to known and established policies, and in many instances Trump's stances which are entirely UnAmerican.
Trump needs to be exposed as an ignoramus to his followers who unfortunately also suffer from delusions of their ability to comprehend the issues. That's the Media's Job.
7
Adam Smith said it pretty well:
The proposal of any new law or regulation of commerce which comes from [business people], ought always to be listened to with great precaution, and ought never to be adopted till after having been long and carefully examined, not only with the most scrupulous, but the most suspicious attention. It comes from an order of men, whose interest is never exactly the same with that of the public, who have generally an interest to deceive and even oppress the public, and who accordingly have, upon many occasions, both deceived and oppressed it. (Adam Smith, Wealth of Nations 287-288)
The proposal of any new law or regulation of commerce which comes from [business people], ought always to be listened to with great precaution, and ought never to be adopted till after having been long and carefully examined, not only with the most scrupulous, but the most suspicious attention. It comes from an order of men, whose interest is never exactly the same with that of the public, who have generally an interest to deceive and even oppress the public, and who accordingly have, upon many occasions, both deceived and oppressed it. (Adam Smith, Wealth of Nations 287-288)
11
This is another iteration of the Republican myth that "business leaders" and "the private sector" know what's best about how to manage our national economy.
Yet, every time they have played this out on the national stage- whether during the Bush years of a "CEO in Chief" or in Brownback's sinking Kansas- the results are always catastrophic.
The main reason, is they refuse (or fail) to understand that the government of the United States exists to serve ALL citizens, not just those with the financial resources to pay directly for services. This explains the endless push for privatization. A good example is the ludicrous and inequitable desire for "charter schools" and "vouchers" which favor the well-off. And for those students who cannot afford it? To hell with them, I guess, and also their futures and what they can offer to our society.
For over thirty five years we've been deluded by the lie that Business Knows Best. In reality, Business only knows what's best for itself. It operates with a singular indifference to anything outside of that.
I'm sick of our nation run with such cold-hearted scruples, which pins a dollar sign to every aspect of our life and society. I want our nation to operate for the benefit of the American people again- all of us- and not just the well-connected and well-heeled. Let businessmen stick to running their businesses. I don't want them running my country any more.
Yet, every time they have played this out on the national stage- whether during the Bush years of a "CEO in Chief" or in Brownback's sinking Kansas- the results are always catastrophic.
The main reason, is they refuse (or fail) to understand that the government of the United States exists to serve ALL citizens, not just those with the financial resources to pay directly for services. This explains the endless push for privatization. A good example is the ludicrous and inequitable desire for "charter schools" and "vouchers" which favor the well-off. And for those students who cannot afford it? To hell with them, I guess, and also their futures and what they can offer to our society.
For over thirty five years we've been deluded by the lie that Business Knows Best. In reality, Business only knows what's best for itself. It operates with a singular indifference to anything outside of that.
I'm sick of our nation run with such cold-hearted scruples, which pins a dollar sign to every aspect of our life and society. I want our nation to operate for the benefit of the American people again- all of us- and not just the well-connected and well-heeled. Let businessmen stick to running their businesses. I don't want them running my country any more.
13
Krugman says:
"the historical record isn’t much of a guide, since only one modern president had a previous successful career in business."
You forget the successful peanut farmer, President James Earl Carter.
CNN Money: "After serving in the Navy for several years, Carter moved his family back to the farm when his father died. A terrible drought devastated the farm in 1954, leaving him a profit of just $187 ($1,654 in 2014 dollars) that year. Carter successfully turned the farm around before entering politics."
It should be noted, Carter is also surely way ahead of the two current corrupt, corporate partys' candidates in all important human qualities, ethics, compassion, honesty, who has been a world statesman and peace maker since he left office. A giant among men, and woman.
"the historical record isn’t much of a guide, since only one modern president had a previous successful career in business."
You forget the successful peanut farmer, President James Earl Carter.
CNN Money: "After serving in the Navy for several years, Carter moved his family back to the farm when his father died. A terrible drought devastated the farm in 1954, leaving him a profit of just $187 ($1,654 in 2014 dollars) that year. Carter successfully turned the farm around before entering politics."
It should be noted, Carter is also surely way ahead of the two current corrupt, corporate partys' candidates in all important human qualities, ethics, compassion, honesty, who has been a world statesman and peace maker since he left office. A giant among men, and woman.
3
"The truth is that the idea that Donald Trump, of all people, knows how to run the U.S. economy is ludicrous. But will voters ever recognize that truth?" Professor Krugman
More to the point:
The truth is that the idea that Donald Trump, of all people, would make an acceptable president is ludicrous. But will voters recognize that truth?
Yet, that point is not sufficient. "Ludicrous" denotes amusement and while many of us have laughed at the orange man with the one-of-a-kind hairdo, considering him for president is not funny. Thus,
The truth is that the idea that Donald Trump, of all people, would make an acceptable president is treacherous (yes, treacherous--his supporters don't care that Trump is a disaster, they want to blow up Washington). But will voters ever recognize that truth?
Will voters recognize that truth? The answer is most Republicans don't care about that truth; they are willing to commit national suicide to prevent Hillary Clinton or Bernie Sanders from becoming president. But will voters ever recognize THAT truth?
More to the point:
The truth is that the idea that Donald Trump, of all people, would make an acceptable president is ludicrous. But will voters recognize that truth?
Yet, that point is not sufficient. "Ludicrous" denotes amusement and while many of us have laughed at the orange man with the one-of-a-kind hairdo, considering him for president is not funny. Thus,
The truth is that the idea that Donald Trump, of all people, would make an acceptable president is treacherous (yes, treacherous--his supporters don't care that Trump is a disaster, they want to blow up Washington). But will voters ever recognize that truth?
Will voters recognize that truth? The answer is most Republicans don't care about that truth; they are willing to commit national suicide to prevent Hillary Clinton or Bernie Sanders from becoming president. But will voters ever recognize THAT truth?
2
For the past 7.5 years the nation's economy has been in the unqualified hands of a once upon a time "community organizer", and it shows. "Doesn't know what he doesn't know" fits Obama (and Clinton) perfectly; with his far and away the most anti-business administration post WWII. What a community organizer is very adept at is issuing tens of thousands of job-killing edicts that consume limited business resources simply to analyze - never mind to comply with.
The nation has suffered an anemic 1.2% annual GDP growth throughout Obama's rule; and yet Krugman never - really never! - offers a column to explain how this administration has stifled growth. The Obama administration has been engaged in a war - a "War on Business" in which it has thrown every available - and some new - monkey wrench, screwdriver, and hammer in the path of business executive risk taking and thoughts of investment. Instead - more than ever - too many of our businesses have instead sought escape from Obama issued rules, regulations, and taxes.
Let's have the truth, Mr. Krugman, instead of the usual drivel on Trump.
The nation has suffered an anemic 1.2% annual GDP growth throughout Obama's rule; and yet Krugman never - really never! - offers a column to explain how this administration has stifled growth. The Obama administration has been engaged in a war - a "War on Business" in which it has thrown every available - and some new - monkey wrench, screwdriver, and hammer in the path of business executive risk taking and thoughts of investment. Instead - more than ever - too many of our businesses have instead sought escape from Obama issued rules, regulations, and taxes.
Let's have the truth, Mr. Krugman, instead of the usual drivel on Trump.
The 'substance free press' is an embarrassment. Rather than point out the gross deficiencies in this man and his policies they enjoyed the novelty and craved the ratings. It is almost understandable, given the usual GOP party line delivery boys, but the real question is where are they now?
This Frankenstein candidate, Forrest Trump, is too close to the White House for comfort. His business competence is non existent. He is a NY real estate thug and while his antics of deal making or bankrupting companies may prove some skill, they are totally irrelevant to running a complex government.
We haven't seen this show before but it looks very familiar. Remember the Peter Principle? I think what we have here is a 'failure to communicate' that Trump is a dangerous con man and likely a very shady operator who has created a culture of nastiness that appeals to some low information fellow knuckle draggers. The sooner the media stops being afraid of this man, and calls him out for his boorish contradictory and racist attitudes, the sooner we can all think about electing a serious person for a serious job.
This Frankenstein candidate, Forrest Trump, is too close to the White House for comfort. His business competence is non existent. He is a NY real estate thug and while his antics of deal making or bankrupting companies may prove some skill, they are totally irrelevant to running a complex government.
We haven't seen this show before but it looks very familiar. Remember the Peter Principle? I think what we have here is a 'failure to communicate' that Trump is a dangerous con man and likely a very shady operator who has created a culture of nastiness that appeals to some low information fellow knuckle draggers. The sooner the media stops being afraid of this man, and calls him out for his boorish contradictory and racist attitudes, the sooner we can all think about electing a serious person for a serious job.
2
I still am waiting for someone in the media to take Trump to task on his insane accusations, his equally nuts observations and his bald-face lies. Where are the people who should be asking the difficult questions that are necessary to call him out from under his yellow rug? I can only hope that the general media will cease pandering to his media circus and get serious about where his clown car is going. I have tried to understand where his supporters are coming from on an intellectual level but this is now impossible for me. I find myself reacting on such an emotional level that I am now turning off the source of my pain, the television.
2
SInce nobody on the left knows how to "run the US economy", it is time to give a successful business guy an opportunity. I suspect that bureaucrats trying to run the economy is the reason why things are in such a mess. Clearly the federal government is expanding at a horrific rate with incompetence everywhere. Krugman needs to go take a flight someplace. Federal policies caused the 2008 meltdown by requiring lenders to give loans to unqualified buyers ( a Bill Clinton policy) , current high 12% real unemployment, stagnation of salaries, and loss of millions of jobs overseas. Why in the world would we want more of this? Central planning didn't work for the Soviets either.
2
You state reasons that are as ludicrous as Trump's. The financial meltdown was not caused by requiring loans to the unqualified . You could look it up.
1
Perhaps Dr. Krugman should venture out from his cushy academic job and visit one of the thousands of communities that have been devastated by the loss of a key employer. He will discover the destruction that has taken place with free trade and the false claims that unemployment is back to record low numbers. Americans want to work, but they need jobs making things, not flipping burgers for $15/hr. Workers are looking for an individual who they believe will provide the best opportunity to rebuild the manufacturing base. With two terrible choices, Clinton or Trump, they have gravitated towards someone who has actually done something (even if he was born on third) verses a career political hack.
1
"The truth is that the idea that Donald Trump, of all people, knows how to run the U.S. economy is ludicrous. But will voters ever recognize that truth?"
And the truth is also that (1) the media, other than Mr. Krugman, has done no expose of Trump's short-comings as a businessman that led to four bankruptcies that didn't touch his personal fortune but destroyed a lot of other small businessmen in addition to costing jobs and (2) the majority of Americans are just too dumb to do any research on their own nor do they look beyond the "show" that is Donald Trump. They ignore that he is a shallow man who hurls insults and acts in a petty petulant manner when challenged and the reason is that --- he reflects a lot of what the average person is -- shallow, disinterested in real issues, petty, my way or the highway, belligerent, etc.
And the truth is also that (1) the media, other than Mr. Krugman, has done no expose of Trump's short-comings as a businessman that led to four bankruptcies that didn't touch his personal fortune but destroyed a lot of other small businessmen in addition to costing jobs and (2) the majority of Americans are just too dumb to do any research on their own nor do they look beyond the "show" that is Donald Trump. They ignore that he is a shallow man who hurls insults and acts in a petty petulant manner when challenged and the reason is that --- he reflects a lot of what the average person is -- shallow, disinterested in real issues, petty, my way or the highway, belligerent, etc.
5
Economic delusions of competence by the establishment is why we have someone like Trump poised to take the White House. People don't really care if it's Elmer Fudd they are electing as long as it is a new face. So instead of just telling us how big of a mistake this guy is why not give us the other half of the story and explain how things got to this point in the first place. The unwillingness to acknowledge what is behind these events, is a tactic by the media that will at some point have to end. My guess is they believe that all the turmoil with the establishment will just blow over and eventually disappear, and on that they couldn't be more wrong. It is ludicrous to imply that it will be Trump's lack of competence that will falter in front of these challenges, rather than the outdated methods that are now being put to rest.
2
You don't have to go any further than Trump's oft repeated claim that he would pay off the federal debt in 8 years. Beyond the obvious impossibility of doing so, to have this as a goal is way beyond stupid.
We have paid off the debt only once, in 1835. That was followed by the Panic of 1837 which ushered in our longest depression. But it is much worse than that. EVERY time we tried to significantly (>10%) pay the debt down, we fell into a real gut wrenching depression. More precisely, all 6 times we have balanced the budget for more than 3 years, eliminating deficits and taking in more in revenue than we spend, we have had a real depression. Using the usual definition of depression, this accounts for all of our depressions.
Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it.
We have paid off the debt only once, in 1835. That was followed by the Panic of 1837 which ushered in our longest depression. But it is much worse than that. EVERY time we tried to significantly (>10%) pay the debt down, we fell into a real gut wrenching depression. More precisely, all 6 times we have balanced the budget for more than 3 years, eliminating deficits and taking in more in revenue than we spend, we have had a real depression. Using the usual definition of depression, this accounts for all of our depressions.
Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it.
5
Ignorance, the lack of knowledge or understanding, may be forgiven according to the circumstance of the ignorant individual and that person's desire to improve that sad state. Stupidity, however, is a willful form of ignorance that has no desire to resolve itself by seeking knowledge and understanding and often denies the need for any such resolution or improvement. Trump displays willful ignorance but I don't believe that he is stupid. He is, however, willfully, venally, craven.
Countries are not businesses. POTUS is not the Chairman of the Board or CEO of US, Inc. Sovereign debt is of a different order than that of personal or corporate debt. Managing the National Economy is not like a family sitting around the kitchen table with pile of bills. Yet, this is the willful ignorance that the GOP has been peddling for years. Trump is the latest, and most skillful, purveyor of these particular Republican articles of faith. Care to buy some Trump Steaks, toast your dinner with Trump Wine, and open an account at a Trump S&L -- deposits accepted in gold bouillon only.
Countries are not businesses. POTUS is not the Chairman of the Board or CEO of US, Inc. Sovereign debt is of a different order than that of personal or corporate debt. Managing the National Economy is not like a family sitting around the kitchen table with pile of bills. Yet, this is the willful ignorance that the GOP has been peddling for years. Trump is the latest, and most skillful, purveyor of these particular Republican articles of faith. Care to buy some Trump Steaks, toast your dinner with Trump Wine, and open an account at a Trump S&L -- deposits accepted in gold bouillon only.
1
Does any of this make any difference? Has the US voter ever based choice on qualification, vision, intelligence? Has the voter ever benefitted as much as the donor? Have we ever followed wise counsel?
We will get who is elected whether by an informed or uninformed public and that person may work out just fine for both our nation and the rest of the planet
or not. Hardly what our world needs at this or any other time.
If this election cycle goes as it appears we will have a choice between two people who, beyond the desire to be "the boss" do not in anyway represent the average American. Neither have ever had to find a job, worry about car and mortgage payments or have any idea of what going hungry means, yet the majority of our citizens who have faced some if not all of these situations will be expected to cast a ballot for one of them as representative of us and leader of our so called free world.
We live in a la la land democracy where the wealthiest among us call the shots and many scrape the crumbs from their table. Neither leading candidate has ever worried about a meal for their kids and thinking otherwise a delusion fostered by those seeking to retain control
We are not yet marching on the same path of ignorance, anger and fear the German people followed after WW1 but the similarities are concerning.
Our national myths do a good job of keeping most of us in place and our children will be stuck with the bill after most of us have left the table.
We will get who is elected whether by an informed or uninformed public and that person may work out just fine for both our nation and the rest of the planet
or not. Hardly what our world needs at this or any other time.
If this election cycle goes as it appears we will have a choice between two people who, beyond the desire to be "the boss" do not in anyway represent the average American. Neither have ever had to find a job, worry about car and mortgage payments or have any idea of what going hungry means, yet the majority of our citizens who have faced some if not all of these situations will be expected to cast a ballot for one of them as representative of us and leader of our so called free world.
We live in a la la land democracy where the wealthiest among us call the shots and many scrape the crumbs from their table. Neither leading candidate has ever worried about a meal for their kids and thinking otherwise a delusion fostered by those seeking to retain control
We are not yet marching on the same path of ignorance, anger and fear the German people followed after WW1 but the similarities are concerning.
Our national myths do a good job of keeping most of us in place and our children will be stuck with the bill after most of us have left the table.
114
To defeat Trump, one neds specific examples. If I were Prf. PK, I would start with the story of the Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City. Give the overview with a few specifics such as the unhappy workers and the creditors. Then go onto Trump University. First the hype and sales talk, then the reality. Finally go to Trump's plan to offer the creditors of the US national debt a reduced payback--just like Donald's 4 bankruptcies. Then mention the resulting loss of the US credit rating. Then point out the Alexander Hamilton wanted to have a country that paid its creditors in full. Then conclude that Donald is a good salesman--of Donald--but not much of a thinker, planner, economist or leader.
2
"Beeznessmen" will never make good public sector leaders because their core beliefs lie with the accounting rules that define private sector finances. They will never believe the facts: that household and Federal government finances are not the same, and there is really no future public debt burden (placed upon our grandchildren) because we mostly "owe it to ourselves."
Government provides services that business would never provide (like disaster assistance). The notion that government can be run like business is absurd, and the source of many of our economic problems today.
Government provides services that business would never provide (like disaster assistance). The notion that government can be run like business is absurd, and the source of many of our economic problems today.
3
And what of the delusion of competence of economist? Was not Krugman and many of his colleagues cheerleaders for the policies of Alan Greenspan? Wasn't Greenspan's running of the Fed and guiding the Treasury under two presidents - Clinton and Bush - responsible for low interest rates and easy credit that then directly inflated the huge housing bubble that burst so dramatically and horribly for America and the world? Then, weren't these economist the same ones that advised Obama and Congress on the rescue plan that "saved" us by bailing out the banks and letting the elite 1% in the financial industry off with no punishment so they could go on to continue to reap billions in ill gotten gains? Meanwhile haven't these same policies meant that small savers and responsible homeowners have been suffering for year due to artificially low interest rates and a cratered housing market?
Economics is often called the dismal science. The reason is because economics makes little to no use of true scientific methods and, when it does, its usually is pretty dismal at predicting with any degree of accuracy the effectiveness of economic policies. Lest we forget, a Nobel prize winning economist was part of the hedge fund crash of Long Term Capital Management back in the mid-1990's, a lesson that apparently not many learned from in the early 2000's.
The system is rigged. Krugman is part of the system. Ergo, he is very suspect in any pronouncements he puts forth.
Economics is often called the dismal science. The reason is because economics makes little to no use of true scientific methods and, when it does, its usually is pretty dismal at predicting with any degree of accuracy the effectiveness of economic policies. Lest we forget, a Nobel prize winning economist was part of the hedge fund crash of Long Term Capital Management back in the mid-1990's, a lesson that apparently not many learned from in the early 2000's.
The system is rigged. Krugman is part of the system. Ergo, he is very suspect in any pronouncements he puts forth.
1
Nonsense. Kurgan was never supportive of Greenspan's positions. Do a little research please.
I can't imagine a real businessman overseeing a national economy. In business, the objective is to cut costs and maximize profits. In government, the idea is to spend money to invigorate the national economy.
You would think it would be easy to run a government, simply collecting tax money and spending it on government budgeted programs. Who knows, maybe it is, but the idea of being austere in business would not translate to growing a national economy.
The one exception would be the businessman who knows you have to spend money to make money by buying new equipment to make things, or pay the employees more to boost morale and productivity. I just don't see that coming from any candidate like Trump.
Trump made his money like taxation, running a casino, which failed, and relying on real estate in which, you know, we have to pay the landlord what they want.
Trump had it easy in business. I don't see his "unpredictable" nature being successful at running a nation.
You would think it would be easy to run a government, simply collecting tax money and spending it on government budgeted programs. Who knows, maybe it is, but the idea of being austere in business would not translate to growing a national economy.
The one exception would be the businessman who knows you have to spend money to make money by buying new equipment to make things, or pay the employees more to boost morale and productivity. I just don't see that coming from any candidate like Trump.
Trump made his money like taxation, running a casino, which failed, and relying on real estate in which, you know, we have to pay the landlord what they want.
Trump had it easy in business. I don't see his "unpredictable" nature being successful at running a nation.
3
The trouble with arguing the rationality of economics is that it rests on the irrationality of human psychology. And in desperate economic times which is the case for all too many across America, it is the psychology of the irrational--anger, fear, hate, and outrage--that take control. That is the essence of of Demagogue Donald's so far successful campaign for the presidency. Unfortunately, with a status quo, establishment, Wall Street-backed, email-challenged candidate in Hillary Clinton the looming triumph of Trumpsim is all the more likely and absolutely terrifying. We are in the midst of what Bernie Sanders has called a political "revolution" over the failed Republican and Democratic policies of the last 30 years (many from a man named Clinton) that has bequeathed poverty to many and immense wealth to a few, but the real tragedy is that instead of the sensible progressive policies of Sen. Sanders, we are going to get the bait-and-switch,Trump Trojan horse.
Stupidity reigns supreme. A puffed 'businessman, with bankruptcies galore, paid for by an unsuspecting public (with their taxes) , now proudly exposing his ignorance in the basics of political governance. Trump seems deluded, as arrogance won't let him see beyond his own crooked stance. How is it
even possible that a demagogue can attract so many for so little in return? Perhaps his bullying style as a 'joker' did, so far, blind people's ability to think for themselves, and recognize him for what he is, a fraud. His volatile personality, and his willingness to say anything today, and reverse it tomorrow if convenient, is a rare case of disability preventing a thought process to mature, give pause, weigh plausible alternatives, accept constructive criticism, and recognize truth, and reality, as allies not subject to twitter distortions. Trump's insolence and opportunism is being confused as a healthy contrarian position against a corrupt republican 'establishment'. A dangerous individual, so far deluding himself and others into a complacency we may spend a long time repenting. The G.O.P. is playing with fire; lets trust that, as it gets burned, it won't consume the rest of us. Cowardice and hypocrisy seem in ample supply. Let's hope the demand dries up soon enough.
even possible that a demagogue can attract so many for so little in return? Perhaps his bullying style as a 'joker' did, so far, blind people's ability to think for themselves, and recognize him for what he is, a fraud. His volatile personality, and his willingness to say anything today, and reverse it tomorrow if convenient, is a rare case of disability preventing a thought process to mature, give pause, weigh plausible alternatives, accept constructive criticism, and recognize truth, and reality, as allies not subject to twitter distortions. Trump's insolence and opportunism is being confused as a healthy contrarian position against a corrupt republican 'establishment'. A dangerous individual, so far deluding himself and others into a complacency we may spend a long time repenting. The G.O.P. is playing with fire; lets trust that, as it gets burned, it won't consume the rest of us. Cowardice and hypocrisy seem in ample supply. Let's hope the demand dries up soon enough.
8
Last November Trump “insisted that he never said wages were too high, just that the minimum wage should not increase”. In the public debate there has been a choice of a $9.00 level (with no job loses according to the CBO), a $10.10 level urged by President Obama in 2013, the $12.00 level sought by Hillary Clinton and the $15.00 minimum wage urged by Bernie Sanders. It is fair to say that Trump wants the state and local governments to set minimum wages rather than imposing one rate nationwide. A businessman like Trump who operates in many different states and local economies, knows something about labor market differences from one region to another. In this area, Trump's experience will lead to better policy than his Democratic rivals (or at least avoid bad national policy).
On tax and policy reforms Trump has a mixed bag of ideas intended to help the rich get richer (25% maximum income tax, no estate tax) without doing more damage to workers (letting them get sick on the street). Reducing the number of illegal residents may help some workers and businesses compete in some markets while reducing demand in others. Trump’s Mexican wall will not stop people from entering the country by other means or visitors from overstaying their welcome. It was only 16 years ago that Trump proposed a wealth tax of 14.25% on the rich to pay the national debt. See "The America We Deserve". This eccentric tax proposel says a great deal about the man and his economic policy inclinations.
On tax and policy reforms Trump has a mixed bag of ideas intended to help the rich get richer (25% maximum income tax, no estate tax) without doing more damage to workers (letting them get sick on the street). Reducing the number of illegal residents may help some workers and businesses compete in some markets while reducing demand in others. Trump’s Mexican wall will not stop people from entering the country by other means or visitors from overstaying their welcome. It was only 16 years ago that Trump proposed a wealth tax of 14.25% on the rich to pay the national debt. See "The America We Deserve". This eccentric tax proposel says a great deal about the man and his economic policy inclinations.
1
"On some great and glorious day the plain folks of the land will reach their heart's desire at last, and the White House will be adorned by a downright moron.” H.L. Mencken.
The "plain folks" aka white men are angry. They are angry at the loss of lunch bucket jobs (while workers overseas are exploited) so that they are left to buy junk at Walt-Mart or at the Dollar Store. They are angry that the average price for a pack of cigarettes has risen to $5.51 per pack ($12.85 in NYC). They are angry that perhaps the greatest accomplishment of the working class in this country, the creation of a vast public school system, is under constant political attack and their kids can't afford college. They are angry that their higher paying blue collar jobs are exported, there is a tremendous fight to keep white collar jobs such as the millions of insurance agents that could be replaced immediately by logarithms.
They are fed a steady diet from hate media that speaks to every fear and prejudice, particularly the myth that the government by the people and for the people is hopelessly inefficient, "rigged" and rotten. In the face of all of this outrage and hopelessness they are angry that somehow "they" are coming to take their guns, possession of which is a false symbol of individual empowerment.
The problem of course is that they are angry at the wrong party and the Republicans have finally, after multiple attempts, come to them with the ultimate moron and worse, to vote for.
The "plain folks" aka white men are angry. They are angry at the loss of lunch bucket jobs (while workers overseas are exploited) so that they are left to buy junk at Walt-Mart or at the Dollar Store. They are angry that the average price for a pack of cigarettes has risen to $5.51 per pack ($12.85 in NYC). They are angry that perhaps the greatest accomplishment of the working class in this country, the creation of a vast public school system, is under constant political attack and their kids can't afford college. They are angry that their higher paying blue collar jobs are exported, there is a tremendous fight to keep white collar jobs such as the millions of insurance agents that could be replaced immediately by logarithms.
They are fed a steady diet from hate media that speaks to every fear and prejudice, particularly the myth that the government by the people and for the people is hopelessly inefficient, "rigged" and rotten. In the face of all of this outrage and hopelessness they are angry that somehow "they" are coming to take their guns, possession of which is a false symbol of individual empowerment.
The problem of course is that they are angry at the wrong party and the Republicans have finally, after multiple attempts, come to them with the ultimate moron and worse, to vote for.
7
But business leaders are often blind to economic reality.
"The point, however, is that these feedback effects from wage cuts aren’t the sort of things even very smart business leaders need to take into account to run their companies. Businesses sell stuff to other people; they don’t need to worry about the effect of their cost-cutting measures on demand for their products. Managing national economic policy, on the other hand, is all about the feedback."
The leader of our health care organization is laser-focused on cost cutting as we shed customers due to increasingly poor service. The administration, all "business leaders", are absolutely blind to feedback that doesn't match their own expectations.
Thus, Trump and his misguided minions.
"The point, however, is that these feedback effects from wage cuts aren’t the sort of things even very smart business leaders need to take into account to run their companies. Businesses sell stuff to other people; they don’t need to worry about the effect of their cost-cutting measures on demand for their products. Managing national economic policy, on the other hand, is all about the feedback."
The leader of our health care organization is laser-focused on cost cutting as we shed customers due to increasingly poor service. The administration, all "business leaders", are absolutely blind to feedback that doesn't match their own expectations.
Thus, Trump and his misguided minions.
Business is a competition, some would say a rigged one, whose terms of conduct and success are entirely economic. Governing, even governing an economy, is not about winning a competition, but about balancing interests: the interests of rich and poor, and economic interests vs. social & cultural interests. As far as the skills required go, they have absolutely nothing to do with each other. Indeed personal economic power, whether inherited in Mr. Trump's case, or earned in Ms. Clinton's case, can be an enormous conflict of interest in government, as recent history has made obvious.
Attacking Trump's business success is a losing argument. Yes, he's a con man. Yes, he's egotistical. Yes, he screwed many investors of their money. But he's a true entrepreneur. Every successful entrepreneur, to lesser extents, does all of those things, even the most honest of them. Entrepreneurs fail (or lose) more often than win. It's part of Trump's success as a salesman (or con man if you prefer) that he can take his losses and sell them as wins.
Trump could have sat on his butt and carefully built his wealth by investing in mutual funds. Maybe at the end of the day he would have the same or even more wealth. Instead, he risked his money (and the money of others) and built a hugely successful brand. He DID put together some impressive deals. He DOES fly around in a private (albeit old) 757. He HAS skyscrapers and casinos and golf courses around the world emblazoned with his name.
Trump is a bad man and utterly unqualified to be President. Attack him on his personal values and policy proposals. But you lose credibility when you attack his business success. Whatever his actual net worth, he's living the lifestyle of a billionaire. That's what people see and believe and there's no point fighting on that ground. There are better battlefields.
Take some tips from Elizabeth Warren.
Trump could have sat on his butt and carefully built his wealth by investing in mutual funds. Maybe at the end of the day he would have the same or even more wealth. Instead, he risked his money (and the money of others) and built a hugely successful brand. He DID put together some impressive deals. He DOES fly around in a private (albeit old) 757. He HAS skyscrapers and casinos and golf courses around the world emblazoned with his name.
Trump is a bad man and utterly unqualified to be President. Attack him on his personal values and policy proposals. But you lose credibility when you attack his business success. Whatever his actual net worth, he's living the lifestyle of a billionaire. That's what people see and believe and there's no point fighting on that ground. There are better battlefields.
Take some tips from Elizabeth Warren.
I will go a step further: being a businessman IS a liability for being Prez . . . and in congress. Take for instance the Conference Board's report yesterday on global productivity. It funnels down to concluding workers must work harder to justify raises.
Their pronouncements have weight in policy but they are from businesses point of view. Trump will run with this as intended by business interests. but the report fails to consider the ENTIRE productivity context.
After having kept the rewards of profit for the past 30 years to the point the .01% has been created from the most recent productivity increase, rather than recognizing that the profits of that productivity were captured and leveraged by a few, business now comes out saying not only will workers have to pay for there being no new innovations in the pipeline, there is no chance for them to have returned to them the value of the productivity they've been cheated of.
The productivity discussion is all about why business can get out of paying workers their worth, not about businesses failures (Multiple!) to stay relevant and innovative and putting it on the backs of workers. Me-too drugs, suppressing renewable fuel and supporting anti-science, supressions of stem-cell to name but a few. Added together with refusing to fund maintenance of investments like infrastructure, it is a fair statement to say business it productivity's worst enemy.
Trump is the poster boy for that incompetence.
Their pronouncements have weight in policy but they are from businesses point of view. Trump will run with this as intended by business interests. but the report fails to consider the ENTIRE productivity context.
After having kept the rewards of profit for the past 30 years to the point the .01% has been created from the most recent productivity increase, rather than recognizing that the profits of that productivity were captured and leveraged by a few, business now comes out saying not only will workers have to pay for there being no new innovations in the pipeline, there is no chance for them to have returned to them the value of the productivity they've been cheated of.
The productivity discussion is all about why business can get out of paying workers their worth, not about businesses failures (Multiple!) to stay relevant and innovative and putting it on the backs of workers. Me-too drugs, suppressing renewable fuel and supporting anti-science, supressions of stem-cell to name but a few. Added together with refusing to fund maintenance of investments like infrastructure, it is a fair statement to say business it productivity's worst enemy.
Trump is the poster boy for that incompetence.
The Trump empire is exclusively in the business of rent-seeking. He may or may not be good at that. What is important to realize though is that rent-seeking is a business that scoops the profits from business that actually "make things". Inherently its value to society is to provide liquidity into the market but mostly manipulate the market or spot small or large supply/demand imbalances.
Even if Trump does an excellent job at that he has no experience in businesses that actually are the drivers of the economy. Innovate, produce, and create new services!
His experience in the rent-seeking type of business is exemplified by his naive views that "everything is negotiation and a deal". There is no deal if there is nothing created in the first place.
Even if Trump does an excellent job at that he has no experience in businesses that actually are the drivers of the economy. Innovate, produce, and create new services!
His experience in the rent-seeking type of business is exemplified by his naive views that "everything is negotiation and a deal". There is no deal if there is nothing created in the first place.
3
Bruce Rauner, governor of Illinois, is a billionaire son of a millionaire who thought his private equity acumen was just what the Illinois economy needed. He was used to being the Boss and was clueless about and dismissive of the legislative process. Consequently his unwillingness to even discuss solutions with the legislature, much less compromise, has driven the state to ruin.
Lesson learned is that our country (and the states) need competent leadership, not bombast, which means respect for diverse viewpoints and the character to admit mistakes and course-correct when necessary to effectively govern.
Lesson learned is that our country (and the states) need competent leadership, not bombast, which means respect for diverse viewpoints and the character to admit mistakes and course-correct when necessary to effectively govern.
2
Trump is a product of tabloid television—a celebrity. He is recognized for his notoriety first, something that he has been cultivating for forty years. His words should not be understood as expository, but rather as fragments of 30 second TV ads. To impose order on him is to miss the point of his appeal altogether.
Politicians since Nixon/Kennedy have been forced by television to market themselves as products. The difference with Trump is that he offers no pretense to being anything else. The interpretation error is in the presumption that Mr. Trump's self-aggrandizement has utility in the public sphere. I suspect that it is deep cynicism about public service that creates the space for Trump. His experience and expertise in tabloid journalism prepare him to act against this cynicism with the correct posture. It was Ronald Reagan who first said that politics was just like show business. But Reagan was an actor who took direction from others. Trump's appeal is tied in with the fact that he seems to take no direction. So, his truculence and boorishness can be interpreted as mavericky.
In his 1985 book Amusing Ourselves to Death, Neil Postman saw this coming:
"Tyrants of all varieties have always known about the value of providing the masses with amusements as a means of pacifying discontent. But most of them could not have even hoped for a situation in which the masses would ignore that which does not amuse."
Politicians since Nixon/Kennedy have been forced by television to market themselves as products. The difference with Trump is that he offers no pretense to being anything else. The interpretation error is in the presumption that Mr. Trump's self-aggrandizement has utility in the public sphere. I suspect that it is deep cynicism about public service that creates the space for Trump. His experience and expertise in tabloid journalism prepare him to act against this cynicism with the correct posture. It was Ronald Reagan who first said that politics was just like show business. But Reagan was an actor who took direction from others. Trump's appeal is tied in with the fact that he seems to take no direction. So, his truculence and boorishness can be interpreted as mavericky.
In his 1985 book Amusing Ourselves to Death, Neil Postman saw this coming:
"Tyrants of all varieties have always known about the value of providing the masses with amusements as a means of pacifying discontent. But most of them could not have even hoped for a situation in which the masses would ignore that which does not amuse."
1
One additional insight must needs be added to Krugman's insight. Besides economic policy which businessmen know little about, the management of the government apparatus and all of its varied functions is no where near what private business does.
Consider the little girls selling lemonade in the hot summer. They do very well, so they take their entrepreneurial bent into the winter and try to sell views of their snow sculptures on the front lawn. They don't do nearly as well as with the lemonade.
Most of what government produces is more like lemonade than snow sculptures, and there is a reason that most snow sculptures are produced by government and/or by non-profits.
Consider the little girls selling lemonade in the hot summer. They do very well, so they take their entrepreneurial bent into the winter and try to sell views of their snow sculptures on the front lawn. They don't do nearly as well as with the lemonade.
Most of what government produces is more like lemonade than snow sculptures, and there is a reason that most snow sculptures are produced by government and/or by non-profits.
Overall, on the Trump phenomenon (and threat) - too many comments, too much verbosity, and not enough real action. Collated videos of Trump pronouncements, Republican obstructionism and respective Dem/Rep performance history should be playing 24/7 on digital billboards - in Times Square and every other major population center, in a host of languages. After enough times, even the ignorant and stupid get the real message, the real meaning. A home TV audience is too private, too constricted, too limiting and simply does not create a large enough concentric circle of voice, debate, nor influence. Trump makes every Tom, Dick and Harry experts on subjects they had never or rarely read, studied or spoken of, and obviously, poorly understand. I'm surprised at the lack of campaign creativity to date - traditional methods and channels of communication evidently and emphatically just do not cut it.
"The truth is that the idea that Donald Trump, of all people, knows how to run the U.S. economy is ludicrous. But will voters ever recognize that truth?"
One can hope. It's worth remembering that the people who vote in primaries tend to be more activist by nature than people who vote in the general election. It does not necessarily follow, therefore, that the same percentage of Republican voters will subscribe to Trump's entreaties.
As for the truth, something Hillary Clinton is routinely condemned as being incapable of delivering, Trump seems to be getting a complete pass, when in truth, so to speak, he far more routinely prone to be a serial prevaricator than Clinton is.
What Trump's supporters don't seem to realize is that Trump also appears to be as guilty of using the "system" he derides as anyone, which is his right, but it's patently absurd for voters to condemn Clinton for it while going gaga over The Donald who makes his living off of puffery.
One can hope. It's worth remembering that the people who vote in primaries tend to be more activist by nature than people who vote in the general election. It does not necessarily follow, therefore, that the same percentage of Republican voters will subscribe to Trump's entreaties.
As for the truth, something Hillary Clinton is routinely condemned as being incapable of delivering, Trump seems to be getting a complete pass, when in truth, so to speak, he far more routinely prone to be a serial prevaricator than Clinton is.
What Trump's supporters don't seem to realize is that Trump also appears to be as guilty of using the "system" he derides as anyone, which is his right, but it's patently absurd for voters to condemn Clinton for it while going gaga over The Donald who makes his living off of puffery.
2
For the American economy I think I trust historians more more than I trust economists, businessmen or politicians.
We are not in uncharted water and as the rest of the world is developing new economies America clings to an economy based on an economic model that was ideally suited for the time I was growing up. Mr Trump is delusional about his skills but celebrity does that to many people.
When I think about the skills I would like to see in a President the ones I would most like to see in 2016 is compassion and understanding. I would like to see another Jimmy Carter in the White House. Jimmy Carter did make some mistakes but he understood the science and technology that would bring us to 2016.
1976 was not as dire as 2016 but the steps needed to be taken then are now beyond critical and the USA's ability to take those steps now is close to zero.
I believe in the Art of the Deal but I do not believe in Donald Trump. A deal in 2016 must mean win win . America has become the land of winners and losers and is now the land of big winners and big losers. Globalism is collapsing because democracy in the USA is on life support and despite hearing that America never wins anymore the reality is America always wins but it is always the same Americans that win.
The only thing American economists tell me that I believe is that the American economy as now constituted cannot survive negative growth. Here is where historians have more to offer than economists they know what not to do.
We are not in uncharted water and as the rest of the world is developing new economies America clings to an economy based on an economic model that was ideally suited for the time I was growing up. Mr Trump is delusional about his skills but celebrity does that to many people.
When I think about the skills I would like to see in a President the ones I would most like to see in 2016 is compassion and understanding. I would like to see another Jimmy Carter in the White House. Jimmy Carter did make some mistakes but he understood the science and technology that would bring us to 2016.
1976 was not as dire as 2016 but the steps needed to be taken then are now beyond critical and the USA's ability to take those steps now is close to zero.
I believe in the Art of the Deal but I do not believe in Donald Trump. A deal in 2016 must mean win win . America has become the land of winners and losers and is now the land of big winners and big losers. Globalism is collapsing because democracy in the USA is on life support and despite hearing that America never wins anymore the reality is America always wins but it is always the same Americans that win.
The only thing American economists tell me that I believe is that the American economy as now constituted cannot survive negative growth. Here is where historians have more to offer than economists they know what not to do.
4
Another insight must needs be added to the discussion of Krugman on Trump’s competence in economic policy. It is specifically with respect to the management of the Federal Government.
Consider the two little girls selling lemonade in the hot summer. They are quite successful so they take their entrepreneurial bent into the winter and attempt to sell views of their snow sculptures on their front lawn. They are not nearly as successful as with the lemonade.
Most of what government does is more akin to snow sculptures than to lemonade. There is a reason that most snow sculpture-like things are produced by government or non-profit organizations and there is no evidence Mr. Trump has any experience with environmental policy, national security strategies, irradiation of deadly diseases, or national science policy. His one venture into Higher Education was a disaster.
Consider the two little girls selling lemonade in the hot summer. They are quite successful so they take their entrepreneurial bent into the winter and attempt to sell views of their snow sculptures on their front lawn. They are not nearly as successful as with the lemonade.
Most of what government does is more akin to snow sculptures than to lemonade. There is a reason that most snow sculpture-like things are produced by government or non-profit organizations and there is no evidence Mr. Trump has any experience with environmental policy, national security strategies, irradiation of deadly diseases, or national science policy. His one venture into Higher Education was a disaster.
Michigan is being devastated by an allegedly successful businessman turned politician Governor Rick Snyder. Snyder has significantly enriched himself by abolishing a business tax and making retirees and others pay for it. Snyder has been putting the state out of business allowing private for profit vendors in state nursing homes not provide care for veterans, feed prisoners rotten and maggot laden food, unregulated for profit charter schools destroying education public and private, etc. Anyone who looks at the level of incompetence and corruption imposed on Michigan by Governor Snyder would run screaming from the idea of a President Trump.
4
Herbert Hoover may have been the only clear cut example of a businessman becoming a president in the US. However, there have been many examples when you look at other countries.
As far as I know, from Croseus to Berlesconi, there is not one example of a successful businessperson becoming the successful chief executive of a country.
Does anyone have an example (that is, an exception that proves the rule)?
As far as I know, from Croseus to Berlesconi, there is not one example of a successful businessperson becoming the successful chief executive of a country.
Does anyone have an example (that is, an exception that proves the rule)?
4
Donald and Hillary have one major thing in common. They are both rather unlikable. The difference is that Hillary is competent and has the credentials to be president. Trump is incompetent and has no credentials. He gloats about the wealth he has amassed but he has a history of trouble managing his own finances let alone the nation's. Evidence? Trump Steaks, Trump University, four business bankruptcies, and his refusal to divulge his tax information. His answer: They are still being audited. Really? ALL of your tax returns? It's about time Hillary turned the tables on this fraud and hit him with some epithets. If she's "Crooked Hillary" then he is "Psychotic Trump" Best way to deal with a bully is to bully him.
3
Speak for yourself. I think Hillary Clinton is very likable.
1
Ronald Reagan once told the story of The Little Red Hen to illustrate the difference between the makers and the takers. His economic policy definitely changed that scenario: now it's the farm animals who do all the work while The Big Red Rooster CEO eats all the bread.
You're far to kind, Dr. Krugman. Not only do CEOs not understand how to fix our economy; they were the ones who broke it in the first place.
You're far to kind, Dr. Krugman. Not only do CEOs not understand how to fix our economy; they were the ones who broke it in the first place.
7
Of greater concern should be the system of values -- if any-- these so-called "successful business men have, an issues that Elizabeth Warren emphasized in a compelling manner is her recent remarks about Trump's character. Surely, every profession has ethical principles that it uses as some sort of "North Star" to govern its interactions with the public sector. However, to equate profiting from the misery of others as a good business practice makes one wonder just what our young people are being taught in business schools. Is that what they teach at Wharton? Is making money their only real goal and objective? If so, I don't want anyone like Trump running my country.
3
Woe, is the short memory of voters. Despite the fact that some of the best Presidents have been the worst businessmen, Jefferson, Lincoln and Truman, for example, and the "business presidents" have been among the worst, Hoover and W., many still buy into the fallacy of the great businessman as president.
Let us look at our first MBA President, George W. He as quite impressive indeed. With that illustrious Harvard MBA in his back pocket he accomplished what no other president dared to dream, the prefect trifecta: near collapse of the US economy, near collapse of the world economy and near collapse of the entire monetary system.
Now we have another would -be business President with a Wharton degree who touts his credentials. He may not be quite as smart as our Harvard MBA president but I am sure he will strive to complete the job that W. failed to do.
But the Donald's production will undoubted be much more entertaining for our viewing pleasure.
Let us look at our first MBA President, George W. He as quite impressive indeed. With that illustrious Harvard MBA in his back pocket he accomplished what no other president dared to dream, the prefect trifecta: near collapse of the US economy, near collapse of the world economy and near collapse of the entire monetary system.
Now we have another would -be business President with a Wharton degree who touts his credentials. He may not be quite as smart as our Harvard MBA president but I am sure he will strive to complete the job that W. failed to do.
But the Donald's production will undoubted be much more entertaining for our viewing pleasure.
5
The greatest illusion is that there is something inherently 'good' about free markets. Free markets will give us slavery, child labor, poison in our food, lead in our water, and airbags that kill people. Free markets will not give you a road in front of your home unless you pay for it, and your fire trucks won't show up unless you pay a fee. In free markets, a bankrupt company may find its creditors take away all the assets of the owner of the company (so perhaps, Trump won't be as rich). Free markets may provide an efficient means of distributing economic resources, but nothing more, nothing less.
Society made a bargain that some goods should be public, and the only question is the appropriate size of the circle of decision making authority--local municipalities, state, or federal. Schools and roads may be local, highways may be state and federal, and intellectual property and military may be federal.
This nonsense about a business person who's reason for success is largely based on luck (ask Warren Buffet, and he will tell you how lucky he was) is somehow capable of handling a complex national economy is a fairy tale that has as much truth to it as the earth being 5,000 years old.
Society made a bargain that some goods should be public, and the only question is the appropriate size of the circle of decision making authority--local municipalities, state, or federal. Schools and roads may be local, highways may be state and federal, and intellectual property and military may be federal.
This nonsense about a business person who's reason for success is largely based on luck (ask Warren Buffet, and he will tell you how lucky he was) is somehow capable of handling a complex national economy is a fairy tale that has as much truth to it as the earth being 5,000 years old.
5
The GOP maintains that the poor are unwilling to work, and therefore a waste of tax money. The fact that social welfare programs stimulate the economy is of no interest to Donald Trump. Though ignorant of economics, he is aware that paranoia is the most powerful political force.
5
The Dems create a cycle of dependency that become generational because they arrogantly believe people, especially the poor, can't make it without their gracious help. Social welfare programs beyond a basic safety net (that Dems keep adding to and adding to) create a "why should I work if the nanny state will do everything for me" culture.
Not sure that Donald Trump even cares about competence enough to be delusional about it.
What worries me is an electorate and a media industry that has developed delusions of cleverness.
Yes: let's undermine the only reasonably safe candidate for the presidency with constant innuendo.
Let's stake our nation's future on a showdown between a barking old socialist and a red-faced, racist maniac.
Maybe somehow it will all work out for the best!
What worries me is an electorate and a media industry that has developed delusions of cleverness.
Yes: let's undermine the only reasonably safe candidate for the presidency with constant innuendo.
Let's stake our nation's future on a showdown between a barking old socialist and a red-faced, racist maniac.
Maybe somehow it will all work out for the best!
8
What concerns me is Donald Trump's definition of business success, winning. Most successful businesses try to create win/win situations where both parties gain from a business transaction. Trump defines transactions as zero sum games where he out smarts his opponents. He gains a others expense.
His speeches indicate he thinks this approach should be used to set public policy which would be disastrous. Trump would set one societal group against another. Any idea of the public good would be abandoned.
His speeches indicate he thinks this approach should be used to set public policy which would be disastrous. Trump would set one societal group against another. Any idea of the public good would be abandoned.
4
Give it a break. I agree that humans are annoying, especially the imperfect non-Republican humans who make all of the mistakes, but we've just got to live with the fact that complexity and uncertainty are the natural result of nature itself.
If Obama's mistakes were even remotely serious, we'd be looking like the rest of the world, that is, the world that was equally destroyed by 30 years of US Republican economic mythology. The greater part of the world economy hasn't recovered, because it doubled down rather than cast off it's right wing economic mythology.
Or, put another way, if Obama's mistakes were even remotely 'Bush-like', we'd all be living in the bush.
The good news is that Obama (and the Federal Reserve) has manage to counter 'right wing opposition' and bring the economy back to a level that is ripe for a new 'right wing' rip off.
Vote to be ripped if you want, but don't 'rag' on the one who put you back in a position to be ripped!
If Obama's mistakes were even remotely serious, we'd be looking like the rest of the world, that is, the world that was equally destroyed by 30 years of US Republican economic mythology. The greater part of the world economy hasn't recovered, because it doubled down rather than cast off it's right wing economic mythology.
Or, put another way, if Obama's mistakes were even remotely 'Bush-like', we'd all be living in the bush.
The good news is that Obama (and the Federal Reserve) has manage to counter 'right wing opposition' and bring the economy back to a level that is ripe for a new 'right wing' rip off.
Vote to be ripped if you want, but don't 'rag' on the one who put you back in a position to be ripped!
Delusions are bipartisan.
The delusion that Barack Obama's policies have done anything but harm the most vulnerable in America while making the 1% richer faster than at any point in history.
The delusion that undercounting Americans who have been out of work for a year or longer and have gone on to give up on finding a job means unemployment is below 5% during the Obama presidency.
The delusion that you could keep your plan if you liked it, period.
The delusion that an unseen Trump presidency would be any worse for the US economy than the "seen" Obama presidency has been.
The delusion that Barack Obama's policies have done anything but harm the most vulnerable in America while making the 1% richer faster than at any point in history.
The delusion that undercounting Americans who have been out of work for a year or longer and have gone on to give up on finding a job means unemployment is below 5% during the Obama presidency.
The delusion that you could keep your plan if you liked it, period.
The delusion that an unseen Trump presidency would be any worse for the US economy than the "seen" Obama presidency has been.
6
The delusion that not saving the auto industry would have helped the US economy.
The delusion that 20 million Americans would be better off without health care.
The delusion that the elimination of junk health insurance policies caused large numbers of Americans to have to give up their doctors.
The ultimate delusion that Donald Trump is by even the lowest of standards is qualified to even stand by President Obama's shoes.
The delusion that 20 million Americans would be better off without health care.
The delusion that the elimination of junk health insurance policies caused large numbers of Americans to have to give up their doctors.
The ultimate delusion that Donald Trump is by even the lowest of standards is qualified to even stand by President Obama's shoes.
4
Your delusion is completely partisan as well.
Obama has been hampered from creating policies that would have reversed the fortunes of the most vulnerable or the under and unemployed by a Congress that was determined to not let him succeed at anything that might be really good for the country - he had to fail for their side to succeed...yet with all the obstruction, progress WAS made.
The "counting" of the unemployed is the same as it was when unemployment was over 10% so even if it under represents, it was still cut in half.
I got to keep my plan, my rates went down instead of up...I don't have a subsidized plan either. It all depends on what state you live in, how much the local government hampered the ACA or what kind of screw job some insurance companies gave their customers--which I hope the next phase of the ACA will address.
The Trump presidency will be an unqualified disaster ... his rhetoric is bringing out the worst impulses in people and making this country quite racist again.
Obama has been hampered from creating policies that would have reversed the fortunes of the most vulnerable or the under and unemployed by a Congress that was determined to not let him succeed at anything that might be really good for the country - he had to fail for their side to succeed...yet with all the obstruction, progress WAS made.
The "counting" of the unemployed is the same as it was when unemployment was over 10% so even if it under represents, it was still cut in half.
I got to keep my plan, my rates went down instead of up...I don't have a subsidized plan either. It all depends on what state you live in, how much the local government hampered the ACA or what kind of screw job some insurance companies gave their customers--which I hope the next phase of the ACA will address.
The Trump presidency will be an unqualified disaster ... his rhetoric is bringing out the worst impulses in people and making this country quite racist again.
4
"The delusion that an unseen Trump presidency would be any worse for the US economy than the "seen" Obama presidency has been."
What concerns me is not the sincerity of this belief, but that the belief has enough merit in believers' minds to allow delusion to trump reality.
What concerns me is not the sincerity of this belief, but that the belief has enough merit in believers' minds to allow delusion to trump reality.
1
Completely leaving aside the question of whether Trump is/was an excellent businessman, isn't it true that a president has little or no direct or immediate effect on the economy for no other reason than the actions a president can take have little immediate economic effect?
I mean, Mr Krugman points out that Bill Clinton had a better economic result record during his 8 years than Reagan.
I don't disagree that the economy performed better when Clinton was prez than when Reagan was.
But I do disagree with the conventional wisdom that either of them, or any other presidents in the interim, deserves a lot of credit or blame for the performance of the economy during their administrations.
Correlation, yes. Causation, no.
I think Mr Krugman should have first addressed this question. Maybe he has previously done so.
Example: Trump calls for wage cuts then denies he called for them. Mr Krugman says wage cuts would be harmful. I agree with Mr Krugman.
But I find it hard to imagine what possible action Trump as president could take to accomplish wage cuts. I even find it hard to imagine any possible action Congress could take at Trump's goading that would accomplish these wage cuts he once said the economy so desperately needed.
Maybe it's a simple matter that so much of what Trump says is wrong, is a lie and/or a contradiction to what he has said in the past that the press can't keep up with him.
I mean, Mr Krugman points out that Bill Clinton had a better economic result record during his 8 years than Reagan.
I don't disagree that the economy performed better when Clinton was prez than when Reagan was.
But I do disagree with the conventional wisdom that either of them, or any other presidents in the interim, deserves a lot of credit or blame for the performance of the economy during their administrations.
Correlation, yes. Causation, no.
I think Mr Krugman should have first addressed this question. Maybe he has previously done so.
Example: Trump calls for wage cuts then denies he called for them. Mr Krugman says wage cuts would be harmful. I agree with Mr Krugman.
But I find it hard to imagine what possible action Trump as president could take to accomplish wage cuts. I even find it hard to imagine any possible action Congress could take at Trump's goading that would accomplish these wage cuts he once said the economy so desperately needed.
Maybe it's a simple matter that so much of what Trump says is wrong, is a lie and/or a contradiction to what he has said in the past that the press can't keep up with him.
3
The most relevant fact is that capitalism, and the corporate form are human inventions. These are rule-based autocratic bubbles (aka abstractions of reality) that are designed provide space for evolving human nature to play, learn, and grow.
In all, but the most despot regimes, government is, and always has been a necessary force that's required to balance the inherent inhumanity, and resource tipping overreach (aka excesses leading to disparity of one sort or another) of business.
Responsible, law abiding, business can only exist with responsible, law abiding governance, and there lies the rub. That is, evolution of anything requires room to change and evolve. Since the rules themselves cannot be absolutely certain, there will always be resistance to change by those who benefit the most from the current rules..............as there will be those who strive to 'stretch' the rules in order to gain complete control.
The threshold of overreach is clearly delineated by the prevalence of monopoly, wealth disparity, and the deterioration of the resource chain necessary to sustain human civilization. Wake up Republicans, the alarms are sounding loudly and clearly.
In all, but the most despot regimes, government is, and always has been a necessary force that's required to balance the inherent inhumanity, and resource tipping overreach (aka excesses leading to disparity of one sort or another) of business.
Responsible, law abiding, business can only exist with responsible, law abiding governance, and there lies the rub. That is, evolution of anything requires room to change and evolve. Since the rules themselves cannot be absolutely certain, there will always be resistance to change by those who benefit the most from the current rules..............as there will be those who strive to 'stretch' the rules in order to gain complete control.
The threshold of overreach is clearly delineated by the prevalence of monopoly, wealth disparity, and the deterioration of the resource chain necessary to sustain human civilization. Wake up Republicans, the alarms are sounding loudly and clearly.
Roxbury is starting a tuition free community college in the Boston area. MA has always been a pioneer. Today is a new beginning for so many students who crave for higher education. Especially minority students. For all those who refuse to believe it can be done, please think again. Bernie says it can be done nationwide, we used to have free public colleges just 50 years ago. Trump and Hillary better get on board.
7
If the population of any country were economists and mathematicians they might reach the same calculations as PK and be swayed by them. But as they're not, then what sways them is the feeling that something's wrong with the direction the country's headed. This is true for an increasing number of countries in the West.
The people make their point by chosing an outlandish champion to get the notice of the people who make decisions. They enjoy the resulting discomfort of the priveleged, as they see them, who find their currernt magic incantations of sexist, misogynist, racist, xenophobe, fear of strong women and the rest no longer quell rebellion. Of course it's irrational and self-destructive, but's hardly new is it? Most of the History I remember from school is the 'sad stories of the death of kings'.
The people make their point by chosing an outlandish champion to get the notice of the people who make decisions. They enjoy the resulting discomfort of the priveleged, as they see them, who find their currernt magic incantations of sexist, misogynist, racist, xenophobe, fear of strong women and the rest no longer quell rebellion. Of course it's irrational and self-destructive, but's hardly new is it? Most of the History I remember from school is the 'sad stories of the death of kings'.
3
"... it’s far from clear that he has expanded that fortune any more than he would have if he had simply parked the money in an index fund."
Growth on the amounts he avoided in tax payments compounds faster than any legitimate index fund earnings. His investments in politicians have also reaped him benefits the rest of us are excluded from.
Trump as POTUS is the ultimate definition of a conflict of interest. We need a constitutional amendment guaranteeing the separation of government and the moneyed interests.
Growth on the amounts he avoided in tax payments compounds faster than any legitimate index fund earnings. His investments in politicians have also reaped him benefits the rest of us are excluded from.
Trump as POTUS is the ultimate definition of a conflict of interest. We need a constitutional amendment guaranteeing the separation of government and the moneyed interests.
15
It should be abundantly clear from Trump's pronouncements and history that he is about as prepared as a carnival barker boss to govern, except for the skills required to lure folks into his cheesy spectacle.
The showman/ceo is adept at mounting the deception, making one believe those things inside that darkened tent are real, and everything he says about the bearded lady with a 22" waist who can bench press 500 pounds and stay underwater for 24 minutes while reading minds is true.
He has made outrageous demands to the city to be the site for his next show employing his typical bluff working in the negotiations from the edges to the middle and gaining the lesser concessions he had always hoped for.
He barks at the help telling them if the tent isn't raised by 3:00 a.m. expect firings. When the city fathers from the venue for his show complain about his reneging on promises made to the community in return for a prime location for his event he blames one of his staff for the misunderstanding in the agreement. It's not his fault.
Folding his tents he leaves town bills unpaid, and a list of other messes. He threatens bankruptcy to his creditors
While these methods and practices are accepted, even praised, in the world of business and entertainment, pray tell how they translate, or have any value, towards leadership of a nation? That is, unless you think that government is just another sideshow.
The showman/ceo is adept at mounting the deception, making one believe those things inside that darkened tent are real, and everything he says about the bearded lady with a 22" waist who can bench press 500 pounds and stay underwater for 24 minutes while reading minds is true.
He has made outrageous demands to the city to be the site for his next show employing his typical bluff working in the negotiations from the edges to the middle and gaining the lesser concessions he had always hoped for.
He barks at the help telling them if the tent isn't raised by 3:00 a.m. expect firings. When the city fathers from the venue for his show complain about his reneging on promises made to the community in return for a prime location for his event he blames one of his staff for the misunderstanding in the agreement. It's not his fault.
Folding his tents he leaves town bills unpaid, and a list of other messes. He threatens bankruptcy to his creditors
While these methods and practices are accepted, even praised, in the world of business and entertainment, pray tell how they translate, or have any value, towards leadership of a nation? That is, unless you think that government is just another sideshow.
19
Or look at Michigan, whose Governor was supposedly going to bring business acumen to the states economy - and he cut corners in public health, leaving trusting citizens poisoned and scared. The responsibilities of a public leader don't equate with those of a CFO.
29
A leopard doesn't change it's spots. If (horrors) Trump were to be elected president, he would do what he always has done. His priorities would be to improve the economics of the already wealthy, most prominently himself. The deluded masses who support him believe that some of the wealth and grandeur will rub off on them. It won't of course. But if Trump wins, we can blame the senator from Vermont and his camp followers. In that event, Sanders should Caucus with the Republicans. He'll have earned it.
19
If Trump is elected, you can't blame the "deluded masses", or you can blame Bernie, but I will blame you and and all the other limousine liberal. It is your denigrating attitude of superiority that Denies the dignity of us "deluded masses", and drives us away. A very poor tactic.
If Hillary were to be elected President, she would face an immediate impeachment from the House of Representatives over the email fiasco. She would be removed from office, because there's no question that a special prosecutor would be able to find crimes and/or misdemeanors in this scandal, even if the Justice Dept were to refuse to prosecute. Democratic Senators would have no choice but to vote her out. For this reason, I think Bernie ought to demand the VP spot from Hillary if she gets the nomination, in return for his support. That way we could beat Trump, and keep the Presidency in the family. If the justice dept does come out with its findings, or an indictment, before the nomination, that could save us a whole lot of trouble. I hope Obama is paying attention to this problem.
3
"Even genuinely brilliant businesspeople are often clueless about economic policy."
Did you ever think that people do not want the government to force bureaucratic and totalitarian control over business, and call it "economic policy"? And that it never should have been give that control in the first place?
We are taking back the government so we can shut down its bureaucracy, and leave it to its job of keeping us free. Private business and the free market can take care of "policy" and "economics". This is what is known as "minding our own business."
Did you ever think that people do not want the government to force bureaucratic and totalitarian control over business, and call it "economic policy"? And that it never should have been give that control in the first place?
We are taking back the government so we can shut down its bureaucracy, and leave it to its job of keeping us free. Private business and the free market can take care of "policy" and "economics". This is what is known as "minding our own business."
3
Trump's proposed implementation of a 35% tariff on foreign goods and his assertion that he'll prevent multinational corporations, such as Ford, from building factories in Mexico doesn't sound like letting the "free market" work its magic without governmental interference.
8
What "free market"? Not when a handful of companies control it; and abuse it. There is a constant stream of fines for collusion, fraud, lethal mistakes in products, and massive environmental destruction; just to name a few.
The bureaucracy would be far smaller than it is if we didn't have the constant pressure from K-Street to create special "rules" for their big business clients.
Government is a large part of every modern society; its just how the world works. Get over it. If you don't like government move to a country that has none. Try Somalia, Libya or Iraq.
The bureaucracy would be far smaller than it is if we didn't have the constant pressure from K-Street to create special "rules" for their big business clients.
Government is a large part of every modern society; its just how the world works. Get over it. If you don't like government move to a country that has none. Try Somalia, Libya or Iraq.
3
Mr. Klenk, I have lived in a country where government lost control of "economic policy" and left it to the free market. It was called Uganda in the 70s under Idi Amin (another know-nothing). Be very careful what you wish for, because it is good government that makes the US a different place than Afghanistan, Iraq and many other places. I believe that Krugman has a good description of why we don't need to experiment with the world's largest economy under Mr. Trump.
1
Since economics is gender, race, color, ethnicity, faith, socioeconomics, education and history plus arithmetic there are no economics experts. Economics is no more a science than are history, finance, accounting, marketing and management. There are way too many variables and unknowns to make any meaningful predictions or forecasts or to employ any controls to represent and repeat human economic reality.
American nation state governing public economic finance is not a "business". Trump's business is not like any other business. Trump is giving us the business. We must return the favor.
American nation state governing public economic finance is not a "business". Trump's business is not like any other business. Trump is giving us the business. We must return the favor.
Given that "the economy" is a core driver of human success, it is astonishing that the media doesn't spend more time with economic facts, and less time helping to spread the economic myths of Republican lore.
Corporate media, compounded by the relentless Republican propaganda campaign against facts that don't support their self serving preconceptions is more than troublesome.
We can only hope that Republicans haven't dumbed down the country to the point where the damage is irreparable.
Corporate media, compounded by the relentless Republican propaganda campaign against facts that don't support their self serving preconceptions is more than troublesome.
We can only hope that Republicans haven't dumbed down the country to the point where the damage is irreparable.
28
I can be as frustrated with the media's superficial coverage of economic issues as anybody, but the fact is Trump supporters have less than no interest in understanding the economy or why wages have been stagnant, or the real drivers behind the recession. They want a scapegoat. Trump gives them a new one every day in addition to recycling the old ones.
33
The peoples dig t-rump not for his economic prowess but for his promotion of their core value - American Exceptionalism, er, white supremacy.
32
Possibly a better example of how Trump's "success" as a businessman would be disastrous for the country was his suggestion that the US can reduce its debt by bargaining with lenders to take cents for the dollar we owe them. Maybe declaring bankruptcy to bargain for debt reduction made Trump wealthy but it a catastrophic strategy for the US. One might also wonder whether one can call a businessman who enriched himself by declaring multiple bankruptcies a 'success'.
45
Of course it's ludicrous and no we shouldn't take too much notice of these rather silly polls. There probably is some intuitive belief around that businessmen would be good at running the economy but as a universal theory it belongs with the similar fatuity that retired Generals are good at running businesses or countries although this is much less prevalent than it once was.
9
Businesses are run in the micro economic world. National economies run in the macro economic world. Something good for a business if only a few bussinesses do it in the micro world are often very bad if all do it in the macro world. Which is why our economy has gotten worst over the last 50 years. Yes Virginia we do indeed need goverment regulation to prevent such destructive behavior.
20
How has our economy gotten worse over the last 50 years? Other than the '07-'09 recession the US has almost always seen long term, stable, economic growth.
1
I don't really care a whole lot Trump's ability to conduct economic policy. I care about his environmental ignorance and racially charged sentiments. I care about his boorish, misogynistic character and militaristic bluster. I care about him sitting in the oval office rereading the "Art of the Deal" and memorizing the codes to our nuclear arsenal.
37
What Trump seems to be good at is convincing others to lend him money so that he can take outsize risks. That, as I see it, is his core competence as a businessman. Unfortunately, his record of bankruptcies show that many of those risks weren't wise. And through hiding much of his real financial status, he's still working on the "convincing" part. No thanks to that style for my president.
26
Ken,
Don't like the man.
Yet, not using other people's money is the exception in investment.
Don't like the man.
Yet, not using other people's money is the exception in investment.
Here are the things that most of us do not understand:
Being rich doesn't equal an understanding of markets, business, or anything else.
Being rich doesn't mean one is in the right.
Being rich doesn't equal being virtuous, hard working, smart, or anything else associated with qualities our society claims to value.
Being poor doesn't equal being lazy, stupid, wasteful, evil, or in the wrong.
Being poor doesn't mean that a person deserves to be poor any more than the rich person deserves to be rich.
Being poor doesn't mean that a person should be deprived of food, a decent place to live, access to decent health care, or some pleasures.
Just because Trump says he is a success doesn't mean he is truly successful. Just because Clinton isn't a person you'd want to have a beer with doesn't mean she can't be a successful president. She has been subjected to more public scrutiny than Trump. We know more about her than we'll ever know about Trump. She's handled more stress than Trump. Trump has a loud mouth, gives no appearance of an intellect, says what people want to hear, and has no experience in government.
As long as the media feeds the public delusion that being rich equals being intelligent and competent without offering real examples we will see this confusion in discussions about many things. The same goes for being poor. Being poor doesn't equal being stupid, incompetent, or any other less desirable things. Luck plays a large part in life on both ends.
Being rich doesn't equal an understanding of markets, business, or anything else.
Being rich doesn't mean one is in the right.
Being rich doesn't equal being virtuous, hard working, smart, or anything else associated with qualities our society claims to value.
Being poor doesn't equal being lazy, stupid, wasteful, evil, or in the wrong.
Being poor doesn't mean that a person deserves to be poor any more than the rich person deserves to be rich.
Being poor doesn't mean that a person should be deprived of food, a decent place to live, access to decent health care, or some pleasures.
Just because Trump says he is a success doesn't mean he is truly successful. Just because Clinton isn't a person you'd want to have a beer with doesn't mean she can't be a successful president. She has been subjected to more public scrutiny than Trump. We know more about her than we'll ever know about Trump. She's handled more stress than Trump. Trump has a loud mouth, gives no appearance of an intellect, says what people want to hear, and has no experience in government.
As long as the media feeds the public delusion that being rich equals being intelligent and competent without offering real examples we will see this confusion in discussions about many things. The same goes for being poor. Being poor doesn't equal being stupid, incompetent, or any other less desirable things. Luck plays a large part in life on both ends.
204
I actually think Hillary Clinton *would* be a very interesting person to chat with. And people who've worked with her think she's a nice person.
She does have a polished exterior, but she has needed that.
She does have a polished exterior, but she has needed that.
2
The first time I personally met a Texas oil man I was quickly disabused of the notion that rich people must be smarter than everyone else.
2
The question is: Will Ms. Clinton, be better ? She. too has a delusion, that she can do better by handing the handling the economy to her husband, whose deregulation of led to the economic melt down and whose implementation of NAFTA destroyed much of American manufacturing.
As to Mr. Trump, Mr. Krugman, when his aim was Jeb Bush, declared Trump to be right on economics
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/07/opinion/paul-krugman-trump-is-right-on...
It is not Mr. Trump that has changed, it is Mr. Krugman.
As to Mr. Trump, Mr. Krugman, when his aim was Jeb Bush, declared Trump to be right on economics
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/07/opinion/paul-krugman-trump-is-right-on...
It is not Mr. Trump that has changed, it is Mr. Krugman.
24
Oh, just read that piece you've linked. All of it. Not just the part that said Trump was righter on the economy than Jeb Bush.
55
@Woof
NY
Our resident Marxist seem surprisingly (well maybe not) unfamiliar with the centrality of economic laws to dialectical materialism. And he seems to have formed some particular animus against the unfortunate Krugman who hardly be described as a tool of big capital. Incidentally, NAFTA didn't destroy much of American manufacturing. Industrial output in the US is actually higher now than it was in 1990.
NY
Our resident Marxist seem surprisingly (well maybe not) unfamiliar with the centrality of economic laws to dialectical materialism. And he seems to have formed some particular animus against the unfortunate Krugman who hardly be described as a tool of big capital. Incidentally, NAFTA didn't destroy much of American manufacturing. Industrial output in the US is actually higher now than it was in 1990.
17
I believe the public's opinion is not due to complete ignorance, as Prof. Krugman argues, but due to what they know about their lowering standard of living. The fact is that Nafta and banking deregulation under Clinton did not help the working class, they only propel the Wall St and corporate chieftains to the 1% stratosphere. At least Trump wasn't involved. One has to trust that the working class is capable of arriving at an informed rational opinion - even without a doctorate in economic theory!
4
More deadly than economics, Trump is a war waiting to happen.
The same jingoist element that led us into Iraq is ready to vote for Trump. But, guess what, folks? Trump's kids won't be going to Fallujah. _Your_ kid is going.
And given the shameful way that we collectively treat the current vets. Maybe Trump thinks we can just buy them a few Trump steaks for their troubles.
The same jingoist element that led us into Iraq is ready to vote for Trump. But, guess what, folks? Trump's kids won't be going to Fallujah. _Your_ kid is going.
And given the shameful way that we collectively treat the current vets. Maybe Trump thinks we can just buy them a few Trump steaks for their troubles.
88
Only one of the candidates put a vote and their political reputation behind the self-evidently insane blank check for war given to George W Bush in Iraq in 2003. Like Trump's children, the Clinton's only child would never, ever be found fighting in a war. I would never vote for Trump, but when I weigh which candidate would more likely follow in George W Bush's footsteps to start a war halfway through their first term to ensure a second term, it's the candidate who declared the nuclear option was still "on the table" with Iran.
2
pjd,
War seems to be in vogue these days, as the New Silent Majority keeps the blinders manufacturers busy. Productivity Up!
http://jeffsachs.org/2016/02/hillary-is-the-candidate-of-the-war-machine/
War seems to be in vogue these days, as the New Silent Majority keeps the blinders manufacturers busy. Productivity Up!
http://jeffsachs.org/2016/02/hillary-is-the-candidate-of-the-war-machine/
1
Let the record speak for itself. Hillary is a bigger war monger than most freshman Republicans...and certainly Mr. Trump.
1
It could be a choice of not-Hillary as much as a choice of Trump-businessman-expert.
Never forget how low we can go in the lesser-evil contest.
Those same voters polled had massive trust issues with both. The distrust however may not be exactly the same, since the polls does not get any fine texture about what they distrust about each.
Then again, one talks big, and the other says "Nah, not so much." Which do you want for an economic future? That too is not trust of a businessman.
This highlights the problems with Hillary, that even Trump can be chosen over her.
Never forget how low we can go in the lesser-evil contest.
Those same voters polled had massive trust issues with both. The distrust however may not be exactly the same, since the polls does not get any fine texture about what they distrust about each.
Then again, one talks big, and the other says "Nah, not so much." Which do you want for an economic future? That too is not trust of a businessman.
This highlights the problems with Hillary, that even Trump can be chosen over her.
17
It is foolish to take polls six months out seriously. Especially when one of the two entitled white cranks running is getting no negative hits at all from his rivals. If either of the others took him seriously, it would take Hillary next to no time to show how ill-prepared Bernie is to address the very economic issues he rants about. Trump on the other hand has only to start talking about the crazy ideas of Bolshie Bernie. His knowledge is not quite as superficial as Trump's (nobody's is), and he is clearly better intentioned, but substantively he is a lightweight.
5
Hillary's economic policies are both well thought out and fact-based. At their worst, they serve as a reasonable starting point. You can be sure that Republican Congressional opposition will do everything in it's power to purge as many facts as possible, but, in the end, Hillary alone will not set policy.
Experienced, calm, cool, leadership is what's required, not the frenzied, fuzy hair, or the combed over hair of impossible dreams (72 apples in every pot), faith-based economics, or trickle down jingos.
The world is looking. We should be putting achievable vision, not the 'candy' of impossible dreams, or self righteously contrived dreams on our center stage of political leadership.
Experienced, calm, cool, leadership is what's required, not the frenzied, fuzy hair, or the combed over hair of impossible dreams (72 apples in every pot), faith-based economics, or trickle down jingos.
The world is looking. We should be putting achievable vision, not the 'candy' of impossible dreams, or self righteously contrived dreams on our center stage of political leadership.
2
With all her flaws, no decent person would choose the despicable Trump over
Clinton.
Hell, if Herr Trumpf was running against a dead rat I'd vote for the former rodent.
Clinton.
Hell, if Herr Trumpf was running against a dead rat I'd vote for the former rodent.
1
American history repeatedly demonstrates that businessmen tend to make awful or catastrophic Presidents.
Many Americans have always had difficulty distinguishing the difference between managing society and managing profits, preferring profitable prophets of individualistic greed to the basic decency of good governance, the broad common good and humane public policy.
For post-19th century presidents, the highest ranked Presidents are the two Roosevelts, Truman, and Eisenhower.
The lowest ranked Presidents are Hoover, Coolidge, George W. Bush and Harding - all of whom were 'successful' businessmen.
Harding was very successful in business but is consistently rated as one of the worst American presidents.
Presidential 'businessmen' Harding, Coolidge and Hoover steered us to the Great Depression.
Presidential 'businessman' George W. Bush steered us to the Great Recession.
The number of highly successful businessmen who became highly successful president ? None.
The number of successful presidents who were successful businessmen ? None.
The number of successful businessmen who failed as president? Three.
Truman, a very successful president, failed in business.
Historically, business success correlates more with presidential failure than success.
Donald Trump would continue America's rich history of business success and Presidential catastrophe.
FROM http://thehill.com/blogs/congress-blog/presidential-campaign/262749-hist...
Many Americans have always had difficulty distinguishing the difference between managing society and managing profits, preferring profitable prophets of individualistic greed to the basic decency of good governance, the broad common good and humane public policy.
For post-19th century presidents, the highest ranked Presidents are the two Roosevelts, Truman, and Eisenhower.
The lowest ranked Presidents are Hoover, Coolidge, George W. Bush and Harding - all of whom were 'successful' businessmen.
Harding was very successful in business but is consistently rated as one of the worst American presidents.
Presidential 'businessmen' Harding, Coolidge and Hoover steered us to the Great Depression.
Presidential 'businessman' George W. Bush steered us to the Great Recession.
The number of highly successful businessmen who became highly successful president ? None.
The number of successful presidents who were successful businessmen ? None.
The number of successful businessmen who failed as president? Three.
Truman, a very successful president, failed in business.
Historically, business success correlates more with presidential failure than success.
Donald Trump would continue America's rich history of business success and Presidential catastrophe.
FROM http://thehill.com/blogs/congress-blog/presidential-campaign/262749-hist...
468
And George W. Bush's "success" as a businessman was supported and subsidized by his father's wealthy friends and connections.
5
"Donald Trump would continue America's rich history of business success and Presidential catastrophe."
I guess we will have to wait a few years to get the answer to that one.
I guess we will have to wait a few years to get the answer to that one.
Socrates:
Well said. And yet should we even beg the issue of "why" the Trumpster is so popular? I'm bemused by all the negativity of the (Krugman and his ilks) punditry that swirls around him like a maelstrom....with Trumpie at the center being touched by it not at all. His teflon coating shouldn't come as any great surprise. Consider that in seeking permission to sit in the Power Oval, he's looking for affirmation, approval, from a Capitalistic society overwhelming obsessed with self-interest, greed and avarice. He seeks permission of a population who worships at the likes of American Idol and such. To my mind the worship of so many false gods has clouded their sensibilities. Is it any wonder that anyone appearing to be successful in that world would be so popular? Appearance is everything within it.
For the Trumpster to stand revealed for the joker he is you're asking the American Public to look themselves squarely in the harsh light of the bath-room mirror and make a proper judgement. I'll ask a simple question. What are the odds on this happening (given the history you noted)? I fear the answer increasingly is; not much.
So it goes..
John~
American Net'Zen
Well said. And yet should we even beg the issue of "why" the Trumpster is so popular? I'm bemused by all the negativity of the (Krugman and his ilks) punditry that swirls around him like a maelstrom....with Trumpie at the center being touched by it not at all. His teflon coating shouldn't come as any great surprise. Consider that in seeking permission to sit in the Power Oval, he's looking for affirmation, approval, from a Capitalistic society overwhelming obsessed with self-interest, greed and avarice. He seeks permission of a population who worships at the likes of American Idol and such. To my mind the worship of so many false gods has clouded their sensibilities. Is it any wonder that anyone appearing to be successful in that world would be so popular? Appearance is everything within it.
For the Trumpster to stand revealed for the joker he is you're asking the American Public to look themselves squarely in the harsh light of the bath-room mirror and make a proper judgement. I'll ask a simple question. What are the odds on this happening (given the history you noted)? I fear the answer increasingly is; not much.
So it goes..
John~
American Net'Zen
1
Trump is delusional and incompetent--Agreed.
Hillary? Why aren't you writing about her email caper Paul? How can you declare Hillary competent when for 1,430 days she used a private basement email server for ALL of her public records. No--everyone did not do it--no one in government history has used a personal private server for all of her email.
When State Dept. officials told her not to use her personal Blackberry and private server she blew them off. Her aids told State's security team to never bring it up again and since Hillary was head of the Dept., they had nowhere else to go. How do you control someone so out of control, willing to put the Nation's security at risk?
After leaving, she hid the emails from State and the public, only disclosing the private server after being caught. As always--Hillary downplayed the issue lying that she had complied with State Dept. regulations. She had not. She lied that she did not have confidential information on her server. She did--along with 22 top secret documents.
Hillary's hubris in this scandal is telling. She acted with intent and recklessness. Hilary and her aids refused to work with the Inspector General in the investigation, while former Secretaries of State did.
She is not competent to be the Democratic nominee. She is not competent to be President.
She must lose her security clearance as would any other lower ranking government official if she engaged in similar behavior.
Hillary? Why aren't you writing about her email caper Paul? How can you declare Hillary competent when for 1,430 days she used a private basement email server for ALL of her public records. No--everyone did not do it--no one in government history has used a personal private server for all of her email.
When State Dept. officials told her not to use her personal Blackberry and private server she blew them off. Her aids told State's security team to never bring it up again and since Hillary was head of the Dept., they had nowhere else to go. How do you control someone so out of control, willing to put the Nation's security at risk?
After leaving, she hid the emails from State and the public, only disclosing the private server after being caught. As always--Hillary downplayed the issue lying that she had complied with State Dept. regulations. She had not. She lied that she did not have confidential information on her server. She did--along with 22 top secret documents.
Hillary's hubris in this scandal is telling. She acted with intent and recklessness. Hilary and her aids refused to work with the Inspector General in the investigation, while former Secretaries of State did.
She is not competent to be the Democratic nominee. She is not competent to be President.
She must lose her security clearance as would any other lower ranking government official if she engaged in similar behavior.
42
i could have sworn that this op-Ed was about Don Trump.
92
We all know Trump is an idiot. Why waste the pixels preaching to the choir? The time is long past due for Krugman to address his favored candidate's issues. And I bet he never will.
18
Rita, I couldn't agree more. If PK wants to analyze 'the donald,' then why does he start by attacking Senator Sanders? Fact of the matter is that when the transcripts of Hillary's speeches to the banksters are finally released (and we, all of us, know they are out there somewhere) we will get a President Trumpf. The two party system is failing us. Those who are true conservatives and those who are progressives have had their voices strangled by the privileged few; rich Republicans and establishment Republican lite Democrats. I, for one, am looking for an alternative.
2
Give me the woman who turned a public servant's salary into a net worth of 30 million.
193
Starting a self name Initiative or Foundation by a bored former President is a sure way of building a $2 billion empire.
2
"Give me the woman who turned a public servant's salary into a net worth of 30 million."
And $1000 into a $100,000?
And $1000 into a $100,000?
By "turned" you must mean manipulated? How sad that you think using public servanthood for personal gain is an attribute! God Bless America.
One major hope is that the broadcast-media moderators will ask detailed questions about policy and preparedness at the one-on-one debates in the fall. It may not matter even then, but at least the media finally will have pushed Trump hard to reveal his con game. Then, as Carmela's shrink chillingly replied when she sought permission to stay with Tony, "Mrs. Soprano, now you can never say you weren't told."
31
Bernie supporters in remaining primary states want their chance to vote against the Establishment, and they should have it. They have a message to send, let them send it.
Berlusconi was a successful businessman and a terrible leader for Italy. When he arrived in office, American conservative leaders expected that a "businessman" would put in place the policies that make a Italy's economy more efficient. Instead, he spent his time in office enacting policies that were self-serving and acted to increase his own wealth... when he wasn't dallying with wannabe television models. And he also earned favor for being a blunt speaking politician. Sound familiar?
Berlusconi was a successful businessman and a terrible leader for Italy. When he arrived in office, American conservative leaders expected that a "businessman" would put in place the policies that make a Italy's economy more efficient. Instead, he spent his time in office enacting policies that were self-serving and acted to increase his own wealth... when he wasn't dallying with wannabe television models. And he also earned favor for being a blunt speaking politician. Sound familiar?
264
Yes Thomas too familiar. Italy is an incredibly beautiful country with lovely people who kept voting Berlusconi into office. The US is an incredibly beautiful country also with lovely people. But just as the Italians kept voting a corrupt, charismatic, self-regarding idiot into office a great many Americans seem posed to do the same. The difference is great in one important way. Italy is not a player on the global stage. Their poor economic stewardship is effecting their ability to save their antiquities but this does not effect the world. America is the biggest player on the global stage and has fearsome nuclear capabilities. Do Trump supporters really want him going around with the biscuit in his pocket (the nuclear code) with an aide at his side carrying the nuclear football at all times. Is he stable enough to be trusted with this responsibility? He could destroy the world after he destroys our economy. I am fearful and believe everybody else should be too. PS Bernie go back to VT and stop inflicting damage on Hillary. Like her or not she is our best shot at moving the country forward.
3
To those of us who are informed, Berlusconi is a known quantity. For many if not the majority of Trump "Kool-Aid" consumers given a multiple-choice question to identify Berlusconi, the choice would probably be: "a new kind of pizza"! So much for an informed and critical thinking electorate.
1
Business leaders tend to support policies based on microeconomic principles whereas the economy as a whole needs to be guided by macroeconomic principles.
67
Yeah, trust Krugman to advocate macro spending into debt oblivion -- it looks good all the way until the ultimate collapse. Please, give me millions of micro decisions, freely made, versus big macro stuff with the illusion of the Feds "managing the economy".
1
Paul, I'm wondering what you think of Hilary's ad that portrays Trump as being advantaged by the last real estate collapse. Of course he did do that, but in reality is there any economic difference between that and what George Soros did on betting the Pound would decline. Now, admittedly I think Trump is nothing but an old fashioned "land speculator" and Soros seems to know a little more about economics. But, from a purely old-fashioned sense of morality it seems to me to be nearly evil in investing or working a financial device that succeeds when value is lost. What would be the economic impact on the country if short-selling and such schemes were made illegal?
14
The point is not that Trump benefited from the housing crisis. The point is that he cheered it on. A president, who has a moral responsibility to the entire economy, should not be The type of person who looks for ways to destroy people's lives.
Trump's best skill is making a point that seems to address the issue but is actually a very skillful lie. This a good example. No one said that people in the real estate business cannot profit when a disaster occurs but they should be criticized for trying to create a disaster, which is what Trump was doing
Trump's best skill is making a point that seems to address the issue but is actually a very skillful lie. This a good example. No one said that people in the real estate business cannot profit when a disaster occurs but they should be criticized for trying to create a disaster, which is what Trump was doing
3
I wasn't aware that Soros was running for President.
As a further point, you might want to check out what Soros has done with his billions. I am personally acquainted with Central European University, in Budapest, Hungary. Soros founded it in an attempt to nurture ideas of an "open society" in a place that hasn't had much experience with that. My son (born Detroit MI, raised in Boston MA and Oakland CA) ) was a graduate student there, where he earned a Master's and met his wonderful Romanian wife. So I have a certain affection for old George.
Then there is "Trump University". Need I continue?
PS I don't know how many people lost their homes, savings, and livelihoods because the British pound went down. Not as many as were savaged in the housing crash, I would guess. The big losers in the pound were the speculators who bet the other way.
As a further point, you might want to check out what Soros has done with his billions. I am personally acquainted with Central European University, in Budapest, Hungary. Soros founded it in an attempt to nurture ideas of an "open society" in a place that hasn't had much experience with that. My son (born Detroit MI, raised in Boston MA and Oakland CA) ) was a graduate student there, where he earned a Master's and met his wonderful Romanian wife. So I have a certain affection for old George.
Then there is "Trump University". Need I continue?
PS I don't know how many people lost their homes, savings, and livelihoods because the British pound went down. Not as many as were savaged in the housing crash, I would guess. The big losers in the pound were the speculators who bet the other way.
4
Yes, there's a difference. What Soros did was much, much more mendacious because it actually affected the market and nearly broke the BofE. All Trump is talking about is going in and buying a lot of stuff when real estate markets collapse. Nobody has the power to swing the international real estate market like someone like Soros did the currency markets.
The hubabaloo over Trump's recent comments is fairly ridiculous. He is just giving voice to what any wealthy person, and what many other people, do whenever a market tanks, which is go on an asset-buying free for all.
The most hilarious aspect to me is that the most vitriolic criticism is coming from Elizabeth Warren, who herself bought a number of foreclosed houses after real estate crashes over the years. Her hypocrisy is so brazen as to be comical!
Trump was just speaking a blunt Truth to the American people: Crashes don't really hurt people like him in the long run. It's actually great for them. So, in his view, if you want to avoid a big crash, which is going to hurt people like you but not him, you should listen to his suggestions on policy et al.
The hubabaloo over Trump's recent comments is fairly ridiculous. He is just giving voice to what any wealthy person, and what many other people, do whenever a market tanks, which is go on an asset-buying free for all.
The most hilarious aspect to me is that the most vitriolic criticism is coming from Elizabeth Warren, who herself bought a number of foreclosed houses after real estate crashes over the years. Her hypocrisy is so brazen as to be comical!
Trump was just speaking a blunt Truth to the American people: Crashes don't really hurt people like him in the long run. It's actually great for them. So, in his view, if you want to avoid a big crash, which is going to hurt people like you but not him, you should listen to his suggestions on policy et al.
Shannon Adler said it best: "You will never find the real truth among people that are insecure or have egos to protect. Truth over time becomes either guarded or twisted as their perspective changes; it changes with the seasons of their shame, love, hope or pride."
Trump's braggadocio is just a mask behind which there is hiding a frightened little child.
Trump's braggadocio is just a mask behind which there is hiding a frightened little child.
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A frightened little child who deep down believes he is the biggest loser of them all.
3
sounds like a replay of Nixon
2
a frightened little child with a big trust fund....
1
Using his own street language, Trump is great at, "Getting Over". He can, "Sell snow to an Eskimo."
The con job might get him elected, but "running the joint" requires real skill. Too, it requires moral thinking, that is concern for others, not just himself.
Unless there is another mind, body and soul nested deeply in this yellow, made for TV, package. He is the inverse of what are next president should be.
The con job might get him elected, but "running the joint" requires real skill. Too, it requires moral thinking, that is concern for others, not just himself.
Unless there is another mind, body and soul nested deeply in this yellow, made for TV, package. He is the inverse of what are next president should be.
268
The only way we can keep the disaster of a Trump presidency from happening is for those who understand what is taking place to band together and working and working hard to defeat him. This country must be woken up. Hand wringing is not going to do it, Folks!
1
Trump's spokesman Manafort's recently stated that Trump was going to delegate aspects of being president he wasn't interested in doing.......there is no other mind, body or soul nestled deep in the yellow made for TV package.
I just saw a clip of the Donald speaking of something little, don't even know what the subject was, but I do know that this incompetent megalomaniac spells little, liddle, indeed he spelled it that way twice loud and proud into his microphone. Did anybody actually see him attending classes at the Wharton School, btw?
I just saw a clip of the Donald speaking of something little, don't even know what the subject was, but I do know that this incompetent megalomaniac spells little, liddle, indeed he spelled it that way twice loud and proud into his microphone. Did anybody actually see him attending classes at the Wharton School, btw?
1
He should pick a wonky Veep, we should hand him a Democratic Congress, and he can golf with some sycophants 24-7-365-4.
1
low info americans get bamboozled by slick con artist
nothing new here, folks
just on a slightly grander scale than usual
nothing new here, folks
just on a slightly grander scale than usual
294
Which candidate are you calling a con artist?
Yeah, right, conned by Hilary and Bill, once again.
1
Paul, the wage cuts that Drumpf advocates would have one positive aspect: they would turn the lower-middle class stooges who currently support him away from this buffoon in a NY minute, and bring them back to what remains of their senses.
The problems isn't that American manufacturing and service workers make too much money, but that emerging market workers make far too little. The solution to this problem is one that I've been advocating now a while - a new trading system negotiated among advanced industrial nations that would stipulate a rough global wage scale for products traded within our block, and would further mandate compliance with a baseline of environmental and workplace standards, to avoid tariffs that would otherwise strip away any economic advantage conferred via exploitation (regardless of whether a product carried an American or Chinese label).
You're correct that too many Americans confuse being born on third base with an ability to think one's way through to comprehensive solutions for seemingly intractable long-term economic challenges - with Drumpf being a prime example of this tendency.
Furthermore, a tycoon who refuses to give us an accurate estimate of his net worth, through release of his taxes, is ultimately little different that a male gigolo who routinely brags to the ladies about the size of his manhood. If you gotta brag about it, we can safely assume that there's a lot less there than advertised...
The problems isn't that American manufacturing and service workers make too much money, but that emerging market workers make far too little. The solution to this problem is one that I've been advocating now a while - a new trading system negotiated among advanced industrial nations that would stipulate a rough global wage scale for products traded within our block, and would further mandate compliance with a baseline of environmental and workplace standards, to avoid tariffs that would otherwise strip away any economic advantage conferred via exploitation (regardless of whether a product carried an American or Chinese label).
You're correct that too many Americans confuse being born on third base with an ability to think one's way through to comprehensive solutions for seemingly intractable long-term economic challenges - with Drumpf being a prime example of this tendency.
Furthermore, a tycoon who refuses to give us an accurate estimate of his net worth, through release of his taxes, is ultimately little different that a male gigolo who routinely brags to the ladies about the size of his manhood. If you gotta brag about it, we can safely assume that there's a lot less there than advertised...
171
The tax form does not reveal one's net worth. Think of the tax form as this year's deficit and the net worth as the national debt.
1
I'm not sure you can determine net worth from tax returns. Income, surely, but not worth.
That assumes they aren't in denial which unfortunately they are.
1
Raising the minimum wage while we continue an open door policy for imports from the developing world would do nothing to bring jobs back to the U.S. Trump seems to understand at least that much. Hillary, on the other hand, is tone deaf in that regard.
6
Bud, we also sell! The largest maker of chop sticks for China was once located in Georgia! (The plant closed and didn't reopen.) The US exports soybeans, semiconductors, cars, plastics, paper and wood pulp among the top ten to China; each expanding year over year. Europe follows the pattern; among the top ten US exports, car parts, plastics, paper and wood pulp, also wines and beer!
Rather than looking to government, US businesses must go aggressively after foreign markets--with government assistance. Many of the "lost" opportunities are the fault of businesses, who than blame government. (Government can do more if it steps outside of its comfort zone; I have suggested collaborative public/private models (employed with great success by China), but conservatives in Congress defunded the Import-Export Bank that was making money for the Treasury!)
By 2025 (McKinsey reports), China alone will add one billion persons to its middle class! Beyond Hillary, what are US businesses doing on their own or collectively to leverage and sell what will be the world's largest market of consumers, the largest in the history of the planet?
Rather than looking to government, US businesses must go aggressively after foreign markets--with government assistance. Many of the "lost" opportunities are the fault of businesses, who than blame government. (Government can do more if it steps outside of its comfort zone; I have suggested collaborative public/private models (employed with great success by China), but conservatives in Congress defunded the Import-Export Bank that was making money for the Treasury!)
By 2025 (McKinsey reports), China alone will add one billion persons to its middle class! Beyond Hillary, what are US businesses doing on their own or collectively to leverage and sell what will be the world's largest market of consumers, the largest in the history of the planet?
46
Spoken like someone who has never tried to live on it. The low minimum wage depresses all wages. And wage stagnation is the biggest impediment to growth in any given economy. What made China a fast growing economy over the last decade? Rapid wage increases, buying power. We cannot and should not even try to lower our standard of living to match or compete with third world countries. Let them catch up to us. But the low minimum wage has depressed the buying power of the average American for even necessities. The low minimum wage has forced taxpayers to subsidize billion dollar corporations whose workers can't make ends meet. This has gone on too long, and one of the worst things outta Trumps mouth is that this wage is too high or at least should not be raised. It is putting a larger portion of the country into the poorhouse.
3
Higher wages (think service sector to keep it simple) means more disposable income in the economy increasing demand (restaurants, services, etc in addition to goods) leading to more jobs.
Maybe whould we reduce our minimum wage to $2/hour to better compete with Bangladesh, etc?
Maybe whould we reduce our minimum wage to $2/hour to better compete with Bangladesh, etc?
2
Like the famous three monkeys, the voters heard/see/speak no evil of Donald nor receive any mission against his ludicrousness; my very young daughter, very mad at me, once hoped I'ld wreck the car; I reminded her she too would die; her reply: "I don't care--as long as you go first." (We have both been safe, loving, and she hates that story!) Prophetic, she captured Trump voters exactly!
Of equal concern is old Bern who wants to "debate" Trump. The blind mule brays--can he not see that he would be the proxy for Hillary, foisted by his own words? Trump would open with "Bernie, you and I agree on many things, esp. about Hillary. Didn't you say she lacked judgement? I agree with you, Bernie! That she's a part of a corrupt campaign with her uper-pacs? I agree, Bernie! That the Democratic party is non-responsive to the people? Bernie, I agree!"
The debate would be a recitation of Bernie points (with which Trump in a spirit of bipartisanship agrees!), outside of Hillary to include jobs, wages, and security--with the Trump mantra, "I can do this!"
By any context, that debate would be a wide open political trap. A triangulation that wounds Democrats by recasting the primary. An open arms invitation to Bernie supporters to continue their attack against Hillary by supporting Trump!
Trump's effect on foreign relations will have more impact on the US economy than his domestic policies. Buying and selling--trade--will slow. But like my young daughter, American voters don't care!
Of equal concern is old Bern who wants to "debate" Trump. The blind mule brays--can he not see that he would be the proxy for Hillary, foisted by his own words? Trump would open with "Bernie, you and I agree on many things, esp. about Hillary. Didn't you say she lacked judgement? I agree with you, Bernie! That she's a part of a corrupt campaign with her uper-pacs? I agree, Bernie! That the Democratic party is non-responsive to the people? Bernie, I agree!"
The debate would be a recitation of Bernie points (with which Trump in a spirit of bipartisanship agrees!), outside of Hillary to include jobs, wages, and security--with the Trump mantra, "I can do this!"
By any context, that debate would be a wide open political trap. A triangulation that wounds Democrats by recasting the primary. An open arms invitation to Bernie supporters to continue their attack against Hillary by supporting Trump!
Trump's effect on foreign relations will have more impact on the US economy than his domestic policies. Buying and selling--trade--will slow. But like my young daughter, American voters don't care!
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Bernie has long thought that republicans get away with murder by not having to debate against liberals in the primary season. They never mention things like climate change, the huge concentration of wealth in the last 25 years, student debt, the fact that they want to cut social security and so on while they debate. If Hillary is nominated she will pivot to her right and can't be expected to confront the GOP with these issues either. For this reason he's wanted to and agreed to debate Trump.
28
Tim, thanks (to all!) for reading and your reply. Execution differs from rationale: the two sides in a Trump-Bernie debate will have different goals! Your points of why Bernie wants to debate also show why too often Bernie's theory is swallowed and impossible in practice! (A common criticism!) Trump would evade confrontation; he is good and effective at the dodge. Often he would agree! Not even conservatives oppose higher wages! Bernie would find himself stymied, as Trump plucked each of Bernie's criticisms of Hillary, turning the debate into bipartisan attack against her!
Do you really think Trump will stuck to questions posed or policy--when he has not yet done so and has a successful model of attacking his opposition directly or by attacks directed through proxies?
Lastly, no reason exists for Hillary to shift right. She has consistently brought up wage inequity as a national and family issue--even before Bernie entered the race--she is consistent on safety nets. I can't buy a moderator not asking questions about the issues you suggests she would duck, when those issues are where even liberals and conservatives find common ground.
Do you really think Trump will stuck to questions posed or policy--when he has not yet done so and has a successful model of attacking his opposition directly or by attacks directed through proxies?
Lastly, no reason exists for Hillary to shift right. She has consistently brought up wage inequity as a national and family issue--even before Bernie entered the race--she is consistent on safety nets. I can't buy a moderator not asking questions about the issues you suggests she would duck, when those issues are where even liberals and conservatives find common ground.
30
Any reason you can think of why Sanders demands public accountability and transparency but refuses to disclose his own tax returns as others have in the past, Hillary has, but he and Trump are the only ones who won't. And no, the coversheet for his 2015 tax return is insufficient and evasive for the standard Sanders demands of others. We do know from the cover sheets that Sanders and his wife take full advantage of tax deductions that lower his tax rate considerably, a practice he's apoplectic about when other members of the 1 percent do it but apparently doesn't hesitate to take full advantage of himself. Presidents don't get to blame their wives or say I didn't read it, I just signed it. Given that Jane Sanders is accused of grossly mismanaging Burlington College when she was president (with the feds now investigating her for misstating college assets when she secured a $10 million loan for expansion, which precipitated a financial crisis that forced Burlington College to close, but only after Jane got her 200K severance) you'd think Sanders would read his own tax return prepared by Jane before signing it. In fact, his signature is acknowledgement and affirmation that the tax form submitted is accurate and he accepts responsibility for it. Doesn't square with someone who throws rocks at easy targets but forgets he lives in a glass house. I won't even get into Sanders' lie about who the real biological mother is of his out-of-wedlock son. Think Trump will ignore it?
5
CEO's are are proven to be awful at predicting the economic future:
http://oregonbusinessreport.com/2014/04/how-good-are-ceos-at-predicting-...
but are pretty good at saying what's just happened - they try to leverage that analysis of the recent past into credibility for their (usually biased) predictions of the future.
Despicable D has more access to the media, and more wildly leverages the image than other CEO's.
http://oregonbusinessreport.com/2014/04/how-good-are-ceos-at-predicting-...
but are pretty good at saying what's just happened - they try to leverage that analysis of the recent past into credibility for their (usually biased) predictions of the future.
Despicable D has more access to the media, and more wildly leverages the image than other CEO's.
53
Despicable D.....what a perfect nickname!
1
Welcome to Trump's Casino Dream. It is all glittering, gold plated promise to his believers. Even when it is rather obvious that his Casino Dream is built on taking our money, they still believe that they can find wealth and respect inside his fantasy world.
Outside the Casino, "others" are responsible for our failures and fears. The "others" take our jobs and concoct a clever hoax about climate change to destroy our economy, while expecting our military to protect them from the bad guys.
But inside, in the wonderful confusion of light, sound and glamor, anything is possible. If we just give $10 trillion in tax cuts to the 1%, cut our wages a little more, fire up our fossil fuelled economy and drive a hard bargain with the rest of the world, while threatening to default on the US Treasuries they hold, we can all be winners again.
It's gonna be so great!
Outside the Casino, "others" are responsible for our failures and fears. The "others" take our jobs and concoct a clever hoax about climate change to destroy our economy, while expecting our military to protect them from the bad guys.
But inside, in the wonderful confusion of light, sound and glamor, anything is possible. If we just give $10 trillion in tax cuts to the 1%, cut our wages a little more, fire up our fossil fuelled economy and drive a hard bargain with the rest of the world, while threatening to default on the US Treasuries they hold, we can all be winners again.
It's gonna be so great!
566
The problem is so many people are going to read this and think you are serious.
It's not like Hillary has a clue about the economy. All any Dem knows how to do is chant "raise the minimum wage" in order to get votes. And we all know that Krugman can only propose tax more, spend more - the Dem solution to everything.
"And it won't make one bit of difference if i answer right or wrong.
When you're rich, they think you really know!"
- From the song "If I were a rich man" in "The Fiddler on the Roof."
When you're rich, they think you really know!"
- From the song "If I were a rich man" in "The Fiddler on the Roof."
502
When I first said this, people laughed but it went around in my head over and over ... It is my motto on Trump! Thanks for sharing what I alone heard ... Trump as Tevye! That's rich, no pun intended!
We know that his businesses went bankrupt four times. Recently, he advocated that the USA should shortchange its creditors, apparently applying his business experience to the national economy.
We know that he took advantage of the H1B visas to avoid hiring Americans. That he has been a crony capitalist, obtaining casino licenses, essentially licenses to make money, and still went bust.
He is known for attempting to use the New Jersey's eminent domain to obtain land on the cheap.
We know that he is proud of his political spending to advance his business interests.
He is so famous for stiffing his contractors that those in the know had to add a premium to their bids to guarantee a profit.
To the above business experience we may add that he is a liar, a charlatan, a panderer, a conman, a xenophobe, a misogynist, and a bigot.
We know that he took advantage of the H1B visas to avoid hiring Americans. That he has been a crony capitalist, obtaining casino licenses, essentially licenses to make money, and still went bust.
He is known for attempting to use the New Jersey's eminent domain to obtain land on the cheap.
We know that he is proud of his political spending to advance his business interests.
He is so famous for stiffing his contractors that those in the know had to add a premium to their bids to guarantee a profit.
To the above business experience we may add that he is a liar, a charlatan, a panderer, a conman, a xenophobe, a misogynist, and a bigot.
1447
"To the ... business experience we may add that he is a liar, a charlatan, a panderer, a conman, a xenophobe, a misogynist, and a bigot." For the republicans, those are his good points !
5
And don't forget his Fraud University.
7
"To the above business experience we may add that he is a liar, a charlatan, a panderer, a conman, a xenophobe, a misogynist, and a bigot."
I agree...he is all these thing and much more. And yet they adore him! It seems inevitable. So what to do? But make peace with the inevitable and ride out another four or eight years of who knows what? Now would be a good time for a time machine and see what the future has wrought. This is going to be interesting.
I agree...he is all these thing and much more. And yet they adore him! It seems inevitable. So what to do? But make peace with the inevitable and ride out another four or eight years of who knows what? Now would be a good time for a time machine and see what the future has wrought. This is going to be interesting.
1
Sadly, it makes no difference that Trump does not understand economics because the rest of us don't either. His fans fully buy into the notion that he is a super successful business man; they believe that he will create "great" jobs for everyone, send those wage destroying "illegals" back where they came from, and essentially make the rest of the world buy from us. What's not to like? World dominance, high wages, great jobs to be had all by The Donald waving his wand and bringing everyone else in DC and, indeed, the world, to heel.
282
Trump's opponents should understand that his supporters, who have gotten him this far, care little about the factual bases of his promises. They represent the disgruntled; those who have been (or feel they have been) ignored and used by the elite of both political parties. Now that Trump has wrested the nomination from the mainstream Republicans most of them will support him so as to maintain their power. His (and their) challenge is to frame messages so that those whom he deceived will continue to have faith in what he promises while not losing his newly captured Republican base.
Democrats, and others who want him to fail, must shift their messaging from factually based to ones that tap the electorates' emotions. That combination is hard to pull off particularly by Hillary Clinton whose approach is primarily cerebral with not even a touch of feelings.
Democrats, and others who want him to fail, must shift their messaging from factually based to ones that tap the electorates' emotions. That combination is hard to pull off particularly by Hillary Clinton whose approach is primarily cerebral with not even a touch of feelings.
Speak for yourself. I do know something of economics, and so too do my family and friends who have crafted together, however modest, a life that works. None of us are rich nor are we experts in economics–we're all just hardworking, decent Americans who care about our lives and those of our fellow Americans. Further, we do know a liar and a cheat when we see one. Donald Drumpf knows nothing of what I write, knows nothing of the lives of ordinary Americans, which is only one reason why he is unqualified to be the President of these United States– yes, he doesn't understand the lives of ordinary working class people, who by the way are the backbone of this country, and who stand to lose a great deal if Drumpf were to become president. The list of reasons as to why Drumpf cannot/should not become the president is long: he lies, cheats, is a racist, a misogynist, and one mean-spirited guy who will not cannot not create jobs, make anybody but himself rich, nor will he make America great again. America is great.
What's happening in our country is disturbing. I only hope that informed, decent Americans vote in the coming election and send Drumpf packing, back to that garish camp known as Mar-a-Lago, never to be heard from again.
What's happening in our country is disturbing. I only hope that informed, decent Americans vote in the coming election and send Drumpf packing, back to that garish camp known as Mar-a-Lago, never to be heard from again.
4
During the past two terms, Republicans in Congress have done everything they could to stall the recovery, due mainly to their obsession with blocking Obama's initiatives and with easing the tax burden on corporations and the wealthy. If Trump did nothing more than repeat the standard Republican mantras, the economy would be pushed downward again, even without the added drag of his widely suspected incompetencies. However, if you asked Trump, he could assure you that his presidency will be amazing, if not fantastic, and that a Trump-induced wave of good times will lift all boats. It will be unbelievable!
393
You could replace the GOP Congresspeople with streetwalkers and get a better result for the country.
4
Its going to be HUUUGE
1
You were nearly fair about Trump's statement on the high wages...He was saying our wages are too high to compete with countries who pay people $1 a day...he was right...he wasn't saying this to infer we need to lower our wages...he was saying it with the intent that that is the reason we need to bring the jobs back to America and make our own goods and put tariffs on these countries using slave wages to undercut the American workers chances at good paying jobs...yes he says it will mean some things will cost more but it will also mean we have good paying jobs for OUR workers...
13
James: Why do you, and apparently many Trump supporters, think that he can bring jobs back to the U. S.? What must Trump do to woo or otherwise convince the CEOs and BODs of U. S. companies - that chose to reap the harvest of low-wage/low-cost manufacturing in far off places - to return to the U. S.? Would such a re-integration into the U. S. economy mean that shareholders would be guaranteed a better return on their investments? Would the U. S. Government be required to incent these business to return, "home?" Are there some that are so entrenched into their current places that they would find it difficult to leave? What about the incentive bidding war that would likely ensue? For instance, do you think the Chinese government would stand by, saying "Woe is us," as Apple started to close one factory after another, load its equipment into shipping containers, and leave? And, how long would it take? I get the impression from Trump that once he clicks his heels together, everything will be great in Kansas! Hollow words is all that comes from the presumed GOP candidate, in my opinion. Very-hollow-words.
8
Then why didn't he say so?
3
You can read all that into just four words? No wonder Trump is so popular -- he speaks in such vagaries that people can put any interpretation on it that suits their needs.
6
It is difficult to think of Trump as a successful businessman while looking at Trump University, Trump Airlines, Trump Casino and some many others. All failures.
1070
@Long-Term Observer: The truth you point out is perfect for Hillary Clinton, who should take her cue from Karl Rove. Turd Blossom, as Dubya affectionately called him, won electoral victories for his clients by attacking opponents not on their perceived weaknesses but on their perceived strengths. A particularly egregious example was the Swift-Boating of John Kerry.
Trump is seen as a successful businessman by his ill-informed fans. His career has actually consisted of failure after failure. This should be the Clinton campaign's major focus in attacking him. Donald will take care of displaying his misogyny and bigotry. He can't help himself.
Trump is seen as a successful businessman by his ill-informed fans. His career has actually consisted of failure after failure. This should be the Clinton campaign's major focus in attacking him. Donald will take care of displaying his misogyny and bigotry. He can't help himself.
9
No one bats 1.000. I've followed Trump's career for over 30 years. While he is not my style, and is self-promoting to the extreme, he is definitely a successful businessman. It doesn't mean you have to like him, but it's silly to say otherwise.
19
But he has learned the basic fact of politics (among other areas), if you tell the same lie loud enough and often enough it becomes the "truth".
3
Political people love to take credit for upticks in the economy claiming that their policies were responsible. Of course downward moves are somebody else's fault or the failure to implement my policies correctly.
While government creates the environment where business can flourish the reality is that no government actually controls the economy.
Trump's candidacy is exemplary of the old saw "My people are rioting, I must go out and lead them." To be sure, Americans are not satisfied with the status-quo and they either love the get tough approach (Trump) or the government needs to do more for me (Sanders) approach.
The problem of government is that getting it to work is a long boring process with a myriad of details. Of course, we don't like boring we like spectacle and want a "relationship" with our elected officials that make us feel like we are valued.
Unfortunately Obama never figured out how to mobilize We-the-People. All of the efforts to reach out were simply requests for cash. There was no contacting people about upcoming legislation where their Senator/Representative was involved, no invitation to learn about the process. Hence it flopped.
Trump and Sanders promise the I'll do it for you approach. Hillary tells us that there is a lot of detailed work and she knows how to make the system work. Personally, I'll take boring because, in the end, it usually works.
While government creates the environment where business can flourish the reality is that no government actually controls the economy.
Trump's candidacy is exemplary of the old saw "My people are rioting, I must go out and lead them." To be sure, Americans are not satisfied with the status-quo and they either love the get tough approach (Trump) or the government needs to do more for me (Sanders) approach.
The problem of government is that getting it to work is a long boring process with a myriad of details. Of course, we don't like boring we like spectacle and want a "relationship" with our elected officials that make us feel like we are valued.
Unfortunately Obama never figured out how to mobilize We-the-People. All of the efforts to reach out were simply requests for cash. There was no contacting people about upcoming legislation where their Senator/Representative was involved, no invitation to learn about the process. Hence it flopped.
Trump and Sanders promise the I'll do it for you approach. Hillary tells us that there is a lot of detailed work and she knows how to make the system work. Personally, I'll take boring because, in the end, it usually works.
153
The government is strapped for cash and a good portion of our citizens are in the same boat. The government cannot provide necessary services and enforce necessary laws without tax revenues. And tax revenues are coming from citizens who are already strapped for cash while many cash pools such as in banks and other financial institutions and in the pockets of billionaires are left untouched by the tax collectors.
2
You think Sanders doesn't know details? He has worked his entire career in the Senate doing detailed boring work. So boring that regular CSPAN watchers fell asleep during his wonky speeches. You don't know boring if you haven't paid attention to Bernie. He has the strength from being boring to now becoming inspiring for millions and millions of young and old voters. Hillary on the other hand, remains boring which is what Paul adores about her.
That is incorrect. i have been getting emails almost daily from the Obama administration, that talk about initiatives, policy, and more. They always urge to get involved and how we can help.
If you were to take action to find put more you would have gotten many answers.
If you were to take action to find put more you would have gotten many answers.
3
Answering his final question, we can only hope. One clarification, GW Bush was considered a businessman, albeit a very bad one. His dad built his reputation on his acumen in the oil field too. He wasn't too successful at managing the economy either. So we have a small sample. Several generals with shaky records too. Sort of hard to figure who will or won't be successful. Maybe it really is all about luck.
11
Neither, apparently, do Nobel Prize winning economists understand politics.
The candidate you HAVE been shilling for, will lose to Donald Trump.
All trends indicate that Secretary Clinton's negatives keep rising.
She is the most unpopular Democrat ever, to run for the Office of the Presidency.
Those numbers get worse, the more exposure she gets.
There is a popular candidate running against her.
He beats Trump in all national polls.
Perhaps economists should stick to what they know.
Economics.
The candidate you HAVE been shilling for, will lose to Donald Trump.
All trends indicate that Secretary Clinton's negatives keep rising.
She is the most unpopular Democrat ever, to run for the Office of the Presidency.
Those numbers get worse, the more exposure she gets.
There is a popular candidate running against her.
He beats Trump in all national polls.
Perhaps economists should stick to what they know.
Economics.
28
no one is losing to Trump...period... bc the 70% of American moderates have yet to speak and they aren't speaking for an illiterate carnival barker who speaks in 140 character gibberish
49
I like Bernie too. I voted for him in the primary. I want to believe, but when I looked at the details of his economic policy proposals I decided I didn't want to live my twilight years in a second Great Depression. He's right about what things need to be fixed, but clueless about how to fix them. I'd rather have half a loaf than none at all. Beware of wishful thinking.
If Bernie gets Trump elected, I'm unlikely to forgive him.
If Bernie gets Trump elected, I'm unlikely to forgive him.
1
Michael Thomas, are you a professional political consultant? The election isn't a national poll -- it's state by state, each with winner-take-all electoral votes. Clinton performs MUCH better than Sanders in the swing states Democrats must win to get 270 electoral votes. She performs much better with the demographic groups that historically have the highest, most reliable turnouts on Election Day. She already has millions more votes, despite an "unpopularity" driven by decades of Republican attack messaging, which Bernie has NEVER been subjected to. John Kerry went down fast, as soon as he was nominated.
Bernie has no chance, accoding to Republican money, which has supported his nomination all through the primary. They've already spent a fortune against Hillary. That should tell you who they think the real threat is. The GOP knows their own oppo research and attack plans, and their own vulnerabilities. Who better to judge which candidate will be easily disposed of and which has the lives of a cat?
Bernie has no chance, accoding to Republican money, which has supported his nomination all through the primary. They've already spent a fortune against Hillary. That should tell you who they think the real threat is. The GOP knows their own oppo research and attack plans, and their own vulnerabilities. Who better to judge which candidate will be easily disposed of and which has the lives of a cat?
1
Re. Trump's true net worth, until revealed herein readers can only assume that NYTimes, with its crack investigative staff, and its institutional pride in always accurately knowing what's what, has already at hand a thorough survey and appraisal of Trump's finances, and is only withholding this information until an auspicious moment or for other reasons of occult editorial motive.
"The truth is that the idea that Donald Trump, of all people, knows how to run the U.S. economy is ludicrous."
But none of this speaks one whit of why / how HRC might be any better than DJT in handling the U.S. economy.
Guess it depends on which industry insiders they hire; either will attempt to maintain Business As Usual with Powers That Be in continued command, perhaps w PK in Dem cabinet, though not so likely w Trump.
GO BERNIE 2016!
"The truth is that the idea that Donald Trump, of all people, knows how to run the U.S. economy is ludicrous."
But none of this speaks one whit of why / how HRC might be any better than DJT in handling the U.S. economy.
Guess it depends on which industry insiders they hire; either will attempt to maintain Business As Usual with Powers That Be in continued command, perhaps w PK in Dem cabinet, though not so likely w Trump.
GO BERNIE 2016!
15
You do realize he's already lost? It's called math.
3
So, should Trump appoint Paul Krugman "Economic Czar?" As big and complex as the economy has gotten, especially with how our economy is but one in a global basket, it may now be something akin to trying to steer the Exxon Valdez. The bottom line choice was succinctly summed up by President Eisenhower offering an apt description of the choice faced by every administration, "guns or butter."
You write of the negative effects of wage cuts, fair enough. But aren't there similar issues if the minimum wage is suddenly hiked to $15/hour across-the-board? Won't most businesses simply raise their prices to offset the higher labor costs? Or worse, in places like the fast-food industry which has been the most vocal in agitating for this, simply replace some of their workers with automated kiosks, laying people off? Don't have to pay benefits, or give time off, either. I believe the expression is "cutting your nose to spite your face."
I think most Presidents are as clueless as Trump. I remember back in the '70' during President Ford's term the whole side of a tall building with a huge multi-story red circle and the word "WIN" - Whip Inflation Now! Of course inflation got worse under Carter and the early term of Reagan, the money-market funds topping out paying around 21% interest. Leave the "Whip It" to Devo, they did a much better job.
You write of the negative effects of wage cuts, fair enough. But aren't there similar issues if the minimum wage is suddenly hiked to $15/hour across-the-board? Won't most businesses simply raise their prices to offset the higher labor costs? Or worse, in places like the fast-food industry which has been the most vocal in agitating for this, simply replace some of their workers with automated kiosks, laying people off? Don't have to pay benefits, or give time off, either. I believe the expression is "cutting your nose to spite your face."
I think most Presidents are as clueless as Trump. I remember back in the '70' during President Ford's term the whole side of a tall building with a huge multi-story red circle and the word "WIN" - Whip Inflation Now! Of course inflation got worse under Carter and the early term of Reagan, the money-market funds topping out paying around 21% interest. Leave the "Whip It" to Devo, they did a much better job.
4
In the lefty nations where the minimum wage is $15 or more....first off, everything is a LOT more expensive (by US standards). People accept this. Often they don't even realize the degree to which they are paying out.
They also have powerful unions, and a widespread social acceptance that you are entitled to your job (even if it is "make work") and cannot be fired. France especially has very draconian laws that make firing a permanent employee nearly impossible. Do a bad job, and you'll essentially end up in something like our union teacher's "rubber room" -- doing nothing all day -- but keep your paycheck & benefits.
You can't just have the higher salary and NOT the other components. Because businesses are very sharp and they are already looking to replace unskilled labor -- with robots, with iPad-type kiosks, with self-serve eateries and of course, with illegal aliens who work under the table for much less than minimum wage.
My husband works for a medium size electronics firm, which manufactures circuit boards. They have a factory, and just have incorporated new industrial robotics. They see this coming, including the ACA mandate to provide health insurance -- so these low level, unskilled workers would have their salaries DOUBLED and require costly insurance. Easier to have a robot, then. They have already laid off the entire third shift.
They also have powerful unions, and a widespread social acceptance that you are entitled to your job (even if it is "make work") and cannot be fired. France especially has very draconian laws that make firing a permanent employee nearly impossible. Do a bad job, and you'll essentially end up in something like our union teacher's "rubber room" -- doing nothing all day -- but keep your paycheck & benefits.
You can't just have the higher salary and NOT the other components. Because businesses are very sharp and they are already looking to replace unskilled labor -- with robots, with iPad-type kiosks, with self-serve eateries and of course, with illegal aliens who work under the table for much less than minimum wage.
My husband works for a medium size electronics firm, which manufactures circuit boards. They have a factory, and just have incorporated new industrial robotics. They see this coming, including the ACA mandate to provide health insurance -- so these low level, unskilled workers would have their salaries DOUBLED and require costly insurance. Easier to have a robot, then. They have already laid off the entire third shift.
7
I remember those days. Loved that 21% interest! My 10.75% mortgage? Not so much. The economy will do what the economy will do. Hard to believe our economic policies will steer the ship much since we are now so globally interconnected. And manufacturing in the U.S. is all but non-existent. So many problems to attempt to solve. But Trump with the nuclear codes? Terrifying!
2
Valid points about the trade offs and the impact of changing technologies.
But then to fall for the GOTP "death tax" propaganda?
Your husband's company didn't lay off the third shift because of $15/min wage (which hasn't happened yet) or the ACA.
The robots already exist and would have replaced the workers so the company could lower costs RIGHT NOW. They just get to BLAME the ACA and minimum wage proposals for it now.
But then to fall for the GOTP "death tax" propaganda?
Your husband's company didn't lay off the third shift because of $15/min wage (which hasn't happened yet) or the ACA.
The robots already exist and would have replaced the workers so the company could lower costs RIGHT NOW. They just get to BLAME the ACA and minimum wage proposals for it now.
1
Many, many years of reality TV has given rise to the view that Trump is wildly successful. Reality TV is pure 21st century PT Barnum. That so many do believe it just says to let the buyer beware.
259
Never give a sucker an even break, said Barnum.
2
Dear Mr. Krugman,
If memory serves me right, Herbert Hoover had a great number of "businessmen" in his administration. The result, if, indeed the presidency has ANYTHING to do with the economy, was the "Great Depression".
Also, as I recall, President G.W. Bush had quite a number of "businessmen" as his advisors bringing us the "greatest financial crisis since the Great Depression".
In the first case, the government re-acted by creating jobs and flooding the country with projects, social safety nets, etc.
In the second case, with the 1% now calling the shots, the voters were put upon to bail out these greed driven billionaires and, I might ad, wait in the wings to do it all again as the "Banks Too Big to Fail" are, well, still too big to fail.
Running a country is not like running a business. As Mr. Trump used to do on his so called "reality show", he'd yell at some unfortunate "You're fired" and start filming the next episode. How is Mr. Trump planning on "firing" the less fortunate in our society because they are not "performing" to whatever standards he and the GOP/TP/KOCH AFFILIATE deem appropriate?
As for Mr. Trump's "business acumen", the joke I've read recently sums it up;
"I couldn't finish Donald trump's autobiography as every page kept going back to Chapter Eleven" (C.J. Kalish).
Let's hope his "gaming" of the American public ends this November.
If memory serves me right, Herbert Hoover had a great number of "businessmen" in his administration. The result, if, indeed the presidency has ANYTHING to do with the economy, was the "Great Depression".
Also, as I recall, President G.W. Bush had quite a number of "businessmen" as his advisors bringing us the "greatest financial crisis since the Great Depression".
In the first case, the government re-acted by creating jobs and flooding the country with projects, social safety nets, etc.
In the second case, with the 1% now calling the shots, the voters were put upon to bail out these greed driven billionaires and, I might ad, wait in the wings to do it all again as the "Banks Too Big to Fail" are, well, still too big to fail.
Running a country is not like running a business. As Mr. Trump used to do on his so called "reality show", he'd yell at some unfortunate "You're fired" and start filming the next episode. How is Mr. Trump planning on "firing" the less fortunate in our society because they are not "performing" to whatever standards he and the GOP/TP/KOCH AFFILIATE deem appropriate?
As for Mr. Trump's "business acumen", the joke I've read recently sums it up;
"I couldn't finish Donald trump's autobiography as every page kept going back to Chapter Eleven" (C.J. Kalish).
Let's hope his "gaming" of the American public ends this November.
129
@Richard Petro: golly I forgot that.
The President with the greatest business acumen (in recent history) was GEORGE W. BUSH....he had an MBA from Harvard! a business degree!
So I guess this is what Mr. Trump is missing -- a Harvard MBA. Right?
We all know how BRILLIANT those Harvard MBAs are....they brought us banksters, hedge funds and oh yeah....the 2008 economic collapse.
The President with the greatest business acumen (in recent history) was GEORGE W. BUSH....he had an MBA from Harvard! a business degree!
So I guess this is what Mr. Trump is missing -- a Harvard MBA. Right?
We all know how BRILLIANT those Harvard MBAs are....they brought us banksters, hedge funds and oh yeah....the 2008 economic collapse.
12
Dear Concerned Citizen,
Lest we forget, there's also the "Federal Reserve" which was created by, and exists for, bankers and the wealthy or, as author G.E. Griffin put it, it's "The Creature from Jekyll Island" as the exclusive resort on Jekyll Island, off the Georgia coast, is where this organization had it's origins.
For, you see, the "land of the free and home of the brave" seems to exist, in the minds of the 1%, to serve them and them alone. The rest of us are just part of the "parachute system' needed when they have to be "bailed out' due to their greed.
Not bad if you're one of the 1%; for the rest of us, well....
Lest we forget, there's also the "Federal Reserve" which was created by, and exists for, bankers and the wealthy or, as author G.E. Griffin put it, it's "The Creature from Jekyll Island" as the exclusive resort on Jekyll Island, off the Georgia coast, is where this organization had it's origins.
For, you see, the "land of the free and home of the brave" seems to exist, in the minds of the 1%, to serve them and them alone. The rest of us are just part of the "parachute system' needed when they have to be "bailed out' due to their greed.
Not bad if you're one of the 1%; for the rest of us, well....
MBAs destroyed AT&T with their inability to see that customer service was what made money and it took employees to provide it. Loyal customers who had stayed after the split up finally left when they perceived the company didn't really want their business. It took the MBAs a long time to figure out that the customer didn't want to install his own telephone system and do his own cabling and then fail to support them when it didn't work well. Charging double or triple for the non-service didn't help.
Jeeze think Mr. Krugman is in the tank for Hillary.
15
this is about Trump and the fact that he is completely unfit to be POTUS, not Hillary vs. Bernie. Please read past the first paragraph.
25
Really? This must be your first time reading his column. When it isn't about Hilary it about the Democrat Party.
No. He just sees the sham of Trump for what it is.
1
Dr. Krugman, I have the utmost respect for your scholarly depth and incisive communication skills. But allow me one important correction to today's commentary. Mr. Trump was born on third base and believes himself to have hit a homerun ( not a pedestrian triple).
Myles
Myles
128
And there lies the problem. Trump WAS "born on third base" as was Mitt Romney but neither is able to understand and appreciate that being born white, male and into families of affluence which allowed them to be "educated" better than most Americans (by not having to fund their own education), graduate from college and have family money and connections to secure their first (and second, third...) job put them at a huge advantage. It was a great set-up. But to not even recognize this-that the playing field is not equal and their "success" would be nearly impossible had they been born a black female into a family of autoworkers in Flint, Michigan.
1
Donald Trump is a huckster. He's good entertainment and good for media ratings and since everything is about them making money, he keeps getting air time. He's the creepy underbelly of America's lowest desires for the "good old days" when everyone was white and people of color "knew their place". I run a government agency with a board of trustees that are mostly business people. Some have an overinflated opinion of their own value and knowledge. Business is not government. Government is about doing good, not making a profit. And business people are now educated only to make money and consider those who work for the common good less valuable. We need to stop worshiping profits as a god and get back to looking out for one another. That's a big part of why Bernie Sanders has such appeal.
232
" Government is about doing good, not making a profit."
I don;t expect the government to make a profit. But I do expect it to spend my money carefully and actually show positive results. When I look at the cost over runs, the Veterans Administration, The TSA and other government functions I don't see that happening.
I don;t expect the government to make a profit. But I do expect it to spend my money carefully and actually show positive results. When I look at the cost over runs, the Veterans Administration, The TSA and other government functions I don't see that happening.
Bingo
1
Isn't it just as ludicrous to assume that Hillary "knows how to run the economy"? In this area the politicians are figureheads who defer to a coterie of experts. I doubt Trump's eventual coterie will really be all that different from Hillary's bunch. They're the same big money men you count on to protect your millions, Paul.
10
Look at the economic plans and advisors of each. False equivalence is idiocy.
1
Trump is the consummate confidence man, a con artist whose glib tongue and skills have been sharpened throughout decades of questionable real estate deals too flagrantly unethical and numerous to elaborate upon. If the electorate are duped by this person, then they will truly deserve the deluge to follow. Considering that the GOP has made a goal of eviscerating education through dumbing-down agendas like W43's "No Child Left Behind" and its steady diminishment in supporting and funding education at all levels, no wonder we have so few people left in our midst who can think logically, clearly, critically. This election will be an agenda on that educational policy, though we have so many people with college degrees...
27
There is no evidence that the Republicans give a hoot about expertise or logic. Trumps entire campaign has been one of emotional outreach and the reactions he receives are of like kind.
It is well known in phycology that emotions interfere with logical responses as objectivity is replaced with knee jerk reactions, anyone who has ever been in a squabble that has escalated out of control knows that. That is exactly what Trump and his cronies want and that is exactly what they are getting, emotional reactions that are expanding into anger and hatred. It can be justified as correct by any rise in poll numbers, so stoke the flames of hatred, be they Mexican or Syrian Immigrants or followers of the faith of Islam, it gets the Republicans what they want, votes at any cost.
It is well known in phycology that emotions interfere with logical responses as objectivity is replaced with knee jerk reactions, anyone who has ever been in a squabble that has escalated out of control knows that. That is exactly what Trump and his cronies want and that is exactly what they are getting, emotional reactions that are expanding into anger and hatred. It can be justified as correct by any rise in poll numbers, so stoke the flames of hatred, be they Mexican or Syrian Immigrants or followers of the faith of Islam, it gets the Republicans what they want, votes at any cost.
17
Please, Mr. Krugman, will someone at the NY Times, possibly you, really, deeply investigate what appears to be sleazy business practices of Trump over the years. Also, he often cites some of his tenants as brilliant Chinese and other business people who have skills beyond those of Americans. Who are these people? Possibly they can afford U.S. apartments because they have offshore tax havens? In depth reporting could possibly bring down a demagogue.
74
And while you are at it, do an in-depth investigation of the Clinton Foundation as well.
1
The appeal of Trump, is due to the *correct* conclusion that status quo policies aren't working, and that he is an agent for change - not that Trump is a genius.
Trump voters rightly understand that, despite cyclical ups and downs in the economy, the long term trend for the financial security of the middle and working classes (and the well being of our national commons) is still downward, and will remain downward until something fundamental is changed in our economic policies.
They rightly understand that Hillary represents zero change for the economy and are willing to take a chance on *any* actual change, in the hopes that it will be the right one. That is because zero change means ever fewer jobs and lower wages for the middle and working classes. The message from our mainstream media and pols seems to be that the economy is doing just fine, and that this is the best we should expect.
Hillary is certain to empower the same failed group of people, and fight for the same failed policies - and would be thwarted by filibusters and lack of enthusiasm, even if she wanted change, unlike Trump.
People still remember a time when financial security was attainable, and ask: "Why, if we are far more efficient than 40 years ago, must we be poorer?" A big reason is dismantling of New Deal policies which ensured fairness and a robust economy. Will Trump re-enact pro-demand policies? I don't know. But Hillary would not be able to do so, even if she tried.
Trump voters rightly understand that, despite cyclical ups and downs in the economy, the long term trend for the financial security of the middle and working classes (and the well being of our national commons) is still downward, and will remain downward until something fundamental is changed in our economic policies.
They rightly understand that Hillary represents zero change for the economy and are willing to take a chance on *any* actual change, in the hopes that it will be the right one. That is because zero change means ever fewer jobs and lower wages for the middle and working classes. The message from our mainstream media and pols seems to be that the economy is doing just fine, and that this is the best we should expect.
Hillary is certain to empower the same failed group of people, and fight for the same failed policies - and would be thwarted by filibusters and lack of enthusiasm, even if she wanted change, unlike Trump.
People still remember a time when financial security was attainable, and ask: "Why, if we are far more efficient than 40 years ago, must we be poorer?" A big reason is dismantling of New Deal policies which ensured fairness and a robust economy. Will Trump re-enact pro-demand policies? I don't know. But Hillary would not be able to do so, even if she tried.
126
And you believe that the "dismantling of New Deal policies" was done by the left?
With a Republican intransigent congress it is hard to see how any president could make the changes you suggest and it is particularly absurd to think that a Republican would try harder than a Democrat to do so.
With a Republican intransigent congress it is hard to see how any president could make the changes you suggest and it is particularly absurd to think that a Republican would try harder than a Democrat to do so.
25
This is a sad example of the type of commentary that has popped up all too often recently. It's message - Hillary is no good because she represents "zero change," is part of the "establishment" or represents the "status quo." All buzzwords, no actual discussion of policy. Increasing the federal minimum wage from $7.25 per hour to $12 per hour, as proposed by Hillary, would be a significant change both for the individual workers it affects and for the national economy.
10
There is no such thing as zero change. You can't put your foot in the same river twice. Jobs are already being created and others destroyed by the continual flux in technological innovation and implementation of new ideas. No one saw fracking coming, and while environmental aspects of fracking are mixed, it changed the energy world adding a new boom and bust phenomenon. No matter who is elected solar energy will produce more jobs, wind energy will produce more jobs, Tesla's battery factory for home and car will come on line. Energy will get cheaper and more abundant. One politician might encourage such trends, another might push another agenda, but under it all new jobs will be created and old ones will disappear. If we want to help manage change, job training might be a good way to go.
5
The Wall of Shame,
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Donald_Trump_presidential_campaign...
Let's remember, it's not just about Trump.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Donald_Trump_presidential_campaign...
Let's remember, it's not just about Trump.
4
Krugman you just can't help yourself, so there you go again:
"while Bernie Sanders hasn’t conceded the inevitable."
Not being privy to the FBI CRIMINAL investigation of Hillary Clinton, as you apparently are, I guess it doesn't seem that her coronation is so "inevitable" to Senator Sanders and we, his supporters. But the Office of the Inspector General of the State Dept. gave us a preview, and the inevitable for Clinton is not looking so good. What will you do Democrat careerist, keep campaigning for her when she is perp marched away?
"while Bernie Sanders hasn’t conceded the inevitable."
Not being privy to the FBI CRIMINAL investigation of Hillary Clinton, as you apparently are, I guess it doesn't seem that her coronation is so "inevitable" to Senator Sanders and we, his supporters. But the Office of the Inspector General of the State Dept. gave us a preview, and the inevitable for Clinton is not looking so good. What will you do Democrat careerist, keep campaigning for her when she is perp marched away?
19
You really need to educate yourself. There is no FBI Criminal investigation of Hillary Clinton taking place. This has been debunked by the Justice Department yet you continue to repeat this false allegation. The report issued by the Office of the Inspector General of the State Dept. was as much about the antiquated record keeping of the State Dept. going back to the tenure of Madeliene Albright as it was about Clinton. While her decision to use a private server was a bad judgement, she broke no LAWS. And after 25 years of Republican bashing I can understand why she would want to keep her private emails, PRIVATE.
3
Ask your Canadian neighbours what they now think of their great Business Leader Prime Minister; Brian Molrony
28
For those who don't know, ex Canadian prime minister Brian Mulroney (right wing conservative) was caught accepting a bag of cash in a hotel (one of three totalling $300,000) from German-Canadian businessman Karlheinz Schrieber.
3
Why is there such little pressure from the media on Trump to release his Tax returns? maybe Trump is broke and needs a job "The Presidency" just to pay his bills? We won't know anything about his real situation until he releases his Tax returns so it would be helpful if the media would keep asking him about it instead of giving him a free ride everyday.
87
Well....we do know the Clinton's are NOT broke, but are multi-millionaires. And magically earned it all in the years after Mr. Clinton left office. It's MAGIC!
1
Paul, your arrogance is so hard to take along with your self-serving bias. Take a drive down the West Side Highway and you will not see Krugman Towers. I'm a liberal who clearly sees the appeal of Mr. Trump to so many... His deal making has been on display since his bid for nomination for every one to see. His lark turned into a win. People see all of this and are tired of economists who are wrong as often as they are right.
6
Anyone who favors Trump and calls himself a liberal needs to relearn English. Or maybe this one is among those who have learned the blogging tactic of pretending to be something he is not.
2
Do you prefer Trump's economic advisers who are wrong much more often than they are right?
I find it incomprehensible that Krugman can suggest Trump knows nothing about economics--or that his policies would have a negative impact on our economy.
Krugman believes, I suppose, that the economy is best left in the hands of a politician who has, like Obama, never run anything. I suppose we could ask this: we have left our economy in the hands of politicians for decades--how is that working? How has Obama handled our economy? Is everyone happy? Yet, somehow Krugman believes that stewardship by someone who has actually participated in the economy, built things, created jobs, could we worse than rank financial amateurs like Obama or Clinton. Really?
There is some evidence of how Trumps business acumen might play out. He has spent less than 10% of all the money expended in the various 2016 presidential campaigns. In fact, he has spend half of what Jeb Bush spent--and Bush dropped out months ago.
We need someone with Trump's experience--someone who understands that simply spending money is not a guarantee of accomplishing anything--in education, in defense, in social welfare programs. For one--I'd like to vote for someone who values money--who spends carefully--who understands that much of the money we send to Washington is wasted on ineffective programs.
In a word, I want someone who is as careful with my tax money and federal spending as Trump has been with his campaign spending. Elect Hillary...and we'll owe 30 trillion by the time she leaves office.
Krugman believes, I suppose, that the economy is best left in the hands of a politician who has, like Obama, never run anything. I suppose we could ask this: we have left our economy in the hands of politicians for decades--how is that working? How has Obama handled our economy? Is everyone happy? Yet, somehow Krugman believes that stewardship by someone who has actually participated in the economy, built things, created jobs, could we worse than rank financial amateurs like Obama or Clinton. Really?
There is some evidence of how Trumps business acumen might play out. He has spent less than 10% of all the money expended in the various 2016 presidential campaigns. In fact, he has spend half of what Jeb Bush spent--and Bush dropped out months ago.
We need someone with Trump's experience--someone who understands that simply spending money is not a guarantee of accomplishing anything--in education, in defense, in social welfare programs. For one--I'd like to vote for someone who values money--who spends carefully--who understands that much of the money we send to Washington is wasted on ineffective programs.
In a word, I want someone who is as careful with my tax money and federal spending as Trump has been with his campaign spending. Elect Hillary...and we'll owe 30 trillion by the time she leaves office.
59
Trump lied when he claimed he was self-funding his campaign. Trump bankrupted 4 businesses.
Trump wants to spend even more money on the military.
The House has the power of the purse.
Trump wants to spend even more money on the military.
The House has the power of the purse.
55
Just look at deficit graphs by president since FDR and you will see that every time we put a Republican in office the deficit expanded and every time we have put a Democrat in the deficit has contracted. Granted under Obama the aggregate deficit is higher than when he entered office but that is because of the staggering incompetence of the Bush II tenure. When Carter left office the deficit was 50% of GDP. When Bush II left office it was 80% of GPD. Under Clinton we were left with a budget surplus. Of course numbers/facts don't matter to true believers, that tax cuts create a healthier economy. The only thing Trump has ever grown is luxury amenities, think trump Towers, trump golf courses and of course Trump University.
The idea that a carnival barker who never ran anything better than he did his mouth and who makes things up as he goes along is our best bet for the future is mind boggling.
The idea that a carnival barker who never ran anything better than he did his mouth and who makes things up as he goes along is our best bet for the future is mind boggling.
39
Umm. So your entire argument is based on Trump's vastly superior ability to translate modest campaign spending into large vote counts?!? Trump has been extremely effective in marketing - having been a wunderkind in self-promotion during his entire "working" career, so it should come as no surprise that he has been effective in garnering free press - mostly with his outrageous antics - and thus not needing to campaign (i.e., spend) like other politicians. But that hardly qualifies him as an economic genius let alone a competent steward of the nation's economy. It takes an enormous leap of faith to believe that the effectiveness of a narcistic carnival barker in bankrolling a campaign would translate into effective stewardship of the nation's economy. If you've been paying any attention to what Trump has [NOT] been saying during the campaign, you'd understand that what you are advocating for is a high-stakes roll of the dice, which should be anathema to a real conservative.
25
Low wages are good for an individual business - micro economics. Low wages are not good for an entire country unless you happen to be born rich into a powerful family. Oh wait a minute never mind.
1087
Once upon a time, many business leaders understood the collective action problem that you depict, Chris. Higher wages for workers translate into wealthier customers for businesses. I see no evidence that Trump or his current and likely advisers grasp this. They think that micro-economics directly translate into macro-economics, but frequently what's good for one firm definitely isn't good for all firms.
6
"Oh wait a minute never mind."
I wish I could.
I wish I could.
These sad facts remain. Donald Trump isn't intelligent enough to be President and his supporters aren't intelligent enough to know that. The good news is people can get smarter. The bad news is Trump and his supporters don't wanna. Trump's supporters will give up their religion, their past beliefs and their characters, as evidence by evangelicals, old school Republican operatives and, most sadly, women supporting him. But, they will not give up their willfully ignorant belief that Trump is Presidential material.
630
I saw a comment in a local newspaper saying a college education should disqualify a person from running for political office. Only the non-college-educated should be allowed to run our government, because those snotty elite college graduates have been brainwashed by liberals.
It's scary out there, folks.
It's scary out there, folks.
6
Trump's attainment, yesterday, of a majority of RNC delegates, assuring his nomination, is only more evidence of the dumbing down of a large part of the electorate.
Not a coincidence that Trump often uses the fact-free Fox News formulation "some people are saying" as a premise for his scurrilous attacks. From his long dalliance with birther nonsense, his attack on Ted Cruz' father, to his suspicions about Vince Foster, and on and on.
Not a coincidence that Trump often uses the fact-free Fox News formulation "some people are saying" as a premise for his scurrilous attacks. From his long dalliance with birther nonsense, his attack on Ted Cruz' father, to his suspicions about Vince Foster, and on and on.
4
"True, the historical record isn’t much of a guide, since only one modern president had a previous successful career in business. And maybe Herbert Hoover was an outlier."
Not quite. Don't forget that George W. Bush got an MBA from Harvard (say what?!) and managed to have greater success in business than he did as president, though largely thanks to the family name.
If only they had made him Commissioner of Baseball, by virtue of his involvement with that sport, the country would probably have been spared two wars and a near-depression.
Those Republicans! Masters of Business Administration...and disaster, for the rest of us.
Not quite. Don't forget that George W. Bush got an MBA from Harvard (say what?!) and managed to have greater success in business than he did as president, though largely thanks to the family name.
If only they had made him Commissioner of Baseball, by virtue of his involvement with that sport, the country would probably have been spared two wars and a near-depression.
Those Republicans! Masters of Business Administration...and disaster, for the rest of us.
26
The people don't view current politicians in a very positive light, or view them as particularly competent. It doesn't help that people like HRC keep pushing free trade deals with low wage nations and people watch the factories close down that were making refrigerators, everyone looses their jobs, and the same factory pops up in Mexico where the people make 2 dollars a day, and then the poor out of work americans hear some sad story about continuing education and global competitiveness. Our politicians better get it through their sculls that desperate people do desperate things. This voting pattern is not going away until we make life better for our citizens.
8
The Mainstream Press should have been all over Trump' s duplicitous positions on increasing the minimum wage instead of giving him a pass. The same could be said of his xenophobic claims to building a wall to exclude Mexicans and his ban against Muslims entering/exiting the U.S. in short, are they that much different than the German businessmen that supported Der Fuerher when it became apparent they couldn't control him?
20
Campaigning and making ludicrous promises and statements is fun and (relatively) harmless. But running the largest economy in the world, promising to blow things up, violate international law, create havoc by having other foreign leaders fear you, just to name a few things, should disqualify anyone from being considered for the presidency of the United States.
I trust the people of the United States will make the right choice in November.
I trust the people of the United States will make the right choice in November.
21
We've suffered with Obama's delusions of competence for long enough.
7
then youre all ready for 4/8 yrs of trumps incompetence
usa, # 1
usa, # 1
32
A. Grundman,
Pres. Obama saved the US auto industry, oversaw the economic recovery from financial ruin perpetrated by a Republican administration, extended health care, reduced the deficit, reduced government expenditures, deported more illegal aliens than any other president, passed financial industry regulation, contended with a blindly stupid and obstructionist Republican congress, improved our standing in the world, reduced the threat of nuclear weapons in Iran, and can speak intelligently and reliably about American policy and about the real issues that confront us.
Yes, he didn't go far enough, although that is primarily because there was so much mindless opposition in the Republican party to anything that might improve the U.S., if it put a good light on our President. Obama is the most competent and successful president we've had since FDR.
Compare his steadiness to a Trump. Trump's words are meaningless, his views change every day (sometimes in the same sentence!), he's a showman and a con man, he relies on bullying and his boasting is a pure national embarrassment, he made money by bilking others and defaulting on his obligations, and he has no idea whatsoever about economic issues and even less about foreign affairs. If only we could elect Pres. Obama to a third term!
Pres. Obama saved the US auto industry, oversaw the economic recovery from financial ruin perpetrated by a Republican administration, extended health care, reduced the deficit, reduced government expenditures, deported more illegal aliens than any other president, passed financial industry regulation, contended with a blindly stupid and obstructionist Republican congress, improved our standing in the world, reduced the threat of nuclear weapons in Iran, and can speak intelligently and reliably about American policy and about the real issues that confront us.
Yes, he didn't go far enough, although that is primarily because there was so much mindless opposition in the Republican party to anything that might improve the U.S., if it put a good light on our President. Obama is the most competent and successful president we've had since FDR.
Compare his steadiness to a Trump. Trump's words are meaningless, his views change every day (sometimes in the same sentence!), he's a showman and a con man, he relies on bullying and his boasting is a pure national embarrassment, he made money by bilking others and defaulting on his obligations, and he has no idea whatsoever about economic issues and even less about foreign affairs. If only we could elect Pres. Obama to a third term!
21
A Palin voter who can't stop hating. Sad.
7
Paul,
I followed the link to the data underpinning Clinton's claim, and yours here, that the economy does better under Democrat Presidents.
"100% true".
However, the authors of the study also point out a fairly important point:
"But our empirical analysis does not attribute any of the partisan growth gap to fiscal or monetary policy."
In fact, they note that good luck appears to have played a role.
So, although it is a fact that the economy fares better under Democrat Presidents, the underlying reason for that appears not to be the management of the economy (in their study).
Personally? I think (believe) (but have no data outside of what is reported at the link) that Republicans are a complete disaster at managing the economy starting with Herbert Hoover and going through George "W".
I followed the link to the data underpinning Clinton's claim, and yours here, that the economy does better under Democrat Presidents.
"100% true".
However, the authors of the study also point out a fairly important point:
"But our empirical analysis does not attribute any of the partisan growth gap to fiscal or monetary policy."
In fact, they note that good luck appears to have played a role.
So, although it is a fact that the economy fares better under Democrat Presidents, the underlying reason for that appears not to be the management of the economy (in their study).
Personally? I think (believe) (but have no data outside of what is reported at the link) that Republicans are a complete disaster at managing the economy starting with Herbert Hoover and going through George "W".
7
I have had numerous differences of opinion with President Obama over the years, especially over the hideous Iran deal, but watching him on the television yesterday, I couldn’t help thinking that the man speaks in grammatically correct American English sentences and paragraphs that, however purposefully inaccurate and misleading they may be at times, actually transmit his ideas and thoughts to the American people in a generally coherent fashion.
Now comes Trump with his policy proposals that are not policy proposals; his bombast; his epithets; his non-sequiturs; his deliberate lies; his slurring of women and minorities; his empty slogans; his stupid braggadocio; his preposterous boasts of having formed fast friendships with members of every minority group on earth with the possible exception of Eskimos and Bushmen; his pathetic claims of loving everyone and being loved by them; his ridiculous posturing as an exceptional patriot and great man of business; and his baseball hat that has a fortune cookie slogan printed on it.
Why is it that the Founding Fathers never thought to include a provision in the Constitution mandating Presidents of the United States to be capable of writing and speaking simple American English at levels understandable to ordinary people
over the age of 14 and bearing reasonable approximations to the truth?
Yes, I know they couldn’t foresee Mr. Trump, but they needed to.
Now comes Trump with his policy proposals that are not policy proposals; his bombast; his epithets; his non-sequiturs; his deliberate lies; his slurring of women and minorities; his empty slogans; his stupid braggadocio; his preposterous boasts of having formed fast friendships with members of every minority group on earth with the possible exception of Eskimos and Bushmen; his pathetic claims of loving everyone and being loved by them; his ridiculous posturing as an exceptional patriot and great man of business; and his baseball hat that has a fortune cookie slogan printed on it.
Why is it that the Founding Fathers never thought to include a provision in the Constitution mandating Presidents of the United States to be capable of writing and speaking simple American English at levels understandable to ordinary people
over the age of 14 and bearing reasonable approximations to the truth?
Yes, I know they couldn’t foresee Mr. Trump, but they needed to.
35
the founding fathers did everything they needed to do except for abolishing slavery...... which like many things we still face was just a mountain too high.
we the people are the ones who have failed..... trump is doing well because he realized he could get more votes by acting in his own reality television show.
by the way? you will miss more than his grammar.
we the people are the ones who have failed..... trump is doing well because he realized he could get more votes by acting in his own reality television show.
by the way? you will miss more than his grammar.
How about Paris Hilton? Don't her inherited wealth, reality show ratings and sexual prowess rival Trump's? Why aren't we considering her for president, or maybe as Trump's VP...
24
When I told my friends supporting the evil Trump that Paul Krugman had doubts, they all quickly changed their support to Hedge Fund Hillary, and wrote impressive checks to the Clinton Foundation.
7
At least with Clinton, they can do some due diligence. Her full tax returns, back ro 1977, are available to the public on-line, as are the financial information and activities of the Clinton Foundation.
It was very kind of your friends to contribute to improving the lives of the disadvantaged in many countries. However, if your friends intended to support Clinton's election, they should write checks to her campaign, which is financed and run entirely separately from the Foundation. Warn them not to expect any personal favors In either case. They satisfaction of knowing they refused to help an ignorant, narcissistic con-man become President will have to suffice them.
I thought Mittens was the hedge fund candidate. Hated him, did you?
It was very kind of your friends to contribute to improving the lives of the disadvantaged in many countries. However, if your friends intended to support Clinton's election, they should write checks to her campaign, which is financed and run entirely separately from the Foundation. Warn them not to expect any personal favors In either case. They satisfaction of knowing they refused to help an ignorant, narcissistic con-man become President will have to suffice them.
I thought Mittens was the hedge fund candidate. Hated him, did you?
10
I doubt Trump would get much attention if he was not facing Hillary Clinton. She seems to have a few competency issues of her own.
5
One of them most interesting things we discovered recently is Donald Trump had a failed modeling agency. Think about that DONALD TRUMP HAD A MODELING AGENCY! Like most of his businesses it failed. I cant even...I cant.
42
"independent estimates suggest he's much less wealthy than he says he is..."
Mr. Trump leads a grand lifestyle, no question, but his habits of braggadocio and self-promotion indicate that he is highly leveraged, with a far smaller net worth than he projects.
Consider his Mar a Lago estate in Palm Beach: he converts it into a private club and hotel, while reserving a section of it as his "private quarters". He does this to reduce the expenses of ownership of the place. I rather doubt a true multi-billionaire would behave in such a manner.
Trump may not be in danger of flying commercial anytime soon, but the incessant bellowing about his extreme wealth rings as hollow as most of his inanities----if one cares to honestly examine them.
Mr. Trump leads a grand lifestyle, no question, but his habits of braggadocio and self-promotion indicate that he is highly leveraged, with a far smaller net worth than he projects.
Consider his Mar a Lago estate in Palm Beach: he converts it into a private club and hotel, while reserving a section of it as his "private quarters". He does this to reduce the expenses of ownership of the place. I rather doubt a true multi-billionaire would behave in such a manner.
Trump may not be in danger of flying commercial anytime soon, but the incessant bellowing about his extreme wealth rings as hollow as most of his inanities----if one cares to honestly examine them.
50
Trump's behavior is quite touching, in a way... he's another version the genteel but impoverished widow in many New England's small towns, the one who moved to the servants' quarters of her grand Victorian mansion because the only way she could afford to live there was to run a rooming house.
While behaving, of course, as if she were still rich, important, and powerful...
While behaving, of course, as if she were still rich, important, and powerful...
1
Lawrence O'Donnell once commented that if Trump were as wealthy as he claimed from his business and investments, he would not be working for a paycheck as a reality show host. Msde sense to me
3
Paul,
Excellent article and thanks for stating and posting data showing the economy doing better under Democrats relative to Republicans. This data is critical, although, many Republicans, religious in their fervor for the party, will not "believe" it because it is not consistent with their "beliefs".
No, none of the people who elected George W. Bush will look at Trump critically. I don't need to remind you: That's a lot of people. Enough to win.
We have data (year 2000 and 2004 elections) supporting the fact that low performing, low achieving, low intelligence, ignorant, arrogant, white men who went to private school on the East Coast, and were born wealthy, are not viewed critically by the electorate.
I recommend the NY Times, currently making a pretty good effort to outline Trump's limitations, (with the possible exception of Maureen Dowd), take a step back and assume Trump will be elected based on past data from "W"'s election.
"W" was our first fantastically incompetent man placed as President. His sponsorship of the collapse of the world economy and his lies, deceit, and incompetence around the Iraq invasion are now famous.
Paul, you better get used to spectacularly incompetent, wealthy, arrogant, white men, with no record of achievement, heading up the Republican ticket.
Trump is not the first.
Excellent article and thanks for stating and posting data showing the economy doing better under Democrats relative to Republicans. This data is critical, although, many Republicans, religious in their fervor for the party, will not "believe" it because it is not consistent with their "beliefs".
No, none of the people who elected George W. Bush will look at Trump critically. I don't need to remind you: That's a lot of people. Enough to win.
We have data (year 2000 and 2004 elections) supporting the fact that low performing, low achieving, low intelligence, ignorant, arrogant, white men who went to private school on the East Coast, and were born wealthy, are not viewed critically by the electorate.
I recommend the NY Times, currently making a pretty good effort to outline Trump's limitations, (with the possible exception of Maureen Dowd), take a step back and assume Trump will be elected based on past data from "W"'s election.
"W" was our first fantastically incompetent man placed as President. His sponsorship of the collapse of the world economy and his lies, deceit, and incompetence around the Iraq invasion are now famous.
Paul, you better get used to spectacularly incompetent, wealthy, arrogant, white men, with no record of achievement, heading up the Republican ticket.
Trump is not the first.
38
If Trump wins, I'm moving to Russia. At least there someone with intelligence, experience and maturity is running the country. I'll have a much better life there than here.
2
That, Professor Krugman is the Operative Question! Don Juan Trump is a Megalomaniacal, Sociopathic, vile and disgusting male chauvinist, DELUSIONAL "operator" - a walking Case Study in Psychopathology.
The man is normalizing nastiness. He is Trolling for the presidency. And every step of his sordid campaign is one more nail in this Republic's coffin. His Exaltation of Ignorance and Bullying is the stuff of Dictators.
But why is this so clear to many of us, while legions of voters seem thrilled at his dangerous words and antics?
I suspect it's a kind of Mass Delusion, a type of mass hypnosis, where a tyrannical bullying lunatic has managed to transfer his own Madness into vulnerable members of society.
To my mind, as a retired clinical psychologist, this is the greatest crisis in the history of this nation. It's like a 10-Alarm Fire. It's 9/11 from Within. We are poised on a precipice. From which, if voters do not wake up to the Urgency of our moment, we may witness a Delusional Sociopathic death wish become a presidential nightmare.