tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5404820640426099135.post7409854090855170795..comments2023-10-31T00:46:35.316+13:00Comments on Anti-Dismal: Do we get the economic policy we deserve?Paul Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13731003529546075700noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5404820640426099135.post-50266892780712093572012-10-21T23:06:24.396+13:002012-10-21T23:06:24.396+13:00A complicating factor is that economic policies ar...A complicating factor is that economic policies are received through the lens of the MSM. I am not sure whether the MSM has a real left wing bias (a distinct possibility) or that the style pursued by the MSM, with a focus on "human interest" rather than general welfare, supports policies which are generally ruinous but simplistically help those subjects of the human interest stories. Thus politiciams can be very stupid, in public if not in private. <br /><br />JeffWAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5404820640426099135.post-36005774324856348902012-10-21T18:26:54.530+13:002012-10-21T18:26:54.530+13:00Frankly, I have argued with Cunliffe on Red Alert,...Frankly, I have argued with Cunliffe on Red Alert, a reasonably decent debate a couple of years ago, before I got a life time ban for arguing with Mallard over their moderation policy, and - albeit I'm not an economist - in some cases, at least, I'm not prepared to go beyond, quote: "Assuming that the politicians concerned are not completely stupid." I really don't think many are that bright. (Further proof, read them on Twitter - it's frightening).Mark Hubbardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02541153163041831880noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5404820640426099135.post-22410566515927065072012-10-21T18:23:58.723+13:002012-10-21T18:23:58.723+13:00This comment has been removed by the author.Mark Hubbardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02541153163041831880noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5404820640426099135.post-31401078870710950082012-10-21T15:35:21.848+13:002012-10-21T15:35:21.848+13:00Without going into a lot of deep thought late on S...Without going into a lot of deep thought late on Saturday evening (in central North America), these are excellent questions. Economic bloggers, me included, often seem to take for granted that their targeted policies are idiotic and the politicians supporting them are idiots. The policies may well be, but the politicians in question have excelled in public arenas in which many economic bloggers would fail (if they dared to try), so the politicians must have some skills. <br /><br />Is "public choice" the full explanation? That is the say, does the net present return of policy choices to politicians explain everything?M Gibersonhttp://www.knowledgeproblem.comnoreply@blogger.com