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Point-Counterpoint: Is Obama's fiscal policy harming U.S. image abroad?
Ian Bezek and Seth Stern
Issue date: 3/30/09 Section: Opinion
Fiscal policy has positive effect
By Ian Bezek
While I, a libertarian, disagree with President Obama's move away from the market-based economy, it is clear that his policies have started to repair our badly damaged reputation regarding finances.
The most striking change has been our renewed cooperation with international economic decision-makers.
Our rapid move to the left has pulled us closer in both policy and ideology to the governments of Europe and Japan - our key economic partners.
The Bush administration had notable skill in alienating foreigners; one minute Bush would demand free trade agreements and the next moment he'd be embargoing foreign steel.
Instead of unilateral decisions, Obama has tried to find a consensus with other policy-makers about trying to find a global solution to this economic imbroglio.
While the crisis may have started here, our sneeze has caused pneumonia around the world.
Bad domestic economic decisions caused the bankruptcy of Iceland and the collapse of international banking systems and so it is laudable that Obama, unlike Bush, has engaged the world to fix our mess.
That said, as government usually can't efficiently solve economic problems, Obama's efforts will probably fail.
However, for the sake of diplomacy, it is still good that he is trying and America has seen the benefits.
The dollar is rapidly gaining value against foreign currencies and foreigners are actively investing in the U.S. because it is perceived as a relatively safe harbor.
The national debt is a gigantic problem, but for now, Obama's policies are restoring foreign trust in America's economy.
Fiscal policy has negative effect
By Seth Stern
Based on the comments and statements made by a number of European leaders, we can conclusively say that President Obama's fiscal policies have negatively affected the image of the U.S. in some major European nations.
By Ian Bezek
While I, a libertarian, disagree with President Obama's move away from the market-based economy, it is clear that his policies have started to repair our badly damaged reputation regarding finances.
The most striking change has been our renewed cooperation with international economic decision-makers.
Our rapid move to the left has pulled us closer in both policy and ideology to the governments of Europe and Japan - our key economic partners.
The Bush administration had notable skill in alienating foreigners; one minute Bush would demand free trade agreements and the next moment he'd be embargoing foreign steel.
Instead of unilateral decisions, Obama has tried to find a consensus with other policy-makers about trying to find a global solution to this economic imbroglio.
While the crisis may have started here, our sneeze has caused pneumonia around the world.
Bad domestic economic decisions caused the bankruptcy of Iceland and the collapse of international banking systems and so it is laudable that Obama, unlike Bush, has engaged the world to fix our mess.
That said, as government usually can't efficiently solve economic problems, Obama's efforts will probably fail.
However, for the sake of diplomacy, it is still good that he is trying and America has seen the benefits.
The dollar is rapidly gaining value against foreign currencies and foreigners are actively investing in the U.S. because it is perceived as a relatively safe harbor.
The national debt is a gigantic problem, but for now, Obama's policies are restoring foreign trust in America's economy.
Fiscal policy has negative effect
By Seth Stern
Based on the comments and statements made by a number of European leaders, we can conclusively say that President Obama's fiscal policies have negatively affected the image of the U.S. in some major European nations.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
jimmy
posted 3/30/09 @ 7:25 AM MST
"Based on the comments and statements made by a NUMBER of European leaders, we can CONCLUSIVELY say that President Obama's fiscal policies have negatively affected the image of the U. (Continued…)
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