Comments on: Debate 2008 and the Economy http://noisyastronomer.com/2008/10/02/debate-2008-and-the-economy/ Thu, 17 May 2012 00:39:20 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: tribolumen http://noisyastronomer.com/2008/10/02/debate-2008-and-the-economy/#comment-96 tribolumen Fri, 03 Oct 2008 00:07:00 +0000 http://astronoise.wordpress.com/2008/10/02/debate-2008-and-the-economy/#comment-96 I suspect any bailout that will help prop up the economy will also benefit some of the people involved in messing it up in the first place. The two outcomes probably can't be completely separated.<br/><br/>In that case the question becomes: is the economy hosed up enough that it's worth intervening even if that means some of the schmucks responsible will come out ahead?<br/><br/>Then there's the longer term question: was this financial speed bump a random event, or is there a systemic problem with the way the economy is being managed? I'm leaning towards choice number two, myself, which means no bailout is going to do more than delay the problem unless it's coupled with some long-term reforms. I suspect any bailout that will help prop up the economy will also benefit some of the people involved in messing it up in the first place. The two outcomes probably can’t be completely separated.

In that case the question becomes: is the economy hosed up enough that it’s worth intervening even if that means some of the schmucks responsible will come out ahead?

Then there’s the longer term question: was this financial speed bump a random event, or is there a systemic problem with the way the economy is being managed? I’m leaning towards choice number two, myself, which means no bailout is going to do more than delay the problem unless it’s coupled with some long-term reforms.

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