Comments on: President Obama spends more and cuts the deficit http://johnredwoodsdiary.com/2009/02/25/president-obama-spends-more-and-cuts-the-deficit/ Incisive and topical campaigns and commentary on today's issues and tomorrow's problems Thu, 09 Feb 2012 20:05:58 +0000 hourly 1 By: Nick http://johnredwoodsdiary.com/2009/02/25/president-obama-spends-more-and-cuts-the-deficit/#comment-11795 Nick Wed, 25 Feb 2009 21:51:22 +0000 http://www.johnredwoodsdiary.com/?p=2990#comment-11795 Like the US, our government must cut spending too - we cannot continue living beyond our means (the public are already cutting their spending much to Mr Brown's chagrin). The problem, as I see it, is that the recession will get worse over the next year. At that point with a huge borrowing requirement and less appetite for our debt, the government will be forced to cut whatever it can. At the moment we have the time to choose what to cut to cause the least harm or even to do good: ID cards/database; NHS spine; sell the BBC; leave the EU; FRES; multiple Quangos; Regions and I am sure others. Like the US, our government must cut spending too – we cannot continue living beyond our means (the public are already cutting their spending much to Mr Brown’s chagrin).

The problem, as I see it, is that the recession will get worse over the next year. At that point with a huge borrowing requirement and less appetite for our debt, the government will be forced to cut whatever it can. At the moment we have the time to choose what to cut to cause the least harm or even to do good: ID cards/database; NHS spine; sell the BBC; leave the EU; FRES; multiple Quangos; Regions and I am sure others.

]]> By: mike stallard http://johnredwoodsdiary.com/2009/02/25/president-obama-spends-more-and-cuts-the-deficit/#comment-11794 mike stallard Wed, 25 Feb 2009 21:01:33 +0000 http://www.johnredwoodsdiary.com/?p=2990#comment-11794 Mr Obama is, I believe, a very good, clever and driven person. He also has some excellent, seasoned politicians round him. But, honestly, can any government reform an economy? Can any government ever really cut back? Myself, I just do not think that professional politicians, even those with a strong university background, are capable of either of the above. I do hope I am wrong, however, because, if America sneezes, we all catch a cold. Mr Obama is, I believe, a very good, clever and driven person. He also has some excellent, seasoned politicians round him.
But, honestly, can any government reform an economy?
Can any government ever really cut back?
Myself, I just do not think that professional politicians, even those with a strong university background, are capable of either of the above.
I do hope I am wrong, however, because, if America sneezes, we all catch a cold.

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