Thoughts and Questions for those posting

1. How is the health care reform bill passed on March 21. 2010 an extension of New Deal policies? How would Franklin Roosevelt have felt about this program?

2. During the Great Depression, those on the right said that the programs were too broad, invited too much government intervention into the economy, and requires taxes that actually restricted economic growth. Those on the left claimed that the programs did not extend far enough, benefited some groups at the cost of others, and failed to redistribute wealth. Which critics were correct and why?

3. Who benefited the most from New Deal policies? Who was left out of New Deal Reforms?

4. What was Eleanor Roosevelt's role in the New Deal?

5. If you had to come up with a three pronged approach to the current recession, what types of programs would you institute in order to achieve relief, recovery, and reform?

6. Did Congress or President Roosevelt act unconstitutionally in their law making process when they constructed the New Deal? Did the imminent economic crisis make this type of activity necessary and proper?

Questions for 3/10

1. What social effects arise out of bad economic conditions? Which of these are good and which are bad? What can the government or private organizations do to alleviate some of these effects?

2. In an economic crisis, should people seek help from the government, private industry, or charitable organizations? Why? If the government has a responsibility to interfere in the economy, is it the responsibility of the state or national government? WHy?

3. Can the government and/or the federal reserve prevent economic disaster? If so, why haven't they gotten it right so far?

4. Who is to blame for the Great Depression? Why?

Blogs for the Week of February 22

1. What were the main causes of the Great Depression? How are these causes similar to or different from the causes of our most recent economic downturn?

2. Who is responsible for the Great Depression? What role was played by banks, corporations, consumers, farmers, the federal reserve bank, and the federal government? Who is responsible for the most current economic downturn? Why?

3. What responsibility does the federal government have in regulating the economy and preventing economic disaster? Is federal regulation of the economy good or bad overall?

4. A great man (Dr. Jim Butkewicz) once said that some people argue that the Fed makes the "booms boomier and the busts bustier....." DO you believe this to be true? Why or why not?

5. Can we blame the President of the United States for poor economic performance? Can we give the president credit when the economy performs well?