J.C.MacSwell

We kind of got off track... Trump's been impeached for less...(JC making his best attempt to segue back onto the rails...)

That's quite a significant change. The US GDP has grown about 8% in that time, China's by over 20%.

Because in eventually the GDP to debt ratio become too unfavourable. There comes a point where that can be very damaging to the economy. I did specifically refer to Trump, and Sanders as the current leading Democrat. I think a moderate Democrat could do better...if they can find one... I do give Trump credit for recognizing and correcting the degree of imbalance in trade with China, but not for the tax cuts, increase in deficit and much of the environmental deregulations...all of which give a boost to the economy, but much of which is temporary.

Can you not see this is untrue by the graph you provided? It was increasing for the last couple years prior to Trump increasing it further.

Did you make a typo? I know you know the difference between deficit and debt. Or did you miss what I bolded: "Had his policies been continued, trends suggest they would also have shrank the debt"

Nether Clinton, nor Obama, had made promises on the scale of the current Democrat positions on spending. ...and why the same advantage won't be in place next January

I'm saying whoever gets in power next year will be put in a much harder place with regards to the economy than what Trump inherited in 2016. Would you dispute that? I understand the difference. I don't think you understand the limits to that difference.

Link?

My real name is John Keynes Galbraith...

Should be read as: a rude narcissist favouring business over people... that (Trump) can only run an economy by increasing deficit spending, (and increasingly reduced environmental regulations) not over "people that can only run an economy by increasing deficit spending" Has Trump done it any other way?

Tax cuts and deregulations are now factored in, as is greater and greater public deficits (and debt), even compared to the increased GDP. There is a limit to this, not saying the debt needs to be repaid but it does need to be serviced. Where do you get the means for your "investments" and why are you so certain they will pay off? Wealth tax? Doing a better job of them by centralized government guidance? All on top of paying off past expenses (student debt relief etc.) before taking on more? All on top of increasing minimum wage to $15/hr? (read as eliminating all jobs that cannot sustain $15/hr or having government create millions of extra jobs to pay for) "Trump's economy" is unsustainable, and will be even more so next year. Whoever takes over will not have any "easy answers".

That's essentially handwaving a few factors that if done well can have positive effects, and you are counting on government to do it well, without the room for the increased deficit spending. (despite the current increases in GDP, Trump has increased deficit spending even faster) It really isn't. You certainly haven't. The costs are somewhat clear. The returns are far from it. You make the mistake of assuming good intentions and wishful thinking.

100%. Now explain all the Democrats promises based on increased taxing while maintaining the growth...

Yes.

I guess the American voters should be happy with just two choices this Fall...a rude narcissist favouring business over people that can only run an economy by increasing deficit spending, and increasingly reduced environmental regulations...or a well meaning Socialist (Bernie) with lots of promises that has no clue how to run an economy at all. Of course...AOC has an economics degree...I guess she can help Bernie with that.

A pure democracy, uninhibited by a constitution (or equivalent), would allow a tyranny by the majority.

Exactly why some "Socialist Democracies" don't allow anyone to vote for "wrong answers" once they are in power. I guess those are the only "actual" democracies?

They all spoke well (I thought Biden started poorly but he recovered well) . The winner depends on if you buy what they are selling. If I had to pick a winner it would be the Democratic Party. The debate was well moderated, and candidates generally respected each other and weren't talking over and interrupting each other as in past debates...and no overt personal attacks. Much better performance by Warren, attacking other's positions without seeming to attack them personally and getting her points across. I wouldn't say she won but this should help her IMO. I would say Bernie did very well. If you want socialism you have to like how he performed, and was as always forthright in his responses. So if you believe the economy won't sputter while he redistributes goods and services in a fairer manner then he won the debate hands down. How do you pay for Health Care for All? It's already being spent, just not evenly or equitably, while profits are being made. Besides...there are unlimited $15/hr government jobs for everyone...even for those in the health care insurance industry that he will end...to fall back on... Klobuchar might have had her best debate yet. Having moderate positions make it harder respond than when you believe in magic...and she still did very well. For me, outside of Yang, she won the debate. Biden still had centre stage...I wondered how it would look with the same responses in say Pete's position, Pete who is now ahead of him after Iowa. Steyer seemed in command at times, though mostly attacking Trump. Yang spoke well. I wish he would focus even more on the positive secondary economic effects of UBI, his freedom dividend. ("Ask not what your $1000 Freedom Dividend can do for you...ask what the Freedom Dividend X 1,000 can do for your community" JCM circa Feb 2020 ) Buttigieg, as usual, spoke very well but I think he lost out on a chance to appeal to Black voters, currently the achilles heal of his support. He struggled with explaining why Black convictions for marijuana possession went up significantly during his tenure as mayor. He seemed to be taken blindside and answered in a way that I don't think he would have if better prepared for it. Warren was asked if his answer was substantial enough (IIRC), and replied "no" but instead of attacking him further made her own points on systemic racism...I think that looked much better for her, and the damage was already done to Pete by the moderator.

So who gets centre stage tonight? Bernie, or Pete? (the two leaders in the Iowa with 99% now reported) Do they switch if we get updates and the lead changes?

+1 not picking sides, but for the post

Isn't Trump the "primary" target? Seems like the reporting of the Iowa caucus has stalled out at 71%. This is past the point of blaming the faulty app alone.

Where did he say that? And are you suggesting the purposes of higher education, especially with regard to government funding, don't include preparing for careers?

I think we pretty much agree on the principles you outlined, just not to the same degree. Given Biden may be in trouble in his very moderate lane, where do you think that support may end up? I see Buttigieg and Klobuchar, possibly Bloomberg, gaining from it, with a possible multiplier if it comes with perceived "electability". CNN quote: "God, it's good to be in New Hampshire," Biden said as he began his speech in a Girls Inc. gym in Nashua. "You have no idea how happy we were to be headed to New Hampshire and Nashua." JCs Translation: God, it's good to get out of Iowa...

My bad, but you have a (much smaller) typo as well. $1,000/month. 12K/year.

Obviously. Why 3? Why not 4? Why not just 2? It's not the Olympics. Okay...I have to admit that Bronze Medalist Warren did better...but Klobuchar wasn't expected to have 2/3 of her support at this point. Your Benjamins are pretty safe...very doubtful she wins New Hampshire...but few would count her totally out if she improves above 5th...even fewer would consider Iowa to have been fatal. Maybe. But if so Klobuchar's in the passing lane.(Is Biden still driving? Or is he in the back seat having a nap?) Agree. I expect abandonment like rat's off a sinking ship...but I don't think Klobuchar's ship has sailed quite yet. Do I expect her to win? No. But I think she will hang in for a while, especially as Biden slips.