I always had the understanding that the sweeping New Deal policies and work programs of the 1930’s helped the country get out of the Depression. After all, the schools and media have been rolling out this tune for decades. Aren’t they always right?

It hasn’t been until now when I have heard serious debate that maybe Franklin Roosevelt’s game plan might have hurt, more than helped us. Radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh has brought this up, saying that Roosevelt’s policies actually postponed the economic recovery for seven years. Whoops

I would never criticize Roosevelt so glibly if my mother were still alive, since she and her family had the greatest respect for this four-time president. But I think the issue deserves discussion. I’m not an economist, but if the government can help the nation by controlling some business, why not reap greater benefit and have it control all businesses? However, this plan didn’t work for Soviet Russia, which suffered from 80 years of a bad economy (Except that their military was well run - they were good at that).

When it comes to Obama’s economic stimulus plans, what kind of wisdom is there in spending large amounts of money for social programs when you just don’t have the funds, and can’t expect to repay the loans anytime soon? I would not be able to get such a loan for myself. The loans would outlast my life, and the banks would laugh at me.

But then the government lives forever, doesn’t it?