Just Sad

Cartoon by Ramirez, 2008

As this humble journal feared, we are in the third year of a four-year train wreck. From February, 2008:

Think the Republicans have made a hash of things? Three words to remind us that those who promise change can make things a lot worse: James Earl Carter.

From July, 2008:

Barack Obama has the thinnest resume of any major candidate for the Presidency during my lifetime. Law professor, community organizer, state senator, and U.S. Senator for less than one term. He's a great speechmaker, but what has he done? To me the bowling episode, minor though it is, exemplifies the risk the country is taking. If I had to choose among Democrats Hillary, Biden, Richardson, Gore, and Obama to be our President, BHO would be dead last.

Nevertheless, it's still a little surprising about how badly it's all turned out. With technology and knowledge advancing at an accelerating pace, advocates of government control over the economy should have done better than the central planners of yester-year.

But it's likely they made things worse. If they had done nothing, the odds are we would be well into a recovery. However, unemployment remains above 9%, housing values continue to fall, and the crashing stock market seems to be foretelling a double-dip recession or at best anemic growth.

The disappointment of the country at large risks being transformed into anger and even contempt. (Witness articles like "Is Obama Smart" in the Wall Street Journal: "I just think the president isn't very bright.")

As for me, I'm just sad.