Who Believes in the American People?

The GOP Governor from Minnesota, who believes that he should by our next president, displays the style of deception that should endear him to many in the GOP base. He claims (via Krugman) that Obama does not believe in the American people because he does not believe the Governor can grow the American economy at 5%. He claims that Obama's "centralized" (read socialist) government has not grown the economy at 5% but that his "decentralized" plan can get the job done.

The Minnesota Governor believes in the American people and in it's ability to get the job done with his leadership. Perhaps he actually believes in the ability of the American people to believe the lies that flow from the far right. They believe almost any lie when it is couched in terms of American Exceptionalism.

For the segment of Americans who prefer facts rather than flattery, this graph shows GDP growth in the US by decade. With the exception of the rapid growth from the depths of the Great Depression, (its easier to grow fast from a low base), the US has never had a 5% growth rate. Moreover, the Reagan years in which Keynesian economics was used to stimulate the economy, (cut taxes and increase spending) did not achieve the magic 5% number either. The only other periods that stand out are the 60's with a high growth rate (led by drugs, sex and war protests), and the low growth rate in the last decade.

Implicit in the governor's analysis of the economy is the assumption that government structure is responsible for our extended downturn. This is consistent with the GOP talking point that attributes slow growth to negative business reaction to Obama's policies. They believe in the same "confidence fairy" that is supposed to restore growth when conservatives are restored to power. The confidence fairy is replacing Santa Claus as the giver of gifts to the true believers.