One year later–Has the vision recession ended?
One year ago in an article called “Ending the vision recession“ I wrote:
“The impending economic recession is consuming our attention, time and headlines. What is being ignored is one of its greatest contributing factors—the 7-year “vision recession.” This serious downturn in innovative thinking, strategic planning, forethought and progressive leadership has left this country searching for a direction other than down.”
“…bold new thinking will need to come from economic leadership, both private and public, who must think out-of-the-box in order to address serious issues at hand. Instead of rehashing old policies, they must work together to find new solutions to build a solid future. Only then will we be able to take off the crutches, start rehab, and begin walking confidently again.
Short of that I’m afraid we are in for a serious downturn.”
Well the good news is that the Vision Recession is ending. Bold new thinking arrived January 21, 2009. President Obama has a vision for the future. Which is a very refreshing change. Faced with a daunting economic crisis, the President has already moved boldly on that front. But he is also laying out a bold agenda for tackling health care, education, and renewable energy just to name a few. Clearly he sees how these issues are intertwined with the economy. His health care reform plans will cut costs saving billions of dollars; his renewable energy plans will finally put us on the road to energy independence while improving energy security and creating millions of new jobs.
Unfortunately there are opponents to his vision (proponents to the status quo; aka “conservatives”). However still being stuck in a vision recession, the Republicans are offering no plans of their own except for the budget. And while it was thin on specifics, it included one major policy proposal— guess what?—a huge tax cut for the wealthy. Under the Republican plan, the top marginal tax rate would be slashed from 35 to 25 percent, facilitating a dramatic transfer of wealth up the economic scale. Anyone making more than a $100,000 would pay the top rate; those under would pay 10 percent. Other than the tax proposal, the plan was absent any details.
Unfortunately the Republicans failed to read this blog last year when I said: “Instead of rehashing old policies, they must work together to find new solutions to build a solid future.”
