Kelton responds to the Progressive Caucus Co-chair

Maddening! The Clinton surpluses were driven by the dot.com bubble and unsustainable private sector deficits. When the bubble burts, stocks crashed, the economy went into recession, and the surplus quickly reversed itself. It was only AFTER the government’s budget moved sharply into deficit that the private sector was able to get out of the red. All of this would happened even without 9/11, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the subprime crisis, etc. We cannot keep relying on asset bubbles (stocks, housing, whatever) to drive economic growth.

The simple fact is this: A GOVERNMENT SURPLUS IMPLIES A DEFICIT IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR. And the private sector, unlike the public sector, cannot survive when it’s running a deficit. Anyone who does not recognize this simple fact (intuitively or empirically) should not offer commentary on matters of such significance.

Government Deficits allow the private sector to net save financial assets. Balance the budget, and the private sector loses financial assets. Run a government surplus, and you drive the private sector into deficit.

Someone in Washington better figure this out pretty damn quick, or our children and grandchildren are going to be burdened like never before.

The Ph.D. Economists who blog here understand:

This Is Our Moment

By Rep. Keith Ellison

July 28 — America has an historic opportunity. We have the chance to address our budget deficit in a manner not seen since President Bill Clinton created a budget surplus in 1999. And if we do it right, we could pave the way for a vibrant American economy based not on gimmicks like giveaways for special interests, but on job creation for working Americans. As co-chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, I urge us to avoid a default on the faith and credit of the United States while protecting Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security.

At every step of the way, Republicans in Washington have blocked a fair plan. The American people are demanding that our government resolves deficits while maintaining our promises to the middle class. Yet, an uncompromising political faction is stonewalling and ignoring the clarion call of this historic moment.

The Congressional Progressive Caucus stands with the American people. Long before Republicans took our economy hostage, we introduced the People’s Budget, the most fiscally responsible deficit plan introduced this year. The People’s Budget would eliminate the deficit in 10 years. Economists across the political spectrum have called it courageous and responsible. Introducing this budget was one of my proudest moments as a Member of Congress, because it shows the power of Progressive policies and values. Creating an economy that reduces deficits and creates jobs is a progressive value, not just a slogan as it is for the Tea Party.

As the People’s Budget has proposed, and the president has affirmed, our solution must reflect the same values that have motivated us historically. We believe in a fiscally healthy America because it leads to an economically healthy America. A balanced budget is critical precisely because it allows us to maintain the services that the middle class depends on. Any deficit deal that takes money away from seniors and American workers who rely on Social Security, Medicare, or Medicaid undermines the original goal of deficit reduction. Any deficit deal that cuts food stamps but pampers the wealthy is not only bad for the most vulnerable Americans, but damages our fiscal health.

Progressive economic policies lead to a sustainable economy. Americans understand this and history confirms it. Progressive policies implemented since the early 1900s launched America into the modern age and created a vibrant, middle class. Yet, for 10 years, Republicans have given more money to special interests, while the middle class has footed the bill. They passed the biggest tax cut ever for millionaires and billionaires, without paying for a dime of it. They passed a giveaway to the pharmaceutical lobbyists that will cost $1 trillion over 10 years. And it was George W. Bush, not President Obama, who ran roughshod into two unfunded wars, which alone are estimated to have cost us $4 trillion, more than 20% of the deficit.

The stakes are too high now. Republicans have taken us to the brink of default, and it is already hurting our economy. If we do default, the pain our middle class feels would be even worse. Retirement investments would be threatened by plummeting stock prices; higher interest rates would make it more expensive for Americans to pay off credit bills; and the unemployment rate would skyrocket in the face of decreased consumer spending. House Speaker John Boehner’s proposal is less a good-faith effort to avoid a default than an appeal to a narrow sliver of his political base. As Robert Greenstein, president of the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities wrote yesterday, “[Boehner’s plan] could well produce the greatest increase in poverty and hardship produced by any law in modern US history.” Most worrisome of all, it wastes our opportunity for a long-term solution and stalls progress for another six months. Credit agencies have already hinted Boehner’s plan would not convince them that America is able to pay its bills.

Progressives know this is America’s moment to lead. The deadline is upon us – but so is the opportunity.

UMKC Honor Roll: MMT/PH.D Graduate Students

A very special thanks to all of you who help support our grad students.

As you can see from the attached list, many are now out spreading the word at the university level.

Also, Jim is still open to donations to the UMKC Ph.D program.

Hi Warren

I hope this finds you well.


I confess to exasperation with the economic nonsense about debt and deficits—and much else. I don’t know if its mendacity or stupidity—both perhaps. Those in office who know better, or should, are not stepping up and the steam roller moves on.

On a brighter note our department is a joy. The faculty are busy and doing good things and our students are the best ever. We now have 52 Ph.D. students, the largest program in the region, and have admitted several for next year. The masters program has 84 students, an all time high. The best master’s students often apply for the Ph.D. The faculty and students in our department have invested a great deal to build what we consider a highly successful program. I have attached a list of our Ph.D. graduates. You can see from the list they are doing well. Many are teaching and helping spread the ideas they learned at UMKC. They also send us students so we have a positive feedback going. With your support and intellectual commitment our department occupies an important spot in economics education.

Also I wanted you to know that 2011-12 will be my last year as chair. I am going to teach more and try to finish several papers and a book that have languished too long.

Warmest regards
Jim

Ph.D Grads

Willadee Waymeyer – Mid America Nazerene University
Jennifer Golec
Lana Ellis
Zarniah Hamid – University of Malayasia
Zohrah Nikina – University of California-Berkeley
Mutaz Nabulsi – Sprint Corporation
Nickolas Pologeorgous
Jason White – Northwest Missouri State University
Kurt Kruger – John Ward Associates
Doug Bowles – University of Missouri-Kansas City
Myles Gartland – Rockhurst University
Linwood Tauheed – University of Missouri-Kansas City
John Jumara – Park University
Robert Scott – Monmouth State
Jairo Parada – Colombia Federal University
Joelle Leclaire – Buffalo State University
Eric Tymoigne – Lewis and Clark College
Fadell Kaboub – Denison College
Robert Spalding – U.S. Air Force
Zadravka Todorova – Wright State University
Doug Meador – St. Francis University
Yan Liang – Willamette University
Ta He Jo – Buffalo State University
Linda Hauner – Commerce bank
David Harris – Benedictine College
Pavlina Tcherneva – Franklin & Marshall College
Michael Murray – Central College, Iowa
Jeremy O’Connor – Rockhurst University
Felipe Rezende – Hobart & William Smith
Flavia Dantes – Cortland College, New York