Karl Frisch says ...

8 Words of Wisdom for 2/10/2009 #5

The strengthening of the social safety net during the 1930s stimulated the economy while also providing assistance to those waiting to feel the economic recovery for themselves. That's perhaps why Fox News' Bill O'Reilly saw fit to lambast portions of the president's plan aimed at assisting those most in need during these difficult times, claiming last week on his television show that increased funding for programs like food stamps has "nothing to do with stimulating the economy." Though his ego will never let him admit it, O'Reilly is dead wrong.

- Karl Frisch in an op-ed on the New Deal. (Read the entire piece. It's an excellent history lesson.)

This goes to an important point about the stimulus package. The programs that are designed to assist those most in need DO help the economy. They allow people to purchase goods, which allows companies to make money, which allows companies to keep employees and hire new ones, which enables more people to purchase goods, and on and on and on.

Those that refuse to learn from history are stupid. Those that lie about history to advance their own agenda are dangerous.