The Case for Bigger Government

Economic recovery will require a massive expansion of public spending. Here's how to pay for it

Jim Mone / AP

President-elect Obama has said that he will run a deficit of $1 trillion to make a meaningful difference in this ugly recession.

Thirty years ago, Americans were told that government was part of the problem, not the solution. We bet on the magic of the marketplace, but the magic proved illusory. Every major part of the economy — health care, energy, transportation, food and finance — is deeply troubled. Now we are ready to invite government back in to help solve our problems, if the price is right and the strategies are convincing. By spending more through government and treating government as a partner rather than an enemy of the private sector, we can potentially save vast sums in the long run through...

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