Thoughts on the state of the union

[pauldun170]

Originally Posted by goof2

Unemployment numbers did drop, but they still sucked. Breaking through 15% unemployment (a level that would be viewed as catastrophic today) after 8 years of social engineering isn't exactly something to brag about. The fact that 8 years of The New Deal wasn't able to accomplish what WW2 did in 3 years isn't really a strong argument. I don't really get your point.

A 6.7 drop in unemployment over a 4 year period is a significant amount considering the global economic crisis taken place.
Name ANY period where such a drop within such short a time has taken place. The period from 1936 to the recession of 1937 is also an interesting study explaining the numbers leading up to Germany's invasion of Poland and on to our entry into WWII. From then on the huge amount of government spending and ramp up of the armed forces obvious.

I think you are mischaracterizing new deal programs by claiming them to be "social engineering".

What they are today is different than the original intent and scope. It sounds like you've been reading to many articles published by political think tanks.