Hello Richard,   
      
    RW>> One of the strongest arguments I've seen for this was   
    RW>> posited by the economist Robert H. Frank.   
    RW>> Look him up on google or your favorite search engine.   
      
    LL>> Official web site of Robert H. Frank -   
      
    LL>> http://www.robert-h-frank.com/   
      
   RW>YEp, advertised in hsi books.   
      
   He is a very prolific author, both in academic circles and in the   
   popular press.  In addition he is, and has been, a regular contributor   
   to the New York Times.  Many, if not all, of his articles can be found   
   on his web site.   
      
    RW>> I have some real philosophical problems with big government,   
    RW>> but there are just some things that only government can do   
    RW>> effectively, if we force it to actually be accountable and   
    RW>> responsible.  Can it do that, or will it become just another   
    RW>> political football to be kicked around?  IF the later then   
    RW>> the people lose.   
      
    LL>> Well, it is true that Robert H. Frank wrote the book (with   
    LL>> fellow economist Ben S. Bernanke), "Principles of Economics", New   
    LL>> York, McGraw-Hill, 2001 (since translated into several   
    LL>> languages around the world).   
      
    LL>> I take it you know who Ben S. Bernanke is, and why this   
    LL>> outstanding book is regarded as being the basis for Obamanomics.   
      
   RW>Right, I've read a later one of his, but yes aware of who   
   RW>Mr. Bernanke is.   
      
   Both are economists in their own right, but Frank is more gifted   
   with the ability to speak/write in layman's terms.   
      
   Henry George was one of the most popular (widely read) authors in   
   the 19th century, especially in the field of economics, even though   
   he had no formal education.  What is interesting of note is that the   
   foundations of economics remain much the same today as a hundred years   
   ago.  Writing styles have changed.  Technology has changed.  But the   
   dismal science remains exactly what it has always been - the most   
   poorly understood (and misunderstood) branch of science in existence.   
      
   --Lee   
      
   --- MesNews/1.06.00.00-gb   
    * Origin: news://felten.yi.org (2:203/2)