“studies and credible economists all agree” “economists all” don’t agree on anything, and “credible” is merely in the eye of the beholder. You can find a study somewhere to support any possible position you want to take and one equally ardent for the opposite view.
“.. would unleash the economic giant” Naked opinions from citizens with no apparent qualifications in the field don’t carry any argumentative weight, especially with no data or authority presented to support the argument. They are merely the voices of voters for whatever that is worth to the Member.
A blog can have a loose standard (as low as the mere opinion of the author) if the game is to be the shrillest shouter. But I would think that a letter to a Member of Congress whom you hope to influence would demand a higher standard wherein credibility is earned by competent argument. If you have recognizable credentials – a Nobel prize or a PhD or a tenured university appointment in economics – your opinion carries an inherent credibility. If you do not have such credentials, you have the burden of proof to support your arguments.
On the other hand, if you were to list the probable effects of the proposed stimulus on your software company’s employment or economics, you might get some attention as knowledgeable. For example: “My company is likely to have to reduce employment by 15% which, when multiplied across the vast number of such small companies in Utah, would cost Utah something like 200,000 lost jobs in small companies which are recognized by the SBA and other experts in innovation as a potent generator of new jobs.”
January 29th, 2009 at 6:41 pm
“studies and credible economists all agree” “economists all” don’t agree on anything, and “credible” is merely in the eye of the beholder. You can find a study somewhere to support any possible position you want to take and one equally ardent for the opposite view.
“.. would unleash the economic giant” Naked opinions from citizens with no apparent qualifications in the field don’t carry any argumentative weight, especially with no data or authority presented to support the argument. They are merely the voices of voters for whatever that is worth to the Member.
January 29th, 2009 at 6:45 pm
What do you want some economic treatise with footnotes and months of research. This is a blog.
January 29th, 2009 at 8:55 pm
A blog can have a loose standard (as low as the mere opinion of the author) if the game is to be the shrillest shouter. But I would think that a letter to a Member of Congress whom you hope to influence would demand a higher standard wherein credibility is earned by competent argument. If you have recognizable credentials – a Nobel prize or a PhD or a tenured university appointment in economics – your opinion carries an inherent credibility. If you do not have such credentials, you have the burden of proof to support your arguments.
On the other hand, if you were to list the probable effects of the proposed stimulus on your software company’s employment or economics, you might get some attention as knowledgeable. For example: “My company is likely to have to reduce employment by 15% which, when multiplied across the vast number of such small companies in Utah, would cost Utah something like 200,000 lost jobs in small companies which are recognized by the SBA and other experts in innovation as a potent generator of new jobs.”
January 29th, 2009 at 9:39 pm
I don’t think he cares about what I say unless a check accompanies it.