What? Thomas Sowell is an economist. If one were to use the wisdom of economics to justify diplomatic actions, I submit the following.

Besides the deceitful actions leading to an unjust war in Iraq, the Bush administration compounded our nation’s troubles by ignoring rampant signs of a declining economy sending the U.S. into a deep recession and, reacting impulsively, constructed a massive stimulus package that bailed out personally “connected” organizations such as AIG and Lehman Brothers.

Upon taking office, Obama had a horrendous task in front of him — unraveling eight years of failed presidential policy. I do see a diplomatic political strategy in continuing the bailouts of Wall Street and our national banking system that Bush so carelessly set into motion. Obama respectfully kept the momentum of the last-ditch effort of a desperate administration trying to save face. All else that follows is upon Obama’s shoulders.

The “Cash for Clunkers” program and the $8,000 tax incentive for new home purchases are obviously well thought out and well constructed programs that ultimately gave our economy the boost it so clearly needed. Furthermore, Obama has a message of realism after the fact — we need to continue to pursue creative and innovative methods in order to improve our economic situation. We have not cleared the economic hurdle just yet.

Hope in Obama is what we have at this moment. Benefit of the doubt is what Obama deserves because of what he has done despite what he has been given. Worldly diplomatic actions are exactly what he should be taking, instead of deceit, violent threats and actions of the previous administration.

Dave Tarzon