Emil, an on-point piece with very entertaining spin.

In this election year, the economic malaise of the last decade is not lost in the gut feel of the electorate.

Their sense of discontent has led to the rise to prominence of the unabashed welfare-statists on the left. Not since George McGovern have the standard-bearers for the left been this, well, left. If economic security isn't to be had by working, then let government provide!

On the other hand, the same sense of discontent has given rise to a "drain-the-swamp" rejection of the status quo. If the economy isn't great, then government, taxes, regulation, unchecked immigration, and the courts must be at fault. I keep working hard, but can't get ahead; get government out of my way!

Unfortunately, the electorate (just like Carter) doesn't know what to do to change the trajectory of the economy. If I remember my Animal House correctly, doesn't Bluto end up being elected US Senator?

With Bluto in charge, is it any wonder that cheerleading for 2% growth, Fed risk asset pumping, massive federal deficits, and interminable increases in the welfare state continue? Is it realistic to expect anything to really change?