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Most liberal economists seem to think that we need a much bigger stimulus package than the one we passed in February.  However, most liberal economists also seem to think that Barack Obama ought to listen to Paul Volcker more than he does.  So now what do they think?

The U.S. economy is “leveling off at a low level” and doesn’t need a second fiscal stimulus package, said former Federal Reserve Chairman Paul Volcker, one of President Barack Obama’s top economic advisers.

Volcker, head of Obama’s Economic Recovery Advisory Board, said the 6.1 percent decline in first-quarter gross domestic product reported by the government today was “expected.” More recent data show the contraction in housing, business spending and inventories has slowed, and stimulus spending is only just beginning to hit the economy, he said.

That’s from Bloomberg Television’s “Conversations with Judy Woodruff,” which will air this weekend. There was also this about regulatory reform:

Volcker said he and National Economic Council Chairman Lawrence Summers have disagreed about how heavily regulated the financial industry should be.

“We’ve had a little talk about this,” Volcker said. “I’m sure he’ll recognize the wisdom of my views sooner or later.”

That’s a conversation it would be interesting to hear more about, wouldn’t it?

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PLEASE—BEFORE YOU CLICK AWAY!

“Lying.” “Disgusting.” “Scum.” “Slime.” “Corrupt.” “Enemy of the people.” Donald Trump has always made clear what he thinks of journalists. And it’s plain now that his administration intends to do everything it can to stop journalists from reporting things it doesn’t like—which is most things that are true.

We’ll say it loud and clear: At Mother Jones, no one gets to tell us what to publish or not publish, because no one owns our fiercely independent newsroom. But that also means we need to directly raise the resources it takes to keep our journalism alive. There’s only one way for that to happen, and it’s readers like you stepping up. Please do your part and help us reach our $150,000 membership goal by May 31.

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