Why are we letting lawmakers determine how to save our economy?

I think the title question says it all. We’ve heard from Treasury Secretary Paulson and Fed President Bernanke, both having proved themselves to be very creative problem-solvers and judicious managers of money, who say immediate implementation of this $700 billion plan is our best shot at protecting an ailing U.S. economy and financial system from further losses. What makes these lawmakers on capital hill so smart that they feel the need to overrule the thinking of these two highly-skilled and well-trained men? How much money management experience or economic understanding does Senator Harry Reid (and the rest who are currently opposing this plan) really have?

Here’s my thinking. In a world where Greg Downey is king, I would trust these men (Bernanke and Paulsen) and their experiences to analyze all the data available and produce a solution that works. If spending up to $700 billion on bad mortgage debts is what they come up with as the best way to reintroduce liquidity to essentially stalled worldwide credit markets, then let’s do it. Stop pointing fingers across the aisle, stop bickering amongst your classmates, and just get it done. Remember, Secretary Paulsen admitted on Wednesday that he and his team have been mulling this idea for “months”, hoping it would never become necessary. This isn’t some half-baked notion that he pulled out of his nose last week and wiped on a napkin for everybody else in the room to admire too. A lot of thinking and research has already gone into this proposal that it seems clear he is not getting credit for.

That said, I am deeply concerned about the way this is going. Politicians have their places in getting things done, but I strongly object to the idea that their place is in determining what is best for our economic health. They simply don’t have the knowledge, skills, and resources necessary to form any accurate conclusions in this matter. The Federal Reserve and the Treasury exist to handle such financially-related concerns, specifically so lawmakers DON’T have to understand the nuances that go into controlling the world’s largest economy. The only reason the legislative branches are involved at all right now is because they need to approve the additional funding for these men to carry on with their jobs. Dear Lawmakers: GET IT DONE!