The 1930s were horrible economic times for the United States and the rest of the world.  After years of economic growth, it all came crashing down.  How the US did or could have gotten out of that economic mess has been open for debate for decades.  Many people now believe that the policies of FDR and his Keynesian economic policies did nothing more than extend and if not worsen the economy for an entire decade.  Unemployment stayed in double digits, the deficit was large, taxes were increased, and the government dictated to business competition, prices and wages.

Those that are ignorant of history are doomed to repeat it. 

Obama's economic policies are not much different than those of FDR.  Don't take my word for it, read this article about what a Nobel laureate economist has to say.  The dollar is weakened and weakening further.  China is worried about the United States printing money (similar to what the Wiemar Republic did).  The US is no longer the most competitive economy.

The party of the left could never look back closer to our own times for how to get out of this mess.  JFK and Ronald Reagan both cut taxes and spurred economic growth.  Seems easy, but you can't argue the facts.