OPINION
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Gleeful Brown Is Acting Like a Drunk Dowager
Brits' PM 'swanks' and 'preens,' but the economy is his fault
By Ambreen Ali
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Posted Nov 25, 08 10:56 AM CST
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(Newser)
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Gordon Brown, "known as a gloomy old nail-biting misery-guts," has turned into the life of the party ever since the economic downturn hit Britain, writes Boris Johnson in the Telegraph. Deeming that the swooning market and plummeting home prices demand action, he's gleefully launched measures that will incur a deficit that's 8% of GDP and a national debt reaching 60%, says Johnson, London's mayor.
Brown "squandered eye-watering sums when times were good" and now he's stuck with this "frantic and unprecedented gamble." Instead of aiding business and boosting job creation, Brown is providing temporary respite with his stimulus package, Johnson writes. "Perhaps, like a bunch of overweight and exhausted lab rats shown one last piece of cheese, we will all scamper off in the direction of the prize, and boost consumption, and keep the economy moving." But Brits are more likely to horde their money, with an eye to inevitable tax increases down the line.