That's one assumption. It might be convincing to me except that even though many people I know are NYT readers, nobody I know is "mired in debates over macroeconomic models." Who are these people?

I suppose its the we that's not me.

There's a fairly large debate going on about using fiscal/monetary stimulus (Keynesian) vs. no stimulus (Austrian). It's not just eggheads, almost everyone following the economic scene is discussing this issue ATM....FWIW I think we need some fiscal stimulus in the form of public works projects ;)