Is Bush Doing Enough To Help Our Ailing Economy

[Rick]

.

[shamaal]

I replied no, although I don't blame Bush the person.
I find fault with his administration's regulatory and legislative policies.

IMHO, Clinton had a good grasp of economics and stimulation and had an excellent treasury secretary; Bush1 had good economic sense but inherited a crummy economy; Reagan was pragmatic had sound economic advisors; Carter had an eye for detail but became overwhemed; Nixon had a good grasp but was distracted and Johnson had good advisors; Eisenhower kenw enough to leave well enough alone and had sound economic advisors; Truman managed best he could with what he had and Roosevelt was all over the place.

[glfredrick]

The fallacy is called "begging the question" where you already have an answer in mind when you ask...

[shamaal]

I would submit that the possible answers of yes and no do not bias the poll.

Granted the question does presuppose an ailing economy, which is somewhat of a consensus opinion, but if there is disagrement with the condition there is substantial opportunity for reply.

As to whether Bush is personally responsible I provided my opinion above. I believe others are free to do the same.

[Sojourner]

I am glad you qualified your answer, shamaal, and I appreciate your opinion. However, Rick DID ask if President Bush HIMSELF is doing enough to stimulate the economy. As if ONE person alone can "stimulate" our economy!

[Charlie]

I say 'yes' because the president has almost no effect on the economy, so he can't really do anything anyway.

I should have said 'bacon' though. It sounds good right now.

[Rick]

I placed this poll here, because I took the same poll on CNN site yesterday, where 85% believed Bush was not doing enough to help our economy. Paulson upbeat despite economy woes - CNN.com

[Sojourner]

That's because the majority of people in this country are ill-informed about economics and the fact that it takes more than ONE person to sway our financial system!

[shamaal]

Of course the President and most economists disagree with you, but maybe that proves your point.

I've been pondering where this myth came from about the President having no impact on the economy. I have an idea and if I can gel it, I'll start another thread.

In the meantime, here's what the leaders of the nation think is happening. Boy won't they be surprised when they find out there is no effect.

President Bush, trying to ease turmoil in financial markets, said Monday that his administration is "on top of the situation" in dealing with the slumping economy.
"One thing is for certain, we're in challenging times,' the president said after meeting with Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson and other senior economic advisers. "But another thing is for certain: we've taken strong decisive action."

The president commended the Fed for its urgent actions over the weekend. He said that "we've shown the country and the world that the United States is on top of the situation."

Bush, surrounded by his economic advisers at the White House, said his administration is monitoring economic developments closely.

"When need be, we'll act decisively," Bush said, without indicating any other steps his government might take.

Bush: US Is on Top of Financial Crisis

[Rick]

Originally Posted by Sojourner

That's because the majority of people in this country are ill-informed about economics and the fact that it takes more than ONE person to sway our financial system!

I agree. It takes one administration.

[Sojourner]

Then you should have asked, "Is this administration doing enough to help our ailing economy?"

[Rick]

I didn't think that needed to be said. Bush is like a CEO... He runs the show and tells his subordinates what he expects them to achieve.

If they aren't doing what he expects, he can fire them. If he hasn't, then he must believe they are doing a good job.

[Rick]

Bush is pushing Congress to pass the Columbian Free Trade Agreement within 90 days... Sweet

[Rick]

Will the Columbian Free Trade Agreement be good for our economy??

[Sojourner]

Some say yes and some say no. The Democrats are pushing for this one too but they are trying to get Uribe to clean up the corruption first. It appears to be working because he just ousted a bunch of military officials who were heavy in to the drug cartels.

[Rick]

Bush scolds Congress on Colombia trade - Yahoo! News

WASHINGTON - President Bush stepped up pressure Monday on Congress to approve a controversial free-trade pact with Colombia, saying the deal is "dead" unless House Speaker Nancy Pelosi schedules a vote.
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After a meeting with his Cabinet, Bush said it's not in America's interest to "stiff an ally" like Colombia.

Bush sent the agreement to Capitol Hill earlier this month, but the House, led by Democrats, decided to eliminate a rule forcing a vote on the deal within 60 legislative days. The House's decision probably kills consideration of the Colombia agreement this year, leaving it for the next administration.

"This free trade agreement is in our national interests," Bush said. "Yet that bill is dead unless the speaker schedules a definite vote. This was an unprecedented move. It's not in our country's interests that we stiff an ally like Colombia and that we don't encourage our goods and services to be sold overseas."

Pelosi, D-Calif., who initiated the rules change, blames Bush for submitting the agreement before a consensus was reached with congressional leaders on outstanding differences. She has said that whether the agreement is dead for the year depends on the good faith of negotiations between Democrats and the White House.

The president, Pelosi said Monday at a news conference, has demonstrated again "how out of touch he is with the concerns of America's working families." Responding to Bush's charges she had stiffed an ally, she said that "for seven long years the president's economic policies have stiffed" the American people.

[Rick]

The president, Pelosi said Monday at a news conference, has demonstrated again "how out of touch he is with the concerns of America's working families." Responding to Bush's charges she had stiffed an ally, she said that "for seven long years the president's economic policies have stiffed" the American people.

Wow, I agree 100% with Pelosi.

[Rick]

Wholesale prices soar in March - Yahoo! News

Wholesale prices soar in March

WASHINGTON - Inflation at the wholesale level soared in March at nearly triple the rate that had been expected as the costs of energy and food both climbed rapidly.

The Labor Department reported Tuesday that wholesale prices rose by 1.1 percent last month, the largest increase since a 2.6 percent rise last November, which had been the biggest one-month jump in 33 years. Analysts had been expecting a much more moderate 0.4 percent rise in wholesale prices for the month.