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Bush's very good year
Topic Started: Dec 26 2007, 10:57 PM (714 Views)
Improviso
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HOLY CARP!!!
Against all odds, and despite the usual drumbeat of criticism, President Bush had a very good year.

The troop surge in Iraq is succeeding. America remains safe from terrorist attacks. And the Goldilocks economy is outperforming all expectations.

At his year-end news conference, Mr. Bush said with optimism that the economy is fundamentally sound, despite the housing downturn and the subprime credit crunch. The very next day, that optimism was reinforced with news of the best consumer spending in two years. The prophets of recessionary doom, such as former Fed Chairman Alan Greenspan, Republican adviser Martin Feldstein, ex-Democratic Treasury Secretary Lawrence Summers, and bond-maven Bill Gross have been proven wrong once again.

Calendar year 2007 looks set to produce 3 percent growth in real gross domestic product, nearly 3 percent growth in consumer spending, and more than 3 percent growth in after-tax inflation-adjusted incomes.

Meanwhile, headline inflation (including food and energy) will have run at 2½ percent, with only 2 percent core inflation.

Jobs are rising more than 100,000 monthly and the stock market is set to turn in a respectable year despite enormous headwinds. Low tax rates, modest inflation, and declining interest rates continue to boost Goldilocks, which is still the greatest story never told.

Mr. Bush's optimism is well-earned, in Congress too. He has stopped a lot of bad legislation on higher taxing and spending. He won on S-CHIP (State Children's Health Insurance Program) and the alternative minimum tax. He mostly prevailed on domestic spending. And he got much of what he wanted on war funding without any pullout dates.

And he is not yet finished. In the most dramatic statement of his holiday news conference, Mr. Bush said he will not stand for continuing congressional proliferation of pork-barrel earmarks.

"Another thing that's not responsible is the number of earmarks the Congress included in the massive spending bill," said Mr. Bush. "The bill they just passed includes about 9,800 earmarks. Together with the previously passed defense spending bill, that means Congress has approved about 11,900 earmarks this year. And so I am instructing Budget Director Jim Nussle to review options for dealing with wasteful spending in the omnibus bill."

This is huge. The statute of limitations for Republican overspending, over-earmarking, and over-corrupting that caused huge congressional losses in last year's campaign will not run out until the GOP shows taxpayers it again can be trusted on key issues of limited government and lower taxes.

In these matters, Republicans must be holier than the pope. And while President Bush has been doing the Lord's work with his newfound veto pen, he must continue to wage war on earmarks if the GOP is to cleanse the political memory of Tom DeLay, Jack Abramoff, and Randy "Duke" Cunningham.

This behemoth spending-bill was porked-up with such essential items as rodent control in Alaska ($113,000); olive fruit-fly research in France ($213,000); a hunting and fishing museum in Pennsylvania ($200,000); a bike trail in Minnesota ($700,000); a post office museum in Las Vegas ($200,000); and a $2 million monument to Rep. Charlie Rangel in New York.

Republican senators like Jim DeMint of South Carolina, Tom Coburn of Oklahoma and John McCain of Arizona are working hard to clean up the earmark process. But the ball's in the president's court. Either by executive order, rescission authority or apportionment of funds, Mr. Bush can elevate both the nation's fiscal fortunes and his party's political fortunes.

Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell, Kentucky Republican, told me in a CNBC interview that elected politicians are more knowledgeable about spending people's money than faceless bureaucrats. And while Mr. McConnell has done a terrific job maintaining conservative policies in the Senate, he is wrong on this topic. The earmarks shouldn't be made. And the money shouldn't be spent. Period.

Mr. McConnell is nevertheless correct that passing this omnibus spending bill is a defeat for the tax-and-spend-happy Democrats. Republicans also can take credit for outmaneuvering the Democrats on a patch for the AMT. The Democrats were made to waive the pay-as-you-go budget rule that might have forced tax increases on businesses and investment pools. Stopping this tax hike is a singular Republican achievement, while the AMT will now be indexed for inflation, thereby sparing more than 20 million taxpayers.

Looking ahead, the economy also would benefit from a corporate tax cut for both large and small businesses, including corporate capital-gains. The U.S. dollar would reap the rewards as new investment flowed in from the world. Several recent studies also show businesses would pass on tax-cost savings to the work force, thereby bolstering wages and ultimately creating new jobs.

Hokey ideas for temporary tax rebates? They should be ignored. But if the president and Republicans wipe out earmarks, hold down spending, and pass a bold corporate tax cut, Goldilocks will be nourished and sustained. Come November 2008, Republicans might be back in the driver's seat.

Link
Identifying narcissists isn't difficult. Just look for the person who is constantly fishing for compliments
and admiration while breaking down over even the slightest bit of criticism.

We have the freedom to choose our actions, but we do not get to choose our consequences.
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Daniel
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HOLY CARP!!!
Improviso
Dec 26 2007, 10:57 PM
Meanwhile, headline inflation (including food and energy) will have run at 2½ percent, with only 2 percent core inflation.

I don't think that figure is right for food or energy. But congratulations to President Bush for getting a glowing review from Lawrence Kudlow. ;)

Gas rose 64 cents.

http://www.eia.doe.gov/oil_gas/petroleum/d..._home_page.html

Now it is $2.98. That doesn't sound like 2 1/2 %.

It looks like Lawrence hasn't pumped his own gas in a while. :fallenhalo:

Here's some numbers Lawrence didn't see.

http://www.eia.doe.gov/steo

Memo to Lawrence: Google is your friend. :silly:

Heating oil up 14.1 %
Natural gas up 4.2 %

That's only a problem for people who need heat. :mellow:

It seems you need some help. Here you go, Lawrence. :rightarrow:

http://www.bls.gov/news.release/cpi.nr0.htm

CPI for urban consumers un-adjusted 12 mos. ended Nov. '07

Energy 21.4 %
Food 4.8 %
All items less food and energy 2.3 %

Thank you, Lawrence, for being a complete shill. Happy New Year. :basketball:
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Free Rider
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Fulla-Carp
What's Bush's approval rating now?
Unfortunately the next administration's #1 task will be to try and repair all of the damage that has been done by G. W.

I personally have never agreed with much he says, never voted for him. I still respect the office he holds and the troops he commands.

Hopefully the republican party will take another ass-kicking in the next election and finally begin re-thinking their platform.
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Kincaid
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I hope they re-think straying from their platform.
Kincaid - disgusted Republican Partisan since 2006.
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Daniel
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HOLY CARP!!!
Too many of them, like my friend Lawrence, are delusional or just plain liars, who don't really live in the everyday world, and don't give two cents about people who do. If there is a God, we won't have to suffer another one for eight more years.
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Kincaid
Dec 27 2007, 10:31 AM
I hope they re-think straying from their platform.

I think that "republican" used to stand for something.

I used to think that the republican party represented moderate, mainstream american people.

Now I associate that party with corruption and big-business. I associate that party with "screw the environment" policies.

I may never have been a Republican myself, but I have seen reasonable nice people who used to trust and vote for Republicans (my friends' parents) now shake their heads in disgust at it.

Is it my imagination or have Republicans become far more conservative and "right wing" than they used to be? Have they thrown financial accounability right out the window to boot?

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The 89th Key
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Dec 27 2007, 01:02 PM
What's Bush's approval rating now?
Unfortunately the next administration's #1 task will be to try and repair all of the damage that has been done by G. W.

The only damage I can see is the President's credibility on foreign policy matters. I think his economic and social policies are fine, and even his foreign policy is better than what the dems are offering...but I do agree that he has lost much of the credibility needed to be an effective foreign policy president.
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Larry
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Two things are undeniable - the majority of the population at any point in history you care to examine has been short sighted, and lacking insight. Every leader who ever dared to lead has been reviled during the time he was leading, because the short sighted make so much noise.

History does however, prove them wrong.

The republican party should be ashamed of themselves for the way they've acted in Congress the last 8 or so years. But the answer isn't the democrats. The answer is for the republicans to get back to what put them in office in the first place.

Of the Pokatwat Tribe

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The 89th Key
Dec 27 2007, 12:27 PM
I think his economic and social policies are fine, and even his foreign policy is better than what the dems are offering...but I do agree that he has lost much of the credibility needed to be an effective foreign policy president.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/10/06/...ain924485.shtml

Take a gander.

So many other people think his performance is poor...and not just with foriegn policy.

Count me as one of them.
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Kincaid
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Dec 27 2007, 10:42 AM
Kincaid
Dec 27 2007, 10:31 AM
I hope they re-think straying from their platform.

I think that "republican" used to stand for something.

I used to think that the republican party represented moderate, mainstream american people.

Now I associate that party with corruption and big-business. I associate that party with "screw the environment" policies.

I may never have been a Republican myself, but I have seen reasonable nice people who used to trust and vote for Republicans (my friends' parents) now shake their heads in disgust at it.

Is it my imagination or have Republicans become far more conservative and "right wing" than they used to be? Have they thrown financial accounability right out the window to boot?

Quote:
 
I think that "republican" used to stand for something.


It is hard to see what they stand for when you had almost the entire Republican congressional caucus on their knees feeding alongside the Dems at the trough of special interests. Further, I'd say almost half of the prominent Republicans were running for the tall grass when Iraq was at its lowest. So, hopefully they reunite behind their platform - which really appeals to moderate, mainstream Americans.

Quote:
 
I used to think that the republican party represented moderate, mainstream american people.


I think they still do - much more so than do the majority of Dems, who seem to represent the loony left. Problem was that years of fiscal irresponsibility took them far away from their limited government ideals.

Quote:
 
Now I associate that party with corruption and big-business. I associate that party with "screw the environment" policies.


I still associate them with family values (though there is a contingent that wants them to waffle on these issues, feeling that a current lack of popularity in politicians indicates lack of support for stated ideals) and little "b" business. Don't forget that business is what we all do.

Quote:
 
I may never have been a Republican myself, but I have seen reasonable nice people who used to trust and vote for Republicans (my friends' parents) now shake their heads in disgust at it.


As do I, when I see them straying from the platform that helped elect them.

Quote:
 
Is it my imagination or have Republicans become far more conservative and "right wing" than they used to be? Have they thrown financial accounability right out the window to boot?


First question the answer is no. In fact, as I noted, there are many that think the time is now to water down the party by moving to the center. Well, that might pull in more independents and disaffected Democrats, but it if it breaks the base of the Republican party it will probably crumble (which is funny, as the Dems are approaching a similar cross-roads, I think).

Second question, yes they did throw financial accountability out the window. I think in the years to come we'll get some great analysis of what Bush was doing. I am not sure if he was trying to get that "permanent majority" envisioned by Karl Rove or if he was just being a CEO president and telling congress to hit the target but leaving the details up to them. While I don't know what Bush was trying to accomplish by never vetoing any spending bill, I know that congress was more than happy to stuff the larder full. BTW, do you see that earmarks are up?
Kincaid - disgusted Republican Partisan since 2006.
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The 89th Key
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http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/10/06/...ain924485.shtml

Take a gander.

So many other people think his performance is poor...and not just with foriegn policy.

Count me as one of them.


I understand he has low ratings, but I really think much of that is a personal issue that people have with him rather than a policy issue. However, I do think his foreign policy is one tangible (if you will) area that the next president will have to substantively improve upon...at least in the manner you were describing above.

I for one still respect and support the guy. I think he is honest and steadfast in his ways, even if one disagrees with his policies.
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Larry
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Free Rider
Dec 27 2007, 03:45 PM
The 89th Key
Dec 27 2007, 12:27 PM
I think his economic and social policies are fine, and even his foreign policy is better than what the dems are offering...but I do agree that he has lost much of the credibility needed to be an effective foreign policy president.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/10/06/...ain924485.shtml

Take a gander.

So many other people think his performance is poor...and not just with foriegn policy.

Count me as one of them.

It has been Bush's economic policies that has kept this economy growing. And regardless of your political persuasion, the economy *has* done excellent, in every area. You think the thing to do is to put democrats in office who have already made it clear they intend to tax you up the wazoo.

That's ridiculous.

Of the Pokatwat Tribe

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Kincaid
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Of course Bush's ratings are down. He is doing nothing that Dems like and little that Independents and even Republicans like.

Congress' ratings are worse - because the country is so divided on what they feel needs to be done and congress is in the middle somewhere, doing precious little except sending earmarks to their districts to prepare for the annual incumbency parade.
Kincaid - disgusted Republican Partisan since 2006.
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Kincaid
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HOLY CARP!!!
Almost makes one want to vote for Ron Paul.

NOT!
Kincaid - disgusted Republican Partisan since 2006.
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Kincaid
Dec 27 2007, 12:50 PM
Of course Bush's ratings are down. He is doing nothing that Dems like and little that Independents and even Republicans like.

Congress' ratings are worse - because the country is so divided on what they feel needs to be done and congress is in the middle somewhere, doing precious little except sending earmarks to their districts to prepare for the annual incumbency parade.

The country IS so divided!

I hate that. It's almost like people are afraid to talk politics face to face anymore.

If I have a problem with the Bush Administration, it does me no good to preach to the choir. I need to hear somebody make a rational statement in his favor! So thanks, I would love a change of leadership and hope to be able to vote for someone who I support rather than a lesser of two bad candidates.
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Copper
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Dec 27 2007, 04:03 PM

The country IS so divided!

lesser of two bad candidates.


There are two reasons for saying "The country IS so divided! ".

You want the viewers to come back after the commercial. Or, you are a shameless drama queen.

It's a silly bit of hype, it's only purpose is to pump people up.

Do you think everyone should agree on everything?

And if you are picking the lesser of two evils and basing you pick on popularity polls, then you'll be picking the republican administration over the democrat congress.

And there are plenty of rational statements you could make in Mr. Bush's favor, if you weren't being so irrational.

The Confederate soldier was peculiar in that he was ever ready to fight, but never ready to submit to the routine duty and discipline of the camp or the march. The soldiers were determined to be soldiers after their own notions, and do their duty, for the love of it, as they thought best. Carlton McCarthy
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Larry
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Liberals are *always* irrational.

It's a mental disorder.....
Of the Pokatwat Tribe

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Moonbat
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Quote:
 

Liberals are *always* irrational.

It's a mental disorder.....


u r stoopid
Entia non sunt multiplicanda praeter necessitatem
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Larry
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Mmmmmmm, pie!
No U R

Of the Pokatwat Tribe

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Moonbat
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no, u * infinity

hah i win.

winnar.
Entia non sunt multiplicanda praeter necessitatem
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Larry
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U D Moonbat...

I win.

Har.

Losar.... ;) :D

Of the Pokatwat Tribe

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Moonbat
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:D
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Larry
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Posted Image

:D

Of the Pokatwat Tribe

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All TNCR fights distilled into a single a picture. :lol:
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Copper
Dec 27 2007, 01:16 PM

There are two reasons for saying "The country IS so divided! ".

You want the viewers to come back after the commercial. Or, you are a shameless drama queen.

It's a silly bit of hype, it's only purpose is to pump people up.

Do you think everyone should agree on everything?

Copper
I do not like GW Bush's politics.

I appreciate kincaid's well-written reply. I do not like the country being divided, however that is not the same as saying we all should agree on everything.

The problem with the country being so divided is that there is so much hate and people spewing that neither side's message gets heard and we all are losers.

I guess there is a polarizing effect that I have seen with the mention of Bush's name. This is not a sign of a good leader.

I hang out with people who have similar views as myself, I engage in this forum to educate myself about people (like kincaid) who are not like me, but can explain things to someone like me without calling me an idiot. I like that.
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