Amazon 7 #1 November 13, 2011 http://www.vanityfair.com/politics/features/2007/12/bush200712?currentPage=4 The next president will have to deal with yet another crippling legacy of George W. Bush: the economy. A Nobel laureate, Joseph E. Stiglitz, sees a generation-long struggle to recoup By the time George W. Bush was sworn in, parts of this bright picture had begun to dim. The tech boom was over. The nasdaq fell 15 percent in the single month of April 2000, and no one knew for sure what effect the collapse of the Internet bubble would have on the real economy. It was a moment ripe for Keynesian economics, a time to prime the pump by spending more money on education, technology, and infrastructure—all of which America desperately needed, and still does, but which the Clinton administration had postponed in its relentless drive to eliminate the deficit. Bill Clinton had left President Bush in an ideal position to pursue such policies. Remember the presidential debates in 2000 between Al Gore and George Bush, and how the two men argued over how to spend America’s anticipated $2.2 trillion budget surplus? The country could well have afforded to ramp up domestic investment in key areas. In fact, doing so would have staved off recession in the short run while spurring growth in the long run. But the Bush administration had its own ideas. The first major economic initiative pursued by the president was a massive tax cut for the rich, enacted in June of 2001. Those with incomes over a million got a tax cut of $18,000—more than 30 times larger than the cut received by the average American. The inequities were compounded by a second tax cut, in 2003, this one skewed even more heavily toward the rich. Together these tax cuts, when fully implemented and if made permanent, mean that in 2012 the average reduction for an American in the bottom 20 percent will be a scant $45, while those with incomes of more than $1 million will see their tax bills reduced by an average of $162,000. The administration crows that the economy grew—by some 16 percent—during its first six years, but the growth helped mainly people who had no need of any help, and failed to help those who need plenty. A rising tide lifted all yachts. Inequality is now widening in America, and at a rate not seen in three-quarters of a century. A young male in his 30s today has an income, adjusted for inflation, that is 12 percent less than what his father was making 30 years ago. Some 5.3 million more Americans are living in poverty now than were living in poverty when Bush became president. America’s class structure may not have arrived there yet, but it’s heading in the direction of Brazil’s and Mexico’s. The Bankruptcy Boom In breathtaking disregard for the most basic rules of fiscal propriety, the administration continued to cut taxes even as it undertook expensive new spending programs and embarked on a financially ruinous “war of choice” in Iraq. A budget surplus of 2.4 percent of gross domestic product (G.D.P.), which greeted Bush as he took office, turned into a deficit of 3.6 percent in the space of four years. The United States had not experienced a turnaround of this magnitude since the global crisis of World War II. Agricultural subsidies were doubled between 2002 and 2005. Tax expenditures—the vast system of subsidies and preferences hidden in the tax code—increased more than a quarter. Tax breaks for the president’s friends in the oil-and-gas industry increased by billions and billions of dollars. Yes, in the five years after 9/11, defense expenditures did increase (by some 70 percent), though much of the growth wasn’t helping to fight the War on Terror at all, but was being lost or outsourced in failed missions in Iraq. Meanwhile, other funds continued to be spent on the usual high-tech gimcrackery—weapons that don’t work, for enemies we don’t have. In a nutshell, money was being spent everyplace except where it was needed. During these past seven years the percentage of G.D.P. spent on research and development outside defense and health has fallen. Little has been done about our decaying infrastructure—be it levees in New Orleans or bridges in Minneapolis. Coping with most of the damage will fall to the next occupant of the White House. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Belgian_Draft 0 #2 November 13, 2011 "By the time George W. Bush was sworn in, parts of this bright picture had begun to dim." yep. Thanks to Slick Willie. That's what happens when we send over-educated, draft-dodging idiots with zero common sense to the White House.HAMMER: Originally employed as a weapon of war, the hammer nowadays is used as a kind of divining rod to locate the most expensive parts adjacent the object we are trying to hit. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Anvilbrother 0 #3 November 13, 2011 QuoteA Nobel laureate that does not hold much weight anymore when obama gets one for peace then sends a drone strike to kill a us american.... Postes r made from an iPad or iPhone. Spelling and gramhair mistakes guaranteed move along, Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hwt 0 #4 November 13, 2011 We are a commodity on wall street..the banks own both political parties..you are pinning one side against the other...this is asinine..both of you do not get it. watch this entire video ...the end is most important... please try to comprehend... http://youtu.be/1HTH6GT3os4 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Amazon 7 #5 November 13, 2011 Quote Quote A Nobel laureate that does not hold much weight anymore when obama gets one for peace then sends a drone strike to kill a us american.... OH COOL another TERRORIST SYMPATHIZER Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kennedy 0 #6 November 13, 2011 Yup, it's all Bush's fault. Clinton left him a well funded utopia. Nothing to do with Clinton's Fannie Mae Freddie Mac banking changes. Nothing to do with the Fed. Nothing to do with fiat money. Nothing to do with anything but Bush. It's all the fault of the right. Perfect logic. [/sarcasm] You know you're getting more repetitive than Rhys, right? Less reasonable to.witty subliminal message Guard your honor, let your reputation fall where it will, and outlast the bastards. 1* Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Amazon 7 #7 November 13, 2011 Quote"By the time George W. Bush was sworn in, parts of this bright picture had begun to dim." yep. Thanks to Slick Willie. That's what happens when we send over-educated, draft-dodging idiots with zero common sense to the White House. AHHHHHH so you find one tiny little thing when the bulk of the article ...TRIES.... to point out just how goat fuck stupid it was to INCREASE spending drastically.... start a few wars.....( well at lesat that worked out good for their family fortunes in the Administration at the time)... and the most devastating.... GUTTING the tax code... making the very rich even richer... in a gusher of wealth. We as Americans are seeing the outcome of those massive tax cuts... at least those of us who are not GOAT FUCK STUPID. The interest alone on all that debt will keep the 1% wealthy... FOREVER... Well done TRICKLE SLAVES. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Amazon 7 #8 November 13, 2011 QuoteYup, it's all Bush's fault. Clinton left him a well funded utopia. Nothing to do with Clinton's Fannie Mae Freddie Mac banking changes. Nothing to do with the Fed. Nothing to do with fiat money. Nothing to do with anything but Bush. It's all the fault of the right. Perfect logic. [/sarcasm] You know you're getting more repetitive than Rhys, right? Less reasonable to. Oh look... the FRIGHT wing wants to pass the buck... sorry but all those bucks.... have found their way into certain peoples pockets... and it ain't the American people. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kennedy 0 #9 November 13, 2011 QuoteQuoteRe: concerns about drone strike against US citizen OH COOL another TERRORIST SYMPATHIZER So Jeanne, what law or reasoning did the most open administration in history use to justify authorizing a military strike against a US citizen abroad who had not been convicted of a crime or taken part in combat against US targets?witty subliminal message Guard your honor, let your reputation fall where it will, and outlast the bastards. 1* Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Anvilbrother 0 #10 November 13, 2011 Nope. Just trolling you, because I dam well know if Bush would have done that you would be all over him for doing the same thing, but because Obango did it, he is the savior of all humanity. Where was your go get um terrorist killing attitude when Bush was doing it since 9/11? Postes r made from an iPad or iPhone. Spelling and gramhair mistakes guaranteed move along, Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DesertAttorney 0 #11 November 13, 2011 You are a Troll. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Amazon 7 #12 November 13, 2011 QuoteNope. Just trolling you, because I dam well know if Bush would have done that you would be all over him for doing the same thing, but because Obango did it, he is the savior of all humanity. Where was your go get um terrorist killing attitude when Bush was doing it since 9/11? And you would be FABULOUSLY Wrong.... The terrorists attacked our country.. it was your impotent Texican.... who could not get the job done to actually get the people who really attacked the USA. Instead.. he saw a cool way to make his family... and the Cheney family.. and a few other families who supported the "findings" of the PNAC... to go off on George and Dicks Excellent Adventure in Iraq.... so what if a few thousand... Pawns get killed... as long as the KINGS and QUEENS get rich...and win the game. George was not all that concerned.... DAYUM that just must GALL YALL. Leadership comes from the top.. and sucks to be you.... Obama provided that .. and lookie... he got the job done... including the elimination of MORE terrorists trying to kill Americans. PSSSST your hypocrisy is showing BOYS Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Amazon 7 #13 November 13, 2011 QuoteQuoteQuoteRe: concerns about drone strike against US citizen OH COOL another TERRORIST SYMPATHIZER So Jeanne, what law or reasoning did the most open administration in history use to justify authorizing a military strike against a US citizen abroad who had not been convicted of a crime or taken part in combat against US targets? Tsk tsk tsk.... nice support of... treason Definition trea·son[ trz'n ]trea·sons Plural NOUN 1. betrayal of country: a violation of the allegiance owed by somebody to his or her own country, e.g. by aiding an enemy. See also high treason 2. treachery: betrayal or disloyalty 3. act of betrayal: an act of betrayal or disloyalty [ 12th century. Via Anglo-Norman treisoun "treacherous handing over, betrayal" < Latin tradition- (see tradition) ] Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Amazon 7 #14 November 13, 2011 QuoteYou are a Troll. Hmmm another PA from the officer of the court... Whats wrong counselor... with all that vaunted education... I would think you would be able to do better than that. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Anvilbrother 0 #15 November 13, 2011 QuoteI think the credit for the focus and the fight … is shared by both administrations,” White House press secretary Jay Carney told reporters Tuesday. Obama was successful because of the work and system that was set up before him. QuoteMany of the changes the Obama administration has carried out in the national security sphere may seem significant to law professors but have little obvious impact in the real world. Obama vowed to close Guantanamo in a year, but could not do it thank god. QuoteOfficials’ claims that the bin Laden raid was based in part on information from detainees solidifying the effectiveness of Bush’s enhanced interrogation program. He almost let that info go... Vowed to try suspects in US civilian court.....couldn't get it done Postes r made from an iPad or iPhone. Spelling and gramhair mistakes guaranteed move along, Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Belgian_Draft 0 #16 November 13, 2011 Quote You are a Troll. Say it isn't so! HAMMER: Originally employed as a weapon of war, the hammer nowadays is used as a kind of divining rod to locate the most expensive parts adjacent the object we are trying to hit. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Amazon 7 #17 November 13, 2011 QuoteQuoteI think the credit for the focus and the fight … is shared by both administrations,” White House press secretary Jay Carney told reporters Tuesday. Obama was successful because of the work and system that was set up before him. QuoteMany of the changes the Obama administration has carried out in the national security sphere may seem significant to law professors but have little obvious impact in the real world. Obama vowed to close Guantanamo in a year, but could not do it thank god. QuoteOfficials’ claims that the bin Laden raid was based in part on information from detainees solidifying the effectiveness of Bush’s enhanced interrogation program. He almost let that info go... Vowed to try suspects in US civilian court.....couldn't get it done Gee a big bright fellow like you.. should be able to go check how many of the campaign promises the guy who took us to war because GOD told him to.... actually completed... its pretty low... and he STILL could not get the people who attacked us. I think you will find anyone with half a brain realizes that Bush's sign off of the use of what you LOVE to call enhanced interrogation... does not work.. and is a WAR CRIME.. no matter how you on the fringe right want to blither about it being right and just to use torture. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kennedy 0 #18 November 13, 2011 QuoteQuoteQuoteQuoteRe: concerns about drone strike against US citizen OH COOL another TERRORIST SYMPATHIZER So Jeanne, what law or reasoning did the most open administration in history use to justify authorizing a military strike against a US citizen abroad who had not been convicted of a crime or taken part in combat against US targets? Tsk tsk tsk.... nice support of... treason Definition trea·son[ trz'n ]trea·sons Plural NOUN 1. betrayal of country: a violation of the allegiance owed by somebody to his or her own country, e.g. by aiding an enemy. See also high treason 2. treachery: betrayal or disloyalty 3. act of betrayal: an act of betrayal or disloyalty [ 12th century. Via Anglo-Norman treisoun "treacherous handing over, betrayal" < Latin tradition- (see tradition) ] So what court convicted him if treason and passed down a death sentence?witty subliminal message Guard your honor, let your reputation fall where it will, and outlast the bastards. 1* Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CanuckInUSA 0 #19 November 13, 2011 You continue to show us what a partisan joke that you are. Was GWB a good president? Of course he wasn't. But the DOT.COM bubble burst before GWB took office and we should have had a nasty recession then. GWB's policies just artificially delayed the recession until 2008. You do realize that economies are cyclical don't you? You do realize that recessions are inevitable. Yes Obama did inherit a shit sandwich. Nobody except for the rabid partisans will deny that. But what has Obama done in that time (especially during the two years when he controlled the House and the Senate). Obama is a complete joke when it comes to spending and the economy. But for all his spending and poor handling of the economy, he is even worse when it comes to international trade. How many more international trade agreements will Obama break before people wake up and realize that under Obama, America is NOT open for business. There is a reason why businesses are not hiring and that reason is directly related to Obama's anti-business and anti-trade protectionist policies. It is rather humorous listening Obama lecture the Europeans on spending when Obama will go down as the largest spending president in US history. Your daily partisan bullshit is laughable. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Amazon 7 #20 November 13, 2011 QuoteYou continue to show us what a partisan joke that you are. Was GWB a good president? Of course he wasn't. But the DOT.COM bubble burst before GWB took office and we should have had a nasty recession then. GWB's policies just artificially delayed the recession until 2008. You do realize that economies are cyclical don't you? You do realize that recessions are inevitable. Yes Obama did inherit a shit sandwich. Nobody except for the rabid partisans will deny that. But what has Obama done in that time (especially during the two years when he controlled the House and the Senate). Obama is a complete joke when it comes to spending and the economy. But for all his spending and poor handling of the economy, he is even worse when it comes to international trade. How many more international trade agreements will Obama break before people wake up and realize that under Obama, America is NOT open for business. There is a reason why businesses are not hiring and that reason is directly related to Obama's anti-business and anti-trade protectionist policies. It is rather humorous listening Obama lecture the Europeans on spending when Obama will go down as the largest spending president in US history. Your daily partisan bullshit is laughable. Wow... you are in desparate need of a tissue Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Amazon 7 #21 November 13, 2011 Aww you look so cute with that big hypocritical ALLIGATOR tear there in your eye. DUDE.. just think of him as a liberal.. I know the good conservaturds here wshould be good with it then Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kennedy 0 #22 November 13, 2011 QuoteQuoteQuoteQuoteQuoteQuoteRe: concerns about drone strike against US citizen OH COOL another TERRORIST SYMPATHIZER So Jeanne, what law or reasoning did the most open administration in history use to justify authorizing a military strike against a US citizen abroad who had not been convicted of a crime or taken part in combat against US targets? Tsk tsk tsk.... nice support of... treason Definition trea·son[ trz'n ]trea·sons Plural NOUN 1. betrayal of country: a violation of the allegiance owed by somebody to his or her own country, e.g. by aiding an enemy. See also high treason 2. treachery: betrayal or disloyalty 3. act of betrayal: an act of betrayal or disloyalty [ 12th century. Via Anglo-Norman treisoun "treacherous handing over, betrayal" < Latin tradition- (see tradition) ] So what court convicted him if treason and passed down a death sentence? Aww you look so cute with that big hypocritical ALLIGATOR tear there in your eye. DUDE.. just think of him as a liberal.. I know the good conservaturds here wshould be good with it then Oh no Jeanne, you're not going to weasel out that easily. You don't get to cut the thread and start over when you don't have an answer. Also, don't act like I'm crying crocodile tears. I don't give a damn that he's dead. I never claimed I did. What I am concerned about is our government killing a citizen by remote without due process, combat, or other exigent circumstances. Then to top it off, said government refuses to explain or defend such a killing by saying "it's secret, so I'm not telling." Do you support POTUS being able to order the death of a citizen without involving the courts?witty subliminal message Guard your honor, let your reputation fall where it will, and outlast the bastards. 1* Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Amazon 7 #23 November 13, 2011 Pssst your hypocrisy is showing yet again buba. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kennedy 0 #24 November 13, 2011 What hypocrisy? I consistently support the rights of everyone, including criminals, enemy combatants, and mentally ill. I wish you would do the same. Do you support POTUS being able to order the death of a US citizen without involving courts, combat, or other exigent circumstances?witty subliminal message Guard your honor, let your reputation fall where it will, and outlast the bastards. 1* Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Amazon 7 #25 November 13, 2011 Quote What hypocrisy? I consistently support the rights of everyone, including criminals, enemy combatants, and mentally ill. I wish you would do the same. Do you support POTUS being able to order the death of a US citizen without involving courts, combat, or other exigent circumstances? RIIIIIIIGHT Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
