Obviously, what he's done hasn't worked. Look at our country today compared to eight years ago. Are we better? NO! Not even close. He is the leader of our country and we have been led down the wrong path.

 

Tell me what he should have done.

Is it? Or is it the product of the recession?

 

Of course it is a product of it but people are dragging it out as far as the can to make profits. Our poor infrastructure to our country being so spread out, most of us live at least 30 miles from work. Only major cities have good viable public transportation (not ours).

 

We simply cannot grow with 4 dollar gas. If our govt attacked gas prices ASAP, people would start spending more at retail stores again and what not, and this recession would be over in 6 months.

 

Bottom line is Americans are really trying to conserve. General Motors is closing 4 truck plants down due to terrible SUV sales, Ford is expected to follow. I have seen 2 Honda Fits at work and a Toyota Yaris within the last month. And I am seeing a Prius almost daily now. We are conserving and we are still on a direct path to 5.00 gas in 12-18 months. Because investors can profit of it.

Tell me what he should have done.

 

I'll tell you one thing he should have done: instead of focusing on war and an endless/winless battle which is costing us trillions of dollars and thousands of lost lives, he should have focused on our economy and matters at home. Heck, he didn't even go after the main man (BL) but yet we are paying the price in dollars and lives with no resolution to the precipatating problem. You tell me what he's done to prevent our current economic crisis? Our economy is in shambles and it is no where near what it was eight years ago. He is the leader of our country and the responsibility lies on him. That's why we call him the President.

You tell me what he's done to prevent our current economic crisis? Our economy is in shambles and it is no where near what it was eight years ago. He is the leader of our country and the responsibility lies on him. That's why we call him the President.

 

:thumb:

I'll tell you one thing he should have done: instead of focusing on war and an endless/winless battle which is costing us trillions of dollars and thousands of lost lives, he should have focused on our economy and matters at home. Heck, he didn't even go after the main man (BL) but yet we are paying the price in dollars and lives with no resolution to the precipatating problem. You tell me what he's done to prevent our current economic crisis? Our economy is in shambles and it is no where near what it was eight years ago. He is the leader of our country and the responsibility lies on him. That's why we call him the President.

You act as if this recession (if we do/are in one) was preventable. You know as well as anyone that a recession is a natural phase of the business cycle.

 

We have a gasoline market in which (globally) demand has gone substantially up. We are sitting on who knows how much gasoline in this country- if those resources were tapped, not only would price go down (because supply would go up), but we (America) would be selling gasoline in what is right now a lucrative market (gee, I think that would help our country's economy right now with more jobs and more GDP).

 

It is impossible for the President, Congress, or Bernake & Co. to prevent a recession. Certain things can take place to prevent a recession (say, a new industry that is growing exponentially for an extended period of time). Bush's tax cuts in 2001 and 2003 certainly haven't hurt the economy. Maybe he should have made some more tax cuts- it would not have prevented the recession (even though it is still uncertain that are in one, but very likely), but potentially alleviated some of the problems.

 

I am awaiting exactly what you expected Bush to do (or the Democrat controlled Congress) to stop what it happening.

You act as if this recession (if we do/are in one) was preventable. You know as well as anyone that a recession is a natural phase of the business cycle.

 

We have a gasoline market in which (globally) demand has gone substantially up. We are sitting on who knows how much gasoline in this country- if those resources were tapped, not only would price go down (because supply would go up), but we (America) would be selling gasoline in what is right now a lucrative market (gee, I think that would help our country's economy right now with more jobs and more GDP).

 

It is impossible for the President, Congress, or Bernake & Co. to prevent a recession. Certain things can take place to prevent a recession (say, a new industry that is growing exponentially for an extended period of time). Bush's tax cuts in 2001 and 2003 certainly haven't hurt the economy. Maybe he should have made some more tax cuts- it would not have prevented the recession (even though it is still uncertain that are in one, but very likely), but potentially alleviated some of the problems.

 

I am awaiting exactly what you expected Bush to do (or the Democrat controlled Congress) to stop what it happening.

 

I think I told you in Post #18. Bush led us down this path but none of his supporters will acknowledge it. I guess he will go down in history as one of our greatest Presidents.:laugh::laugh:

I think I told you in Post #18. Bush led us down this path but none of his supporters will acknowledge it. I guess he will go down in history as one of our greatest Presidents.:laugh::laugh:

 

What specifically should he have done had he focused on the economy that would have gas prices lower than they are today?

I think I told you in Post #18. Bush led us down this path but none of his supporters will acknowledge it. I guess he will go down in history as one of our greatest Presidents.:laugh::laugh:

I think that the question that you are ignoring is what "focusing on the economy" means to you. Specifically, what should Bush have done differently that would have impacted the economy? Higher taxes on gasoline to lower its price? Price controls?

You act as if this recession (if we do/are in one) was preventable. You know as well as anyone that a recession is a natural phase of the business cycle.

 

We have a gasoline market in which (globally) demand has gone substantially up. We are sitting on who knows how much gasoline in this country- if those resources were tapped, not only would price go down (because supply would go up), but we (America) would be selling gasoline in what is right now a lucrative market (gee, I think that would help our country's economy right now with more jobs and more GDP).

 

It is impossible for the President, Congress, or Bernake & Co. to prevent a recession. Certain things can take place to prevent a recession (say, a new industry that is growing exponentially for an extended period of time). Bush's tax cuts in 2001 and 2003 certainly haven't hurt the economy. Maybe he should have made some more tax cuts- it would not have prevented the recession (even though it is still uncertain that are in one, but very likely), but potentially alleviated some of the problems.

 

I am awaiting exactly what you expected Bush to do (or the Democrat controlled Congress) to stop what it happening.

 

 

One of the things that is always interesting to me is when we talk about Bush's term there is nothing he could do to help the current economic climate. But when Carter was president he was responsible for the recession and ecomiic catastrophe of the late 70's. Then when Reagan's economy began to head north again around '84 it was because of what he did. I really wish everyone would get there stories straight and measure all of them with "it's there reponsibility" or "there's nothing they could do." :sssh:

One of the things that is always interesting to me is when we talk about Bush's term there is nothing he could do to help the current economic climate. But when Carter was president he was responsible for the recession and ecomiic catastrophe of the late 70's. Then when Reagan's economy began to head north again around '84 it was because of what he did. I really wish everyone would get there stories straight and measure all of them with "it's there reponsibility" or "there's nothing they could do." :sssh:

It is amazing how reluctant liberals are to assess any blame for anything to Carter and how reluctant they are to give Reagan credit for his many successes. Price and wage controls did not work for Nixon. Price controls, tax increases, and mandated thermostat settings did not work for Carter. Reagan pursued a policy of deregulation and lowered taxes, as did Margaret Thatcher in the UK. It worked.

 

Once again, this country is faced with high gasoline prices and a sluggish economy. Not suprisingly, liberals are responding by proposing price controls and/or higher taxes.

 

The economy follows natural cycles that are beyond the control of the president but pursuing bad policies can damage a sound economy. There is a cause and effect relationship between taxes and a weak economy that JFK and Ronald Reagan both understood.

I think that the question that you are ignoring is what "focusing on the economy" means to you. Specifically, what should Bush have done differently that would have impacted the economy? Higher taxes on gasoline to lower its price? Price controls?

He should have

Not gone to war.

Not dramatically increased the nations debt.

Not allow the dollar to become weak.

I think that the question that you are ignoring is what "focusing on the economy" means to you. Specifically, what should Bush have done differently that would have impacted the economy? Higher taxes on gasoline to lower its price? Price controls?

 

At this point what is wrong with a gas cap? Many middle eastern countries do it, China and India do it. If they capped gas at 2.25 tomorrow our economy would just start like a lightning rod. We might get less back at the end of the year, but thats not all that bad if we can benefit the economy. It would be very similair to going to the DR in Canada, you do not pay for it, but get taxed a little more.

At this point what is wrong with a gas cap? Many middle eastern countries do it, China and India do it. If they capped gas at 2.25 tomorrow our economy would just start like a lightning rod. We might get less back at the end of the year, but thats not all that bad if we can benefit the economy. It would be very similair to going to the DR in Canada, you do not pay for it, but get taxed a little more.

 

 

The US is already subsidizing the price of oil. Just not to the degree that some other countries are. You are paying for it one way or another, either higher prices at the pumps or higher taxes. I would rather give the money to the corporation, at least they are going to get a decent return on investment. If you give it to D.C. you can count on zero ROI, or possibly a negative ROI.

 

There are no free lunches... Seems like you, and most people on the left historically, are mandating for something to occur, but want someone else to foot the bill???

At this point what is wrong with a gas cap? Many middle eastern countries do it, China and India do it. If they capped gas at 2.25 tomorrow our economy would just start like a lightning rod. We might get less back at the end of the year, but thats not all that bad if we can benefit the economy. It would be very similair to going to the DR in Canada, you do not pay for it, but get taxed a little more.

If the government capped gasoline prices at $2.25/gallon, gasoline stations would either close tomorrow morning, sell the gas that they have in the tanks, or sell their gas on the black market. Somebody has to pay for the oil from which gasoline is refined. The largest US oil company is the 14th largest in the world. The US cannot set the market price of oil and capping the price of gasoline would immediately create a black market and drive prices up.

 

The only way to keep gasoline stations open and cap the retail price would be to have taxpayers subsidize the cost of oil. Capping the price of domestic oil production would only result in reducing production. Would you rather pay the equivalent of $1.75/gallon more at the pump or pay the same amount, plus overhead to the federal government as a tax? I would rather pay at the pump on the gasoline that I actually use.

If the government capped gasoline prices at $2.25/gallon, gasoline stations would either close tomorrow morning, sell the gas that they have in the tanks, or sell their gas on the black market. Somebody has to pay for the oil from which gasoline is refined. The largest US oil company is the 14th largest in the world. The US cannot set the market price of oil and capping the price of gasoline would immediately create a black market and drive prices up.

 

The only way to keep gasoline stations open and cap the retail price would be to have taxpayers subsidize the cost of oil. Capping the price of domestic oil production would only result in reducing production. Would you rather pay the equivalent of $1.75/gallon more at the pump or pay the same amount, plus overhead to the federal government as a tax? I would rather pay at the pump on the gasoline that I actually use.

 

 

How do the Chinese/Middle East/India and many other countries do it successfully? Gas is headed upward to 5 dollars in the near future, something clearly has to be done or this will be the longest recession in history.