As much as the Republican controlled Congress gets.

 

Then why did things go south so quickly with a republican president AND congress?

I agree with your points. Some other concrete actions taken during the Clinton administration that likely had a positive effect on the economy were welfare reforms (reduced spending and encouraged more people to join the workforce) and the passage of NAFTA.

His welfare reforms were a highlight of his presidency imo. They were long overdue.

His welfare reforms were a highlight of his presidency imo. They were long overdue.

 

 

Agreed. :thumb:

Presidents get way too much credit when the economy flourishes and way too much blame when it goes sour.

 

That being said, it probably isn't a total coincidence that the best economic environment in the last 20 years happened with a president from one party and a Congress controlled by the other.

 

:thumb:

 

Much of the boom of the 1990's is attributed to the Economic Tax and Recovery Act of 1981. This provided a tax credit of 25% for corporate research and development. Also the Tax Reform of 1986 lowered the top tax rates from in the 70% range to the 30% range, and lowered corporate tax rates from 44% to 32%. Many of these corporations had more dollars to hire more workers and R&D budgets exploded as companies could afford to tax the risk with the additional capital they now had. Clinton and the Republican congress are also due some credit actually for probably raising taxes (did I really just say that...) slightly at the right time to shore up the budget deficit.

His welfare reforms were a highlight of his presidency imo. They were long overdue.

 

Agreed, best thing Clinton ever did... If he were just able to think with the correct brains (the one in his skull, not in his pants), I would have a lot more respect for him today.

During his speech last night, more than once he referenced how strong the economy was under his tenure as President.

 

Does he deserve that credit?

Yes. During his tenure the sale of cigars rose to an all time high which in turn (pun intended) helped strengthen the economy.

I believe he deserves some credit, as does the rest of Congress.

Yes. During his tenure the sale of cigars rose to an all time high which in turn (pun intended) helped strengthen the economy.

 

:laugh::laugh: Winner, winner...chicken dinner!!! :jump:

 

Also, the carpet cleaning business went up, especially whoever had the contract for the white house and the oval office.

Edited August 30, 200818 yr by rockmom

Presidents get way too much credit when the economy flourishes and way too much blame when it goes sour.

 

That being said, it probably isn't a total coincidence that the best economic environment in the last 20 years happened with a president from one party and a Congress controlled by the other.

 

 

That is well said. I think people often get too caught up in how great they think it would be if their party controlled both the Legislative and Executive branches of government. I don't like the idea because in my opinion it often leaves loonies on the left or right more room to try and push their agendas. A split government offers a greater degree of compromise and forces both sides to try to come to some sort of accord.

Then why did things go south so quickly with a republican president AND congress?

 

 

See my earlier post, along with the rest of this one:

 

 

The problem that this Republican Congress ran into is that it had been in power too long and really hadn't had to fight as hard or keep to the principles that got them into office in the mid-90's.

 

The longer that any party stays in office the more likely they are to become less effective in my opinion.

The problem that this Republican Congress ran into is that it had been in power too long and really hadn't had to fight as hard or keep to the principles that got them into office in the mid-90's.

Exactly. So many of the Republicans that stormed into office in 1994 eventually became exactly what they ran against ... another example of how power corrupts.

Exactly. So many of the Republicans that stormed into office in 1994 eventually became exactly what they ran against ... another example of how power corrupts.

Besides the corrupting influence of power, two other factors hurt the Republicans. Some of the best of the Republican class of '94 ran on the promise of term limiting themselves and kept their promises (others reneged) and the biggest hit may have been Newt Gingrich's retirement from the House.

Then why did things go south so quickly with a republican president AND congress?

 

First, things where going south in the summer of Bill Clinton's last term. I guess he would deserve some of the blame for that.

 

The Republican President and Republican controlled Congress would get credit for the positives and negatives of the 2000 to 2006.

 

The Democrats reestablished credit and blame since 2006.

Then why did things go south so quickly with a republican president AND congress?

 

First there is the business cycle, which Clinton claimed he had eliminated, even though the slow-down of the economy began in the last months of his Presidendcy, not a recession, a slowdown. Then came along 9-11-01, which was a major hit to the economy

 

As for now the Republicans overspent like the Democracts used to do and after the Democracts took over in 2006 their policies on energy have, which actually have been in place for 30+ years, have led to driving up gas prices. And let us remember that we have been working on wind, solar power and electric cars since the Carter years and nothing has really come of them.

 

The business cycle is what really drives the economy, there are good times followed by bad times followed by good times.

I agree with your points. Some other concrete actions taken during the Clinton administration that likely had a positive effect on the economy were welfare reforms (reduced spending and encouraged more people to join the workforce) and the passage of NAFTA.

 

Then why did things go south so quickly with a republican president AND congress?

 

Connect those two.

 

After NAFTA was approved, good jobs in this country started leaving. While right away the prices of products dropped, thus allowing an economic boom. It eventually caught up to us.