Conservatives sour on the economy.
By on Feb 14th, 2008 at 12:47 pm
Conservatives sour on the economy.
A new Pew poll finds that the American public’s views of the economy have “plummeted since January.” Just one percent rate the economy as “excellent,” and 16 percent say it is “good.” More surprisingly, the views of conservative Republicans have shifted the most dramatically, with just 34 percent rating the economy excellent/good:
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And a Feb 07 – Feb 08 drop of 31 points?? Wow.
The trolls are going to be a howlin at this one.
February 14th, 2008 at 12:49 pmGood ole Busch-O-nomics.
A∞Ω
February 14th, 2008 at 12:49 pmfrom antiwar.com (Justin Raimondo)
This permanent war economy is financed by government, of course, which goes into debt in order to pay for the biggest orgy of arms spending in history. That debt eats away at the very heart of our prosperity and threatens to hollow out our economic system as the markets shake and quiver, hinting at a financial meltdown that every half-awake economist and market maven expects – and fears. A few profit while the rest of us suffer the consequences. That isn’t capitalism; that’s government-subsidized cronyism.
We are borrowing from the Chinese in order to pay the costs of our Middle Eastern empire, but what will we do when they no longer buy our debt? When they dump our securities, our “empire†goes down the tubes – and the warlords of Washington know it
February 14th, 2008 at 12:52 pmWow, no Clinton did it! from DicklessTracyToo?
February 14th, 2008 at 12:52 pmfrom antiwar.com (Justin Raimondo) :
Since 9/11, the United States has stood astride the global arms market and shows no signs of slacking off. In 2006, Washington wrapped up the biggest number of new arms deals, to the tune of some $16.9 billion, over 40 percent of the worldwide total. Russia came in second, with a mere $8.7 billion. More than half of the global arms deliveries were made by the U.S.
Just last week, on Feb. 8, 18 “defenseâ€-related contracts were announced totaling $326,664,244. That makes 58 publicly-reported defense contracts for the week, totaling $1,584,635,220. Last month, there were 223 publicly-reported defense contracts, totaling $19,625,989,716. While the civilian economy is shrinking, the military sector is expanding – and, if either of the eventual major party candidates have their way, the military expenditures will balloon. The Democrats, like the Republicans, are pledged to an even bigger U.S. military. It’s good for business, if your business is war or war-related, and it’s good for votes – especially the votes, active support, and political contributions of the growing group of Americans whose livelihoods, and claim to some sort of social status, depend on the continuation of our foreign policy of perpetual war.
February 14th, 2008 at 12:53 pmeven more from antiwar.com (Justin Raimondo)
For a relatively paltry investment – chump change, really – the military-industrial complex hauls in boatloads of cash. It’s nice work, if you can get it. The problem is that the rest of us pay, in the form of taxes, to subsidize this politically powerful new class: an America that isn’t producing anything all that useful, except for bombs and subprime mortgage securities, is growing poorer as a result of their labors. Every dollar locked up in the dead end of military equipment, which cannot be used except for a single, rather limited purpose, is one less dollar that is invested in productive capital, i.e., an investment that expands the private market, creates non-government jobs, and generally increases the level of well-being in our society.
In effect, the military-industrial complex lives very much like a vampire, draining the life’s blood from the productive sector and reducing the availability of capital investment where it’s really needed. Our foreign policy massively misallocates the distribution of wealth in our society and pumps funds into areas that are not productive, while starving those sectors that would benefit the civilian economy.
February 14th, 2008 at 12:53 pmConservatives are a bit slow in cognition abilities since the key indicators for an economic downturn and recession have been evident for close to 1 yr.
February 14th, 2008 at 12:55 pmCan we try for a Tracy3? Tracy2 seems to be a defective model.
February 14th, 2008 at 12:57 pm#9 Dr Matt, Crap, I had 12:57…
February 14th, 2008 at 12:57 pmI wish I could ask tracy_tutu what she thinks Congress did in ‘07 to damage the roaring Bush economy so severely in only twelve months, but I’m trying to follow the “talk about them, not to them” policy.
Bummer. Now we’ll never know.
February 14th, 2008 at 12:57 pmthis 110th Congress HAS done a MUCH better job
February 14th, 2008 at 12:59 pmthan the congress’ of the prior 7 years… at the least…
PLC, I’ll get my WTF-Troll-Sequence_Recalibrationer out of the attic tonight when I get home from work and see if it still works.
February 14th, 2008 at 12:59 pmI’m assuming these are the true conservatives who’ve grown disenchanted… you know the ones who actually read and respect the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, as opposed to the neo-cons who believe Might Makes Right…..
February 14th, 2008 at 1:00 pmDr. Matt, hope to hell it isn’t a Community Technical Preview…
February 14th, 2008 at 1:00 pmApparently burying your head in the sand doesn’t keep you from seeing the state of affairs when are in. Dubya and MCain say the economy is in great shape. Maybe they are on a different planet than the rest of us. They see us winning in Iraq, Afganisthan, and the war on terror. They also think the sky is blue and sun is shining on a cloudy rainy day. They say that just doing nothing will reduce the cost of oil, gas and we will get universal health care. The republicans alway saying: Just let the free market work and everything will be allright. That’s the problem, the free market has been at work for centuries and we ended up in the shape were in now.
They put too much faith in business leaders who are basically just a bunch of greedy bastards who are out for number 1. That kind of thinking and idiots voting republicans into office is what has held America down for decades. Think of it this way: If we had the same free health care, Bush, McCain and every other elected official has, our employers wouldn’t have to pay for those benefits. This would save trillions of dollars and enable them to invest in new jobs and equipment. General motors, Ford, and other big companies spend billions of dollars each year on health care alone. Now if that money was re-invested in equipment and new jobs we’d be much much better off.
I dare any republican blogger to dispute this fact. The other thing is it really makes sense for republicans to support this idea because companies would save billions of dollars rather than spend them on health care needlessly. Isn’t that the republican way, give money to companies and let them decide what to do with it?
February 14th, 2008 at 1:00 pmLike Bruce Willis said to the cop in Die Hard:
February 14th, 2008 at 1:01 pm“Welcome to the party, pal!”
Maybe the cons are seeing thru the cesspool fog that the war criminals in the White House are spewing.
Now maybe they will see just how wrong torture is and the propaganda that the repukian scum bags have been brainwashing with about….
….don’t hold your breath.
They only respond to things when it affects them.
Buck Fush
February 14th, 2008 at 1:02 pmThe long delayed triumph of reality over ideology.
February 14th, 2008 at 1:04 pmSee, there is no problem if you lose your job or can’t save any money. But it is a CRISIS if I lose my job and my stock tumbles.
And sadly that thinking is non partisan.
February 14th, 2008 at 1:06 pmWe are all in trouble if McPain(in my ass) becomes prez.
Lord help us all!
February 14th, 2008 at 1:06 pmBummer. Now we’ll never know.
Comment by ralph the wonder llama
Doesn’t matter what Tracy 2Stupid thinks, you need to ask someone with more than 2 brain cells. T2 is RNC memo machine, repeat what it’s told, nothing more.
Buck Fush
February 14th, 2008 at 1:07 pmT2 is RNC memo machine, repeat what it’s told, nothing more.
Buck Fush
Comment by Buckie Boy — February 14, 2008 @ 1:07 pm
Clearly.
But I am always interested in what kind of arguments will follow ridiculous pronouncements of the type that are T2’s specialty. I’m kind of a student of absurdity.
February 14th, 2008 at 1:17 pmAnd T2 is a fascinating study.
February 14th, 2008 at 1:17 pmI wonder if the nearly $500 billion spent on the Iraq Occupation would help…. nah.
February 14th, 2008 at 1:17 pmI’m kind of a student of absurdity.
Comment by ralph the wonder llama — February 14, 2008 @ 1:17 pm
Then you’re living in the Golden Age, Ralph. Revel in it!
February 14th, 2008 at 1:19 pmComment by Tracy2 — February 14, 2008 @ 12:51 pm
When you take into account the endless obstructionism of the GOOPers, and the fact that Herr Brusch decided to start vetoing bills…
February 14th, 2008 at 1:21 pmSomeone call Troll Central — their Tracy2 unit is malfunctioning. It’s responding very slowly and it’s spitting out nonsense, like an old cassette player running out of batteries.
I’m sure the RNC doesn’t want to represented this way.
February 14th, 2008 at 1:24 pmApparently burying your head in the sand doesn’t keep you from seeing the state of affairs when are in. Dubya and MCain say the economy is in great shape.
Comment by The Shadow — February 14, 2008 @ 1:00 pm
Yeah, and Herbert Hoover said “prosperity is just around the corner” in 1932. He wasn’t re-elected that year, and the opposition party came in and held the White House for the next 20 years. Burying your head in the sand is generally a bad idea.
February 14th, 2008 at 1:24 pmgood – i’d be happy to know that lots of righties are declaring bankruptcy and getting their homes foreclosed on – no one has ever deserved it more. may they all end up working at wal-mart and living in crappy little apartments.
February 14th, 2008 at 1:25 pmComment by The Republic of Stupidity — February 14, 2008 @ 1:21 pm
please don’t obscure things with facts.
thank you.
tracy2, please continue your bs….
“…or maybe that ineffective/unresponsive?”
?
February 14th, 2008 at 1:25 pmit’s your righty buddies who have congress all c*cked up Tracy, so sing your little song somewhere else.
February 14th, 2008 at 1:26 pm… companies would save billions of dollars rather than spend them on health care needlessly. Isn’t that the republican way, give money to companies and let them decide what to do with it?
Comment by The Shadow — February 14, 2008 @ 1:00 pm
but, but, what about the insurance companies? (whining)…
February 14th, 2008 at 1:26 pmthey deserve record profits too…
it’s hard work pushing paper around… transmitting all that data…
not to mention the strain of having to determine who lives and dies…
…
Comment by Tracy2 — February 14, 2008 @ 1:28 pm
Well, it’s good to see that T2’s spell-check circuit is still functioning, even if its logic board is fried.
February 14th, 2008 at 1:30 pmYes and Congress has also done an excellent job since November 2006.
Comment by Tracy2 — February 14, 2008 @ 12:51 pm
It must be a world of hurt to be a Bush supporter, huh Tracy? And they say the darkest hour is just before the dawn.
February 14th, 2008 at 1:32 pmoh quit playin’ with the poor thing…
give us some useful information, please!
February 14th, 2008 at 1:33 pmYou might want a new congress since this one has been defective since it was installed….or maybe that ineffective/unresponsive?
Comment by Tracy2 — February 14, 2008 @ 1:21 pm
Well they write great letters, but someone needs to help Pelosi find a table.
When you take into account the endless obstructionism of the GOOPers, and the fact that Herr Brusch decided to start vetoing bills…
Comment by The Republic of Stupidity — February 14, 2008 @ 1:21 pm
Impeachment off the table was such a good move, it makes such a great deterrent to Bush doing bad things…. /snark
The obstruction thing doesn’t even fly with me, because the biggest obstruction has been from the Democratic Leadership putting politics over Rule of Law and the Constitution. Same thing thats wrong with the Republicans.
February 14th, 2008 at 1:33 pmComment by Tracy2 — February 14, 2008 @ 1:28 pm
thank you pat2.
i’m sorry i mean pat3.
damn. no it’s tracy2 today, isn’t it?
eh?
February 14th, 2008 at 1:37 pmI’m assuming these are the true conservatives who’ve grown disenchanted…
I think it’s more a case of NIMBY. If they’re doing dandy, the economy is good. But guess what? Housing valuations have taken a nosedive. Even for people who own 2-3-4 houses (most of which are still financed. The rich finance as much as others do even when they don’t have to.) And if you’ve paid 3 million dollars for a property and it is now workth 2.5 mil, that’s a big dump. Woe is me! Now it IS in my back yard.
Guess the economy isn’t as rosy as they thought. OOops.
February 14th, 2008 at 1:39 pmTrue, wayne.
February 14th, 2008 at 1:39 pmand it’s always “lib-ruls” fault from the twisted p.o.v of the derelict and corrupt right. what an ugly side to choose, and what a sad pack of losers they always turn out to be.
go pound sand.
February 14th, 2008 at 1:46 pmComment by Tracy2 — February 14, 2008 @ 1:44 pm
You mean, like the way YOU’Re assigning blame right now?
Oh, the irony.
February 14th, 2008 at 1:47 pmthat’s why 29 R congressmen are quitting – giving up – surrendering
because they know what they’ve done is wrong from the word go, and they’re just hoping to make it out with their money intact, like the common criminals they are.
February 14th, 2008 at 1:48 pmYes Clinton is also responsible….she is in the U.S. Senate and has been for some time now.
Comment by Tracy2 — February 14, 2008 @ 1:16 pm
———–
It’s ALWAYS someone else’s fault with you guys.
Comment by Tracy2 — February 14, 2008 @ 1:44 pm
See? The logic board is fried. It’s making completely contradictory statements now.
Oh, wait… I’m just looking in the Tracy2 Operator’s Manual online, and it says the unit was programmed to make contradictory statements.
Apparently, that’s one of its primary functions.
That and spell-checking.
February 14th, 2008 at 1:48 pmthat’s why 29 R congressmen are quitting – giving up – surrendering
THERE IS A GOD!
February 14th, 2008 at 1:49 pmBush’s policy of free markets are the way to go, how is it free when the corporation paid lobbyists have free access to our Congress’s votes and the American people have no spokesperson ? How is it free when tax relief is only given to the top 1% in America?
What is free about low tarrifs on imported goods but other countries use high tarrifs on American made goods.
Who is looking out for the working people of America ?
February 14th, 2008 at 1:51 pmWho is looking out for the working people of America ?
February 14th, 2008 at 1:52 pmAt this point, no one.
most righties are scrambling to don the camouflage of independence right now, because aversion to responsibility and accountability is their #1 motivation. they’ll all backpedal now, declare that they never supported bush or the gop, and that they’re really “moderate independents” – weak p.r., fit only for the most credulous of suckers. craven as the day is long – sylvester the cat is a better example of morals and ethics than these flaccid hatriots.
February 14th, 2008 at 1:53 pmI think it is wrong to say people are worried about the economy. I believe people are simply feeling less wealthy, because their home values have plummetted, and they no longer have that safety net.
If asked about their jobs and cost of living, they are fine. It is just housing that is the main problem.
February 14th, 2008 at 1:57 pmf asked about their jobs and cost of living, they are fine. It is just housing that is the main problem.
Comment by Jason M. Hendler — February 14, 2008 @ 1:57 pm
I’d say that’s a serious problem. This is especially true for those who no longer have ANY home at all.
February 14th, 2008 at 1:59 pmIf asked about their jobs and cost of living…
Especially those who are no longer even looking for jobs after being laid off 24 months ago…
February 14th, 2008 at 2:00 pmBummer. Now we’ll never know.
Comment by ralph the wonder llama — February 14, 2008 @ 12:57 pm
…As if she could give a reasoned response anyway… ;)
February 14th, 2008 at 2:00 pmI think it wrong to say that Jason Man Handler is a clueless troll. I believe Jason Man Handler is simply feeling depressed because his political philosophy has failed America so badly, and he has no psychological safety net.
If asked about torture or the federal deficit, he is fine. It is just Democrats that are the main problem.
February 14th, 2008 at 2:01 pmThat and spell-checking.
Comment by ralph the wonder llama — February 14, 2008 @ 1:48 pm
:) you’re killin’ me!
February 14th, 2008 at 2:10 pmfaultered …
Comment by Tracy2 — February 14, 2008 @ 2:08 pm
In addition to being a lousy president, he can’t serve a tennis ball either?
February 14th, 2008 at 2:13 pmSo, all the intelligence was faulty – I see – so, please explain why Tenet received a Medal of Freedom, will you Condi? Or who in the intelligence community was held accountable for all this faulty intelligence? And why is it ALWAYS some else’s fault?
February 14th, 2008 at 2:15 pmIt wasn’t because the Democrats won it, it was because the Republican lost it….and deserved to.
Comment by Tracy2 — February 14, 2008 @ 2:08 pm
Ding ,ding , ding!
We agree on two in one day.
I said that right after the 2006 election
The ineffectual Democratic Leadership didn’t win the 2006 election, the crookedness of the Republicans and the Page Scandal right before lost the election for Republicans. People voted for the ONLY alternative.
Don’t underestimate the ability of the Democratic Leadership to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.
February 14th, 2008 at 2:26 pm#63 – Tracy 2 – When the ones who benefit from the tax break like Warren Buffet agree the tax break isn’t the best idea, I will take the word of a successful businessman.
February 14th, 2008 at 2:32 pmAnd you have to be the only person I have heard say their taxes haven’t gone up.
And you have to be the only person I have heard say their taxes haven’t gone up.
Comment by texaslady — February 14, 2008 @ 2:32 pm
Mine went up, definitely.
I don’t mind taxes IF people are helped and the infrastructure is improved. The billions wasted on Iraq, a war started on lies drives me nuts though.
February 14th, 2008 at 2:37 pmJason – Strange that so many people I know are worried about their jobs and that is over several industries. People are buying cautiously, restaurants are offering specials which did not happen before. Did you hear that retail sales are lower than in 40 years ?
You need to avail yourself to something other than bush fairy tales.
February 14th, 2008 at 2:42 pm“It wasn’t because the Democrats won it, it was because the Republican lost it….and deserved to.”
Comment by Tracy2 — February 14, 2008 @ 2:08 pm
How silly. They lost because independents turned against them. And because voters of nominal republican bent changed partise. Haven’t you noticed that registration of republican voters has dropped in recent years?
February 14th, 2008 at 3:20 pmHaven’t you noticed that registration of republican voters has dropped in recent years?
Comment by barfly — February 14, 2008 @ 3:20 pm
Because the Republican corruption lost support for Republicans does not mean Democratic gains were for Democratic effectiveness. The Democrats did not win 2006 as much as the Republicans threw it away and alienated voters with the blatant corruption and Foley-gate right before the election.
“Impeachment off the table” pissed me off, but the Republicans pissed me off more.
February 14th, 2008 at 3:27 pmWhile polls are interesting, Bernanke said, “No recession in 2008.”
This echos comments from other Fed members.
February 14th, 2008 at 3:27 pmWhile polls are interesting, Bernanke said, “No recession in 2008.â€
This echos comments from other Fed members.
Comment by muckdog — February 14, 2008 @ 3:27 pm
yeah. And he also said “the economy has worsened”.
And in 2006 he said, “The housing market, after flying high for five years, has lost altitude but appears headed for a safe landing”
But thanks for your sunny take on the issue.
February 14th, 2008 at 4:07 pmThis echos comments from other Fed members.
Comment by muckdog — February 14, 2008 @ 3:27 pm
just more lies for the gullible, like suckdog. Greenspan reversed his lies once he was out, remember? Are you taking the same stupid pills as tracy2 and jason hitler? There must be a lifelong supply for you suckers.
February 14th, 2008 at 4:10 pmI am not even close to the top 1% and my taxes have gone down significantly since 2000.
Comment by Tracy2 — February 14, 2008 @ 1:59 pm
and now you’re a proven liar.
February 14th, 2008 at 4:11 pm