Annoying platitude of the day
In February, I gave the annoying platitude of the day award to politicians in both parties and MSM types who mindlessly talk about “managing the economy.”
It’s a hard habit to break. John McCain’s delivering a speech this hour in Denver about his jobs plan and the same type of rhetoric has crept in to an otherwise fine speech about keeping taxes low and supporting small businesses. This time he uses the Clinton/Gore metaphor of “growing the economy”–like it’s a Chia pet that just needs to be watered:
All of us know what is happening to the economy. It is slowing. More than 400,000 people have lost their jobs since December, and the rate of new job creation has fallen sharply. Some economists have noted that companies seem to be on a “hiring strike.” Americans are worried about the security of their current job, and they’re worried that they, their kids and their neighbors may not find good jobs and new opportunities in the future. To make matters worse, gas is over $4 a gallon and the price of oil has almost doubled in the last year. The cost of everything from energy to food is rising.
I have a plan to grow this economy, create more and better jobs, and get America moving again
Thomas Sowell said it simply: “Despite the boastful Clinton/Gore rhetoric about ‘growing the economy,’ government does not create economic growth. The best the government can do is stay out of the way while other people create products, jobs and prosperity.”
***
Ed Morrissey reports on the broad themes of the McCain plan/speech. Not much in the way of details yet.
See what others have said
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There’s quite a bit of truth in that, I think.
Just like anything else, the more they say it, the more they believe it.
The best thing government can do for the economy, as Sowell noted, is to stay out of its way.
…and opening the floodgates to unskilled illegals is going to help those 400k newly unemployed workers land jobs how, exactly? I’m not clear on that logic.
McCain needs to grow a pair, not the economy.
Let’s see how many two-word steps government can take to “grow the economy,” shall we?
Fair Tax
Term Limits
Congressional Integrity (that’s gonna leave a mark!)
Veto Pen
Balanced Budget
Strict Constructionists
Drill Here
Drill Now
Pay Less
Win GWOT
Anyone else?
It was the fed (Greenspan) who decided to raise rates until inflation was under control. Well, he was successful. He just left off the part where he would do this by placing a good part of the working force on unemployment and a good many overextended borrowers in foreclosure. So, now we see the gooberment trying to correct itself by paying people who overextended themselves. If the gooberment would get over their lgm-ness and let the markets correct themselves, the economy would be in a slump instead of a freefall. Then again, we are talking about capitalism in a socialist environment are we not?
Smart man, that Thomas Sowell.
Too bad all our politicians, including McCain and Obama, can think to do is try to out-nanny state the other one as they ramp up their rhetoric.
Line-item Veto-Pen
Would be better.
If the government really wanted to help, they’d leave “growing the economy” to people who know that if they fail they’ll pay the consequences and if they succeed they’ll be rewarded.
Don’t worry – Obama will tax you until the economy is dead, then attempt to nationalize everything…
Dump your amnesty plan Mcinsane, and maybe American’s will find work.
“The free market has failed”
It’s failed ’cause you’ve smothered it under regulation.
“We can’t drill our way to more oil”
Does that mean we can’t grow our way to more corn?
I’m trying to figure out which Ronald Reagan quote fits here best…
“Government’s view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it.”
“Government exists to protect us from each other. Where government has gone beyond its limits is in deciding to protect us from ourselves.”
“Entrepreneurs and their small enterprises are responsible for almost all the economic growth in the United States.”
“Man is not free unless government is limited.”
“One way to make sure crime doesn’t pay would be to let the government run it.”
“The best minds are not in government. If any were, business would steal them away.”
“The most terrifying words in the English language are: I’m from the government and I’m here to help.”
“To paraphrase Winston Churchill, I did not take the oath I have just taken with the intention of presiding over the dissolution of the world’s strongest economy.”
Heck. Why limit it to only one. ;-0
I guess he’s never read the Constitution or POTUS job description at all. A President doesn’t make economic policies, only the Congress. He can submit any plan he wants (like the budget), but unless he has the votes in Congress, he won’t get anywhere. That’s why it is is ironic that the democrats blame Bush for economic problems, though they, themselves, are the ones at fault. The way the democratic congressmen see it; if I suggested you rob a bank, and you do, I get the blame, you keep the money and get away free. Intelligent voters should see right through the farce.
Neither McCain nor Obama understand the basic principles of economics that I learned in Econ 101 in college. The fact that both of these big-government idiots espouse the same mantra of “managing” or “growing” the economy I will be voting for someone who is NOT one of these two morons.
I am tired of the GOP acting like socialists. I’ll vote for conservatives and only conservatives. No more SOCIALISTS and RINOs.
Wrong. The internet and the interstate highway system were created by the government (if not by Al Gore personally). Both have contributed to prosperity. We (the US) have an edge in technology because of government subsidies of research and education. Our economy is suffering today in part because Bush and the Republicans blocked fuel efficiency and alternative energy measures, relaxed regulations (subprime, Enron), and sent us deeply into debt with expensive wars and tax cuts.
“I’m from the government
and I’m here to hire you.”
Nice LGM, but long before the internet and the highway system, this country grew on people creating products, jobs causing prosperity. I think you’ll find that the internet came out of people working hard to make it work better and expand…not some Congressman on Capitol Hill. You also need to look up who voted for the Community Reinvestment Act of 1977, before blaming on republicans. That caused the problems we have today in the mortgage field. Anytime government gets involved, it is much like a rookie running a business; no idea what really works, just that it sounds good.
Too late, magicarb…
“The taxpayer – that’s someone who works for the federal government but doesn’t have to take the civil service examination.” – Ronald Wilson Reagan, 40th President of the United States of America
ACHefty – two more two-word answers…
NO EARMARKS!
STOP PORK!
You need a modicum of economics ‘acumen’ to understand you can’t mix entrepreneurship with public finance; which is what your weak argument is attempting to do.
Did it ever occur to you that the roads and bridges are built by private contractors? Even NSF grants that you laud can end up being a Faustian bargain.
You see though, the man is running for election and it wouldn’t be much in terms of a campaign platform for him to say “I am not going to do anything regarding the economy”.
Annoying platitudes? Only when they are examined out of context with a hypercritical eye intent on picking apart everything the man says in order to find something to trash him with. So today we have an off the cuff remark that signifies that he is pro growth…
Can’t have that can we…
The government funded universities in creating a small network in the 70s and 80s. The internet we have now is largely a private creation that bears virtually no resemblance to the Arpanet that the government funded. Anyone with any understanding of the internet would know that.
The interstate system is a study in contradictions. I don’t see how any liberal would call this a success and still claim to believe in Man Made Global Warming. The interstate highway project moved freight off trains and onto large trucks and encouraged Americans with their love affair with the internal combustion engine which liberals, like Algore, claim to be the most dangerous invention of the 20th century.
Who can say what travel and transportation in America would if the federal government had not intervened in the economy and funded the interstate highway system? Would a market solution be better or worse than what we have now? Would it use energy more efficiently? Who knows? Probably.
When everything is nationalized, there is no incentive for the common worker to work any more than the next guy. Capitalism works because those who work more gain more. Taxing people more who drive the economy, will cause them to do less. Afterall, why should they if what they earn goes elsewhere. What we do have is a gov which is better at making excuses than solving problems.
We can’t deport all illegals, so let’s do nothing.
We can’t drill our way out the gas crisis, so let’s do nothing. News flash: we can’t conserve our way out of it either.
Oh, but WE CAN RAISE TAXES! Yeah, throw money at the problem. That worked so well in post-Katrina NO. After everyone can’t drive to work, loses their jobs, can’t afford food and shelter, EXACTLY WHO will be paying the taxes to support the HUGE gov programs?
ACHefty …
Border Fence
Deport Illegals
Open ANWR
How I wish many of our politicians would listen to this very wise individual. Look what Government meddling has done to the Energy Industry as well as any other they have stuck their regulating noses into.
You wanna ‘grow’ an economy? GET RID OF Capital Gains tax!!
From the first time I heard Bill Clinton claim that he created millions of new jobs, and I projectile vomited, I’ve been very weary of these annoying platitudes from the self-anointed righteous class (i.e. politicians).
On July 7th, 2008 at 2:58 pm, magicarb said:
“I’m from the government
and I’m here to hire you.”
Sorry, but I am too old to draft…
ACHefty…
ABOLISH THE FEDERAL RESERVE.
No private interest should have the ability to print our national currency.
Part of the reason why employers are afraid to hire more people is because clueless wonders like McCain and Obama preach “cap-n-trade,” a looming disaster for businesses that makes it impossible for them to plan ahead. If they’re going to have to pay a huge tax on their energy use, and they don’t yet know how much it’s going to cost, how can they hire new people?
I gave the RNC representative who asked me for money a stern talking to this morning when they called asking for $$. After her 5 minute spiel about the dangers of Barack Obama and liberalism and the need to support John McCain’s conservative policies with a generous donation, I asked what conservative policies she could possibly be referring to. I said that I and many other conservatives don’t see much daylight between the two of them and until McCain stops trampling on his base he can’t expect another penny from me.
I said my advice was for McCain to turn to the liberals and independents he’s obviously courting to support his campaign, as I need to save for the coming lean times that will be caused by the policies of either of the current candidates.
graysonret said (#17):
The government has been in the infrastructure business from the beginning:
Goldwater Knight said (#20):
And paid for by taxes.
WarEagle82 said (#22):
The Arpanet was created in 1969 by ARPA, a government agency (now DARPA). The basic archetecture — packet switching, backbones, etc — is now as it was then. The scale and capacity have grown.
And the hamster wheel goes round and round…
Listen moron, Sowell is talking about entrepreneurship not public finance idiot.
Uh oh, you did it now. Cue the mcamnesty cheeleaders. “Then obama will become president”. “Not voting for mccain is a vote for obama”. “mccain is not as bas as obama”. “you just don’t get it…”. Man I sure wish you hadn’t stirred that hornet nest. The red lights are flashing over at mcamensty HQ, so the trolls will now post at least 100 posts deriding us as unintelligent, coward, uninformed, mcacain haters, traitors, who can’t face a challenge. Sigh!!!
How can any one person “manage the economy”? It’s so absurd but people have this “king worship” problem where they’re looking after their “leaders” to look after them, as if the president has some divine quality. And history has proved that the more the government tries to intervene in the workings of the free market, the more they screw it up.
Hey, lgm is generally polite at least. He doesn’t call everyone who disagrees with him names, and occassionally even posts links to support his case. I prefer him to the mcamensty cheerleaders who immediately attack and turn the whole thread into a mud slinging contest a 10 year old would find amusing.
Amen Michelle–Amen, Amen!
Weary Citizen said:
I’ve had all I can stands and I can’t stands no more!
What ever happened to the good ole’ days when you screwed up in class you were publicly humiliated by the teacher because what you said was at the level of a submoron? That’s all I’m doing here. And lgm’s surreptitiously placed statements really piss me off and I feel they’re dangerous to boot.
But it’s a free wheeling board so he can do whatever…
Fully understand what you mean. The logic of liberals has always puzzled me. For example, “we must curb pollution and protect the environment” and in the same breath “we must do more to allow more unfortunates of the world to immigrate here and give amnesty to those here illegally”. First, more people means more environmental degradation. Here’s a thought, stop importing millions of immigrants each year and allow all those pollution curbing mandates you put on us to actually reduce total emmissions. Second, we tried amnesty in 1986 and it has proven to be a complete disaster. So how is giving amnesty to 30M illegals going to work this time? They never learn and use their emotions rather than logic when making decisions. But I will give lgm credit for at least being a quiet troll on the board.
McCain and Obama do have a few things in common, neither has a clue as to how a free market operates.
We’re scr*wed ‘08
seige, what about those bridges of yours?
Lgm has never been accurate about anything, explaining anything to him does not help.
allrsn said (#41):
Did I say something inaccurate today? Did the highway system or the internet create themselves?
Neither would lead to anything if not for capitalism and the free market.
T. Sowell
There are functions that the Federal government can properly perform that can help the economy grow.
It is certainly within the rightful power of the people as represented by their government to define who is a citizen and who is a guest or an intruder and what the legal consequences of each status are. Clarity on these issues is essential for managing growth and avoiding needless costs to business or local communities.
Providing honest and predictable law enforcement and courts can reduce the risk of engaging in business and encourage entrepreneurship. The arbitrary and corrupt practices in Russia and other 3rd world states inhibit growth.
The provision of properly trained and disciplined forces that protect the nation from invasion and deter or punish aggressors as well as ensuring the freedom of peaceful commerce and navigation are a proper function of the federal authority. They also help create conditions that permit growth.
Issuing a sound currency and coinage encourages trade and commerce. It is reasonable that the government act in this field. A reasonable standardization of weights, measures and regulations between distant states or between the United States and foreign nations also is a proper role for the government.
A certain role for the government may exist in defined infrastructure improvements that encourage trade and communication.
These are of course the powers enumerated in our Constitution. We have a federal republic, not an anarchy, and the close attention of the government to its proper powers can create the conditions for growth and prosperity.
lgm public highways aren’t paid for by taxes all the time. Ever heard of municipal bonds or seigniorage? Duh.
There are a few, and only a few, things only the federal government can finance, such as: military and possibly the interstate freeways even to a lesser degree the railroads.
Private enterprise could and would have built the interstate system if the gov did not. They would have done it for much less money and completed it faster. These roads would likely be toll roads rather then “raise the taxes so we can preform maintanence” as has been proven from the 35w bridge failure.
Private enterprise did build most of our electrical infastructure and they also maintain it. The same is true for gasoline and heating fuel.
This must be lgm’s unintentional two cheers for the Department of Defense. Quick. Take away his belt and shoelaces before he finds out.
Dwight D. Eisenhower (Republican) and his DoD were proponents of constructing the interstate highway system. ARPA/DARPA stands for the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency. DARPA was established by DoD (that’s Department of D-e-f-e-n-s-e) directive 5105.15 on February 7, 1958–another Eisenhower\Republican initiative.
On second thought, let lgm keep the belt and shoelaces.
Goldwater Knight said (#45):
Municipal bonds are a form of budget deficit. They are paid from future taxes. (insult omitted).
Die Hippie, Die said (#47):
Eisenhower created ARPA (Advanced Research Projects Agency) outside the DoD because he mistrusted the military. The DoD worked ceaselessly from that day until 1972, (after the creation of the ARPAnet) when ARPA became DARPA, Defense … .
lgm:
Still waiting for you to identify the units you swore that the President redeployed from Afghanistan to Iraq. You didn’t make that up did you?
Channeling Ike are you now? I read the Wikipedia article you linked to and saw nothing to support your contention. Did find the following:
Lgm, minus sprinkling them with your own liberal piques, you do realize you merely restated DHD & GK’s comments?
BTW, municipal bonds are usually considered long-term investment in the private sector, securing for industry the type of infrastructure necessary to develop and grow new jobs and an expansive tax-base, and not just an accounting term for “deficit spending.”