Democrats are historically better stewards of the economy

[Anonymous]

For those that may fear the ability of Democrats to provide for a healthy, growing economy (in case th recent financial crisi has not yet scared you away from the Republicans), consider this: http://econ.jhu.edu/people/ccarroll/Opinion/CapitalismAndSkepticism.pdf

Democrats have outperformed Republicans by almost any measure of economic achievement (GDP growth per capita, unemployment, inflation, budget deficits). Democrats have even managed to beat the Republicans on their own turf: Thanks to the profligacy of the current administration (and the prudence of the previous one), average Federal spending as a fraction of GDP under Republican Presidents now exceeds spending under Democrats over the measured period.

The pattern of Republican deficiency holds up when the span of historical analysis is extended by using stock returns instead of GDP to measure economic performance: On average, since the inception of the Standard and Poors composite stock index data in 1926, the reward to putting your money in the market has been about 16 percentage points lower per Presidential term under Republicans than under Democrats. Republican underperformance remains a stubborn fact even when the Great Depression and World War II are left out of the analysis (in the fond hope that they will prove to have been unique experiences).

Historical economic growth data firmly support that Republicans have had a poor record when it comes to growing our economy. So for those fearful of the impact of an Obama-led economy (including his proposed tax plan) on your pocketbook, pelase consider the broader picture of what ultimately will impact your family's economic prospects...

[Anonymous]

Well 62% believe that Obama would handle the economy better compared to 35% for McCain. Joe the plumber is only resonating with the base who was already voting for McCain and were grasping for some reasons to say why they wanted to do this.

Dems do a much better job at growing jobs and strengthening opportunities which fuels economic growth to get out of downturns. The republican anti regulation and breaks to big business can work when the economy is strong and create a bigger jump in these profits which does help the economy but if they are unchecked the outcome is not good. The wild card here is the ridiculous size of the deficit thanks to Bush. Doesn't anyone remember how he stressed that going into Iraq wouldn't cost more than a few billion? They even struggled and didn't show the first 88 billion until legally forced by congress to bring the funding forward. A trillion later....

[Anonymous]

I sent the link to this article to my staunchly Republican friend and her reply ... " well, the economy is not really affecting me and my family, as of today". Very aggravating mindset to say the least! I wonder if more people feel this way. Perhaps this lack of forward thinking and non-interest in being proactive is what landed us in this mess in the first place???

[Anonymous]

"Socialism" aside, shaving a few dollars from the top will NOT make a rich man or rich woman poor. Giving tax breaks to the middle class - who are working for their money w/o the benefit of having their money work for them - can only level the playing field. Let's give a break to those who deserve it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Dems do a much better job at growing jobs and strengthening opportunities which fuels economic growth to get out of downturns. The republican anti regulation and breaks to big business can work when the economy is strong and create a bigger jump in these profits which does help the economy but if they are unchecked the outcome is not good. The wild card here is the ridiculous size of the deficit thanks to Bush. Doesn't anyone remember how he stressed that going into Iraq wouldn't cost more than a few billion? They even struggled and didn't show the first 88 billion until legally forced by congress to bring the funding forward. A trillion later....

Clinton created approx. 20 million jobs and a budget surplus. Dubya created around 5 million jobs and an historic deficit.

Who is the one who said we'd be in and out in 3 months? Was that Rumsfeld? Who landed on that naval carrier with the banner "Mission Accomplished"? Are they high? Delusional? Or just plain arrogant?