Bush: Economy strong, the proof on eBay

Bush: "Economy Strong, The Proff On E-Bay"

Tell that to the middle and lower income Americans, Prez Chimpy.

Other than the rich Republican white guys on wall street, no one thinks this economy is anything more than what it is, a "paper tiger."
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tiganatoo/751745888/

It's great that eBay is doing so well and has contributed to growth in America. But eBay does not reflect on how the government is doing financially. We've funded at 340 billion dollar war [estimated by the Borgen Project], and have cause more trouble than we've gained. The United States can't rely on the performance of other countries. We need to get our act together.

Does the man ever tell the truth?

eBay is doing so well because strapped families are selling their family heirlooms just to stay afloat.

Chimp - born on 3rd base and thinking he hit a triple – doesn’t have a clue.

Since when does the world's biggest yard sale indicate a robust economy?

Is eBay on "the internets" Mr. President? Can I use "the Google" to find their website?

Sound's like the Draftdodger in Chief is telling a "fib" again.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/godhatesthesprings/7184947/

Is Bush really taking credit for Ebay's success?

If he needs more proof the economy is strong he should look at revenues from internet porn sites. Now there is an entrepreneurial success story. A web cam and a PayPal account can make you very rich. Jusk ask Jeff Gannon.

Tim, what is he lying about? Unemployment is a historically low of 4.6 percent. Incomes are up. Taxes are down. The economy has grown every quarter since 2002. And, yes, there are lots of strip malls containing little "e-bay shops," which shows U.S. entreprenuerialism at work.

He is an idiot! Dubya is a freakin' idiot!

"Cutting taxes boosts revenues."

Someone take the credit card away from junior.

Trickle down, aka supply side, aka voodoo economics is dead. Ask the 1,000,000 who've just had their homes foreclosed upon (and that number may rise to 6 million). Just don't ask the Hedge Fund barons, who manage trillions, make billions for themselves, and give nearly nothing to Uncle Sam -- at least not until he reaches the Bahamas and Cayman Islands.

And besides, I doubt Meg Whitman wants her company dragged into this any more than the GOP candidates will be seen with W.

As usual, the Swamp headline ("Bush: Economy strong, the proof on eBay") lies about what the President actually said, which was that E-Bay was an EXAMPLE OF the booming economy. He didn't say E-Bay was PROOF OF the booming economy. Rather, Bush cited the increased tax collections as proof.

Can't you guys get anything correct?

Always interesting to see the deniers at work, ignoring the facts that the number of Americans employed is a record high (much higher than under Clinton); home ownership is at a record high; the stock market rides higher than at any comparable period in history; retail sales are higher than ever, consumer confidence continues to rise, and inflation is low.
Oh, wait, there is a horse collar manufacturer having trouble in Hog Wallow, MA. That will be the headline. Old story, good news is bad news for the Left.

"Voodoo economics" is not a synonym for supply side economic theory. Someone educate this loon about the Laffer Curve, please. And make sure to use small words for the part about it having nothing to do with the idea that having more than enough supply to meet a rising demand benefits both sides of any transaction.

Not much real discussion going on here, anyway. Just the typical namecalling you get at this "news" site. Colonel McCormick must be rolling around in his grave at the travesty his once-great newspaper has become. Although it is true that some businesses are losing money in this good economy. Good luck with the next round of layoffs and buyouts, Trib boys.

" Trickle down, aka supply side, aka voodoo economics is dead. Ask the 1,000,000 who've just had their homes foreclosed upon (and that number may rise to 6 million)."
Posted by: Kenny Bunkport | August 8, 2007 2:11 PM

What the???

How does this have anything to do with the Bushs tax cuts?

If I buy a 3000 sq ft home with an interest only mortgage and then rates go up-so much that i can't afford ny house any more- that is bad consumer decision making.

Not because of any tax - cuts- get real!

How does this have anything to do with the Bushs tax cuts?

If I buy a 3000 sq ft home with an interest only mortgage and then rates go up-so much that i can't afford ny house any more- that is bad consumer decision making.

Not because of any tax - cuts- get real!

Posted by: heartburn | August 8, 2007 2:40 PM

What is it with you Republic Party goons?

2008 GOP Slogan:
"It's all about me me me me me me me me me and everyone else can go f-themselves...or fall into the river after a bridge collapes because we're already giving all of our money to Iraq and the rich Republicans"

antacid, kenny bunkport or whtever...

I will take your odd rant as you not having an answer to my question?

You attempted to make a cause/effect argument for tax cuts = increase in foreclosures.. you didn't make sense with that- i called you on this. judging from your awkward response i understand that you have no grasp of the economic concept- but man, are you good at name calling. Nice work-!

"YARD SALE DEFINES AMERICAN ECONOMY"

MORE CRACK AND MORE CRACK.

WHEN DOES IT STOP. HOW CAN ONE COMPARE THE ECONOMY TO AMERICANS BACKYARD YARD SALES. ARE WE SAYING OUR ECONOMY IS BASED ON OUR OWN WALMART WAYS OF BUYING AND SELLING? HAVE WE ALL GONE "CHINA."

FORGET BERNAKE, FORGET GREENSPAN, FORGET ECONOMIC FORECASTERS THAT KNOW WHAT THE HELL THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT. FORGET THE FACT THAT THE TREE GETS SHAKEN EVERY FRIDAY AFTER HALLIBURTON LOSES ANOTHER 10 CIVILLIANS AND HAS TO PAY OUT 1 MILLION DOLLARS AND SELLS OFF SOME OF THAT UNKNOWN STOCK PURCHASES FROM THAT 9 BILLION DUMP IN IRAQ. FORGET THAT 71,000 PEOPLE WENT INTO FORECLOSURE LAST WEEK.

THIS GOP JUST KEEPS ON ATTEMPTING TO PASS PARTS AND PARTS OF THAT IMMIGRATION BILL. GET ME EEVS, GET ME SOCIAL REFORM BEHIND CLOSE DOORS AND WITHIN THAT BILL. CONGRESS MUST PASS PARTS. PARTS ARE PARTS, AND I'M NOT TALKING ABOUT CHICKEN AMERICA.

I NEED TO BE ABLE TO INSERT "SECRETARY" WHERE YOU SEE SOCIAL SECURITY COMMISSIONER.

PEOPLE THIS GOP RIGHT WING CONSPIRATORS, RIGHT WING MACHINE IS CONSOLIDATING THE FOUR BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT AS WE KNOW IT UNDER THE ALMIGHT "CHERTOF"

I THOUGHT A SLOW SCREW WAS A DRINK. MAYBE NOT.

“We want this to be the land of dreamers and doers’’

The sad thing is that people in this country buy into this dreamland hillbilly rhetoric.

The man volunteered for a beer run and ended up running the world.......................

By almost any measure the economy is doing very, very well. Unemployment is at historic lows, inflation is under 3%, Stock market is soaring.

The reality is that the lefties on these blogs see any good economic news as bad news for them. The lefties only counter-argument is that "GWB is a stupid chimp". Is that the best argument they can make? If the US economy is so bad, why do we have millions of illegals trying to sneak into the US to work?

“Twelve years ago, eBay did not exist,’’ the president said...
And you weren't president 12 years ago, brainiac. So now he's inferring what, his tax cuts from this decade were responsible for the tech business boom in the 90s?

And you can forget about that 'unemployment is at an all time low' nonsense too. I heard a woman on the bus today bragging about her new, $10/hr, 10-12/hr a day job.

John D.- Bush has lied to and mislead the American people about this war on terror and Iraq. Are you really that clueless??
You also state that incomes are up and taxes are down. You and I both know that is not true. Unlike you, at least I can admit it.

Democronies...Republicrooks blah blah blah....Yes, the economy is doing OK. NOT very, very well as some believe. There are some good indicators and also some startling ones. It's just that anytime the Pres talks about anything business related he comes off sounding like such an idiot and it makes us ALL look bad. The man, and most people in the US, have a poor understanding of the basic principles of business/economics/etc. If they were taught these things, then we wouldn't have payday loan stores, people defaulting on their adj. rate mortgages, or a president that isn't able to run a successful business. I'm not being negative, I'm just saying that there is always room for improvement, and as the greatest nation on the planet we need to set the bar a bit higher. Instead of these"revenue increasing tax cuts" that encourage people (rich people) to start business etc., I think we'd (the middle class) be better off rasing taxes (at least undo these tax "cuts") and revamping our infrastructure/advancing our technology (roads, new modes of transport, new sources of energy, ghetto elimination etc. - anything but a giant wall along the border or more TSA personnel). I'd also like to see some meaningful business/economics classes be required teaching in K-12.

http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/treasurys-dive-fed-china-rattle/story.aspx?guid=%7B2C567185-EAD5-4D78-A2B7-5A3D70362931%7D

The line about the US and China engaging in "mutually assured economic destruction" is a nice counterpart to Bush's optimism about Ebay.

Roger Morris,

I don't have any idea if what you write is worth reading. But until you ditch the caps I'll never read your stuff.

DD,
You're right. China owns us. They have the power to dump us into recession pretty quick. It would do similarly horrible things to their economy, but the sheer fact that they control so much of our debt is dangerous.
If China falls, we fall a long way too.

Of course, Cheryl pulls out people are working at Wal-Mart lie. Sorry, dear, but people are getting good, high-paying jobs.

It seems to me though in recent weeks the Loons have railed against BP and 80 new high-paying jobs at the Indiana refinery expansion, railed against the financial services sector (again good-paying jobs), the insurance industry (again, generally good-paying jobs), the oil industry (good-paying jobs), the U.S. food industry (good-paying jobs), the pharmaceutical industry (good-paying jobs). So every industry that has good-paying jobs you weirdos want to inhibit and socialize, costing people good-paying jobs.
Please all of you, head to Venezuala as fast as you can!

Is unemployment under 2%? Its not? Then its not 'historically low unemployment'
Income is up? Only if you ignore little things like inflation, gas, heating, health care etc.
Taxes are down? Not if you factor in increases in your property taxes & additional service fees at state & federal offices.

Please all of you, head to Venezuala as fast as you can!

Posted by: John D | August 8, 2007 5:16 PM

Here he goes again. John D, you've just named off some of the problem areas company wise. Pharmaceutical industry (a rip off), the oil industry (a rip off). Wal-Mart would never get a dime of my money. Man you are clueless. By more Chinese junk John. That's the answer. Enjoy Wal-Mart. p.s. Bush never ran a successful business. Ever.

DRoo said.
If the US economy is so bad, why do we have millions of illegals trying to sneak into the US to work?

Posted by: DRoo | August 8, 2007 3:44 PM

Because theirs is worse. Hello!!!

Online porn is a far bigger money maker then Ebay could dream of being & its grown every year since Bush stole his office. Even in the most red states.

Must be another liberal conspiracy.

Hey, effete Yale educated Eastern retrograde! Where's the Spandex pants?!

Oh, I forgot; You are a cowboy from Texas.

Logic Prisoner;

Could DRoo be 'Aroo'?

Unemployment is a historically low of 4.6 percent.
Posted by: John D | August 8, 2007 2:06 PM

Unemployment is at historic lows
Posted by: DRoo | August 8, 2007 3:44 PM

People, this is false, no matter how you look at it. Until the unemployment rate gets DOWN to what it was when in 2000, 4.0%
http://www.cbpp.org/9-25-01pov.htm , I don't want to hear about uneployment being at "historic lows." It is a lie.

You can SPIN the 4% any way you want (and I have heard them all and then some) but the FACT is that the unemployment rate, poverty rate in 2000 was 4.0%, its lowest since 1969. 4.6% is quite good, though it is buoyed by debt, but it is not a "historical low" unless history only dates back 7 years.

Spin away.

And for those who wonder why people think the 90's economy is better than it is today, follow the link above link. Bringing more people out of poverty is going to produce an economy that more people view as successful. Further enriching the rich will create a different effect.

"Bush never ran a successful business. Ever."

LPris,

Yeah, at least Carter was a successful peanut farmer, as well as a nuclear engineer in the Navy under Rickover.

He helped develop the US Navy's nuclear capability and helped hand all presidents from Ike onwards the tools to defeat the USSR.

You will never hear any thanks from a cur like John D for Carter's contribution.

PS: John D never even served.

C Morris, are you referring to the same Jimmy Carter who truly is the worst president and ex president ever?

IN regard to unemployment, the unemployment rate in the 2000s averages to be lower than it was in the 1990s, 1980s, 1970s, 1960s.

The last 2-3 years the unemployment rate has been in the 4.3 to 4.7 range. Economists pretty much consider an unemployment rate of 4.5 or less to be full employment. And that 4.2 unemployment rate in 2000 occurred early in 2000. By the end of 2000, it already was about to pass 5 percent.

"IF ANYONE THINKS THIS ECONOMY IS DOING GOOD JUST BORROWED MONEY FROM THEIR MOMMY AND DADDY TO CATCH UP ON THEIR MORTGAGE"

GAS PRICES STROKED AMERICA FOR THE LAST 18 MONTHS. THE DOLLAR IS WORTH 73 CENTS. $.073 CANNOT EVEN BUY A LOAF OF BREAD.

BUT THE PERSON THAT SAYS OH THE ECONOMY IS DOING GREAT, JUST BORROWED $0.53 TO PUT WITH THAT $.073 TO GET THAT LOAF OF BREAD.

WAKE UP BROKE BUTT AMERICA AND GET A CLUE. CHINA DID AND YOU ARE EATING GLUE, OH I MEAN CLUE EVERY DAY.

NO MONEY FOR THOUGHTS.

Alternate Caption;

'I flick this booger upon you!'

Ah, such a classy and educated comment from C Morris, "I flick this booger upon you!"

Really, Mark, is that kind of kindergarten commentary even worth putting up here?

But at least it is just more proof that the Loony Left truly is the worst mankind has to offer.

So, by participating in an electronic garage sale, I can call myself an "entrepreneur"? What a joke! That means that all of the drug pushers on Chicago's south and west sides are "entrepreneurs" too!

First the Dems want us to lose in Iraq, and now they want the economy to fail also (or at least make it sound like it's failing).

Their message of doom and gloom will do nothing to get them elected in 08 and help the Republicans.

That's the good news.

Flick a booger on that.

[quote]
The economy has grown every quarter since 2002.

Posted by: John D | August 8, 2007 2:06 PM
[/quote]

Dubya has been pResident since Jan. 21, 2001 - what happened to the economy between then and 2002 John D? Or are you cherry picking your facts again?

BC-
"Dubya has been pResident since Jan. 21, 2001 - what happened to the economy between then and 2002.."

you have to be kidding- part I

Really-? you are willing to throw away the postive growth since 2002- because there was negative news for 11 months in 2001, when the last quarter of that year included a complete shutdown of the airline industry and the financial markets?

you have to be kidding- part II

" So, by participating in an electronic garage sale, I can call myself an "entrepreneur"? What a joke! That means that all of the drug pushers on Chicago's south and west sides are "entrepreneurs" too! "

So - a huge business like EBay is not valuable to you? The folks that started EBAy identified a market to be the PROVIDER of your words a ' garage sale' invested their money AFTER TAXES and took a chance on it's success- NOW it is worth BILLIONS-

What the hell are you talking about?

BC,

A recession happened 40 days into President Bush's administration that lasted 8 months. A very shallow recession, but nonthe less a recession. If you look at economic statistics, you will see the economy slowing during the last half of 2000 and you will have seen the stock market, a leading economic indicator, dropped about 15% during 2000. The recession of 2001 has its roots prior to January 20, 2001.

The Bush tax cuts has given us more money in the treasury by the trillions.Unemployment is low, the stock market is ranging from the mid 11 thousands to 12500 and higher.
The real estate downturn is getting better. We are the greatest nation on earth and all you loony lefties see is down--let's face it you're depressed. I'd be depressed too if believed lying Dem/Socialists. Jerry White, Springfield, IL

Jerry, Do any of you Republican economics gurus factor the increase in federal spending in your economic equation? It seems you attribute everything to the tax rate cut.

I'm no economist myself, but I seem to recall that increased government spending has been used in the past, mainly by the Democrats, to boost the economy. Of course, that resulted in greater debt, which the formerly fiscal- conservative Republicans opposed.

TOm O -

that seems reasonable- except I would suspect that a good chunk of the federal spending went into defense and homeland security.. not directly into the economy.

I think the argument is that tax cuts have a positive impact on the economy- not the only positive- but still a big impact.

Tom O,

Interesting point - Keynesian economics - spur teh economy thru increased gov't spending. Increased gov't spending comes from increased gov't revenues or borrowing.

The crux of your arguement is in this question: Who should decide how to spend the money you earn - you or the gov't? Answer that question and you will see the difference between conservatives and liberals.

And Tom, I have read many of your posts and your are correct when you state "I'm no economist"

Bush has not cut my taxes Jerry White and there is not trillions of dollars in the U.S. Treasury. Is that what Fox Lies and Rush Limpbaugh is telling you?? You are delusional and pathetic if you believe that.

DJIA: -387

Time to take off the rose colored glasses, GOP minions.

KB,

DJIA is still up over 800 points and 6 % for the first 7-plus months of the year.

Always look at this country's economy from a half-glass empty viewpoint?

Doug R,

If you didn't have your income taxes cut, then you didn't earn income

Doug R., ALL TAX BRACKETS (apologies to all CAPS here to the all-cap lover Roger Morris) under Bush. For instance, those in the 28 percent bracket, where most Americans are at, went down to 25 percent. Also, the marriage penalty tax went away AND the child deduction doubled from $500 per child to $1,000 per child.

DJIA: -387

Time to take off the rose colored glasses, GOP minions.

Posted by: Kenny Bunkport | August 9, 2007 4:53 PM

DJIA- + 4000 for the last five years-
Time to get some perspective Kenny Bunkport -

I hope you aren't the one making the investment decisions in your family..

Yeah, and I'm no neo-con doorknob either Terry. I didn't ask whether or not the government should spend the money I earn. I asked whether the $500 billion they have already spent (whether I liked it or not) on the Iraq war has served to pump up the economy for your buddy Dubya as much as your highly touted tax cuts.

Heartburn, seems to me that spending on defense and homeland security do add directly to the US economy just like spending on road construction and bridges in Alaska do. Obviously the $12 billion the government misplaced and much of the money spent on project in Iraq do us little good, but the industries supplying food, ammunition, vehicles, and equipment to our troops are all part of the US economy. The jobs of the reserve and national guard people deployed are filled by other Americans. How do you figure that spending does not contribute to the US economy?

Yeah, fools. Maybe you should explain it to our kids who will have to pay off the debt from all this trickle-down goodness. Oh wait. They're just paying off the interest. Tell it to THEIR kids. Oh wait, they're paying out of pocket for their parents survival because ss went belly-up. Good thing the pharma companies accept mortgage debt as payment. Yeah, it's a beautiful GOP economy.

Tom O - You're right you are no neocon doorknob, maybe your just a doorknob?

That $500 billion really hasn't pumped up the economy. Our ecconomy would be better if wwe had never had to spend it, but sometimes war is necessary and in March, 2003 it was necessary.

Think what would have happened if the $500 billion hadn't been spent, we would probably have surpluses, could have even lower taxes and a stronger economy. Or the gov't could have taken that same money and peed it down some rat hole of a gov't program - which wouldn't have helped the economy as much.

KB, I'll explain to my kids that they will have to pay off the debt of our generation - I'll call it the greates ponzi scheme of all time - social security

The Iraq war was necessary? Yeah, right Terry. All those WMDs we found proved Saddam was an imminent threat, right? All the WMDs Don Rumsfeld knew were located East, West, North, and South of Baghdad and Tikrit?

It might be a good idea if candidates & voters alike were required to pass some sort of test or something. I suggest we all strive to educate ourselves in order to make the right decisions... and demand a political system that does not require us to throw the baby out with the bathwater when we go to the polls. I find making a vote is so compromizing, it might as well be a rigged game...

PJ Parent

I suspect what is really going on is what would expect when nations work against each other instead of working together to improve the lives of everyone. I see it as economic wars instead of economic cooperation. If I owed trillions I would devalue the currency and pay my debts with printed money. Then after my debts were paid for, I'd increase the value of my fiat currency and pat myself on the back. Another thing is I would not pay those freakingly rediculous prices for a house!!! Seems the banks are going to pass the scythe again like they did 25 years ago.

Someone said 'All the WMDs Don Rumsfeld knew were located East, West, North, and South of Baghdad and Tikrit'

Rumsfeld lied about WMD?

Look at what Democratic Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi said in 2002:

'Saddam certainly has chemical and biological weapons' - Nancy Pelosi,November 17,2002

You can see a video of Pelosi and other leading Democrats saying Saddam has WMD in this video at YOUTUBE.COM:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ePb6H-j51xE

Heartburn, seems to me that spending on defense and homeland security do add directly to the US economy just like spending on road construction and bridges in Alaska do. Obviously the $12 billion the government misplaced and much of the money spent on project in Iraq do us little good, but the industries supplying food, ammunition, vehicles, and equipment to our troops are all part of the US economy. The jobs of the reserve and national guard people deployed are filled by other Americans. How do you figure that spending does not contribute to the US economy?

Posted by: Tom O | August 9, 2007 6:52 PM

Tom O
Your example are not examples of directly into the economy- but basically I agree with you on this.

This does not compare to the benefits a huge amount of taxpayers not paying a higher percentage of their earnings to the goverment though.. My wife and I own a small business and I have the regular "job" believe me- we pay more than enough taxes even with the tax cuts in place.. and I am not in the democratic defined "rich" group either.

heartburn, I'm not thrilled about paying taxes either, but I think it's important to balance the budget and pay down the debt. Heck, I used to vote for Republicans back when they believed in fiscal responsibility.

Tom O,

Learn to read: "but sometimes war is necessary and in March, 2003 it was necessary." MARCH 2003.

Two truck gave you one quote from famous dems, if you want I'll give you 40 more.

Tom O - if you want balance the budget, start being intellectually hinest about the gov'ts biggest debt of all, that giant of all giant ponzi schemes - Social Security.