posted
Back to Story - Help Bush predicts the economy is going to 'come on' By BEN FELLER, Associated Press Writer 2 hours, 16 minutes ago
President Bush, buoyed by a batch of economic news that wasn't as bad as expected, predicted Friday that consumers are on their way to better days. "I know it's tough times, and I know you're having to pay more at the fuel pump than you want," Bush said. "But this economy is going to come on. I'm confident it will."
After months of talking of the economy's resilience, Bush was able to pivot his latest pep talk off some encouraging signs — at least relative to the gloomy indicators of late.
Employers cut far fewer jobs in April than they did in March, although it was the fourth straight month of slashed payrolls. The unemployment rate dropped slightly, from 5.1 percent to 5 percent, which was a better-than-expected showing.
Elsewhere in the economy, the dollar gained a bit of strength, and there were even signs that food prices may be easing. Bush, reflecting on the weak and stagnant growth of the economy over the first quarter of the year, said, "That's not good enough for America."
Still, he said, consumers are just now starting to get relief from an economic package approved in February. Rebate checks of up to $600 for individuals and $1,200 for families began heading toward people's mailboxes or directly into their bank accounts this week.
Bush called it a "robust attempt to inject life" that hasn't really kicked in yet.
The president's comments, to employees at a technology plant in this St. Louis suburb, were his latest attempt to show he understands the pinch on millions of working families.
Democrats, in a deepening rift with Bush over how to help the economy recover, maintain his rhetoric shows he's out of touch. Democratic leaders in Congress want more relief to be provided, including additional unemployment benefits.
"It's time for President Bush to be realistic about the economy and start working with the Congress on a second economic stimulus package that will deliver real relief to Americans now," said Rep. Rahm Emanuel of Illinois, head of the House Democratic Caucus.
Bush has rejected those calls for now, saying the first plan should be given a chance to work. The stimulus package also includes tax breaks to encourage businesses to invest.
In Tulsa, Okla., on Friday night, Vice President Dick Cheney also rejected the Democrats' call.
"Right now, with the economy going through a rough patch, some in Washington view it as an excuse to expand the size and scope of the federal government," Cheney said at a fundraiser for the Oklahoma Republican Party. "Republicans believe when Americans are facing tough times, the first thing we should do is let them keep more of their own money."
The climb back to economic health is a steep one.
A massive housing slump, a credit crunch and turmoil in the financial markets have combined to sour the economy and the nation's mood. Families are feeling the pinch at the grocery store and the gas pump, and many worry about keeping their jobs or their homes.
Even as consumer confidence slumps, Bush is prodding the nation to keep perspective.
"We have been through a recession, we have been through a terrorist attack, we have been at war, we have had corporate scandals, we have had major natural disasters," Bush said. "And yet this economy always recovers."
Addressing soaring gasoline prices, Bush said he understands the "pain" consumers are feeling. He pressed Congress to allow more drilling for oil in areas where it is now prohibited, and to encourage the construction of more oil refineries — both familiar calls.
Bush, standing in the middle of a stage, touched on a number of topics as he took questions from the audience. He was upbeat all the way.
"I've got a lot on my mind, by the way," Bush cautioned the crowd. "I'm getting ready to march down the aisle."
The president's daughter Jenna is getting married next weekend.
Asked about his plans after his presidency, Bush said, "I'm headed home" to Texas. He spoke broadly of promoting freedom, a focus of his planned presidential library.
Never a fan of discussing his legacy, Bush did get reflective on his time at the White House. He said after all the good days and the bad days, he remains optimistic.
"Interestingly enough, it is a lot harder to have been the son of the president than to be the president," he said. "And so it's been a joyous experience."
Bush headed to his ranch in Crawford, Texas, for the weekend after his speech.
posted
Bush has done a terrible job on the economic front. For the first 4 years of his tenure, he didn't see a spending bill that he didn't like. Then came the disaster that is the Medicare drug program. ABSOLUTELY TERRIBLE! He is no conservative!
The economy may slink along for the next few months while he's still in office. The stock market nimrods on Wall Street seem convinced that things are hunky-dory! That's because they're out of touch with reality. The hundreds of billions (or trillions) of dollars that the government has printed (out of thin air) is propping up the stock market, but it's not doing anything for the consumer. They're giving us a little of OUR money back with the stimulus package - BIG DEAL! How about not taking our money in the first place?
However, we're getting close to a major DEPRESSION. If there's a trigger, it may happen this year. If not, it will happen in the next few years. The country is broke and living on borrowed time (or should I say borrowed money from the Chi-coms).
Mission accomplished - where's the soup line?
Posts: 1187 | From: Ohio | Registered: Oct 2007
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posted
The Republicans have always managed the economy terrible and expanded the government and we lfare roles
look at history the last republican to balance a budget was Richard Nixon
Caeter a democrat gave Ronnie boy a Government that was only 900 billion in debt By the time Ronnie boy and Bush #1 was done we were 2.7 trillion in debt
Clinton took over and balanced the budget and cut wefare roles by 50% Bush. And just look at what George Flight Suit Bush has done to us now.
Not getting into flight suit and his retard economics. But flight suit and the bunch before him know what to tell the American people they just put freedom and tax cuts in front of every thing and that seems to get tempory approval so far it has worked through the last three republican thrones. But the mink coat is finally coming off the pig and folks can see what was underneath it,just a pig.
Now I love hearing right wing trash mouth sayings like Bush is not a real republican.Bush is not a real conservative,and And if it was not for that slim lead the democrats have in cogress for the last 2 years things would be different. Or if I would have known I would not have voted for him. How could you have not known he said he going to do all the things he has done and got millions of votes for it.
Face it conservatism or another name for fascism any more,is a thing of the past
Posts: 6008 | From: phoenix az | Registered: Mar 2005
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posted
However, we're getting close to a major DEPRESSION. If there's a trigger, it may happen this year.
the trigger was already tripped.
JP Morgan bought Bear Sterns. and reset the clock for awhile.
If Bush isn't a conservative? who is? China's Government is really conservative.
as for Wall St? they've stuck a wedge into the Federal Reserves ability to manage the economy. They have literally FORCED the Fed to reduce interest rates during a period of runaway inflation.
calling yourself a "conservative" is meaningless.
as for this stimulus package? they aren't giving us OUR money back. they are borrwoing more money from China and giving it to US.
our taxes go to provide for the general welfare, sure the money has been spent on a lot of stupid things, but they are still OURS. what good is having a car if you don't have road to drive it on?
-------------------- Of the People, by the People and For the People. Posts: 27933 | From: USA | Registered: Sep 2003
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posted
I don't worry about China sure they are a big country.
But as long as we have a military edge they have to ask us for there money and demand nothing.
Thats how you can answer that and the Americans who put there money over there to bad for them go hire some contractor's to help yo get out of that country if you can't the only thing you are good for is cannon fodder as far as I am concerned.
Then we rebuild our country and defend it against anybody that comes at us and thats all let the rest of the world fight over the scraps
Posts: 6008 | From: phoenix az | Registered: Mar 2005
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JP Morgan bought Bear Sterns. and reset the clock for awhile.
You're right, if the Fed had done nothing, the Bear Sterns collapse could have caused a depression. However, that first shock was corrected by the huge cuts in the fed funds rate and by the hundreds of billions of dollars of funny money they pumped into the economy. However, the government is just about out of ammunition. Another shock, such as an attack on Iran by Israel; a major terrorist attack; a major earthquate out west; or increasing fuel costs could easily push the economy over the edge! Even though the idiots on Wall Street seem to believe that it's all over - it is not!
quote:If Bush isn't a conservative? who is?
I am, and so are millions of other Americans. We believe in small government, lower taxes, and most importantly having the government out of our lives. We believe in giving people a hand-up, not a hand-out. We believe in law and order. We believe that people are capable of running their own lives and managing their own money. We believe in freedom - the freedom to succeed and the freedom to fail. We are for personal responsibility and against the "victim" mentality.
Posts: 1187 | From: Ohio | Registered: Oct 2007
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PMS states......"I am, and so are millions of other Americans. We believe in small government, lower taxes, and most importantly having the government out of our lives. We believe in giving people a hand-"up, not a hand-out. We believe in law and order. We believe that people are capable of running their own lives and managing their own money. We believe in freedom - the freedom to succeed and the freedom to fail. We are for personal responsibility and against the "victim" mentality."
I say?...
whats funny?...is that everyone wants exactly that same thing!..however..conservatives SAY thats what they want ,but all the while, their actions prove otherwise..consevative programs are geared toward rich, white, big business, government controlled, help me, slaves to the system, people..they dont want us to be free, independent, small individual, business people!.PMS..the government has got its hand so far up your butt that you chew on their fingers!lol...without the programs SAM has provided you, you would not be where you are today...Show me a person that IS what you say is CONSERVATVE and I will show you a free thinking, independent, liberal, HIPPIE! ...SO get off this kick of yours...
its riDICKulus!....
-------------------- jordan Posts: 4450 | From: st paul,mn | Registered: Feb 2004
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You are simply factually incorrect. Conservatives believe in small government. Liberals believe in big government (it takes a village). Conservatives believe that everyone (regardless of race, religion, creed, etc) should have opportunity to reach their potential. Liberals believe that people should be enslaved by handouts. Conservatives believe in low taxes. Liberals believe in high taxes and income redistribution. Conservatives KNOW that small business creates the majority of jobs in this country and that business of all sizes are a good thing. Liberals thing that business (especially big business) is EVIL and should be punished.
quote:Show me a person that IS what you say is CONSERVATVE and I will show you a free thinking, independent, liberal, HIPPIE! ...SO get off this kick of yours...
I am such a conservative and I'm certainly no liberal hippie! I am also not a whiner, nor a victim, and I don't need the government to take care of me!
Posts: 1187 | From: Ohio | Registered: Oct 2007
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you certainly like taking our(government) money tho...I dont think you could make it on your own..you rely heavyly on government help programs,loans,sec 8,etc..for your(government assisted)business
by the way..you whine constantly..
you are such a two-faced,lying, hypocrite(somebody feigning high principles: somebody who pretends to have admirable principles, beliefs, or feelings but behaves otherwise) ,,,but you cant see it...and thats typical...
like I have stated before..you are such an angry,anal retentive, individual that you have my sympathy. I feel sorry for anyone,such as yourself...your days must be a struggle for you..good luck and try to smile today, in spite of being perpetually piissed off at the "lower class" ..
-------------------- jordan Posts: 4450 | From: st paul,mn | Registered: Feb 2004
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Another shock, such as an attack on Iran by Israel
uh, dude, where is your head at?
the most likely scenario to develop in the near future is Bush to attack Iran. Iran won't be doing anything worse than minor skirmish activity to keep the oil market supported by speculators.
no matter how much you wanna excuse the Iraq war? the reasons NOT to invade Iraq so heavily outweighed any reason to invade that you have to be a simpleton to excuse it, much less to say it was good.
i was raised in a very martial environment. as a Judo student starting in 3rd grade? i was indoctrinated into one of the worlds foremost warrior training programs, not just as a physical training regiment, but as a mental training program too. Making War is not just about firepower. It's abut psychology, and the Iraq war is totally flawed in it's psychological premises, Bush the First KNEW this and left Sadam in power because of it.
the reason we find ourselves with no "dry powder" right now is the Iraq war. invading Iraq was not as stupid as the Japanese bombing Pearl Harbor. But it will be on the historical list of military blunders with that act for perpetuity. and we will be paying for it for at least 10 more years.
-------------------- Of the People, by the People and For the People. Posts: 27933 | From: USA | Registered: Sep 2003
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I am, and so are millions of other Americans. We believe in small government, lower taxes, and most importantly having the government out of our lives. We believe in giving people a hand-up, not a hand-out. We believe in law and order. We believe that people are capable of running their own lives and managing their own money. We believe in freedom - the freedom to succeed and the freedom to fail. We are for personal responsibility and against the "victim" mentality.
no you're not, and neither are most of the "conservatives" that i know...
Senator Craig, Mark Foley conservative? LOL.. you belong to a very strange "club"... i propose the concept that it just doesn't exist.
the "conservative values" of the Bush Admin have left US leveraged beyond our means right now. that's not conservative. "conservatives" elected them.
you say they believe in the freedom to fail, yet they elected the govt that put US in the position we find ourselves in right now. and as you say? we are in a very precarious position. are we going to fail? no, we don't HAVE TO fail, but the only solution is to throw away this "conservative vs liberal" vicious self-defeating debate and begin to develop some serious plans that don't try to weigh whose "cult of personality" the plans support...
google up Council of Conservative Citizens, mostly this site is about how bad all non-white are... google has a warning page before you can load their site that's been put on in the last couple of weeks:
How about you work and start a company, or just work and you may be a rich black ? And, for your info. there are many rich , blacks in this country ----but there folks like ya who are ridickulous and cry worse than a baby cause you want a handout---
why is it the asians dont cry - i am a victim but work instead? and, by alot of estiamtes they hve a higher per capita than the whites in this country?
Posts: 771 | Registered: Jun 2004
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quote:Originally posted by thinkmoney: geared to the rich, white, etc... ..?
that is racist --
How about you work and start a company, or just work and you may be a rich black ? And, for your info. there are many rich , blacks in this country ----but there folks like ya who are ridickulous and cry worse than a baby cause you want a handout---
why is it the asians dont cry - i am a victim but work instead? and, by alot of estiamtes they hve a higher per capita than the whites in this country?
LOL...
you don't even know who you are talking to. i'll give you a hint, i've seen his picture and he's white as i am.
it's not racist to observe a fact.
fact is women of all races get paid the least.
-------------------- Of the People, by the People and For the People. Posts: 27933 | From: USA | Registered: Sep 2003
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quote:you certainly like taking our(government) money tho...I dont think you could make it on your own..you rely heavyly on government help programs,loans,sec 8,etc..for your(government assisted)business
As always, you don't know what you're talking about. I have no government loans, no government help programs and the majority of my business is NOT Section 8. If the Section 8 program did not exist, my business would not change, except that the tenants would work and pay the rent themselves instead of getting a socialist handout.
quote:geared to the rich, white, etc... ..?
that is racist --
EXACTLY! JR's problem is that he's a victim and he likes it that way (regardless of his color). His 1st grade insults show exactly what he's made of.
Glass - you're starting to sound like JR and that is NOT a compliment.
Posts: 1187 | From: Ohio | Registered: Oct 2007
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posted
let's get back to the part about fixing what's really wrong then.
first? you have to identify the problem.
it's easy enough for someone to call JR racist when he points out institutionalised racism.
the PROBLEM is that he's NOT WRONG.
i'm a huge fan of Japanese traditon and culture and art.
however, i am not blind to their cultural problems either. they tend to be some of the worst male chuavinists in the human race for instance. and they have a very racist tendency in their culture. even toward other Asians. Koreans and Japanese have deep national animosity that goes back to pre-history.
is it possible to not be a racist? i don't think so. i DO beleive that we can develop deeper understanding of ourselves/our humanity by focusing on our differences and making a celebration of those differences that we all have instead of constantly trying to define our differences as value judgements.
i literally live one block off of the Blues Highway. that artform came out of some really terrible stuff. and that stuff is still going on today.
-------------------- Of the People, by the People and For the People. Posts: 27933 | From: USA | Registered: Sep 2003
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Of course it's possible to not be a racist. I haven't seen any significant racism for years. In fact, about the only racism I ever see is coming from the African American community.
quote:i DO beleive that we can develop deeper understanding of ourselves/our humanity by focusing on our differences and making a celebration of those differences
What differences? That some people have a better tan than others. What kind of difference is that? People are people - it's just that simple. Did racism exist in the United States in the past? Yes. Does it exist to any significant extent today (outside the African American community)? NO! Black people now occupy top positions in all types of businesses and government. A black man may even be the next president. I would vote for a black man for persident (if it was Ken Blackwell). QUIT WHINING! Racism is over. Get over it!!!
Blacks that are not prospering at this point in history are failing to prosper because they CHOOSE not to prosper - and of course because they have chosen idiots as leaders - like Jesse (I speak in rhymes) Jackson.
Posts: 1187 | From: Ohio | Registered: Oct 2007
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Of course it's possible to not be a racist. I haven't seen any significant racism for years. In fact, about the only racism I ever see is coming from the African American community.
what a whopper. i just posted the FBI hate crime stats here the other day.
you are living in a cartoon world where conservatives say one thing and do another where blacks are the only racists and where the govt is good except when they give anybody but you money sheesh......
-------------------- Of the People, by the People and For the People. Posts: 27933 | From: USA | Registered: Sep 2003
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quote:you are living in a cartoon world where conservatives say one thing and do another where blacks are the only racists and where the govt is good except when they give anybody but you money sheesh......
What conservatives are saying one thing and doing another? George Bush is NOT a conservative.
I didn't say that blacks are the only racists. In a country of 350 million people, there will always be a few nutjobs on any topic you would like to mention. However, there simply is NOT significant racism in this country anymore. The government does not GIVE me money. The Section 8 money I receive from the government is money I earn for renting property to low imcome tenants. If you don't understand the difference between money that is earned and handouts, that's a problem.
Posts: 1187 | From: Ohio | Registered: Oct 2007
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posted
A) Bush represents conservatives and was elected by conservatives. if you ask 10,000 Bush supporters today? they would ALL say they were conservative. (i assume a margin of error of 3%)
whether he is or not is irrelevent because if we move away from him to "others" ? it starts to get really wierd like Limbugger and Coulter etc.
B) you already admit it would be possible, but it would be more work for you to fill your projects with all fully paying tennants if you refuse section 8. you admit that your own values just don't work in the real world (which is my point) that's what it all really comes down to in the end. convenience.
-------------------- Of the People, by the People and For the People. Posts: 27933 | From: USA | Registered: Sep 2003
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posted
here's the real problem that i have with saying that racism is dead.
it's kind of like taking a soldier (compare to an African American of 60 years old) and telling them they shouldn't have PTSD because the war is over.
racism will be mostly dead the US if keep on the path we are for another 40-50 years....
however? there are huge pockets of deeply ingrained racist socio-economic repression still in this country. and they are not changing the way they should. it's easy enough for someone that was raised in "regular society" to say they can just leave those areas and it will all get better, but it jes ain't dat simple....
my question about whether racism can actually die is serious, because even in Germany toady there are still Nazi groups that pop up now and then
-------------------- Of the People, by the People and For the People. Posts: 27933 | From: USA | Registered: Sep 2003
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posted
PM I have been reading the posts and you say that racism is over in America!
What world do you live in I am white and I would like to tell you that is far from true.
Granted I don't hear the fist clenching fiflthy names over nothing in the white community any more.
But the general day to day milder beliefes are still deeply in grained in white society. And the N word still exist.
I think Glass is right we are still forty to fifty years away from getting rid of racism and the backlash of hatred in this country.
A good example of racism look at our prison system as soon as a man gets in the first thing he does is segrate his own self according to his color or type.and thats the way it is. Dose this sound like these men come from an intergrated society where race is not an issue? There habits are formed from whence they come.
Posts: 6008 | From: phoenix az | Registered: Mar 2005
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posted
i may move there, if Hillary gets elected this ain't America anymore, it's become an oligarchy.
Costa Rica would be better, but it's too hot for my furnaces... maybe Iceland would take me.... i hear they are (genetically) pretty nutty anyway, so i should fit right in.
-------------------- Of the People, by the People and For the People. Posts: 27933 | From: USA | Registered: Sep 2003
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quote:my question about whether racism can actually die is serious, because even in Germany toady there are still Nazi groups that pop up now and then
My question is what needs to happen for racism to be officially dead? If your standard is that every single racist in a country of 350 million people needs to be eliminated, then there will ALWAYS be racism.
If the standard is that people have opportunity and there are very few racists, then racism is died a generation ago.
quote:And the N word still exist.
And where is it most often heard? In the rap songs sung by black rappers and by black gang bangers. These groups are idiots that represent the all the losers in society. I certainly wouldn't judge the entire African American Community by these groups of idiots!!!
quote:A good example of racism look at our prison system as soon as a man gets in the first thing he does is segrate his own self according to his color or type.and thats the way it is. Dose this sound like these men come from an intergrated society where race is not an issue?
Again, I wouldn't judge the white or black communities by the scumbag criminals that are in prison. This is the lowest element of our society (which is why they're behind bars). Why not judge our society by the average middle class or upper class people? Look at our business and government. There are black people at all levels and they are there because they are the best qualified people (not because they are tokens). That's the sign that racism is over - when the best person gets the job REGARDLESS OF THEIR RACE.
Posts: 1187 | From: Ohio | Registered: Oct 2007
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posted
Ummm.. No I think we should judge this society by the people we have in jail I think it is the only way to correctly judge any society.
Posts: 1612 | Registered: Aug 2005
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posted
I wouldn't judge the white or black communities by the scumbag criminals that are in prison. This is the lowest element of our society (which is why they're behind bars).
funny, you SEEM to me to mostly judge our society by your tennants which seem to be one very short step away from the grey bar hotel ....
-------------------- Of the People, by the People and For the People. Posts: 27933 | From: USA | Registered: Sep 2003
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