Posted on 10/30/2011 2:01:11 PM PDT by Steelfish
Studies Challenge Wisdom Of GOP Candidates' Plans CHARLES BABINGTON
Key proposals from the Republican presidential candidates might make for good campaign fodder. But independent analyses raise serious questions about those plans and their ability to cure the nation's ills in two vital areas, the economy and housing.
Consider proposed cuts in taxes and regulation, which nearly every GOP candidate is pushing in the name of creating jobs. The initiatives seem to ignore surveys in which employers cite far bigger impediments to increased hiring, chiefly slack consumer demand.
"Republicans favor tax cuts for the wealthy and corporations, but these had no stimulative effect during the George W. Bush administration, and there is no reason to believe that more of them will have any today," writes Bruce Bartlett. He's an economist who worked for Republican congressmen and in the administrations of Presidents Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush.
As for the idea that cutting regulations will lead to significant job growth, Bartlett said in an interview, "It's just nonsense. It's just made up."
Government and industry studies support his view.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics, which tracks companies' reasons for large layoffs, found that 1,119 layoffs were attributed to government regulations in the first half of this year, while 144,746 were attributed to poor "business demand."
Mainstream economic theory says governments can spur demand, at least somewhat, through stimulus spending. The Republican candidates, however, have labeled President Barack Obama's 2009 stimulus efforts a failure. Instead, most are calling for tax cuts that would primarily benefit high-income people, who are seen as the likeliest job creators.
(snip)
Many existing businesses, however, have plenty of unspent cash. The 500 companies that comprise the S&P index have about $800 billion in cash and cash equivalents, the most ever, according to the research firm Birinyi Associates.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...
Good grief - now it is our fault that we are not spending enough money.
Good grief - now it is our fault that we are not spending enough money.
socialist analysts and rino analysts on the d.c. dole
no doubt.
So regulations cost jobs but repealing regulations doesn’t create any? Sure.
Where were these "independent" ANALysts back in 2007 and 2008? They need to crawl back under that same rock.
Charles Babington is a liberal hack journalist - I think from the Wash PO or AP before Yahoo News.
“independent analyses”? Since the “analyses” are indistinguishable from standard Democrat talking point bada-bing, the term “independent” is a eyebrow raiser.
What a surprise.
Good grief!
Let me bring up the results of his other Studies. Let see....H...o...p. e. C.....h.....a.....n...g...e.
Hmmmm. Weird. Can’t locate it.
from "Babington, AP Speak Fluent Douche Bag" -- Death By 1000 Papercuts - DBKP -- January 25, 2010
Kinda like global warming?
It's *always* been our fault we're not spending enough money. I've heard these very arguments since the '70's, and I'm sure it's been going on longer than that.
As for the idea that cutting regulations will lead to significant job growth, Bartlett said in an interview, “It’s just nonsense. It’s just made up.”
Bartlett’s RESPONSE is nonsense and made up!
Does anyone remember all this analysis and vetting during the Democratic nomination process? Ever? Did any of Obama's "plans" or ideas undergo this scrutiny? Did anyone ever ask what kind of healthcare people would receive under his proposal, or what the costs would be? Did a reporter ever ask what Obama meant about "transforming America" from its present state?
No? I didn't think so.
What do those 500 LARGE CAP companies in the S&P have to do with the nation's small businesses who normally supply most private sector jobs?
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