Stock market when George W. Bush took over the economy from Bill Clinton in 2001: 10,587.59
Stock market on Monday, September 29, 2008, near the end of his disastrous presidency: 10,365.45
More numbers. WaPo autopsy.
I take no pleasure in watching years of Republican avarice and incompetence culminate in the disappearance of actual retirement accounts (mine included). It seems like unemployment is set to spike up as well.
I’d only add two things:
1) Two weeks ago John McCain told us that “the fundamentals of our economy are strong.” Was he lying? (Since as a long-standing US Senator and Washington insider he has access to a lot of info us plebes don’t.) Or was he just being naive and foolish? Either way, could he ever be trusted as a responsible steward of our nation’s economy?
2) It’s a really good time to be an ex-pat. I’ll admit, I take a little pleasure in that, if only because my generally wretched sense of timing was just about perfect for once.
Hang in there America. Help yourselves out in November by rejecting the fools who’ve brought you this low, and elect a president who will hire economic advisors based on competence rather than dull-minded loyalty. More simply, consider which party has a better recent track record with electing presidents who know how to maintain a healthy, growing economy.
