According to this graph... (Opinons Wanted)

kombayn · 03-10-2008, 04:30 PM

Who do you think was one of our best Presidents? I'm going to have to lean to JFK/Nixon/Ford era's. I have to give Nixon his props, with all his scandals and an unpopular war he kept the debt and inflation under good control.

Now, what surprised me most is what Reagan/Bush I era accomplished and that is help cause this debt we have today. Between taking down the communists and then the Iran/CONTRA scandal that sent the poverty stricken people into even worse more violent means... They have to be the worst president era in the last 50 years.

Thoughts? Opinions?

WickedLou9 · 03-10-2008, 04:41 PM

I think it's a mistake to give too much credit to the president when it comes to the economy and the national debt. The president has very little say. The chairman of the Fed has control over several key interest rates, congress controlls spending and taxation, the president can only veto legislation he doesn't like. We are at the mercy of these other groups as well as forces beyond our control such as OPEC, and the economies/governments in other countries.

nbiggershaft · 03-10-2008, 09:13 PM

Originally Posted by WickedLou9

I think it's a mistake to give too much credit to the president when it comes to the economy and the national debt. The president has very little say. The chairman of the Fed has control over several key interest rates, congress controlls spending and taxation, the president can only veto legislation he doesn't like. We are at the mercy of these other groups as well as forces beyond our control such as OPEC, and the economies/governments in other countries.

They have a decent amount of control on spending.

WickedLou9 · 03-10-2008, 09:32 PM

Originally Posted by nbiggershaft

They have a decent amount of control on spending.

No where near as much as Congress.

tbone · 03-10-2008, 10:06 PM

Don't most new and expensive initiatives come from the President or at least have his blessing? He does have the veto if he really disagrees.

6SpeedTA95 · 03-10-2008, 10:25 PM

Originally Posted by WickedLou9

I think it's a mistake to give too much credit to the president when it comes to the economy and the national debt. The president has very little say. The chairman of the Fed has control over several key interest rates, congress controlls spending and taxation, the president can only veto legislation he doesn't like. We are at the mercy of these other groups as well as forces beyond our control such as OPEC, and the economies/governments in other countries.

I think thats an excellent point but the president has some influence, Reagan used the line item veto like crazy. This president has pretty much used the veto only whena democrat bill hits his desk. Not too mention he had 6 years of republican control that he rubber stamped everything that went through.

6SpeedTA95 · 03-10-2008, 10:25 PM

Originally Posted by tbone

Don't most new and expensive initiatives come from the President or at least have his blessing? He does have the veto if he really disagrees.

yup, see prescription drugs for the elderly.

WickedLou9 · 03-11-2008, 07:07 AM

Originally Posted by tbone

Don't most new and expensive initiatives come from the President or at least have his blessing? He does have the veto if he really disagrees.

yeah but even with that, the president NEEDS congress to create a bill, get it passed in comittee, then get it passed in the house and senate. IF the president comes up with a crappy initiative congress will not do anything with it. See Soecial Security reform.
I knwo the president has some power over the budget and stuff, but it's limited and limited to the point where I have a hard time blaming overall economic problems on any one president and I have a hard time giving credit to a president when the economy is good.