Sad, but I’m sure, true.
I will miss most the wonderful Busch Gardens theme parks. I am quite sure they will be a casualty of InBev — and they were, by far, the best entertainment parks in the world. And yes, a LOT better than anything Disney has ever made.
Popularity: 11% [?]
The “big” news is that the Democrats want to pass a new stimulus plan. Now I’m no longer a fan of the big-government Republican party, but some times they are actually different from the Democrats (not often). In this case, the difference is rather extreme:
Republican Stimulus: Give people some of their own money.
Democrat Stimulus: Let government spend more of the people’s money.
Then again, you can consider what would happen if people like Ron Paul, Libertarians, or the Constitution Party were running the place:
Stimulus: Government stop collecting and spending money that’s not theirs.
Popularity: 18% [?]
Let’s play a game, shall we? Some important government officials said the following statements. Can you guess who said them — or more importantly, WHEN?
1. “There is no cause to worry. The high tide of prosperity will continue.”
2. “It’s a safe banking system, a sound banking system. Our regulators are on top of it. This is a very manageable situation.”
3. “The Government’s business is in sound condition.”
4. “Our economy has got very strong long-term fundamentals, solid fundamentals. And you know, your policy-makers here, regulators, we’re being very vigilant.”
5. “Reports to the Department of Commerce indicate that business is in a satisfactory condition [today].”
6. “But again, it’s a safe banking system, a sound banking system. Our regulators are on top of it. This is a very manageable situation.”
7. “Definite signs that business and industry have turned the corner from the temporary period of emergency that followed deflation of the speculative market were seen today.”
8. “The fundamental strength of the US economy, and I’m talking about the long-term fundamentals, I believe they
compare favorably in this country with any other developed industrial nation around the world.”
9. “We have hit bottom and are on the upswing.”
10. “The bottom line is this: We’re going through a tough time. But our economy has continued growing, consumers are spending, businesses are investing, exports continue increasing, and American productivity remains strong.”
So, did you guess?
All of the statements above that are even-numbered were made in the past month by the Bush administration — either by Bush himself, or his secretary of treasury.
All of the statements above that are odd-numbered were made by members of the Hoover administration — between September 1929 and September 1930. And remember, in the first half of 1930, the government spent more money while people spent less. Wages did not start their substantial drop until 1931 — after all these statements were made. And the Great Depression really got into full swing in late 1930 and didn’t hit bottom until 1933.
Popularity: 11% [?]
Recent Congressional Votes