PhillyKev 0 #1 October 8, 2004 Apparently they must think they didn't do that great of a job teaching him at Harvard Business School. "The data make clear that your policy of slashing taxes -- primarily for those at the upper reaches of the income distribution -- has not worked," the letter says. "Nearly every major economic indicator has deteriorated since you took office in January, 2001...[and] if your economic advisers are telling you that these deficits can be defeated through further reductions in tax rates, then you need new advisers." "Politically desirable policies can have negative economic effects," says Debora Spar, professor of business administration at Harvard, and one of the early signatories. "If you look at [the U.S. economy] in a purely analytical way, just at numbers, they're all heading in the wrong direction." All the professors who signed the letter -- and more signatures are expected next week -- are tenured or emeritus, and 50 hail from Harvard. (Harvard Business School says the views are of faculty members who chose to sign the document, not of the institution.) Two signers are Nobel laureates -- Harvard's Robert Merton and William Sharpe, an emeritus professor from Stanford -- and two have won Pulitzer prizes. http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/oct2004/nf2004108_4276_db016.htm Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kallend 2,174 #2 October 8, 2004 QuoteApparently they must think they didn't do that great of a job teaching him at Harvard Business School. "The data make clear that your policy of slashing taxes -- primarily for those at the upper reaches of the income distribution -- has not worked," the letter says. "Nearly every major economic indicator has deteriorated since you took office in January, 2001...[and] if your economic advisers are telling you that these deficits can be defeated through further reductions in tax rates, then you need new advisers." "Politically desirable policies can have negative economic effects," says Debora Spar, professor of business administration at Harvard, and one of the early signatories. "If you look at [the U.S. economy] in a purely analytical way, just at numbers, they're all heading in the wrong direction." All the professors who signed the letter -- and more signatures are expected next week -- are tenured or emeritus, and 50 hail from Harvard. (Harvard Business School says the views are of faculty members who chose to sign the document, not of the institution.) Two signers are Nobel laureates -- Harvard's Robert Merton and William Sharpe, an emeritus professor from Stanford -- and two have won Pulitzer prizes. http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/oct2004/nf2004108_4276_db016.htm Serve Harvard right for admitting a rich well-connected kid with sub-standard grades. Had it been you or I or Tunaplanet or Gravitymaster applying to Harvard with those grades, we'd have been rejected.... The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lawrocket 3 #3 October 8, 2004 QuoteTwo signers are Nobel laureates Actually, they won the Bank of Sweden Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel. First given in 1969. Just a side note that it isn't REALLY a Nobel prize. Kinda like the NBA calling its champion the "World Champions." Right, kallend? Next, if Milton Friedman signs it, maybe I'll jump on Board. Chances are, that "Nobel Laureate" will not. Maybe Janet Cook, Pulitzer Prize winner in 1981 in investigative journalism, has signed on. You know, it's interesting when phrases such as "nearly every major economic indicator" show up. Um, like what? I'd say that if a student turned in a paper with such puffery as that, a failing grade would result. Do I have issues with the economy? Yes. Big budget deficits should not happen. If a POTUS proposes budgets liek that, Congress simply should not pass them. Also, like the U of Chicago economist indicated, why didn't the letter reflect things like the 9/11 attack or the 2001 recession? Why did it not reflect the loss of consumer confidence due to the burstng of the bubble 1990's economy? WHy did it not reflect outsourcing? Why did it harp on the differences between the haves and have nots? Because it's easier to say, "Nearly every major economic indicator." If a doctor were to say "nearly every major indicator indicates this person is dead" it would not make that person dead, or necessarily indicate that the person in that state had anything to do with it. Has Bush fucked up? Plenty. But, let's have these Harvard chaps offer EMPIRICAL evidence instead of political posturing. And, why not offer some solutions instead of just bitching about it. My wife is hotter than your wife. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lawrocket 3 #4 October 8, 2004 QuoteServe Harvard right for admitting a rich well-connected kid with sub-standard grades. Had it been you or I or Tunaplanet or Gravitymaster applying to Harvard with those grades, we'd have been rejected. The buttholes didn't accept me. But even worse, Harvard graduated that clown Bush. I suppose he did enough to satisfy them. HE probably let Otter and Boone and Pinto make life easier so he could pass. My wife is hotter than your wife. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kallend 2,174 #5 October 8, 2004 QuoteHas Bush fucked up? Plenty. But, let's have these Harvard chaps offer EMPIRICAL evidence instead of political posturing. And, why not offer some solutions instead of just bitching about it. Well, step one is to remove him from office. Nothing can improve until that happens.... The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lawrocket 3 #6 October 8, 2004 QuoteNothing can improve until that happens. That's the sort of puffery I'm talking about, professor. Are you saying that the supply of oil cannot improve until Bush it out of office? Are you saying that the rate of inflation cannot improve until Bush is gone? Are you saying that employmet figures cannot improve until Bush is gone? It's not a reasonable argument. My wife is hotter than your wife. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhillyKev 0 #7 October 8, 2004 QuoteBut, let's have these Harvard chaps offer EMPIRICAL evidence instead of political posturing. Maybe they were dumging it down to his C average level. Honestly though, I tried to find the full text of the letter but couldn't. Possibly these snippets are to show the general tone of the letter and there was more substance to it? QuoteAnd, why not offer some solutions instead of just bitching about it. I've got one. Lose the loser. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kallend 2,174 #8 October 8, 2004 QuoteQuoteNothing can improve until that happens. That's the sort of puffery I'm talking about, professor. Are you saying that the supply of oil cannot improve until Bush it out of office? Are you saying that the rate of inflation cannot improve until Bush is gone? Are you saying that employmet figures cannot improve until Bush is gone? It's not a reasonable argument. The deficit is primarily the result of overspending and insufficient renenue. The cause of both of those is the Bush administration. Inflation and the value of the $US is tied to this. Oil prices are in part the result of instability in the middle east. Bush is the primary cause of this. Getting rid of Bush is the first step to recovery. Just like in AA, if you are in denial, nothing will work.... The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhillyKev 0 #9 October 8, 2004 QuoteAre you saying that the supply of oil cannot improve until Bush it out of office? Shifting the focus to exploring alternates to oil can't improve until oil executives are out of office. QuoteAre you saying that the rate of inflation cannot improve until Bush is gone? Yes, he steadfastly refuses to explore alternative economic policies. QuoteAre you saying that employmet figures cannot improve until Bush is gone? See above. QuoteIt's not a reasonable argument. Bush is not reasonable when it comes to listening to other views than his own misguided ones. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Trent 0 #10 October 8, 2004 QuoteI've got one. Lose the loser. Unfortunately, Kerry is still in the running.Oh, hello again! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TheAnvil 0 #11 October 9, 2004 Have you actualy READ Monsieur sKerry's economic plan? It scares the living shit out of me. Hamstringing the ability US based multi-nationals to compete with their foreign counterparts is NOT a road that leads to economic recovery for the US. It is one which leads to economic disaster. The instable situation in Venezuela - and to a far lesser extent the west coast of Africa - is also a major factor in oil prices these days and will continue to be for the foreseeable future. Saying that GWB is the major reason for stability in the Middle East is about as tenable as stating I am the major reason short blond folk aren't well represented in the NBA. In truth, neither candidate has taken a strong enough stance on ending our dependence on Middle Eastern oil. Biodiesel - good stuff. The argument that the economy cannot improve is meretricious on so many levels I won't even address it. How many GWB budgets have we been through to date? Under whose budget did the indicators start their nose dive? Quite salient factors in any economic discussion. Vinny the Anvil Post Traumatic Didn't Make The Lakers Syndrome is REAL JACKASS POWER!!!!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lawrocket 3 #12 October 9, 2004 QuoteYes, he steadfastly refuses to explore alternative economic policies. Philly - I've caught you here. Check this out. http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=910945#910945 Here's your post: http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=910971#910971 Bush explores alternative economic policies - lefty ones. Yeah, you hated it then, too. But, he's trying new things... My wife is hotter than your wife. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
