AeolusDallas
Active member
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The answer is YES to both. YES, the economy is cyclical, and YES by effected by outside sources.
The economy is like a river, it has its ebbs and flows, sometimes it can run fast, sometimes it runs slow. BUT you can also effect river artificially as well. You can divert it, you can dam it, etc...
In terms of the economy think the same way. For example is if you give two HUGE tax cuts to Millionaires, then run up TRILLIONS of debt, then push vast deregulation so that every dishonest SOB can milk the system dry without scrutiny, you Import for more than you Export, you buy things on credit, and then get yourself involved in not one but 2 very expensive military conflicts, all of this is going to have a direct an immediate negative effect on the economy.
HokieMSG
I don't see the relation you are drawing between what Bush did as Office as POTUS and what Bill Clinton did with his charitable foundation that was setup after he was out of office.
Nor is their a conflict of interest AS LONG AS, The Clinton Organization doesnt accept any more foreign contributions while Hillary is Sec of State. Which they said they won't. The GOP in Congress looked specifically at this issue, asked Hillary about it and confirmed her with only 2 objections. I am sure Hillary hasnt gained much popularity in the GOP, but for them not to make a fuss was because their was nothing to this.
The current issues don't directly involve the national debt or giving tax breaks to the rich. The problems stem from the housing bubble bursting. That was brought on by the banks loaning money for houses to people who can't afford to pay them back. The policies that brought that on were put in place long before Bush was president.
Add to that the boomers cashing in their ira's and bingo no money left to loan anyone. Even if the housing bubble had not popped the economy would have tightened tremendously and probably tanked.
As to tax breaks, historically they increase investments and help buoy the economy. Even then though they don't break the cycle of the economy. They just moderate it a little.