Wondering about Howard Dean? Want to know more?

[Arrian]

Like I said, I found #1 amusing too (though I hit on a different "rerouting" of defense spending).

Damn, man, just admit you intend to cut funding to the military!

-Arrian

[Adam Smith]

Re: Wondering about Howard Dean? Want to know more?

Originally posted by Sava
9. Fiscal policy... Dean is a fiscal conservative... a departure from tax and spend policies that Democrats like, and the borrow and spend policies that Republicans like. Dean is very pragmatic in terms of economic policy... he's not blinded by economic ideologies like Dubya, and believes smart economic policies that create jobs and spur the economy, rather than economy killing deficits and tax breaks to the rich.

This Letter to the Editor in this morning's WASHINGTON POST has a somewhat different perspective on Dean's fiscal policy.

Howard Dean Is No Fiscal Conservative
Tuesday, August 12, 2003; Page A12
An Aug. 3 front-page story regarding Howard Dean's fiscal record during his tenure as governor of Vermont called Mr. Dean a "fiscal conservative."
According to Americans for Tax Reform's Cost of Government Day report, the average Vermonter worked 60 days to pay for Vermont spending in 1992. By 2001, the average resident needed to work an additional two weeks -- 75 days -- because state spending rose so much faster than family income.
State employment soared under Mr. Dean as well. From 1997 to 2002, Vermont's workforce grew from 7,196 (6,939 employees plus 257 vacancies) to 8,239 (7,791 employees plus 448 vacancies). That's a 14.5 percent increase in just the last half of the Dean administration.
Being a fiscal conservative means more than balancing a budget or allowing a scheduled tax sunset to proceed. Being a fiscal conservative means resisting the growth of government and cutting taxes.
Those looking for a fiscally conservative Democrat for president must look beyond the Dean campaign.
GROVER G. NORQUIST
President
Americans for Tax Reform
Washington
© 2003 The Washington Post Company

This is one life-long Republican who is pissed off enough about Bush that I won't be voting for him in 2004. But most of the Democratic field has a ways to go before they will earn my vote.

[Arrian]

Being a fiscal conservative means more than balancing a budget or allowing a scheduled tax sunset to proceed. Being a fiscal conservative means resisting the growth of government and cutting taxes.

I'd agree that being fiscally conservative means resisting the growth of government, but I do not necessarily think it means cutting taxes (always). To me, the meaning of "fiscal conservative" is a leader who seeks to keep us living within our means. That's nebulous, to be sure, but it's the best I can do.

-Arrian

[Imran Siddiqui]

I'm still trying to figure out who the 'real' Dean is. Is it the moderate the Sava is putting up and most of Vermont knows, or is it the firebreathing liberal that Boris loves and his supporters are backing.

I guess it'll be fun to find out, if we ever do find out .

[Defiant]

"That's right folks, you heard it here. Bill Clinton is responsible for forest fires. Do you have a link to the dumbs' website or do you come up with this crap on your own?"

It was on CNN last night, your station, they were covering Bush in his trip out West to view the damage done and promoting his bill for the forests. Then they went to the local forest ranger who opposes Bush's bill and says it goes too far for the logging industry but he mention "responsible logging" helps to reduce massive forest fires. Drought as a catalyst increases the chance of forest fires, but poorly managed forests make it too easy for forest fires to start, whether by accident or intentional. Odds go up.

Geeee Mtg, thought you were smarter than that.


"That's right. He wants to repeal the irresponsible and obscene tax cuts that have given us the highest budget deficits OF ALL TIME."

Sava, could it be again, that 9/11 caused our huge deficit and the March 2001 collapse of the stock market. You remember Bush took office in January of 2001 and the market collapsed in March, so that was his fault, I'm sure you remember that he did that in just two months, that has to be some kind of record.
And once again, you fail to answer the question, what is Dean's plan for bringing new jobs??????

[Sava]

It was on CNN last night, your station, they were covering Bush in his trip out West to view the damage done and promoting his bill for the forests. Then they went to the local forest ranger who opposes Bush's bill and says it goes too far for the logging industry but he mention "responsible logging" helps to reduce massive forest fires. Drought as a catalyst increases the chance of forest fires, but poorly managed forests make it too easy for forest fires to start, whether by accident or intentional. Odds go up.

CNN is my station? If Bush's "responsible logging" policies are so environmentally friendly, how come every environmental group in the country thinks they are stupid. Oh yeah, let's trust logging companies. Their first concern is the environment. Do you believe this crap?

Sava, could it be again, that 9/11 caused our huge deficit and the March 2001 collapse of the stock market. You remember Bush took office in January of 2001 and the market collapsed in March, so that was his fault, I'm sure you remember that he did that in just two months, that has to be some kind of record.
And once again, you fail to answer the question, what is Dean's plan for bringing new jobs??????

9-11 and the stock market... two things that have little to do with the monumental deficit... Bush's tax cuts are the primary factor contributing to our RECORD DEFICITS. Everyone INFORMED and not subject to mindless propaganda knows this. I didn't answer any question because you didn't ask one. Go to Dean's website to look over his plans. I can't speak for him nor do I work for his campaign. I'm only trying to give voters more information.

Mr Fun thank you for the compliment.

[The Templar]

Originally posted by rmsharpe
"...as long as we see that heart tattoo with Neville Chamberlain's name on his right forearm, he's never going anywhere."

Thank goodness for Dennis Miller.

I'm of the opinion that Dennis Miller has been suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (i.e. "shellshock") since 9/11. That guy needs therapy fast!

But thank God for Bill Maher!

[Harry Seldon]

Give me Dean and McCain on the same ticket and by god we'll rule the universe!

[The Templar]

Originally posted by Defiant
And once again, you fail to answer the question, what is Dean's plan for bringing new jobs??????

Tying labor standards to trade agreements will increase labor costs overseas. This will disincentivize "outshoring" of white collar and manufacturing jobs. Increased consumer confidence (via the security of jobs) will spur demand, creating growth. And with outshoring disincentivized, the growth will create jobs here.

[mrmitchell]

And once again, you fail to answer the question, what is Dean's plan for bringing new jobs??????

Whatever it is, it's gotta be better than Bush's plan (obviously).

Geeee Mtg, thought you were smarter than that.

MtG will pull out some old legal code and write a novel on forest management in 10...9...8...

Seriously, though, thinking of logging as an answer to forest fires is ridiculous.

[Sava]

Originally posted by Harry Seldon
Give me Dean and McCain on the same ticket and by god we'll rule the universe!

nah, neither has the potential to carry the South... when the religious right dropped support for McCain, he sank like a rock in the Republican primaries in 2000. A guy like General Wesley Clark might be a better candidate for VP on a Dean ticket. But that's a long ways away. California will make a decision about their governor before Dean starts thinking about VP's.

[Dis]

nah, I'll vote green party

[Sava]

MtG will pull out some old legal code and write a novel on forest management in 10...9...8...

Seriously, though, thinking of logging as an answer to forest fires is ridiculous.

Yeah, MtG is like Albert fricking Einstein... his informed opinions carry more weight than Defiant's. or my own for that matter.

[Defiant]

"9-11 and the stock market... two things that have little to do with the monumental deficit... Bush's tax cuts are the primary factor contributing to our RECORD DEFICITS. Everyone INFORMED and not subject to mindless propaganda knows this. I didn't answer any question because you didn't ask one. Go to Dean's website to look over his plans. I can't speak for him nor do I work for his campaign. I'm only trying to give voters more information."

Please Sava, show me the numbers, I am waiting.

http://money.cnn.com/2003/08/12/news/economy/chain_sales.reut/index.htm

Read this.

[Defiant]

Hell, anybody's carry more than yours, Sava.