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**DanS** · March 11, 2003, 01:23

4.3% seems a little high, unless you are factoring in a potential war this year.

**el freako** · March 11, 2003, 01:25

Most of the data for 1950-1980 is using World Bank estimates of GDP growth (this is from an old set I copied out of one of their yearbooks in the library over a decade ago not sure how to find the data online, sorry).

Data for 1980-2000 is using the IMF figures for world growth however I adjusted US growth to take into account the different measure of inflation that they use - when they switched it added around 0.5% a year to US growth and studies I have done using PPP data suggest that the overstatement of US growth vis-a-vis other countries is also around 0.5%.

Data prior for 1920-1950 is obtained by using industrial production figures from old League of Nations statistical yearbooks and aggregating several studies estimating GDP for other major economies.

**Imran Siddiqui** · March 11, 2003, 01:27

There is absolutely NO telling if Bush is good or bad for the US until at least 10 years later. It really depends on the Iraq war and the aftermath. If it all goes well, then he is a good prez, if it doesn't, then he is a bad one. The economy and alliances don't matter, the end result of the war do (because of what it would mean for the world).

**el freako** · March 11, 2003, 01:28

Originally posted by DanS
4.3% seems a little high, unless you are factoring in a potential war this year.

Data from the BEA:

Defence Spending in 2002: $447.5bn
GDP in 2002: $10,445.6bn

447.5 / 10,445.6 = 4.3%

It's likely to be at least 4.5% this year.

**MichaeltheGreat** · March 11, 2003, 01:28

Originally posted by DanS
Bush has been good for the US.

Congratulations, I missed the announcement you'd got the job as the administration's new Press Secretary.

**MRT144** · March 11, 2003, 01:44

MTG!

Bush hasnt made anyone i know optimistic about the future though. he has no vision of where this country is heading, rather he is just enduring his presidency

**DanS** · March 11, 2003, 01:46

ef: I would be interested in how that number is disaggregated.

**Drake Tungsten** · March 11, 2003, 01:49

he has no vision of where this country is heading,

I think it is actually the opposite; Bush has a clear vision for US foreign policy and that scares people overseas who are fond of the pointless foreign policy of the Clinton years.

**MRT144** · March 11, 2003, 01:56

foreign policy does not make an entire country

**Drake Tungsten** · March 11, 2003, 01:58

foreign policy does not make an entire country

It's the aspect most affected and controlled by the executive branch...

**MRT144** · March 11, 2003, 02:06

yet its not the most important aspect of the excutive branch. what has bush done to inspire hope in the american people?

**Drake Tungsten** · March 11, 2003, 02:09

yet its not the most important aspect of the excutive branch.

Yes it is...

what has bush done to inspire hope in the american people?

Didn't you see his speech at Ground-Zero?

**MRT144** · March 11, 2003, 02:10

part of it. didnt really help me feel better about the direction of the nation.

**Kramerman** · March 11, 2003, 02:12

Originally posted by MRT144
part of it. didnt really help me feel better about the direction of the nation.

just becasue you are cynical, doesnt mean Bush has no vision. Could there ever be a president that would please you?

**DuncanK** · March 11, 2003, 02:23

I thought he gave an ok speech. Definitely could have been better. You would have to be pretty damn bad to give a bad speech in a time like that. I honestly think that most US presidents could have given a better speech. Probably Ford could have given a speech about as good.

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