Thursday, February 14, 2008

Clintonomics

Just a couple casual observations on Hillary Clinton's economic "solutions". She proposes freezing interest rates on mortgages for a year. In addition Senator Clinton suggests "fixing" adjustable rate mortgages at their present rates. What else, hmm...we have an idea to "seize" oil company profits and use that money for alternate energy development. Last, but not least, under her health care plan we would have taxes withheld to force us to pay for health insurance if we do not agree to buy it voluntarily. Put this together over a period of months listening to her ideas and all I can say is OMG!!!!

Let's see, Mrs. Clinton could not possibly have taken economics. If so, who would teach these views! I am old enough to remember Jimmy Carter fixing oil prices. Price fixing, as well as loan freezing causes more problems than it solves. The market reacts and develops supply/demand log jams, many unpredictable. Second, you simply do not "fix" an "adjustable" rate loan. These are simplistic, populist, solutions. The masses might like them...and "the masses are asses" analogy is appropriate here.

As for "seizing" profits...so much for capitalism...not that we could not, or should not encourage, or give incentives for all that money to be put to some use for the greater good. But the fact the she consistently uses language like "seize profits" concerns me.

Finally, mandatory taxation is not a health care solution. I agree with Mr. Obama on this. People pass buying health insurance because they simply can't afford it, not because they don't want it. The solution is not forced purchases, it is finding a way to make it affordable.

These are all bad ideas. I am certain that if implemented they will not work as intended, and the consequences will be negative. I hope the Senator changes her views!

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Monday, February 11, 2008

And the Republican nominee for President is...

John McCain...war hero, career politician and unafraid to say "no" to the party pit bulls and do the right thing. Not a bad choice for President, but don't say that to Rush Limbaugh! Rush said if McCain is elected President he will "destroy the Republican Party". How absurd...and uninformed. I agree with Peggy Noonan (former Reagan speech writer) who said McCain won't destroy the Republican Party, George Bush already destroyed it. I understand McCain has an 82.3 voting score with the American Conservative Union. Maybe Rush and company should lighten up on their best chance to keep a Republican in the White House.

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