When it comes to that Larry Bartels chart comparing income growth (and its distribution) under Democratic Presidents to the same numbers under Republicans, I find the Cowen-Tabarrok explanation vastly more persuasive than the Klein explanation. But you may disagree.
« National Greatness Liberalism (II) | Main | Changing The Tone » Choose Your Explanation09 Apr 2008 03:42 pm Comments (3)
What would be interesting would be to look at the particular years when growth was highest. Usually Republicans are elected when government gets out of control. They fix the mess and then democrats come in to take the credit (think of Reagan and Carter/ then Clinton and Bush jr.). Is it really so surprising that a democrat can increase growth over a four or eight year period? They can increase debt and short term benefits at the expense of the future. Just look at the mortgage mess. The democrats would like to dump more cash and keep growth inflated above long term trend. While this may work for a while prices and wages need to drop and the problems will just be delayed. 
Gordon, Most of our National debt was created under three Presidents named Reagan, Bush and Bush. As for why Democrats are better for the economy, simple they believe in an honest days pay for an honest days work and having and maintaining a functional infrastructure, where as Republicans have no respect for work or workers and believe in stealing everything that isn't nailed down.
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What would be interesting would be to look at the particular years when growth was highest.
Usually Republicans are elected when government gets out of control. They fix the mess and then democrats come in to take the credit (think of Reagan and Carter/ then Clinton and Bush jr.).
Is it really so surprising that a democrat can increase growth over a four or eight year period? They can increase debt and short term benefits at the expense of the future. Just look at the mortgage mess. The democrats would like to dump more cash and keep growth inflated above long term trend. While this may work for a while prices and wages need to drop and the problems will just be delayed.
Posted by Gordon Gekko | April 9, 2008 4:13 PM