President Bush talks about the economy, a topic he has proven himself qualified to discuss on par with his podium’s ability to explain game theory. Not that it matters, of course, because the best a president can do is get in the way. Talk of helping is politics, not economics. As it was today:
President Bush today blamed Congress for many of the nation’s economic woes, charging that lawmakers have blocked his proposals for dealing with problems ranging from soaring gasoline prices to the increasing cost of food.
Wasn’t the Free Money economic stimulus package the solution? That hasn’t even gone out yet, so it’s advertised benefits are unproven. I did get the letter telling me I might be getting the Free Money. I won’t, but why let that save me the cost of the postage and paper?
And he charged that instead of dealing with rising food prices, lawmakers are “considering a massive, bloated farm bill that would do little to solve the problem” and would not “eliminate subsidy payments to multimillionaire farmers.” Describing the U.S. farm economy as “thriving,” Bush said now is the “right time to reform our nation’s farm policies by reducing unnecessary subsidies.”
When he vetoes one of these massive, bloated farm bills, maybe I’ll think he’s serious.
Of course, this is what Bush had to say about the billions in biofuels subsidies in the disgusting energy bill last December:
“The bill I sign today takes a significant step because it will require fuel producers to use at least 36 billion gallons of biofuel in 2022. This is nearly a fivefold increase over current levels. It will help us diversify our energy supplies and reduce our dependence on oil. It’s an important part of this legislation, and I thank the members of Congress for your wisdom.”
Believe me when I say that I think farm subsidies are one of the biggest reasons people are starving around the world right now. But to hear Bush complain about them after years of actively trying to increase their impact is the bases form of hypocrisy.