3 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars
Political Propaganda, January 13, 2011
This review is from: Bullish on Bush: How George Bush's Owenership Society Will Make America Stronger (Paperback)
Political Propaganda
This book was released shortly before the 2004 elections. The book was intended as campaign propaganda intended to influence voters to vote for George W. Bush rather than John Kerry. I don't object to political propaganda. It's part of the process. But this book is ridiculous with its praise of George W. Bush. The author makes him out to be some sort of economic guru/deity.
I agree with supply-side economics. It's hard to argue against efficient government, lower tax rates, simple tax code, savings and investment and low trade barriers. But what irks me is when proponents twist facts, omit pertinent data and outright lie. There are plenty of economic hacks that do this: Kudlow, Jerry Bowyer, Cavuto... These people have no degree in economics and are just pop-talking heads, a cheering section for the Republican Party. Stephen Moore is actually educated in the field, and, therefore, I hold him in the utmost contempt for this dishonest book.
One of the most offensive lies is on page 55 where the author claims that Kennedy's tax cuts triggered the economic boom of the 1960s. The economy had been booming for years before the Kennedy tax cuts. One could argue that the Kennedy tax cuts caused an already booming economy to grow even faster, but to say that they "triggered" the boom of the 1960s is either ignorant or dishonest. Stephen Moore isn't ignorant.
But it's not all total drivel. In the books introduction the author prescribes several practical policies that would promote economic growth and wealth for the nation. And it actually includes reducing spending (which at the time was a rare proposal among supply-side hacks). Also included are private investment accounts for Social Security, expansion of IRAs, health savings accounts and lower trade barriers. Most self-described supply-siders know one thing and one thing only: tax cuts. Here, Moore deserves credit for not being so shallow and actually prescribing a set of practical policies.
In the end, this book is Stephen Moore's announcement to the world that he is a partisan hack.
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4 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars
Why does Stephen Moore still Pontificate on NPR in 2009 ?, June 17, 2009
This review is from: Bullish on Bush: How George Bush's Owenership Society Will Make America Stronger (Paperback)
The book is pure fantasy and partisan propaganda. Stephen Moore is on Diane Rehm today, June 17 2009, telling listeners how global warming is a bunch of baloney. If the guy, who claims to be an economist, was so 'bullish on Bush' in 2004, and was so wrong on the consequences of Bush policies, why is he put on the airwaves to blow hot air on climate change? These Republican supporters go from causing one train wreck to creating another.
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5 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars
Are you serious?, March 5, 2009
This review is from: Bullish on Bush: How George Bush's Owenership Society Will Make America Stronger (Paperback)
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!
I wonder what will be in the 2nd edition of this one.
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