Neil Cavuto's Bush interview: "Economy is still doing very, very well"

[Bush_Eats_Beef]

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,158960,00.html

CAVUTO: Let me ask you about the economy, sir. Almost any objective read tells you that we're still doing very, very well. Productivity is very high. Had a strong GDP report. Retail sales are very, very strong. The unemployment rate, at 5.1 percent, used to be considered full employment when Hubert Humphrey (search) was alive. Do you think you get a bum rap in the media on the economy?

BUSH: No, I don't think so. I think that when the numbers are good, the media puts it out there. Housing starts are strong. Unemployment's down to 5.1 percent. I do think there are some troubling signs in the economy. One is the fact that we haven't passed an energy bill in four years, and we're dependent on foreign sources of energy, and therefore, gasoline prices are up. I think that troubles the American people.

^SNIP^

CAVUTO: So when you see these polls that show your popularity ebbing a bit, it doesn't frustrate you?

BUSH: Polls go up, and polls go down. But I also know my job. See, I could not be here in Washington, D.C., and take on an issue like Social Security and live with myself. In other words, if I didn't take this on, I'd have said, "What did you go to Washington for in the first place?" I also believe we'll get something done. I truly believe it. I believe it because what the people are beginning to realize is, we've got a problem and seniors are beginning to understand, nothing changes for them when it comes to them getting a check. And that's an important dynamic, because it means we're shifting the debate from an older set of Americans who rely upon the system today — and when they realize they're going to get it, they're going to start saying, how about doing something for my grandkids? And it takes work, Neil. It takes work to get over this hump. It takes a lot of effort to convince people that they got to take the hard decision in life. You got to take the hard path sometimes in politics.

[gaia_gardener]

1. So how are unemployment figures calculated

Once link (a gov't site, I believe) said that it was calculated by sending surveys to a random sample. Other sites say it is based upon who is on the unemployment rolls.

The 1st would be a more accurate pic, the 2nd would be so inaccurate as to be laughable.

Based on what I see in my world, the only way I can see the low figure is if they are using the unemployment rolls. Not even the fast food places are hiring around here (and if they are, you have to be bilingual to get hired). Telemarketing is the only place hiring.

[googly]

8. Move to Chicago....the Tribune had 36 pages of ads for jobs

going begging. There are a lot of jobs out their for people with
SKILLS. Undereducated people are the ones in trouble, the kind who
can only do simple menial or clerical jobs.

[Robbien]

2. Economy equals stock market and company profits. That's all.

So these guys are not telling stories when they say the economy is great because in their terms it is.

[quaoar]

3. Throwing softballs

Cavuto is a simpering little ass kisser.

[nadinbrzezinski]

4. Yep the economy is great

nothign to see here, move along (and them food banks are not getting used more than they used to... oh wait they are)

[high density]

5. Yeah, Neil, and I'm so happy to be earning my poverty-level wage

Gotta love that alternate reality that's going on over there at Fox.

[Joebert]

6. The economy IS fine.

If the economy were anything other than doing fine,

- There wouldn't be the crap they throw at us in movies.
- We would see a much larger effort to switch to more efficient vehicles
- Companies caught overcharging would have their CEO dragged through the streets
- People wouldn't be buying houses in the volumes that still persist
- Debt would decrease as people stopped buying crap, saved, and paid down debt

Yes, the ultra-rich are going to stay that way, and increase their wealth.

But the other 99% of us would be putting a lot more away than we are now.

(Yes, I know that a lot of people can't do it because the economy is in the toilet, but a lot more people could, but aren't.)

I'm saving as much as I can, and only incurred bad debt to finance my new hybrid Escape. (But I did put down 30% from savings)

[tmooses]

7. Funny, from where I sit the economy doesn't seem "very very welll".

Maybe it's because I'm not in the top 1 percent, but I see alot of people out of work or working at less than half of what they were making in their previously outsourced job. Is the economy doing well when execs are making record, obscene salaries while their employees are being forced to take a bigger burden of their health insurance. I don't see this reflected in any stats. Bush has no clue what "troubles the American people" and he only cares when his "numbers" go down. He sees someone working three jobs and can only think how great it is.Does he have any idea what goes on in a home when one or both parents are stretched to the limits just to bring in enough income? I am so tired of hearing his tired bullshit about his "hard work" and making the "tough decisions". Anybody who knows anything about his life would laugh at the idea that this privileged preppie has ever had to do any hard work or make any decisions he knew he wouldn't be bailed out of.

[In Truth We Trust]

9. how many days has it been now since the debt has been declared

unsustainanle? How much do we owe China, Japan and Europe. Why if it is so great are they trying to say soc sec needs fixing by cutting benefits instead of using the "vast wealth" we have so readily available.
This is complete and utter Bullshit from the masters of bullshit dissemination.

healthcare costs up
college tuition up,
greatest disparity netween the rich and poor in the HISTORY OF OUR COUNTRY
Fucking propagandists!!!

[Joebert]

10. I can't remember where I read it...

(which is bad, since it was less than minutes ago)

But, I believe I read that a good portion of Bush's personal portfolio was in T-bills.

If this is true, he is receiving a tax-free dividend on our debt.

It is in his best interest (excuse the pun) to have a pile of US debt so that he can profit from it.

[dchill]

11. Cavuto & Bush...

These two genii need to get their heads out of each other's asses and go get a couple of McJobs. Each.

Maybe then the INFLATION in gas, food, and everything else would be on their radar. Then again, maybe not.

[thebigidea]

12. do they expect us to be impressed about how he "truly believes" anything?

who gives a shit? They always go on and on about "well, he might be wrong sometimes but he really believes in what he's doing."

how the fuck can they gauge that? Are they using mindreaders? Certainty scanning systems?

Its like he expects a prize for having beliefs. Big deal - we all do. And all of his are wrong.

[Contrary1]

13. There he goes again...

catapulting the propaganda.

Moran.