Who deregulated more - Bush or Clinton?

[Jason T]

I find it funny people are blaming this mess on deregulation - it is an election year after all. I also find it funny the Democrats are running on Clinton's economic performance, when he was the most pro-capitalist democrat President of the 20th century.

To my knowledge, Clinton was more of a deregulator than Bush (Sarbanes-Oxley anyone?)

Anyone able to second that?

[heavenlyboy34]

I find it funny people are blaming this mess on deregulation - it is an election year after all. I also find it funny the Democrats are running on Clinton's economic performance, when he was the most pro-capitalist democrat President of the 20th century.

To my knowledge, Clinton was more of a deregulator than Bush (Sarbanes-Oxley anyone?)

Anyone able to second that?

Though I don't remember the Clinton years well, I'm inclined to say that he seems to have been more pro-capitalist than Bush. (more conservative, too) Bush strikes me as more of a fascist than a capitalist. ;) (or at least, a tool of fascists)

[Zippyjuan]

Clinton turned out to be more Republican than Bush. Tried relaxing restrictions, cutting social programs like Medicare, and despite having record revenues coming in due to the tech stock bubble, resisted the temptation to spend it and instead saw the lowest growth in federal spending other than Carter. Total spending only went up 9% during his two terms and as a percent of GNP actually went down. He lowered government involvement in things and trimmed the deficit. Now just eight years later, you have numerous messes all over the world- politically, economically, militarily, and the largest deficits seen as well as more debt than all previous presidents combined. Other than that Monca thing, maybe he wasn't that bad. Certainly compared to what we have today.

Chart availible here (image would not work): http://www.cedarcomm.com/~stevelm1/usdebt.htm

He both raised and cut taxes so he is mixed on that. http://www.sltrib.com/Opinion/ci_10450694

Bill Clinton's tax policy
Public Forum Letter
Article Last Updated: 09/12/2008 07:51:43 PM MDT


As president, Bill Clinton cut taxes on the rich. In 1993, Clinton rescinded the 10 percent luxury tax on items such as yachts, which had reduced employment in yacht building by nearly 7,600 jobs and the costs in unemployment compensation far exceeded the increase in tax revenue. In 1997, President Clinton cut the capital gains tax rate from 28 percent to 20 percent. He also increased the deduction from the gain on the sale of a couple's primary residence from a one-time $100,000 deduction to a repeatable $500,000 one. This started a housing boom that lasted into 2005. These two measures generated tremendous wealth. The stock market surged, unemployment fell to below 4 percent, the gross domestic product expanded and we even had a budget surplus. During this same period of time, the price of gasoline hovered just above $1 per gallon, a virtual tax cut for anyone who drove, especially those who drove SUVs.
However, Clinton also raised income taxes in 1993.
The prosperity of the Clinton years included tax cuts as well as a tax increase. Give that some thought.

[ItsTime]

It does not matter who deregulated the most. It matters how much money was printed and at what price.

[Zippyjuan]

Bush wins that one. Hands down.

[Jason T]

nt

[Paulitician]

Greenspan called Clinton more fiscally "conservative" than Bush. I think looking only at presidents is naive. Congress plays a big part, and stuff...

[heavenlyboy34]

Greenspan called Clinton more fiscally "conservative" than Bush. I think looking only at presidents is naive. Congress plays a big part, and stuff...

+1.5

Since Bush has usurped so much power that USED to belong to Congress, the executive is now more relevant than it used to be. (At least to the public. Ya never know who's really pulling the strings around here)

[tonesforjonesbones]

Bush tried to stop this Fannie/ Freddie debacle and the democratic congress blocked him. McCAin tried to stop it in 2005 and it never made it to the senate. The democrats are fully responsible for this HUGE bubble...they REGULATED banks...forced them to give loans to low income, inner city folks for homes and to open businesses...or else they would be financially penalized. Clinton is a socialist whack job and he is STILL talking about bailing out the low income homeowners who defaulted. You have to realize who those democratic politicians constituents are. Look at the demographics...they are trading social programs and government loot to keep their jobs...and it has created a mess. TONES

[erika]

Bush tried to stop this Fannie/ Freddie debacle and the democratic congress blocked him. McCAin tried to stop it in 2005 and it never made it to the senate. The democrats are fully responsible for this HUGE bubble...they REGULATED banks...forced them to give loans to low income, inner city folks for homes and to open businesses...or else they would be financially penalized. Clinton is a socialist whack job and he is STILL talking about bailing out the low income homeowners who defaulted. You have to realize who those democratic politicians constituents are. Look at the demographics...they are trading social programs and government loot to keep their jobs...and it has created a mess. TONES

Let's not forget Clintons buddying up with china and selling out the u.s.

Or the bombing of ethnic serbs(who were a majority) in kosovo and turning it illegally into a muslim country.