I got that as well. I have decided at the moment _not_ to sign it only
because I haven't studied enough of what Bush is about to make an informed
endorsment.
But you ask whether an economist as economist can sign such an endorsement?
Why not? If it turns out that the other candidate proposes economic policy
which are counter-productive _from the point of view of the advocate_ of
those policies cannot the economist point that out? Listening to the
Democratic convention there was a lot of rhetoric in the speeches about
proposed economic policy with regard to health and education which forgot
that intentions and results don't always line up. If say, I advocate
universal health care, and to achieve that I propose policies ABC to achieve
that result, but simple economic reasoning could demonstrate that following
ABC will _not_ generate universal health care, but instead even more
difficulties in health care provision --- then the economist as economist
can say that candidate 2 advocating ABC would be a bad choice if what you
value is universal health care.
Of course, economists as citizens can say a lot more, but that wasn't your
question.
Dr. Peter J. Boettke, Deputy Director
James M. Buchanan Center for Political Economy
Department of Economics
George Mason University, MSN 3G4
Fairfax, VA 22030
(703) 993-1149
fax (703) 993-1133
email: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
homepage: http://www.gmu.edu/departments/economics/pboettke
- Original Message -
From: Robin Hanson [EMAIL PROTECTED]
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Sent: Monday, August 28, 2000 1:24 PM
Subject: Bush vs. Gore
I got this email asking me to endorse Bush's economic positions.
Anyone have a similar thing from Gore? Can an economist, as
economist, favor one set of policies over the other as better
economic policy?
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Date: Sun, 27 Aug 2000 23:28:22 EDT
Dear Colleague,
We are writing to ask whether you would be willing to sign on to an
economists' statement (included at the end of this email) describing and
endorsing George W. Bush's economic proposals in this presidential
campaign.
Some of the economists who have already signed on include Gary Becker,
James
Buchanan, Milton Friedman, Anne Krueger, Robert Lucas, Robert Mundell,
Myron
Scholes, Anna Schwartz, George Shultz, Vernon Smith, and Finis Welch. It
would be great if you could do it as well.
If you are willing, please reply to this email with the message "I will
sign
the statement. My affiliation is _." (Your affiliation is for
identification purposes only.)
The economists' statement, along with the list of endorsers, will be
posted
on the web site www.Economists4Bush.org. The Bush-Cheney 2000 campaign
may
use the statement and the names in its advertising.
Economists4Bush is a forum where economists who support Governor Bush's
economic plan can exchange ideas and discuss how to promote his
candidacy.
Thanks very much.
James Carter
Co-Chair, Economists4Bush
John Cogan
Hoover Institution
Ted Covey
Co-Chair, Economists4Bush
Lawrence Lindsey
American Enterprise Institute
James C. Miller III
Citizens for a Sound Economy
John B. Taylor
Stanford University
Robert Tollison
University of Mississippi
Economists' Statement on George W. Bush's Economic Plan
We enthusiastically endorse the economic plan put forth by George W.
Bush. It
is based on conservative revenue projections and sensible spending
baselines
and will create more economic growth and greater opportunities for all
Americans.
His economic plan would:
Strengthen Social Security by creating voluntary personal retirement
accounts. Such accounts are an essential part of any credible plan to
save
social security. They help all Americans build wealth that can be passed
on
to their children.
Cut income tax rates and leave more money in the hands of the people who
earn
it. Income tax rates are now especially high on people with low incomes.
The
lower a taxpayer's income, the greater is the tax cut as a percentage of
income.
Make scholarships available to families whose children are trapped in
schools
that do not meet minimum state standards. Such scholarships will hold
schools
accountable, give children better opportunities, and enable every child,
regardless of background, to receive the education needed for high
quality
jobs in the new economy of the 21st century.
Hold down the growth of government spending, through biennial budgeting,
a
constitutional line-item veto, and a bipartisan commission to cut
pork-barrel
spending. These budget reforms will help redirect spending toward our
highest
priorities-including a strong national defense, while continuing to pay
off
the national debt.
Promote free trade around the world by restoring the president's
fast-track
negotiating authority and then using it to reduce trade
barriers--including
the complete elimination of agricultural export subsidies and tariffs
