Ben Carson doesn't understand anything about how the US budget works

[bbedward]

...in a nutshell.

 

http://www.cnn.com/2015/10/07/politics/ben-carson-debt-ceiling-marketplace/

 

I think Ben Carson's a nice guy, but he has had many gaffes about not understanding how much works. Of everybody, it seems he understands the least about the economy (and most stuff in general).

 

Regardless, I think Carson is going to be subject to a lot more of this media grilling now - since they can't seem to knock Trump they may be going for the new #2. Especially with the nonsense from national enquirer about his malpractice lawsuits, which never went to trial and would have only been about 0.4% of his surgeries.

 

[calfoxwc]

You think Obamao understood how our budget works? nah.

 

A pres just needs to be smart enough to surround himself with

excellent people.

Baloney on the CNN biz - back in the early days, we called CNN the "communist news network".

 

Notice that CNN never once grilled Obamao on any subjects.

More like "what is your favorite dessert?".....

 

He's absolutely correct on his answer on the raising of the budget.

Stop implementing more and more "obligations" so that the debt ceiling

keeps having to be raised.

 

But the dipstick didn't want that to be the answer.

 

There aren't many gaffes...compared to Obamao.

[bbedward]

It's not about Obama - it's about Carson. And it isn't just CNN.

 

I think it's likely that there's an interest in taking Carson down - since he's polling high and is an easy target.

 

But he doesn't know much about economics, much about foreign policy, and social matters are strictly guided by his religion. I just think he might be over his head.

[Westside Steve]

It's not about Obama - it's about Carson. And it isn't just CNN.

 

I think it's likely that there's an interest in taking Carson down - since he's polling high and is an easy target.

 

But he doesn't know much about economics, much about foreign policy, and social matters are strictly guided by his religion. I just think he might be over his head.

It doesn't seem to me that he's based anything on his educational or professional career on religion. You know like opening up the brain and praying over it? At any rate I don't think any president of the United States in recent years has been an economist and even economist disagree so...

 

I'm assuming Dr Carson would put together an economic team advisors the same as any president puts together a team of advisors to guide him through the many many subject he's either not an expert at or most likely knows very little about.

 

WSS

[jbluhm86]

Ben Carson's economic savvy, and that of any other Presidental candidate, is not really an issue. If having a balanced and well constructed budget is such a concern, I'd be more worried about those "go-getters" that keep getting voted into Congress than who the President is. The President can have all the political and economic advisors he wants, but at the end of the day, it's Congress who's cutting the checks.

[OldBrownsFan]

I don't think Obama or most liberal democrats have any clue how our economy works in the real world as most have never been in business or run a business and what they learned about economics was probably from some liberal professor in college.

 

This story from former liberal senator George McGovern probably fits most :

 

 

From “A Politician’s Dream Is a Businessman’s Nightmare”, by George McGovern, WSJ, June 1992:

 

In 1988, I invested most of the earnings from this lecture circuit acquiring the leasehold on Connecticut’s Stratford Inn. … In retrospect, I wish I had known more about the hazards and difficulties of such a business, especially during a recession of the kind that hit New England just as I was acquiring the inn’s 43-year leasehold. I also wish that during the years I was in public office, I had had this firsthand experience about the difficulties business people face every day. That knowledge would have made me a better U.S. senator and a more understanding presidential contender.

Today we are much closer to a general acknowledgment that government must encourage business to expand and grow. Bill Clinton, Paul Tsongas, Bob Kerrey and others have, I believe, changed the debate of our party (1) . We intuitively know that to create job opportunities we need entrepreneurs who will risk their capital against an expected payoff. Too often, however, public policy does not consider whether we are choking off those opportunities.

My own business perspective has been limited to that small hotel and restaurant in Stratford, Conn., with an especially difficult lease and a severe recession. But my business associates and I also lived with federal, state and local rules that were all passed with the objective of helping employees, protecting the environment, raising tax dollars for schools, protecting our customers from fire hazards, etc. While I never doubted the worthiness of any of these goals, the concept that most often eludes legislators is: ‘Can we make consumers pay the higher prices for the increased operating costs that accompany public regulation and government reporting requirements with reams of red tape.’ It is a simple concern that is nonetheless often ignored by legislators. (2) For example, the papers today are filled with stories about businesses dropping health coverage for employees. We provided a substantial package for our staff at the Stratford Inn. However, were we operating today, those costs would exceed $150,000 a year for health care on top of salaries and other benefits. There would have been no reasonable way for us to absorb or pass on these costs.

Some of the escalation in the cost of health care is attributed to patients suing doctors. While one cannot assess the merit of all these claims, I’ve also witnessed firsthand the explosion in blame-shifting and scapegoating for every negative experience in life. Today, despite bankruptcy, we are still dealing with litigation from individuals who fell in or near our restaurant. Despite these injuries, not every misstep is the fault of someone else. Not every such incident should be viewed as a lawsuit instead of an unfortunate accident. And while the business owner may prevail in the end, the endless exposure to frivolous claims and high legal fees is frightening.

Our Connecticut hotel, along with many others, went bankrupt for a variety of reasons, the general economy in the Northeast being a significant cause. But that reason masks the variety of other challenges we faced that drive operating costs and financing charges beyond what a small business can handle. It is clear that some businesses have products that can be priced at almost any level. The price of raw materials (e.g., steel and glass) and life-saving drugs and medical care are not easily substituted by consumers. It is only competition or antitrust that tempers price increases. Consumers may delay purchases, but they have little choice when faced with higher prices. In services, however, consumers do have a choice when faced with higher prices. You may have to stay in a hotel while on vacation, but you can stay fewer days. You can eat in restaurants fewer times per month, or forgo a number of services from car washes to shoeshines. Every such decision eventually results in job losses for someone. And often these are the people without the skills to help themselves–the people I’ve spent a lifetime trying to help.

In short, “one-size-fits-all” rules for business ignore the reality of the market place. And setting thresholds for regulatory guidelines at artificial levels–e.g., 50 employees or more, $500,000 in sales–takes no account of other realities, such as profit margins, labor intensive vs. capital intensive businesses, and local market economics. The problem we face as legislators is: Where do we set the bar so that it is not too high to clear? I don’t have the answer. I do know that we need to start raising these questions more often.

[jbluhm86]

It also boggles my mind how some people would want to vote Trump with the idea that, as a businessman, he could fix the US budget, while conveniently overlooking the fact that the man's corporations have declared Chapter 11 four separate times.

[Westside Steve]

It also boggles my mind how some people would want to vote Trump with the idea that, as a businessman, he could fix the US budget, while conveniently overlooking the fact that the man's corporations have declared Chapter 11 four separate times.

Use the benefits provided by law.

 

In a real, successful business when you run out of money you can't just print more. And the United States has never seen a spending limit they couldn't bypass

 

WSS

[Clevfan4life]

Wether you aagree with Keynsian economics or not, at least Obama exhibited baseline knowledge of how economics works. Some people agree some don't. I don't think outright capitalism would ever work nor do I think complete socialism works. Carson though seems to exhibit a deficiency in basic econ 101. And that's something you can't do. You don't have to be a Phd in economics but you have to know something. I'm not sure whether he does or not. The fact that he uttered out loud that the big bang theory violates the 2nd law of thermodynamics, something that would have been pointed out precisely 1 day after said theory was ever presented to the scientific community....tells me somethings amiss with him. The sheer arrogance to think you just came up with a brilliant rebuttal to the big bang theory that nobody ever thought of, and having that rebuttal based on one of the most presiding immutable laws of the universe....is head scratching.

[OldBrownsFan]

If Obama's economic policies worked you would have seen some evidences of it after 7 years. What we have gotten is the weakest economic growth coming out of a recession since the Great Depression. Never did we see the economic recovery summer Biden predicted.

 

I also don't believe you can spend your way out of debt and with the national debt over 18 trillion dollars that is enough proof of that.

[bbedward]

Frankly, I don't see how Obama is involved. It's about Carson I don't like Obama, but that doesn't mean I have to like Carson.

 

But Carson does lack any basic knowledge of economics - which is a desirable quality to have in a president no less. Maybe he will hire some great economists or whatever...but it's probably better that the boss who does the hiring knows what he's hiring for.

 

On a side note, I wish more candidates would take Trump's position on Russia/Syria because I think it's the closest thing to the right one...but none of them will. What's the difference between supporting Al-Qaeda inspired rebels (that are using our weapons to fight the Russians now) or Al-Assad. They're pretty much equal except one's a Shia. I'd be happy to let Russia deploy their ground troops and use their planes and ships, etc...

[OldBrownsFan]

I made the comparison with Obama because if you say Carson is weak on economics I don't believe Obama would rate any better. Obama never so much as ran a lemon aid stand and his prior experience before politics was a community organizer (same profession as Al Sharpton). Still didn't stop him from being elected president and neither should Carson's lack of economics background prevent him from being elected.

[MLD Woody]

There are other reasons that should prevent him

[OldBrownsFan]

There are other reasons that should prevent him

 

Because the alternative is Hillary? Enough for me. I think there are aspects of being president many learn on the job such as foreign affairs, military etc...I have little doubt a neurosurgeon will be a quick learner. Our current president doesn't seem to learn anything.

[Westside Steve]

actually, cleave, I don't think you could give us one example that would support your claim that the president understands economics any more than any kid in college.

 

and BB the point is is that a guy with no economic gravitas was elected overwhelmingly to the White House. As a matter of fact I can't think of anyone who so bad office recently that I would consider an economist beyond the fact they will latch on to some left wing ideologue.

and since they will all do that to one extent or another I don't care.

WSS

[LogicIsForSquares]

I wouldn't vote for Carson and I didn't vote for Obama. Carson seems meek and that won't jive well with how things are going globally.

[bbedward]

Well I mean there's just about 10 alternatives to Carson, it's not just Hillary. I do think Hillary would be a disaster though.

[calfoxwc]

I wouldn't vote for Carson and I didn't vote for Obama. Carson seems meek and that won't jive well with how things are going globally. Logic

***************************************

"Speak softly and carry a big stick" Theodore Roosevelt

 

I think Dr. Carson is a man of great principle, and strength.

You don't have to be a loudmouth jackass to lead our country.

Obamao for example....

[MLD Woody]

I wouldn't vote for Carson and I didn't vote for Obama. Carson seems meek and that won't jive well with how things are going globally.

Psh... Racist...

[LogicIsForSquares]

Psh... Racist...

T for tolerance!

[LogicIsForSquares]

I wouldn't vote for Carson and I didn't vote for Obama. Carson seems meek and that won't jive well with how things are going globally. Logic

***************************************

"Speak softly and carry a big stick" Theodore Roosevelt

 

I think Dr. Carson is a man of great principle, and strength.

You don't have to be a loudmouth jackass to lead our country.

Obamao for example....

Being a loudmouth =\= controlling a room. How you carry yourself and your command over a room are definitely part of being a leader.

[The Cysko Kid]

Which of the presidential candidates strikes you as an economic genius? I shudder to think what the economy would look like under Bernard sanders

[LogicIsForSquares]

Which of the presidential candidates strikes you as an economic genius? I shudder to think what the economy would look like under Bernard sanders

Bernie Sanders believes there is a money wizard that just wishes money into being to pay for programs.

[bbedward]

Which of the presidential candidates strikes you as an economic genius? I shudder to think what the economy would look like under Bernard sanders

 

I lean conservative for economic principles. That being said I think pretty much everybody in the field understands more about the economy than Carson.

 

I think Carson's a nice guy and deserves a spot in Washington, I just don't know if that's as president.

 

Bernie Sanders believes there is a money wizard that just wishes money into being to pay for programs.

 

There's no wizard, he just wants to up tax rates up to 70-90%

[LogicIsForSquares]

There's no wizard, he just wants to up tax rates up to 70-90%

He must also believe that planes don't exist.

[calfoxwc]

well, Kasich is the guy who really knows the budget.

 

But I like and trust Carson to be the president.We must have a

new president that will bring our country together,

not keep causing strife and division, fighting American windmills as though

they were enemy dragons.

[LogicIsForSquares]

well, Kasich is the guy who really knows the budget.

 

But I like and trust Carson to be the president.We must have a

new president that will bring our country together,

not keep causing strife and division, fighting American windmills as though

they were enemy dragons.

I don't think any president at this point will bring the country together. Sides are pretty well set in most debates. The last time we really came together was right after 9/11. We pull together after tragedy but that wears off pretty quick.

[The Cysko Kid]

 

I lean conservative for economic principles. That being said I think pretty much everybody in the field understands more about the economy than Carson.

 

I think Carson's a nice guy and deserves a spot in Washington, I just don't know if that's as president.

 

 

There's no wizard, he just wants to up tax rates up to 70-90%

The president's job is to make executive decisions based on the best info he has nothing more nothing less. I trust economists will do most of the economic maneuvering

[MLD Woody]

well, Kasich is the guy who really knows the budget.

 

But I like and trust Carson to be the president.We must have a

new president that will bring our country together,

not keep causing strife and division, fighting American windmills as though

they were enemy dragons.

And the president that will bring the country together is the one that believes in everything you believe in... Correct?

[calfoxwc]

well, woodypeckhead, your Obamao believes in NOTHING I believe in...

 

and he has just divided our country terribly. And, he called Bush's debt

"UNPATRIOTIC".

 

So, he goes and raises it to about 20 TRILLION before he leaves office.

 

and you libs don't say a word about our debt anymore.

 

weird.

 

So, on the flip side, it's time for a pres to do the opposite of what your dirtbag asswipe Obamao has been doing.