Capital Commerce

The Dollar as a Dark-Horse Political Issue

By James Pethokoukis

Posted: May 16, 2008

When it comes to economic policy, a nation's currency is pretty much the ur-factor. But the political sharpies keep telling me that people don't care about the weak dollar, or at least that it doesn't have any legs as a political issue. I think they are dead wrong. People are beginning to understand how the anemic greenback is playing a role in high energy prices and inflation. Take a look at these poll results:

A Bloomberg/Los Angeles Times poll found that 76 percent of Americans think the government should do something to halt the falling dollar. Among those with incomes of $100,000 or more, 7 in 10 favored aiding the currency.... The U.S. currency has slumped 41 percent against the euro since 2002 and 13 percent in the past 12 months alone.

Dollar as Symbolic Issue to Win

Either McCain or Bush can ride this issue, a dark horse

with huge potential.

McCain: Cut spending, reform entitlements -- I'm the guy to do it; the is functionally bankrupt, and the world knows it. And bailing out private companies (Bear, Countrywide; Housing Bill (Bank of American Bailout) is immoral and a hidden tax on Americans; no one bails out the family business that is going under!!! Americans have come under debt, and Joe Biden, the Senator from MBNA, helped the credit card companies rip Americans off. Senator Obama turned to an executive from Fannie Mae to help pick his VP. These men are bought and paid for.

No one owns me; Sarah Palin and I will take on the special interests.

We work for the American people, and they are tired of working harder to make less.

I will change that! Only then, will Dollar be King again.

Obama: Republicans have bankrupted America with their 1920s economic policies; they blame you if you're poor -- they say you're not working hard enough. Then they give tax cuts to people in the top 3% of incomes; you see, the rich don't care. They can invest their money in Euros, pounds, yen -- move it around the world with a click of the mouse, changing their ill-gotten gains into foreign currencies.

You call that patriotic?

We need that money to invest in roads, housing, bridges and hospitals. Only when we balance our budget and invest in America will other countries take us seriously. Only then will America be a destination for capital. America has become a 3rd world nation with a currency to match; Economically, Bush has turned us into a banana republic.

It's time to embrace a Strong Dollar policy.

V Bradley of MA @ Sep 06, 2008 00:30:47 AM

I have been to the Harmonic Wealth Weekend, watched the movie and have started the book - it is awesome and shows us how to focus on what we want rather than spending all of our time focus on what we don't want (that is often our reality) - so focus on desire not reality

Glen of CA @ Jun 04, 2008 03:06:38 AM

I have been to the James Ray Harmonic Wealth Weekend, watched the movie and have started the book - it is awesome and shows us how to focus on what we want rather than spending all of our time focus on what we don't want (that is often our reality) - so focus on desire not reality!

Glen of @ Jun 04, 2008 02:39:06 AM

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Capital Commerce

Capital Commerce

U.S. News business reporter Matthew Bandyk examines the issues, people, and debates that shape the nexus of political and economic life in the nation's capital.

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