503-785-3485
bill@conerlyconsulting.com
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Linkedin
Conerly Consulting Conerly Consulting
  • Consulting
    • Approach/Philosophy
    • Sounding Board
    • Economics and Business Strategy
    • Assessment
    • Case Studies
    • Testimonials
  • Speaking
    • The Package
    • Topics
    • Testimonials
  • Writing
    • Businomics Newsletter
    • Businomics
    • The Flexible Stance
    • Blog
  • Industries
    • Banking/Finance
    • Manufacturing
    • Other Industries
  • Video
    • Speaking
    • Event Promotion
    • Business Planning
  • About
    • News Coverage
  • Contact
  • Consulting
    • Approach/Philosophy
    • Sounding Board
    • Economics and Business Strategy
    • Assessment
    • Case Studies
    • Testimonials
  • Speaking
    • The Package
    • Topics
    • Testimonials
  • Writing
    • Businomics Newsletter
    • Businomics
    • The Flexible Stance
    • Blog
  • Industries
    • Banking/Finance
    • Manufacturing
    • Other Industries
  • Video
    • Speaking
    • Event Promotion
    • Business Planning
  • About
    • News Coverage
  • Contact
  • Home
  • Public Policy
  • Obama and Clinton: Economic Policy Differences

Public Policy

09 Jan 2008

Obama and Clinton: Economic Policy Differences

  • By Bill Conerly
  • In Public Policy

The economic policy difference between Senators Obama and Clinton is explained nicely in a New York Times article by David Leonhardt.

Short summary: both believe in a big role for government, but Clinton tends to favor well-crafted, specific programs.  Obama, in contrast, prefers broader, simpler programs that don’t rely on people to learn the specifics of the programs.

Any government program will have unintended consequences.  One of them is that if you set up a program for people who meet a specific profile, and estimate that exactly 1.34 million people fit that profile, you will find that another 2 or 3 million people adjust their own profile to fit the program.  Now your costs are 2x or 3x what you had budgeted. 

The solution (for those who insist on this government program) is to write more details, limitations, exclusions and sliding scales.  One result, however, will be people you really wanted to help who don’t fit.  So what do you do?  You’ve got it.  Set up another program. 

For instance, how many different government programs does the government have to help parents pay for their children’s college educations?  There are Coverdell plans, special savings bonds, 529 plans, special exceptions for IRAs and Roth IRAs, Hope Scholarship Credit, Lifetime Learning Credit, and I don’t know what I’ve missed.

So which approach is better?  Obama’s approach will lead to large-scale misapplication of funds.  Clinton’s will result in a bewildering array of confusing programs.  Take your pick.

  • Share:
Bill Conerly

Search

Sign Up For Our Newsletter!

View Latest Issue

RSS Bill’s Forbes Articles

  • The Labor Market Is Tight Despite High Unemployment February 19, 2021
    Finding workers is hard despite the high unemployment rate, because many jobless folks don't match the skills needed, don't want to shift occupations or prefer to collect unemployment. Business focus on retention should be top priority.

Testimonials

Bill is a delight and easy to work with. The client thought he was great and delivered value to their group. I would definitely recommend Bill.
Andrea Gold, Gold Stars Speakers Bureau
Seems no matter where I go, I hear you talking – and always doing a great job with different material well tailored to the audience. Very impressive!
Alan Shiffer, World Vision
We asked Bill Conerly to look at one of the major factors limiting the growth of our business. He pulled together data from a wide range of sources, as well as his own extensive business knowledge, to give us an insight into when conditions would improve and how we could be ready to capitalize on better times. He did so in a straight forward, easy to understand manner. A year later it was clear that things had evolved just as he had forecast. Ever since then he’s been my go-to guy on how the e…
Len Ludwig, former CEO, Vencore Capital LLC
Dr. Bill Conerly opened our Ace Hardware Platinum Retailer Conference by helping our independent small business owners understand the current state of the economy in a straight forward and humorous manner that connected very well with the retailers I spoke with. Dr. Conerly provided information our retailers can use to lead their businesses. He connected with the audience and made a complicated topic understandable.
Mike Berschauer, Ace Hardware Corp
As you know, it can be difficult to find economists who provide good substantive information who are so entertaining and engaging. I received many enthusiastic comments from members and others in attendance. I was very pleased with Dr. Conerly and have recommended him to NCSTAE, our national organization.
Molly Steckel, Idaho Telecom Alliance
Thank you for a wonderful presentation. Everyone who heard your presentation was impressed with your analysis, and strong command of facts and theory. More importantly, your ability to weave together substance with humor, in a very dynamic way, meant our attendees learned and retained more information than we would have typically expected. You made economics fun and you left our members with powerful insights on trends and issues to consider as they prepare for the future.
John Aguirre, Oregon Association of Nurseries
Our audience of local business and community leaders not only valued the economic data you provided, but they really appreciated that you made it applicable to their businesses, their personal lives and moreover – that you presented it in a clear and entertaining manner.
Scott Boyer, Mountain Pacific Bank
You made a complicated global picture understandable. I have received many favorable comments from those in attendance. I frequently heard comments like ‘Now I understand’ or ‘Wow, now I get it’ and ‘He was great to listen to. Thanks for bringing Bill to our meeting.’
Pete Van Sickle, Idaho Department of Lands
Your presentation was right on the mark. I received more positive comments about you than any other presenter. We would not hesitate to recommend you to others or have you back for an encore performance.
Bob Russell, Oregon Trucking Association
It can be difficult to find economists who provide good substantive information who are also entertaining and engaging. I received many enthusiastic comments about Dr. Conerly from members and others in the audience.
Molly Steckel, Idaho Telecom Alliance

Get in touch

(503) 785-3485

bill@conerlyconsulting.com

PO Box 2188
Lake Oswego, OR 97035

Useful Links

  • Consulting
  • Speaking
  • Videos
  • Blog
  • Press
  • Contact

Social Links

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Linkedin

Newsletters

Copyright 2020 Conerly Consulting LLC