Snow seeks to shift focus away from dollar slump, US deficits

[Robbien]

DUBLIN : With protests growing around the world about US deficits and a weak dollar, US Treasury Secretary John Snow has made it clear that's not what he wants to talk about during his European tour.

Snow, who was in Dublin at the start of a four-nation EU visit, reverted to his well-worn phrases Monday about Washington's "strong dollar" policy and the need for open markets to set exchange rates.

<snip>

Aides say Snow is not preparing to be lectured about US deficits, but instead will tell the Europeans they need to fix their "growth deficit", which Washington blames for the global imbalances that have led to trade deficits and, in turn, a drop in the dollar to record lows against the euro.

<snip>

Snow, in an interview with CNBC television Friday, said he intends to press the Europeans on growth during his visit. "They have to get at the structural barriers that they put in place that restrain the natural potential of their economy. They've got to embrace the spirit of enterprise," he said. "They've got to look at lower tax rates, they've got to look at more open labor markets, they've got to look at reforming their pension systems. There is is an awful lot on the table that they could do. It takes political leadership."

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp_world_business/view/117250/1/.html

[htuttle]

1. Then, to distract reporters present, he began an interpretive dance...

...describing the advantages of privatizing Social Security, followed by several rousing bars of 'If You Knew Susie".

Vigilance!

[SoCalDem]

2. LOOK EVERYBODY....Over THERE.. IT's Bigfoot...n/t

...

[Florida_Geek]

17. Shiiiit the Peterson trial is over and Mikie J. trial has not

started oh mi what will he talk about

[oneighty]

3. Good news

It is not our fault.

I feel better already.

180

[Beetwasher]

4. John Snow Tells The World "The Check's In the Mail! I Swear! And I Won't

cum in your mouth! I promise!"

[Spazito]

5. bush admin arrogance yet again...

"Aides say Snow is not preparing to be lectured about US deficits, but instead will tell the Europeans they need to fix their "growth deficit", which Washington blames for the global imbalances that have led to trade deficits and, in turn, a drop in the dollar to record lows against the euro."

They must live in a very, very different world than the rest of us. The US has used up any influence they may have had to lecture ANYONE about anything, imo!

[Jack The Tab]

11. Snow to Europe ..."You need to stop your prosperity!!!"

It makes us look bad.

Cheesuz, these repugs are the biggest bunch of whining pussies I've ever seen in government.

[aquart]

12. America has an arrogance surplus. What gall.

BushCo is still partying like it's 1999.

[HR_Pufnstuf]

6. ahem..

... Earth to Snow. ..printing more money without buying metal to back it is setup for disaster...

and charging us interest for free money is a crime.

[madrchsod]

7. maybe snow should go to china and complain to them

china is not going to use their currency in the world markets. they are going to purchase goods and ervices from the world markets with our wally world money.
people have not even begun to realize just how fuck`d we are in the future...

[aquart]

16. Come again?

Am I reading you right? China is purchasing with US treasury bonds? Our debt? They're selling our debt?

I'm not good enough to say where that will go, can you point me? After the horror of offshoring our debt I don't see the ramifications of spreading it around from China to multiple nations. Is it anything like selling a mortgage to another bank?

[DuaneBidoux]

22. They're purchasing...mostly purchasing although they certainly

trade in the markets. Another way to think about it is that they are graudally BUYING us.

[flobee1kenobi]

8. lemme get this straight

We go to other countries to lecture them that they should be more like us?
last I heard our economy is tanking -hard
why would any gov.model their economy after ours?

[TankLV]

9. Do these fucks ever LISTEN to THEMSELVES?!?!?!

Just replace "European" with "US", and see how it sounds.

So, let me get this "right" (not "correct", but "right" as in right wing):

It's preferable for the US to have a great, surging, heated economy, even at the expense of the rest of the world, but when the situation is reversed, and the REST of the ENTIRE WORLD is doing what they should, balanced bugets, health care for all, etc. - it is somehow BAD?

[haktar]

10. I knew it.

Now that the knaves can no longer blame it to the Clenis, everything is our fault.

Go home Snow, nobody will listen to you !!!


Edited for typo.

[aquart]

18. Who is "our fault"?

[haktar]

20. Europe, "Old Europe" to be exact.

:argh:

[Tracer]

13. Listen up you Europeans!

You just gotta CUT THEM TAXES!

Yessireebob. That way, you can be bankrupt, just like the good ol' USA.

[DBoon]

14. Always look on the bright side of life

Cheer up, Brian
You know what they say

Some things in life are bad
They can really make you mad
Other things just make you swear and curse
When you're chewing on life's gristle
Don't grumble, give a whistle
And this'll help things turn out for the best, hey

Always look on the bright side of life
Always look on the light side of life

If life seems jolly rotten
There's something you've forgotten
And that's to laugh and smile and dance and sing
When you're feeling in the dumps
Don't be silly chumps
Just purse you're lips and whistle, that's the thing

And, always look on the bright side of life
Always look on the right side of life

For life is quite absurd
And death's the final word
You must always face the curtain with a bow
Forget about your sin
Give the audience a grin
Enjoy it, it's your last chance of the hour

So, always look on the bright side of death
Just before you draw your terminal breath

Life's a piece o' shit
When you look at it
Life's a laugh and death's a joke it's true
You'll see it's all a show
Keep 'em laughing as you go
Remember that the last laugh is on you

And, always look on the bright side of life
Always look on the right side of life
Come on, Brian cheer up

Always look on the bright side of life
Always look on the right side of life


Worse things happen at sea, you know
Always look on the bright side of life
I mean, what do you have to lose
You come from nothing
You go back to nothing
What have you lost, nothing
Always look on the bright side of life

[havocmom]

15. bush* administration, yet again, settles for PR over substance.

It is like dealing with a four year old who thinks he can bluff his way outta any situation by just lying to the grown ups.

This is what comes of letting little brats get by with never facing consequences for their errors and/or omissions. Most little brats have to grow up at some point. These twerps never did and never learned anything but more lying. They get rewarded by puppet masters for entertaining the masses during the heist.

There are too many people out there willing to let frat brats get away with lying. Too many people think it is easier and more comfortable to ignore bad behavior and give in to tantrums that to discipline and correct. It is supposed to be OUR government.

[BeatleBoot]

19. Welcome To BushWorld Dublin!!

Up is down.
Down is up.
And anyone with half of a brain is not part of "the club".

[olddem43]

21. This gives new meaning to the term "Snow Job" -

but then again, maybe not.

[DireStrike]

23. Yeah... it just clarifies the old one.

People keep posting my witty comments before me! =D