Why do people think Republicans are better for the economy?

[In It to Win It]

Vox

Throughout the 2024 election, polls showed voters believed President-elect Donald Trump would be better for the economy than President Joe Biden or Vice President Kamala Harris. That sentiment often repeats in many election cycles because Americans tend to think Republicans are better at handling the economy than Democrats. In 2012, for example, polls showed that voters trusted Mitt Romney more on the economy than Barack Obama.

There are a lot of reasons why voters would think this. Republicans have a long history of branding themselves as the pro-business party that will cut taxes and eliminate red tape. Meanwhile, Democrats run on strengthening regulations, and even though those can be popular proposals (like, say, raising the minimum wage), voters get concerned that those policies will hinder business.

But there’s a disconnect between how voters feel about Republicans’ management of the economy and the historical record. Since World War II, there’s been a consistent pattern of the economy faring better under Democratic presidents than Republican ones. More jobs have been created under Democrats, for example, who also saw higher rates of GDP growth. And economic downturns tend to happen under Republicans: Ten of the last 11 recessions started under a Republican administration.

What do the numbers say?

First things first: The economy has expanded more under Democrats than Republicans. Since 1945, Democratic presidents oversaw, on average, 4.1 percent annual GDP growth, whereas Republican administrations had an average GDP growth rate of 2.5 percent, according to CFRA Research, an investment research firm.

[Blue_Tires]

1. Anybody who actually looked at the numbers could see Dems were wholly superior on the economy

[wryter2000]

2. People think we're "tax and spend" Democrats

All we know how to do is tax hard working people and "waste" the money on dark-colored people who don't want to work.

[surfered]

7. Exactly! And "fiscal conservatives" have cut taxes and spent.

Trump’s tax cuts added $7.8 billion to the debt

[Jack Valentino]

13. You mean, Trump's tax cuts added $7.8 TRILLION to the debt.... "with a T"

[surfered]

18. Yes, correct $ 7.8 Trillion.

Which means the amount he added to the debt represented about 25% of the total debt outstanding on the day he left office.

[The Wizard]

9. What else should they do with the revenue?

I prefer tax and spend over the Trump policy of borrow and embezzle.
The corporate media has been spreading the myth of Republicans are better for the economy.
I remember Dick Armey and Phil Gramm, both with PhDs in economics, predicting Clinton's budget would cause a depression.

[Diamond_Dog]

10. I have heard that for years from my republican family members, wryter2000.

[Skittles]

3. because that is what their dittomasters tell them

yup

[elleng]

4. Thanks.

Effect on economy and businesses of MONOPOLY MUST be considered, but rarely is, by 'man on the street,' I suspect.

T Roosevelt knew, tho.

Monopoly power is the ability to charge supracompetitive prices, whereas abuse of monopoly power is the use of that ability.

Section 2 of the Sherman Act makes it unlawful for any person to "monopolize, or attempt to monopolize, or combine or conspire with any other person or persons, to monopolize any part of the trade or commerce among the several States, or with foreign nations

[multigraincracker]

5. Adam Smith warned about them in his book Wealth of Nations.

And he was the Father of Capitalism. That was back in 1776.

[yaesu]

6. Comes down to mass stupidity. nt

[Iris]

8. Because that's what grandpa told them

[ForgedCrank]

11. Propaganda.

Yea, there's nothing else I really need to type down here.

[PeaceWave]

12. When we Democrats are in office, we tend to talk about everything BUT the economy...

Yes, the social aspects of our agenda are undeniably important. And, these things are important to talk about and address. However, the vast majority of voters cast their ballots based on how heavy or light their pocketbook feels in the months leading up to an election. Until we understand this simple notion, we will be ceding the "better for the economy" high ground to Republicans.

[W_HAMILTON]

14. Because of Republican propaganda.

[Trenzalore]

15. The media repeats ad nauseam they are

George Bush 1st recession. Bill Clinton fixes it
George Bush 2nd Global economic collapse, Barack Obama fixes it
Trump unemployment at highs during pandemic global shutdown, Biden fixes it

If we have another election I guarantee in 2027 there will be some sort of global economic crisis that a Democrat has to clean up.

[Meowmee]

16. For some because right wing media tells them that and they believe it

It usually seems that the economy tanks from some disaster when R are in charge and somehow they blame it on d and their voters believe it.

[Passages]

17. They convinced a percentage of people you're supposed to run the country

like you do a household....and nothing could be further from the truth.

Budgets, and spending all used to frighten people who see our debt as similar to a credit card debt.

[haele]

19. Because Republicans chase wealth more than Democrats.

A "Good Businessman" knows how to become rich or at least comfortably situated. Either through actually being a savvy businessman or through cheating and grifting.
And people want to be "comfortable", to at least be able to be able to pay all their bills and have enough left over they don't have to worry about paying for a regular bit of fun or gifts.

Too many people believe that a "Good Businessman" would treat the economy like his or her own business. Ignoring the sociopathy required to cater to shareholders to make more money over one's actual business and success of their product.

Also, Democrats talk about watching waist size (not quite belt tightening) and sharing to ensure everyone gets a fair chance to thrive.
Republicans talk about collecting all the cookies because "you deserve it".
Sort of a marshmallow test for the American Public.
But unfortunately, too many Americans fail.

Haele