1935

In an election year the subject of my latest "mini-survey" may be topical for a change. This month's questions went to 20 '35s who are also Tuck School graduates: "How would you define, in 25 words or less,'Reaganomics'? To what extent, if any, do you believe Reaganomics per se has contributed to any improvements in the nation's economic climate?"

Except for the religious survey, the average response to these surveys has been 30-40 percent and, sure enough, I received eight replies. Not so predictably (assuming the Republican leanings of most '35ers, especially our business school graduates) the response was a nearly unanimous dump on Administration economic policy and, to a lesser extent, on the President himself. The respondents were Bill Hands, Ofay Allen,Ed Reich, Doug Ley, Herb Ostrow, DickMuzzy, John Wallace, and Jack AuWerter. Since I'm not sure if they want to be identified directly with their comments, I will just recap the replies.

REAGANOMICS: "Supply side approach—lower taxes and let human effort and cupidity loose to result in more income for government . . . Voodoo economics!" "A fraud. Build up unneeded arms and cut taxes for his friends. To hell with everything else that desperately needs doing." "A huge increase in defense spending and a big cut in the upper-income-tax brackets will create such a euphoria that the budget deficit will disappear."

"Tremendous tax breaks to big corporations and wealthy individuals to cause greater profits which would then filter down to the lower wage earner. It has not done this." "A social science involving congressional irresponsibility, budget and trade deficits, illegal and unethical lobbying, coverups . . . scandal and lack of national and international direction." "A buzzword with no really definable meaning . . . ranging from an amusing and ludicrous combination of words to a . . . possibly satisfying epithet." "We haven't really had it."

THE EFFECT OF REAGANOMICS: ". . . disastrous, undermining our ability to finance our government debt and manage our fiscal affairs." "With just a billion dollars I could do more for the economic climate than Reagan has." "The imbalance of wealth has increased. Reaganomics has done nothing to help balance the budget or turn the trade deficit around." "Contribution to nation's economic climate: champagne appetite and beer income." "A marked improvement in our nation's economic climate. More people have jobs. Opportunities for the young have grown . . . for the cautious, this is a good world." "The deficit can be fatal. . . who are his advisors? Where do they come from? . . . and I have voted Republican all my life!"

Draw your own conclusions! Other news: Dick Montgomery had Frank Wright, Jack Kingery, and GrantHerman at a class get-together. Ted Huck okay following hospitalization with a pancreas problem. And Paul Van Antwerpen has moved to Florida and plans remarriage. Go Paul!

That's it. Peace and love to you all. All y'all.

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