During these perilous economic times, a new voice has emerged with some surprising information. Yes, Dilbert. Really, Scott Adams, the creator of the Dilbert cartoon, who commissioned the OSR Group to conduct a serious survey of over 500 members of the American Economics Association.
Economists are supposed to be conservative - right? They're all supposed to believe that everything should be left to the "invisible hand" of the market - right? Economists should be falling all over themselves for John McCain -- RIGHT?
Nope. Economists favor Barack Obama on the economy by a nearly 2 to one margin:
Overall, 59 percent of our economists say Obama would be best for the economy long term, with 31 percent picking McCain, and 8 percent saying there would be no difference.
On the Issues:
Economists think Obama blows McCain away on Education, Health Care, Energy and the Environment. And almost everything else, except international trade (hey, we're economists, give us a break) and "reducing waste in government" (OK, we're idiots).
I actually participated in this survey -- here is the email I received back on August 7:
I’m Scott Adams, creator of the Dilbert comic strip. I’m sponsoring a survey among members of the American Economic Association (AEA) to find out what economists think of the various plans proposed by the Presidential candidates this year. Because you expressed interest in receiving surveys of economists, I am asking for your opinion.
According to most polls, the biggest issue for voters this year is the economy. Amazingly, voters have no idea what the majority of economists think about either candidate’s plans. Without that information, citizens might as well vote for the guy with the best haircut. The process borders on random.
In a perfect world, the media would supply useful information to voters so we could make informed choices. Clearly that isn’t going to happen. Rather than gripe about it (my go-to strategy in these situations), I decided to put my money where your mouth is and find out what the experts think.
This survey is being managed by The OSR Group, a respected national polling and marketing research organization. The survey will take about 15 minutes of your time. To begin, simply click on the link below.
I want to stress that the survey will be completely confidential. None of the information you provide will be connected to your name. Your responses will be used only in combination with those of other AEA members who are participating in this survey.
Thanks in advance for your help. I hope you will be willing to share your views. Now please click on the link below to begin the survey.
Sincerely,
Scott Adams
Now, Adams is no lefty. This is what he had to say, obliquely, about Barack:
Moneywise, I can't support a candidate who promises to tax the bejeezus out of my bracket, give the windfall to a bunch of clowns with a 14 percent approval rating (Congress), and hope they spend it wisely.
I have to think the results of his own survey surprised him a bit. I think they might surprise a lot of people.