“Managing the Economy” seems to be the presidential hopefuls mantra.

I believe that actions of the individual in the office actually makes little real difference to the free market economy.  

The bills passed by congress, including both taxation and spending are what have a real effect on the nation’s economy.  The foreign trade authorizations made by the Congress (as negotiated by the executive branch (usually to the detriment of the American worker)) are another key to the manipulation of the economy.

Unfortunately, the effect of congressionally approved presidential legislation seldom has ANY visible affect on the economy for years.

The effect of pork barrel (now called Earmarks) spending on the budget continues to be the inability of anyone to balance the budget.

The bottom line is this.  Other than feel good/bad speeches, little that the President does without congressional action has any real affect.

So, if the candidates would be more specific about what they intend to manage maybe we could tell if they really believe their own speeches (scary thought) or if they are just more pandering words for an illiterate constituency.

To really “manage the economy” a President would have to:  (1) impose restrictions on all forms of credit (you cannot control the money supply otherwise), (2) limit foreign trade, (3) stop giving away American taxpayers money ( oh, I forgot, its money that the Government borrowed from other foreign nations) for foreign aid AND BALANCE THE DAMNED BUDGET.