ScrappleFace: Democrats Push Plan to Boost Consumer Confidence

Democrats Push Plan to Boost Consumer Confidence

(2003-02-25) -- With the index of consumer confidence sagging to its lowest level in nine years, Congressional Democrats will introduce a new plan this week to boost it.

Based on a National Education Association (NEA) concept, the plan calls for encouraging consumers by "letting them know they're really doing well even if they're not buying anything."

As part of the proposed program, Americans who cut back on spending because of vague fears about the future will receive a "smiley face" on their checking account statements. Federal employees will stand at the entrances to stores and shopping malls shouting encouraging words to people who leave without making a purchase.

"The important thing is not that people go on with their lives and refuse to let baseless fears paralyze them," said Sen. Tom Daschle, D-ND, "What really matters is that people feel good about whatever they do."

Doing his part to promote the program, Sen. Daschle spent two hours near the door of a suburban mall today "giving out positive thoughts" to empty-handed people who were headed for the parking lot.

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The Republicans have come out with a plan as well, hoping to counter the genius one the Democrats have come out with. In this plan, they will stand outside of expensive stores, and hand out candy to all who come out of the store carrying a purchased item. This plan, Democrats complain, will favor the rich. Republicans just laugh as they handed out candy to another fancily dressed store-goer.

More at the half hour.

Posted by: Paul C. Tindall at February 25, 2003 06:44 PM

That should be, 'This plan, Democrats complain, will favor the rich like everything else the Republicans do.'

Posted by: Paul C. Tindall at February 25, 2003 06:45 PM

John, why do you insist upon voicing your [obsurd] opinions on this site? Go find some anti-war, pro-Saddam, Democratic site where you can gather followers with that little ditty of yours. Now, I propose we change the lins of that song too...

If you're happy and you know it, clap your hands!
If you're happy and you know it, clap your hands!
If you're happy and you know it,
And you really want to show it,
If you're happy and you know it...
Clap your hands!
If you're happy and you know it, stomp your feet...

More at the half hour.

Posted by: Paul C. Tindall at February 25, 2003 07:42 PM

I think I missed John's post somewhere, but I am so thankful that the Democrats are the party of ideas again. Happy days are here again!

Posted by: Carl at February 25, 2003 09:53 PM

Intriguing. Sort of like the reverse of this story: http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story2&cid;=817&ncid;=757&e;=10&u;=/ap/20030225/ap_on_fe_st/school_administrator

Go, you Dems!

Posted by: Scipio at February 26, 2003 09:49 AM

Paul, John R has an "earworm" http://reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=healthNews&storyID;=2278935

Posted by: Pooke at February 26, 2003 12:06 PM

John, we've found your problem! The Germans call it an earworm. But, who cares about the Germans. [Or the French.] You have a demonic (Democratic, same thing) song playing through your head over and over. Been listening to and liberal talk shows lately? My bad, there are none! (heh)

More at the half hour.

Posted by: Paul C. Tindall at February 26, 2003 07:04 PM

"Americans who cut back on spending because of vague fears about the future will receive a "smiley face" on their checking account statements"...

...in lieu of their account balances. How unfair to stigmatize someone who's low on cash!

Posted by: Jazz Mark at February 26, 2003 10:51 PM

I expect Scott will soon be recruited heavily by the DNC to take the helm of the party. Better trim the concept down to something that will fit on a bumper sticker though, otherwise their grass roots just won't get it.

Posted by: Keith at February 27, 2003 11:07 AM

How? What? How come? (Banging my head on the desk) Why do I keep forgetting that ALL Democrats are poor (po') and ALL Republicans are rich? Concentrate, remember this, as I rub my compliment-tre'crystal sent to me by the DNC. I keep forgetting the annual Give All Your Money Away" drive the DNC holds every year. Being poor is good, being wealthy is bad!

"Remember, WE know what's best for you" DNC slogan.

Posted by: Bunzii at March 9, 2003 03:52 AM