Re: The Onion | Bush: 'Our Long National Nightmare Of Peace And Prosperity Is Finally Over'

Not to start a flame war, but this probably will...

Let's say everything else over the past ten years had remained the same
and instead of the constitutional amendment prohibition on a
presidential third term, Clinton had been relected in 2000.  Y2k works
out to be largely the nono-issue it was and September 11, 2001 happens
along with the events that follow.  Would the tech sector and the larger
economy look the same or be better?

Keep in mind that the ramp-up to Y2k created a lot of demand for new
tech systems from 1997 to 1999 and many businesses are probably still
amortizing that capital investment.  Keep in mind that as early as late
1998 I remember analysts forecasting a tech sector shrinkage after
January 1, 2000 once all the bugs were settled.  However, many investors
failed to pay attention.

September 11, 2001 would have caused at least as much uncertainty in the 
economy and possibly more than did happen no matter who was in office.

I'm no fan of Clinton, but I do not blame his policies for the recession
that showed signs of starting in the second quarter of 2000, before it
was known who his successor would be.  My point is that it seems the die
for this recession was set long before it occured and isn't the direct
result of any presidential policies.

The up side to the recession is that Linux is more popular and in a
better position to be adopted and improved than if the boom of the '90s
had continued unchecked.  Looked at it from that angle, then I would say
the tech sector recession has resulted in careful implementation of
technology in a lot of places based on cost/performance and not just a
slick brochure and fancy sales presentation.

Just my $0.02 worth.

- Nate >>

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