Bulls, Bears, Donkeys and Elephants

“As of Friday, a $10,000 investment in the S.& P. stock market index* [in 1929] would have grown to $11,733 if invested under Republican presidents only, although that would be $51,211 if we exclude Herbert Hoover’s presidency during the Great Depression. Invested under Democratic presidents only, $10,000 would have grown to $300,671 at a compound rate of 8.9 percent over nearly 40 years.”

Several graphics comprise this article from The New York Times. Since the 1929 Crash, Republicans and Democrats have each been in the White House almost 40 years.

No wonder the economy is screwed. The Republicans can’t even do the math to figure out how much better off they are under Democrats.

  • 15% (the Bush capital gains tax) of $51,211 (the Republican return) is $7,682 for a net of $43,529
  • 20% (the pre-Bush capital gains tax) of $300,671 (the Democratic return) is $60,134 for a net of $240,537