This thread shows that ultimately, to a large extent, people's lives are determiend by their own hard work ( or lack therof) and their own good luck (or lack therof).
So you think Reagan's argument in 1984 was total bunk then?
I would argue that while an individual's success is controlled by their own actions, the # of people able to succeed is controlled (at least in part) by the actions of the government.
I'd say that the government can affect the aggregate gains or losses in the economy, but to take credit or blame for things that happen to individuals is a bit silly in most cases. Did Bush cause Nym's father to face personal tragedy? No. If we're talking about purely economic impact, then political leaders can take credit or blame if they can trace a line from specific policies to specific individuals struggling or thriving. Where is the Bush policy that is designed to help MODU pay off student loans? There isn't one. MODU is better off, but not because of Bush. Nym is worse off, but not because of Bush.
The things that affect us the most are not necessarily things that can be traced to economic policy, that's my main point. This doesn't mean that sometimes people aren't better off because of certain policies, but to whether an individual if he is better off usually has little to do with the big picture policies of Presidents and congresses.
