Call Webster: We Have a New Definition

In response to a recent statement by 450 economists (including Nobel Prize laureates) denouncing the Bush tax plan, the White House released a letter, signed by 250 economists, supporting the plan. However, TAP has researched the background of many of these and found that Bush's definition for "economist" is quite nebulous. Excerpt:

"...we checked up on some of the people not listed with a university affiliation, and found out that the White House is using the term "economist" rather loosely. Among those listed are Grover Norquist, of Americans for Tax Reform, and Jackson Brown, of the American Dental Association -- neither of whom is an economist. Nor, as far as we can tell, is "Leonard Bower, consultant." Emile J. Brinkmann of the Mortgage Bankers Association of America has a Ph.D. -- in finance, not economics. Horace Brock of Strategic Economic Decisions, Inc., has a ton of degrees, but unfortunately, a doctorate in economics is not among them."