Bush says sacrificed free-market principles to save economy

Briettbart ^ | Dec 16 05:58 PM US/Eastern

[meandog]

US President George W. Bush said in an interview Tuesday he was forced to sacrifice free market principles to save the economy from "collapse." "I've abandoned free-market principles to save the free-market system," Bush told CNN television, saying he had made the decision "to make sure the economy doesn't collapse."

Bush's comments reflect an extraordinary departure from his longtime advocacy for an unfettered free market, as his administration has orchestrated unprecedented government intervention in the face of a dire financial crisis.

"I am sorry we're having to do it," Bush said.

But Bush said government action was necessary to ease the effects of the crisis, offering perhaps his most dire assessment yet of the country's economy.

"I feel a sense of obligation to my successor to make sure there is not a, you know, a huge economic crisis. Look, we're in a crisis now. I mean, this

[SQUID]

I see calls for prayers in here for Comrade Bush. I think now is the time to actually pray for America.

[SQUID]

I hear by present to you the Hitting the Nail on the Head award. Congratulations.