GOVERNOR REAGAN: Mr. Ellis, I think this idea that
has been spawned here in our country, that inflation
somehow came upon us like a plague and therefore it's
uncontrollable and no one can do anything about it, is
entirely spurious, and it's dangerous to say this to the
people. When Mr. Carter became President, inflation was
4.8 percent, as you said. It had been cut in two by
President Gerald Ford. It is now running at 12.7 percent.
President Carter also has spoken of the new jobs created.
.. But that can't hide the fact that there are 8 million men
and women out of work in America today, and 2 million
of those lost their jobs in just the last few months. Mr.
Carter had also promised that he would not use
unemployment as a tool to fight against inflation. And
yet, his 1980 economic message stated that we would
reduce productivity and gross national product and
increase unemployment in order to get a handle on
inflation, because in January, at the beginning of the
Intro]
Which claim of President Carter's does Reagan refute
in this excerpt?
President Carter's policies have led to an improved
economy.
O Rising oil prices worldwide can negatively affect
inflation rates in the United States.
Inflation rates have risen too high and are hurting
the American consumer.
There are policies that can be enacted by the
president to curb rising inflation.
Done