Who Do Readers Blame for the Economic Slump? Everyone!

In the FrumBeast Daily Poll today we asked, Who do you blame for the length of the slump? If you haven't had a chance to vote yet, get on over to Facebook and pick your economic bogeyman.

By far our readers placed the blame at the feet of the 43rd president, George W. Bush, but there were also many other scapegoats.

Bush Administration. 33%
Wall Street. 14%
Obama Administration. 11%
U.S. House of Representatives. 11%
Deregulation. 7%

In a surprise move, some Americans are also now blaming the slump on Carl Carlson. For those who are unfamiliar, Carlson is a Springfield-based nuclear scientist and one of Homer Simpson's drinking buddies.

Also on the list was mandolin-playing frontman Chris Thile of the band Nickel Creek.

NEW YORK - APRIL 30: Musician Chris Thile performs during the Tribeca ASCAP Music Lounge during the 2008 Tribeca Film Festival on April 30, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Scott Gries/Getty Images for Tribeca Film Festival) — Musician Chris Thile performs during the Tribeca ASCAP Music Lounge during the 2008 Tribeca Film Festival on April 30, 2008 in New York City. (Scott Gries / Getty Images)

Isaac H. Darn the Chris Thile! I knew when Nickel Creek broke up, it was the beginning of the end for the economy...

Besides fictional characters and band leaders, readers' frustration spanned across the spectrum.

Art L. "How do I 'blame' thee, let me count the ways".

Jonathon B. Is there a D for "all of the above"?

But maybe this slump isn't "long" at all?

Max. Length of the slump? Is there some sort of standard or statistical average that we should be measuring the slump against? Isn't figuring out how to pull out of the slump more important than blaming someone or thing for its length?

armstp: What do you mean the "length of the slump"? We certainly got back to growth quite quickly and the job growth or improvement in the employment situation has been faster than the 2002 recession and on the same trajectory as when Reagan was President.