Energy Secretary Rick Perry is in West Virginia today, getting a hands-on look at the state’s energy industry. Part of that involves a visit to a coal manufacturing plant where reporters caught Perry mistaking the most basic of economic principles. What a time to be alive.
Speaking at a coal plant, Perry said, “Here’s a little economics lesson: supply and demand. You put the supply out there and the demand will follow.”
DOE Rick Perry at coal plant:"Here’s a little economics lesson: supply and demand. You put the supply out there and the demand will follow."
— Taylor Kuykendall (@taykuy) July 6, 2017
This is incorrect. On an unrelated (?) note, while an undergrad at Texas A&M University, Perry received a D in a class called “principles of economics.” While technically a passing grade, and it’s entirely possible that the most basic principle of economics didn’t come up during the class, Perry doesn’t look very good in this instance. Thankfully, people on Twitter are having some fun with it while ignoring the fact that these types of people run our country now.
As one user pointed out, Perry should have learned this during his failed presidential runs and appearances on Dancing With The Stars.
"Let me tell you about supply and demand!" #RickPerry pic.twitter.com/rZ4WL2QXmU
— celia (@_celia_bedelia_) July 6, 2017
https://twitter.com/jaunte/status/883007344384385024
Rick Perry: "You put the supply out there and the demand will follow."
Ghost of Adam Smith: pic.twitter.com/XMu5gKQUYJ— skullsinthestars (@drskyskull) July 6, 2017
One user compared the comments to fictional auditory hallucinations.
Yikes >> Looks like Rick Perry was watching "Field of Dreams" when he was supposed to be taking Economics 101. https://t.co/l2rexcp0qS
— Steven Greenhouse (@greenhousenyt) July 6, 2017
Perry’s comment was reminiscent of another economic philosophy though: the Soviet Union under Josef Stalin!
https://twitter.com/jfagone/status/883008521956192256
Another compared coal to a different type of noxious material found underground.
Rick Perry thinks supply leads to demand, which is why that pit full of copies of Atari's E.T. was so popular with gamers.
— Ian Fortey and Bigfoot Hanging Out (@IanFortey) July 6, 2017
Others just said, “what’s the point?”
https://twitter.com/Lordofmisrule79/status/883004882646687745
The coal industry will be saved in no time with people like Rick Perry steering the ship.