Look at end of term, not beginning

I wish to strongly disagree with the opinion piece titled "Can't have it both ways," in which the author makes the argument that both presidents Clinton and Obama are undeserving of credit for the economic growth during their administrations unless the current administration is given credit for the economic growth occurring during the first year of its term.

I want to point out that both presidents Clinton and Obama came into office shortly following or during recessionary periods, and in the case of Obama, a near depression, and left at the end of their administrations with growing economies. While one can assert our recent economic growth is due to the current administration, one can also reasonably assert it is a continuation of the long-term growth that started under the Obama administration.

Consider that Bureau of Labor Statistics figures show that the 2.06 million jobs added during the current administration's first year lag behind those added during each of the last six years of the Obama administration.

I assert that an administration's economic legacy is determined by the state of the economy it leaves not the one it inherits and that several years remain before one can state that the current administration is one that is beneficial or detrimental to the economy.

Michael Cittadino

Naperville