When President Bush kicked off his bid for re-election in the spring of 2004, he launched what was another in a long line of cookie-cutter conservative campaigns. There was the predictable pander to cultural conservatives with his high-profile introduction of a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage. Then, there was the well-worn chest-thumping on national security and the War on Terror… return to article
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Reader Comments (19)Page 1 of 1 pagesScorp, WTH, please come to the defense of your man, GWB. I want to see you spin your way out of this one. Perhaps now scopr sees the damage and recklessness of supply-side economics and the subsequent tax cuts for the wealthy that inevitably ensue. The government can do things better with your money than you yourself, LIKE BUILDING AND MAINTAINING LEVEES AND LOCKS ON CRITICAL INLAND WATERWAYS!!!! Would you voluntarily give up money for this cause? Of course not. The government needs to be adequately funded to meet the needs of a modern society. The market has no mechanism to take care of our waterways.
Please, defend this incompetent fool, GWB. I need a good laugh.
Posted by Liberal on Sep 27, 2005 at 1:07 PM Nobody gets elected for preventing a catastrophe. People get elected for reacting to, and recovering from, the catastrophe. Let’s assume that the Republicans, against their more pragmatic political judgement, decided in fact to fund the Corps of Engineers, in a Democratic state and city, with the requisate necessary revenues. The damage from the hurricane would have been radically reduced, but the credit for preventing a catastrophe which did not occur would have been likewise absent.
Posted by Major Major on Sep 27, 2005 at 6:22 PM Major Major writes .. “ but the credit for preventing a catastrophe which did not occur would have been likewise absent. “
Isn’t a good deed it’s own reward?
Posted by David in Canada on Sep 27, 2005 at 8:38 PM Major Major,
Your comments reflect perfectly the mindset that is taking your country and mine down the tubes: do whatever it takes to get elected and stay elected, and nothing more.
The problem with that “philosophy” of course, is that it produces good government only if *ALL* of the following are true:
(a) political candidates tell the truth prior to election so that voters have an accurate basis for their decisions;
(b) media outlets report accurately, fairly, and completely the positions and qualifications of the candidates;
(c) once elected, officials act consistently with the promises they make before the election takes place;
(d) elections reflect actual vote tallies.
Do you really believe that all of the above conditions hold in our political system today?
The only cure for this broken, corrupt, bankrupt, moribund, sham of a “democracy” we inhabit is sunshine. Kudos to David Sirota for this excellent piece, the best he’s written yet on any subject, IMHO.
Myxzptlk
Posted by myxzptlk on Sep 27, 2005 at 9:09 PM It’s funny how the Left wants to pin the levee break on Bush and tax cuts.
Well here is few facts for the Liberals to smoke:
FACT #1) Louisiana and New Orleans have been almost completly controlled by Democrats. Louisiana has had only (1) elected Republican Governor ever. Former 4-term Governor Edwards is currently serving a 10 year Federal Prison Sentence in Texas. In 2004 Louisiana elected its 1ST ever Repulican Senator ... since the beginning of time all Senators in Louisiana have been Democrats ... until 2004. And all Governors have been Democrats since the beginning of time (except 1). Oh yea .. and all the Mayors have been Dems. SO WHAT THE DEMOCRATS BEEN DOING IN LOUISIANA FOR PAST 100 YEARS? not much.
FACT #2) Louisiana Officials in Flood-Money Scam 9 months before Katrina hit. Guess from what office in the state ... give up. (The Louisiana Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness)
http://newsmax.com/archives/ic/2005/9/6/222032.shtml
http://abc26.trb.com/la-na-money17sep17,0,4083313.story?coll=wgno-home-utility
FACT #3) By 1998, Louisiana’s state government had a $2 billion construction budget, but less than one tenth of one percent of that—$1.98 million—was dedicated to levee improvements in the New Orleans area. But, the State did spend $22 million that year to renovate a new home for the Louisiana Supreme Court and $35 million for one phase of an expansion to the New Orleans convention center.
FACT #4) Way back in 1983, the voters of New Orleans passed a property tax for Capital Projects on the levees. This tax generates more than $6 Million Per Year for the Orleans Levee Board. What has the Orleans Levee Board been doing with it? (see FACT #5)
FACT #5) Levee board under federal investigation before Katrina hit. Seems like there was kickbacks and bogus contractors on levee projects.
http://www.canadafreepress.com/2005/cover090605.htm
And concerning Bush’s tax cuts ... Did you know that the Federal Government is now receiving more tax receipts than ever. How can that be? Bush cut taxes, but the Govt’s tax receipts are higher than ever. Higher than any year Clinton was office.
Did you know that we (USA) have had 26 straight months of Job Gains.
Over 3.7 Million Jobs have been created since May 2003.
Unemployment is at the level since Oct. 2001.
In summary: The State of Louisiana and the City of New Orleans have had plenty of time AND MONEY to take care of their levees ... and they didn’t do it.
THOSE ARE THE FACTS !!
Posted by GOPinOHIO on Sep 27, 2005 at 9:29 PM Two observations:
First, the politicization of FEMA is a mistake - but that’s the way business has always been done in all countries. The Republican’s PR mistake was not finding a ‘friend’ who was better qualified. If we went back into the past and into other departments, would there not be other times and other governments that put the wrong people in charge? Of course Brown will now be made a scapegoat. Twas ever thus.
Second, I’m not convinced that FEMA could have done a signiciantly better job, given the cards that were dealt, no matter who was in charge at FEMA - and it’s not always clear who is in charge: the Governor? Mayor? If no other good comes of this, at least most people have now at least thought about fending for themselves for a few days at least, after a major disaster like Katrina. In my city, a lot more people have been buying disaster kits, for example.
I welcome your reasoned criticism.
Posted by Canadian Guy on Sep 27, 2005 at 9:41 PM Liberal and GOP in Ohio
The corruption and incompetence is everywhere. Federal, state, local, Republican, Democrat, past, present and future too. More than enough shame and blame to go around.
As Canadian Guy said “ Twas ever thus. “
How about being the change you want to see?
Posted by David in Canada on Sep 27, 2005 at 10:29 PM Canadian Guys--"Twas ever thus” seems like the political equivalent of whatEVER. The Director of FEMA has not always been a political plum offered to unqualified roommates of major donors. James Lee Witt (a Republican, I believe) was appointed by Bill (the Surplus Kid) Clinton. Witt was well qualified, worked hard, created systems at local, state, regional and national levels, and fought for and got the funds to INVEST in disaster preparation and mitigation. His response to the hurricanes in Florida stood in stark contrast to the responses from both Bush Sr. and Bush Lite administrations. To just say it’s everyone’s fault is to give up on the possibility of accountabilty. We can do better than that.
Posted by mcnamarm on Sep 28, 2005 at 12:42 AM I’ve seen people site the fact that tax receipts have increased under Bush as reason to celebrate his tax cuts many times. GOP in Ohio wrote -
“And concerning Bush’s tax cuts ... Did you know that the Federal Government is now receiving more tax receipts than ever. How can that be? Bush cut taxes, but the Govt’s tax receipts are higher than ever. Higher than any year Clinton was office.”
Are these people aware that tax revenues always go up because people are always joining the work force, so the number of people paying taxes is always increasing? If GOP guy could give a percentage of increase with taking inflation into account then that would be worthwhile.
And this lovely stat:
“Over 3.7 Million Jobs have been created since May 2003.”
So that’s an average of 142,000 jobs per month, which isn’t enough to keep up with the more than 200,000 people added to the workforce every month through population expansion.
There are tons of more statistics that show this isn’t a good economy and what success there is, isn’t spreading to the average worker. Mainly, that productivity is up but wages are flat and in some cases falling.
Posted by master94 on Sep 28, 2005 at 12:53 AM Also, LA itself couldn’t be expected to make up for the glaring differences in what was asked by experts in the budget and what the Bush administration actually allowed. Indeed, the poster holding LA accountable did not even respond to the article. For example, due to tax policies implemented at the federal level, the Louisiana state treasury lost up to $30 million in tax revenues…
Posted by Nate_Frentz on Sep 28, 2005 at 2:22 AM Liberal, you sound like you doubt a showing, from the GWB brigade?
....
..
They’ll be along as onn as the taunt cools a little…
Go easy on WTH he may be peeping between those eyelids a bit evry now and then, he has potential yet and this is not said in aggrresion. WTH is respectfully requested to come now, for the sort of showdown which he may wish to use as his own final hurdle. WTH is a right thinker amongst the wrong right. His handle alerted Rabbit from the moment the dust settled enough from the Dragon skirmish on DU thread. WTH was casually grabbed by Rabbit and used as a sort of human barometer, but the truth is it was a desperate act, done in the heat of the moment and served its purpose well, as history shows. WTH has remained in Rabbit field of vision as the opportunity arose and it has become apparent he is more than meets the eye.Think well brethren of the Liberal persuasion, by design or default, why do Right wing pundits come to such a site as this?. (Rabbit hates that term; If it has wings it is a bird so either both wings are equally important and equal in size, or the bloody bird can’t fly).
...
Yes why do they come here? Either they are shills or trolls, pro or amateur propagandists.
........
Then there are the others. Like WTH. He has shown reasoning ability and a genuine considered set of opinions and attitudes. He is not a dittohead in the normal meaning, perhaps like many he was once, but he is not, because he can reason, and he is not because he seems to want the truth.
....
There is as we know a difference between “Truth” and Truth as defined by the the supposed majority vote. Or the evening news and this is as close to the truth of most people yet as they see.
.....
WTH is having to look at his bedfellows as Rabbit has asked him on another thread.
Rabbit suspects that WTH is realising just what a high percentage of “his side” are the worst of the God Squad and that of the lot they form the core. Many others of, not the right, but of the WrongRight are not anyone you would normally want to associate yourself either........Am I right WhatTHeHeck?
......Are you proud of Wolf for example? He says much the same as you, but look close WTH, this guy is a FUNDY, dude, Rabbit has seen him fly, for real and if you want he shall give you the links. He is set to do it any day soon, and if he does not you like Rabbit will be wondering why not and maybe forming some interesting theories of your own. Wolf is uncommonly well informed and able to articulate the ‘program’ better than most God Squadders, as such is an intesting study in “WrongRight” thinking.
......
Trust Rabbit , he is your friend and wants nothing but for you and he to agree on where our world is at now. From there Rabbit has faith that people like WTH and others here can do the right things afterwards. AS said before, Facts which can be established, which have a direct bearing on an opinion which is being tested, are what matters....
Make a Contention, let us find a flaw and put the fewest but most relevant facts on the table and attempt to establish some fact which can be agreed. After the that Rabbits will be sorted from the Rats by how well they can apply there opinions to the facts. This means we need to seek a point of agreement, from which to examine our initial disgreement.
..Rabbit will referee........................^^.............
Posted by GhostRabbit on Sep 28, 2005 at 5:03 AM mcnamarm writes : “ To just say it’s everyone’s fault is to give up on the possibility of accountabilty. We can do better than that. “
Accountability. The kind of accountability you demand from leaders regardless of party affiliation. Liberals should stop blaming Conservatives and Conservatives should stop blaming Liberals. Stop worrying about the mote in the other guy’s eye and do something about the beam in your own. When your own political party/leaders screw up how about speaking out about it? Too often people will only speak out when the OTHER party/leaders mess something up.
Posted by David in Canada on Sep 28, 2005 at 7:29 AM Accountability is very important and mcnamarm hopes that we can do better than that. Me too.
People need to get past the compartmentalized thinking. Democrats/Liberals are this. Republicans/Conservatives are that.
It is starting to sound like the bleating of sheep. Four legs good. Two legs baaad.
Posted by David in Canada on Sep 28, 2005 at 7:59 AM Hey, GOPinOhio.
Listing a bunch of “statements” from rightwing websites and calling them facts doesn’t make it true. I’m sure there is plenty of blame to go around at local and state levels, that doesn’t excuse Bush’s inept response to hurricane Katrina. Accountability is something the GOP campaigns on, but after they win, they abandon it. FEMA was staffed by people with emergency management experience under Clinton. Sure, Clinton had his own cronies, but he put them in positions where they couldn’t hurt anyone. Bush treats the whole federal as his own personal payback system for his fundraisers and operatives. This policy has cost lives in Iraq, where defense professionals were replaced by party ideologues with no foreign policy experience, and now it has cost lives and property loss here at home. Now, blindly beholden to his disasterous “free market” economic policies, he’s looking for programs to cut (what a convenient excuse to cut federal programs that conservatives have wanted to get rid of all along), instead of ending his tax cuts for the rich. So goes the conservative plan to redistribute the countries wealth into the hands of the already wealthy.
Posted by elfrijole1 on Sep 28, 2005 at 3:56 PM To elfrijole1,
I do agree with you about FEMA. FEMA is it’s own disaster. When Wal-Mart was able to deliver truck loads of water and supplies before FEMA, it’s clear that something is not right. This one falls on Bush.
Posted by GOPinOHIO on Sep 29, 2005 at 4:45 PM those of you who voted for bush,live with your mistake. You have 3 years and 3 months left of this shit- bum.
Posted by brian28 on Sep 30, 2005 at 6:51 PM Dear GOPinOHIO,
You need to read more Louisiana history. If you did you would find that Louisiana has elected two Republican governors - David Treen and Mike Foster!!
Posted by LAteach on Oct 7, 2005 at 7:58 PM I stand corrected on that. So the Republicans had two Republican Governors. And that changes what?
The worst thing the Federal Government can do .. is give a bunch of money to Louisiana that is controlled by the locals. Half of it will end of up in the pockets of local Gov’t crooks. Louisiana is a JOKE ... The dumbest state in the country.
Posted by GOPinOHIO on Oct 7, 2005 at 11:00 PM GOPinOHIO,
It changed your education - for the better.
It is said that a chain is only as strong as it’s weakest link. If LA is so horrible, shouldn’t something be done to improve it? It would only make our entire country better.
What did LA do to you to make you hate us so? Do you really want to kick a neighbor while they are down? Do you really want our poor and uneducated camping in your neighborhood? You have the right to your opinions about our govenrment; however, people are still dying here as a result of two hurricanes (and who knows how many more since hurricane season is not over until the end of December). Entire parish governments (counties) are going under because there is no money to pay the employees including some police and firemen. That means more people will probably die in the future.
Posted by LAteach on Oct 8, 2005 at 9:10 AM Page 1 of 1 pages -
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