THE LEGACY OF GEORGE W. BUSH’S PRESIDENCY -- The Country He Inherited, The Country He Leaves Behind. Anyone reading this post already knows that this country has gone from relative good times to the shitter in only seven years, but seeing the facts in black and white is still stunning. Click the link, but get a box of tissues first.
Thanks to my cousin Chris for the link.
WTF? Seeing this put like this puts me in a rage.
Posted by: FranIAm | January 29, 2008 at 07:57 PM
Fran: Everyone should be compelled to see it. But they won't, and the media won't show it. Still, the state of things for most people is so bad that people know things are bad even without seeing that chart. Wages are stagnant for those who have jobs, gas, food, electricity, etc. have all gone up. The math says we are fucked. People know that. GMB
Posted by: gmb | January 29, 2008 at 08:59 PM
gmb...What I want to know is how come no Democratic candidate is touting this? It doesn't surprise me, really. The question is how do we get back to the 2001 numbers? After GWB, can we ever?
Posted by: Spartacus | January 29, 2008 at 09:09 PM
I tried to follow the yellow brick link, but it went nowhere.
I'm sure I didn't miss much. Let me guess, George W. Bush is a horrible piece of shit?
Am I close?
Posted by: fairlane | January 29, 2008 at 09:48 PM
I agree with Spartacus. That's a ready made for TV campaign ad.
Posted by: Morse | January 29, 2008 at 09:59 PM
Spartacus: To be frank, I think we can. First, all tax rates need to be rolled back to 2000 levels. There, tax cuts gone, more money for deficit and debt reduction. No child left behind? My ass. Real education reform. And pull troops from Iraq (we kind of have to remain in Afghanistan), and use the savings (and there will be savings) for a new Works Project Administration. Good paying jobs, with benefits, for Americans who are hired to rebuild/repair infrastructure. Can't offshore that. New regulation of hedge funds, additional funds for the SEC and IRS. And so on. It's still possible.
Fairlane: No. You are dead on.
Morse: I agree. Given that the chart is the work of the Democratic Caucus, I'm thinking that's a distinct possibility. GMB
Posted by: gmb | January 29, 2008 at 10:06 PM
Since it's so close to bed time, I'm going to refuse to click that link. It will keep me up all night.
Tomorrow, I'll be back to cry.
Posted by: DCup | January 29, 2008 at 11:09 PM
Can't blame you, DCup. You already know what's there, but seeing it so starkly stated is breathtakingly sad. GMB
Posted by: gmb | January 30, 2008 at 08:39 AM
We need to focus on getting back to the pre-GWB numbers... and electing someone that is committed to same.
Thoughts: Send to your local op-ed pages or local media stations, pen an email to your favorite family and friends and include the link or details, explain how this has impacted you in a polite letter to your congress-person, volunteer for a democratic candidate and spread this info.
Thank you.
Posted by: Chris | January 30, 2008 at 09:09 AM
Chris: If you are my cousin Chris, shall I send the e-mail to your father-in-law or will you? You know what I mean. Sigh. Truth is, most people know that we are in far worse shape today then we were eight years ago. The frustrating part is that the cure(s) are so fucking obvious: a new WPA to address our crumbling infrastructure and to provide good paying jobs; universal health care; reduced military spending; no more invasions for fun; etc. I guess we have to hope for the best. Wish there was something more we could do (other than vote, protest, etc). GMB P.S. My friends, my brother and half-siblings are on the same page, and my congressman is Jerrold Nadler, so I have so few people to persuade (they are there already). And here's a bet: if you are my cousin Chris and you can flip your father-in-law, you will get a steak dinner on me.
Posted by: gmb | January 30, 2008 at 10:31 AM
you mean asking Chimpy to stay on is not a good idea?
i cannot read that list ---- i dont want to toss my shredded wheat.
Posted by: distributorcap | February 02, 2008 at 04:45 AM
DCap: The chart is just numbers from then and now. Still, you have a love for numbers so you would weep, because the information presented--while not surprising--is just so stark. That chart should be printed out and posted in every goddamn town, city, village, whatever in this country. I don't think most people understand just how fucked up things are. And they are. The deficit and debt numbers are insane, but the other figures aren't better. Thing is, maybe I am being a pollyanna (there's a twist), but I think there are things that can be done that would start to turn a lot of things around. No, the next president won't be able to clean up the whole mess in a term or two, but strides can be made. Repealing the (temporary through 2010) tax cuts, cutting the defense budget, removing most (if not all) troops in Iraq, promoting alternative energy with real incentives and creating a new WPA would be a good start. GMB
Posted by: gmb | February 02, 2008 at 08:55 AM