Do you remember a few years back when Carter’s term as President was about to come to an end, and the Republican question to the voting masses was, "Are you better off now than you were four years ago?"

Well, turn-about is fair play. So let’s ask the same public the same question today, as we mercifully come to the end of a Republican administration.

Well, are you?

Let’s see, well, there’s the economy. Oh, uh, no. Let’s forget about that. George W. says we’re not in a recession, but I doubt if he even knows how to spell the word. So, I don’t think he has much credibility on the subject. Maybe when he proclaims that there is no recession, he is referring to himself and his family and friends. Certainly, for them, there is no recession.

However, the rest of us, the common ruck, if you will, are definitely in a recession. The housing market is still in free fall with no bottom in sight. Inflation is on the rise. Unemployment is climbing. If this thing that we are in right now is not a recession, it will certainly do until one comes along. . (Let’s face it; if I am having to choose between staying warm, paying for my prescriptions, or eating, then I don’t really give a damn what some talking chimp in Washington calls it.)

Okay, forget the economy.

Let’s talk about how we, as Americans, feel a real solidarity with each other.

What? Polls show that Americans have never been so polarized before in history as they are today? That the gap between the left and right has widened astronomically since George W. took office? Say it ain’t so!!!!(Here’s a question for you; how come Ground Zero in upscale New York City is now cleaned up and immaculate, with great plans and schemes for the future, and the Hurricane Katrina ravished 9^th ward in New Orleans, (which is primarily poor and black) is still a freaking mess with no hope in sight? Why is it that, immediately after Katrina, FEMA vehicles couldn’t get into New Orleans because of the magnitude of the devastation, but Ellen Degeneres and Harry Connick, Jr; could drive into the place with their SUV’s? "Nice work, Brownie!"

Okay, forget about solidarity.

World peace?

. . . Next!

How about how America is viewed by the rest of the world?

. . . NEXT!

All righty, then. What about environmental issues?

How about your pocketbook and wallet? Gas, oil, food and clothing costs are rising by leaps and bounds. The gap between the rich and the middle class is widening, and the gap between the middle class and the poor is also widening. Also, the numbers of the middle class are dwindling as they spill down into the lower class. Medical expenses are through the roof while medical insurance companies and drug manufacturing companies are posting profits in the millions, and yet the FDA is doing nothing to curb the problem. The percentage of uninsured Americans is higher now than at any time in modern history.

The Republican Party, which, just a few years ago was chiding Clinton for not having a balanced budget, has now plunged us into the biggest national debt that we have ever seen. The ill-advised and ill-fated war in Iraq has cost this country literally TRILLIONS of dollars that we do not have. TRILLIONS! And how did the cowboy in the White House rectify the problem? He cut our taxes, and then turned around and took BILLIONS of dollars in loans from China!!!!! China now owns us.

Just the interest of the national debt now comes to $70,000 for every man, woman and child in this country!!

Okay, so let’s forget our pocketbooks and wallets.

Let’s talk about education.

Four words sum this up – "No Child Left Behind."

Talk to any teacher or school administrator in this country and most of them will tell you that they believe "No Child Left Behind" is an unfunded federal mandate that is designed solely to sink the public education system in this country. It puts a strangle-hold on the educational professionals, and it refuses to give communities the funds and resources to enact new policies and curriculums. It is killing the public education system in this country.

So, enough of my own opinions here. Let me throw this Republican-originated question out to you. Are you better off than you were eight years ago?

Comments:

Errr... I hate it that you can't reply directly to someone's "reply" to a comment. (eddie, ya listening?)
Oh how refreshing to feel like you can speak honetsly and exchange idea's with someone who see's things different than you do. You said:

"Of course we're still friends!!! Isn't that what America is all about? Being able to disagree and still respect and care for one another?"

Sadly that is not the experience I've had from "tolerant" people on the left. You made my day, your a good man Jim, I wish you lived next door. (I could keep a better eye on you )
I actually laughed out loud when you called me a pig-headed conservative. That's a good sign of a long rich friendship.

AS a teacher, I completely believe in what you said. "No Child left behind" is a ridiculous idea and in high schools it sort of means loosely "all kids must go to college." Truth is not all kids will go to college. A lot will go to technical or trade schools or get into their dad's plumbing business or own 2 mini-marts. Come on, this has gotten out of hand and the powers aren't smart enough to see it. Worse than that, they've never been in the "trenches" and have no idea about the reality of the situation they've created!

I hardly know where to begin. Add Supreme Court appointees and all those disgraced cronies to GW's legacy. I feel a regurgitation session coming on.

Cool. I'd be in... I don't like any of em...
AND I totally believe that your average Joe citizen can make a difference. For sure!

Jim, I think you covered the bases very well. Our country is in a terrible mess, and worst of all, we're dragging the rest of the world down with us. I feel despair at the moment for all of the reasons you mentioned. I know that those who stand up for Mr. Bush mean well, but I can't do it. I think the job was way too great for him. Many of his original advisers left because they could no longer tolerate his actions or because they were too complicit with his views. I do hope we're able to disentangle ourselves in time to be safe and secure. Many do become disenchanted with our leaders after a time, but this is just too much of a quagmire to ignore.

comment by sunlight on Apr 28, 2008 10:01 PM ()

Well, I wasn't thinking that his heart was originally in the right place. I was really referring to some other comments. (I don't think he has much of a heart.)

reply by sunlight on Apr 29, 2008 1:05 PM ()

Don't lose heart, kid. I've seen sicker dogs than this get well. I think that we, as a great people, will turn things around, even though our so-called leaders either 1. don't want to (out of greed or incompetence)or 2. they simply don't have the resources. We, as a people, have the resources and the will to do it.
I think you give Bush far too much credit when you infer that his heart was in the right place when he started out. I believe that his ignorance and his arrogance rules his judgments. Even his father told him not to invade Iraq, but the "impetuous young boy" wouldn't listen to reason. Thus, killing thousands upon thousands of people and plunging us and the world into a terrible recession.
Ignorance is no excuse, and hubris always comes with an awful price.

reply by hayduke on Apr 29, 2008 3:56 AM ()

I truly don't understand how anyone can even defend Bush--but then I don't understand how anyone voted for him a second time. And, even more unbelievable, there are those who would vote for him again!

Oddly enough, my last really good "liberal" friend was named Jim so forgive me if I'm a little timid here because though I had known him for twenty years he ultimately told me to basically "eat sh*t and die" during the first "Clinton years". I Do really like you (I really liked him too) and want to know you better, you seem like a reasonable man (although a flaming liberal ) so, all that being said, I'll say this.

I don't like everything W. has done while in office. I do believe, though flawed, his primary concern has been to keep all of us safe. I'm sure he has second guessed himself many times over, but I believe he has tried his best, I truly do. This would not have been an easy eight years for anyone. Please Jim, I'm asking, please stop demeaning him. Stop with the "chimp" and "idiot" stuff. Of course you can say whatever you want on your blog, it just seemed to be-little you somehow in my eye's to see those comments above. Still love ya and all, and hope ya don't tell me to eat.....

comment by justmyopinion on Apr 28, 2008 3:34 PM ()

I'd never say that to you sir. Never. I respect you as a person and a friend far too much. You never have to worry about that here. You have a right to your opinion, and your opinions, as far as I can see, are based on solid footings in so far your perceptions of things. I have a lot of respect for a person who has convictions and sticks to them.
I happen to see things differently, as you know. However, some of best friends are pig-headed conservatives. ().
I will refrain from name-calling as far as W. is concerned not out of any respect for him, but out of respect from you. It won't happen again on my blog. I make that promise to you.
By the way, you are correct. Name-calling and juvenile antics like that, do diminish the one who is doing the name-calling, and not the one who is being called the names. That is one serious reason why I have no respect for Rush Limbaugh.
Of course we're still friends!!! Isn't that what America is all about? Being able to disagree and still respect and care for one another?

reply by hayduke on Apr 28, 2008 4:06 PM ()

comment by looserobes on Apr 28, 2008 12:58 PM ()

I think the US reputation abroad will recover with hard work and time. When I've been abroad recently, people in other countries LIKE the U.S. people and find us to be a caring a generous lot. It is the current ruling administration that they despise (for pretty much the same reasons that they do.) I'm glad that they make that distinction. It BECAUSE they make that distinction that I think everything that the talking chimp and his masters have done over the last eight years can be reversed, at least in most cases.
What the idiot has done to THIS country is another story altogether.

reply by hayduke on Apr 28, 2008 1:20 PM ()

I agree, but then I also think that by the end of a Presidents term we ALL complain about this, that and the other thing... ya know? I remember I liked Clinton a lot for the first few years and then there was soooo much smack talk about him it was unreal. I really think the trend is to notice all the wrongs of the current administration, then by the time the next one rolls around we'll all be like "Well at least Bush didn't do *this*!"
I think Bush has been a nightmare. But I also remember being thankful after September 11th that he was the president because he had a cabinet that had previous experience with foreign governments. So there is a plus. That might be the only plus, but to me, that was a bonus.

I do, however, agree with every single thing you have said here and I look forward to a new President. Although I don't like any of the candidates. looks like at least I will be unhappy for the next 4 years...

comment by jondude on Apr 28, 2008 10:04 AM ()

The only problem with calling Bush a child is that children are innocent. This man and his cronies and his puppet-masters are guilty as sin.

reply by hayduke on Apr 29, 2008 4:04 AM ()

I like that last part...

reply by kristilyn3 on Apr 28, 2008 10:14 AM ()