Editorialists Agree: Something Is Wrong in Washington, D.C.
Every editorialist on every major newspaper agrees that the State of the Union speech tonight will be another occasion for lies spoon-fed to a gullible public.
The Bush administration will, once again, tell us one thing and do another while we sit like so many underprivileged infants in our own filth and complacency while these criminals rob us of the liberty and freedom and standard of living that were the envy of the world pre-George Bush and cronies.
Our American Press is stepping forward and telling us the issues as they exist, but the apathy of the American public is appallingly fierce, entrenched, and the majority of us eagerly swallow the bull that the Bush administration is intent on feeding us.
One only has to ask oneself, “Why?”, if any of these editorials are even 10% true—one only has to question and question publicly and loudly and demand answers from the Bush Cabal.
This is still a democracy and our voices raised in unison will count. The voice of the people will bring an end to the criminal conspiracy that is robbing us of our freedom and the freedom to live honorable lives without the wage enslavement that Bush and Cronies have in mind for America.
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Tuesday, January 31, 2006 - 12:00 AM
E.J. Dionne / Syndicated columnist
Important, unfinished business
WASHINGTON — This week, the Republican Party hopes to escape its immediate past. House Republicans will elect new leaders. They hope the party's corruption scandal will be forgotten and that the names Tom DeLay and Jack Abramoff will become as unmentionable in their world as Lord Voldemort's is in Harry Potter's.
President Bush hopes for a new start with his State of the Union address. The words from last year he wants to wipe out of the political lexicon include "Brownie," "Katrina," "heck of a job" and "Social Security privatization."
But there is an uncomfortable bit of business left over from the Republican disaster year of 2005 that will test the seriousness of the party's supposed commitment to change. The cut-the-poor, help-the-big-interests federal budget passed last year needs final ratification in the House. The vote could take place as soon as Wednesday.
Let's be clear: Anyone who votes for this fiscal mess will be standing for the bad old ways of doing business in Washington. They will have no claim to being "reformers."
At least one Republican, Rep. Rob Simmons of Connecticut, has had a change of heart, thanks to laudable grass-roots pressure — which, to his credit, Simmons acknowledged.
"I voted for it in December," Simmons said in a statement released last week. But after consulting with constituency groups, Simmons decided that the bill "remains unsatisfactory" and that "the budget, as it stands, falls short." Moderate Republicans who had no business voting for this bill in the first place should be challenged to join Simmons.
What was known when the budget was last approved was bad enough: that in merging the different fiscal plans passed by the House and Senate, Republican leaders dropped Senate provisions that would have sought savings from drug companies and preferred provider organizations and instead imposed new burdens on lower-income Americans who rely on Medicaid. The theme of this budget was: Protect the well-connected, bash the poor.
But since the last vote, new information has emerged that would more than justify a change of heart by Republicans who voted "yes."
It's worth citing in full the first paragraph of an important piece of investigative reporting last week by The Washington Post's Jonathan Weisman: "House and Senate GOP negotiators, meeting behind closed doors last month to complete a major budget-cutting bill, agreed on a change to Senate-passed Medicare legislation that would save the health-insurance industry $22 billion over the next decade, according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office."
What's wrong with this picture? First, a group of legislators who claim to want to reduce the deficit gutted a provision designed to save taxpayers money, following heavy lobbying by the health-insurance industry.
Second, a Congress saying it really, really wants to change the way it does business ratified a backroom deal in the wee hours of the morning that almost nobody who voted on it knew anything about. Many on the right have been waging war on "earmarks," those special projects that members of Congress insert into bills, often at the last minute — and have proliferated since the Republicans took over the House. But secret special-interest deals can be at least as costly, often more so, than many of those earmarks.
And on Monday, The New York Times, reporting on a Congressional Budget Office study of the impact of this budget on health coverage, found that "millions of low-income people would have to pay more for health care under a bill worked out by Congress, and some of them would forgo care or drop out of Medicaid because of the higher co-payments and premiums."
How strange it is that while the president claims he wants to help people get health coverage, he and his party would support a budget that could force some poor Americans to walk away from care.
It's hard these days to get the media to pay attention to budgets and their impact on the lives of citizens. Budgets are complicated and easy to spin. It's much easier to generate immense moral outrage over a memoir writer who tells lies.
But long after we've forgotten the name of that writer, a mother on Medicaid will be deciding whether she can afford to take her sick child to see the doctor. Can we please spend at least a tiny bit of our moral outrage on her behalf?
E.J. Dionne's column appears regularly on editorial pages of The Times. His e-mail address is postchat@aol.com
Copyright © 2006 The Seattle Times Company
January 31, 2006
Editorial
Wanted: A Wary Audience
When President Bush gives his State of the Union address tonight, expect to hear a renewed call for setting the administration's first-term tax cuts in concrete, combined with warnings that letting the cuts expire would retard economic growth. Nothing could be further from the truth.
As proof of tax cuts' ability to spur the economy, Mr. Bush generally cites productivity growth, job creation and the rise in personal income. Productivity has indeed been stellar, and supply-siders claim that is because tax cuts have led to investment, which led to higher productivity. But business investment has been flat for five years. Meanwhile, the benefits of productivity growth have been concentrated among the wealthy. So tax cuts haven't unleashed investment, but they have contributed to inequality.
Job growth during the Bush-era recovery has been worse, by far, than in any comparable economic upturn since the 1960's. It would take some 500,000 new jobs a month every month this year just to equal the second worst job-creation record in the modern era. And while working Americans are laboring harder, hourly wages and weekly salaries — the financial lifeblood of most Americans — have been flat or falling, after inflation, since the middle of 2003.
That last inconvenient fact isn't likely to stop Mr. Bush from bragging about rising "real after-tax income." Besides paychecks, that much-cited statistic includes things like bonuses, stock dividends and health insurance.
Dividends flow mainly to the top 5 percent of the income ladder, and health benefits, while valuable, are increasingly provided in lieu of salary. So the fact that personal income, writ large, is up "by 7 percent since I've been your president," as Mr. Bush boasted recently, isn't a measure of what is in most Americans' pockets. (Besides, a 7 percent gain is hardly worth bragging about, since the average from other comparable recoveries is 12.5 percent.)
Mr. Bush bristles at the oft-repeated criticism that cutting taxes on dividends and capital gains mainly benefits the wealthy. That's odd, because the criticism is simply a statement of the obvious, given the facts: almost half of all dividends are earned by people making more than $200,000, and more than half of all capital gains are earned by people with incomes over $1 million.
Of late, the president has taken to saying that cutting taxes on dividends and capital gains helps "workers in the automobile plant" and the other millions of Americans who own stock through their 401(k) plans. But in truth, when taxes on dividends and capital gains are cut, investing in a 401(k) plan becomes less attractive. That's because tax- deferred buildup in a 401(k) is a big part of its allure, but the lower the tax rate, the less valuable the deferral. Investors in 401(k)'s also lose out when wages and salaries are taxed at higher rates than investments, as they are now and as Mr. Bush wants to ensure they remain. That's because money that's withdrawn from a 401(k) is taxed like salary, not like investments.
In his State of the Union speech, the president will also undoubtedly return to his promise to do something about the deficit, which he often vows to halve by 2009. His audience should remember that this claim assumes minimal spending going forward for Iraq and Afghanistan as well as a continuation of the voracious alternative minimum tax, which everyone in government knows must be reformed. This month Congress's budget agency forecast that if the tax cuts are made permanent and the alternative tax fixed, the United States will face large and growing deficits over the next decade, with red ink of between $3.5 trillion and $4 trillion over that time.
Tonight is Mr. Bush's night to speak. But it's the job of all of us to be critical listeners.
· Copyright 2006The New York Times Company
Copyright 2005 NYP Holdings, Inc..
AN UNREAL ADDRESS
"Time after time, observers have questioned whether this country, or that people, or this group, are 'ready' for democracy — as if freedom were a prize you win for meeting our own Western standards of progress."- George W. BushNov. 6, 2003
"The beginnings of reform and democracy in the Palestinian territories are now showing the power of freedom to break old patterns of violence and failure."- George W. Bush,State of the Union, 2005
"The effect of liberty to individuals is, that they may do what they please; we ought to see what it will please them to do, before we risk congratulations."- Edmund Burke
IN State of the Union addresses, the childish events in our civic calendar, presidents list numerous proposals pursuant to the supposed presidential duty to be omnipresent and omniprovident in our lives. Every 48 seconds or so — last year's address was interrupted by applause 66 times in 53 minutes — legislators of the president's party erupt with approval, while those of the other party use stolidity to signal disappointment. But if you are a glutton for punishment and tune in tonight, you will at least not hear a reprise of the passage cited above from last year's address.
The success of the terrorist organization Hamas in the Palestinian elections is but the latest proof of what happens when the forms of democracy are severed from what the president, with a cosmopolitan shrug, dismissively called "our own Western standards of progress." Now comes wishful thinking, and then cynicism.
Regarding the latter, the watery materialism of much thinking — the theory that social structures and economic incentives trump ideas as shapers of behavior — will interpret the Hamas victory in the benign light of the Garbage Collection Theory of History. On Sunday, on ABC's "This Week," Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.), said: "My hope is that as a consequence of now being responsible for electricity and picking up garbage and basic services to the Palestinian people, that they recognize it's time to moderate their stance."
Perhaps. But their stance — Israel must die — is, they say, the will of God, who has not authorized moderation in the name of sanitation.
Regarding cynicism, Jimmy Carter, an even worse ex-president than he was a president, responded to the Hamas victory by quickly suggesting a way to evade the U.S. law against providing funds to terrorists. He suggested that the executive branch of the U.S. government could launder money destined for Hamas, passing it through the U.N.
This suggestion has a certain piquancy, coming as it does from someone who was elected president as a national penance for President Nixon's lawlessness, and coming as it does after the Oil-for-Food program in Iraq, which demonstrated the U.N.'s financial aptitude.
Four days after Hamas provided redundant evidence that the United States can not anticipate, let alone control, events, The New York Times inadvertently suggested this thought: If the Times and the Bush administration each had sufficient self-awareness, they might be mutually mortified by recognizing their similar mentalities regarding America's power.
On the front page of Sunday's Times there began a 7,800-word story on Haiti's descent, not for the first time, into murderous anarchy. The story about the progress of nation-building and democracy-planting in our hemisphere carried a symptomatic headline: "Mixed U.S. Signals Helped Tilt Haiti Toward Chaos." The story's thesis was intimated by its subtitle: "Democracy Undone." The thesis was that if U.S. diplomacy had been more deft and single-minded, the Times might not now be reporting this about Haiti:
"Today, the capital, Port-au-Prince, is virtually paralyzed by kidnappings, spreading panic among rich and poor alike. Corrupt police officers in uniform have assassinated people on the streets in the light of day. The chaos is so extreme and the interim government so dysfunctional that voting to elect a new one has already been delayed four times."
Tonight, on the 1,050th day of the Iraq War (the 912th day of the Second World War was D-Day), the nation needs an adult hour, including a measured meditation on overreaching, from the Middle East to Medicare's new prescription-drug entitlement. But in State of the Union addresses, rarely is heard a discouraging word.
The Democrats have already been heard from. In their "pre-buttal" to the State of the Union, they promised, among much else, that, according to House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi, if they come to power, "every American will have affordable access to broadband within five years." Which tells you something about the state of the union.
Copyright 2005 NYP Holdings, Inc.
The world according to George W Bush
Tonight, US President delivers annual State of the Union address as world powers meet in London to discuss global flashpoints
Published: 31 January 2006
NORTH KOREA
State of the Union The regime is a bandit state that will stop at nothing to build a nuclear arsenal. There are fears it will send plutonium to Iran.
State of the Region US policy on North Korea has been a complete failure and the regime has blackmailed South Korea into sending aid.
CANADA
State of the Union President Bush sees new Prime Minister Stephen Harper as an ally on issues including abortion. Mr Harper criticised Canada for not joining Iraq war.
State of the Region Mr Harper's first move was to say he rejected the US assertion that the Arctic North-west Passage was "neutral waters".
EUROPE
State of the Union Enlargement of EU protects friends of the US: Poland, the Czech Republic and the Baltic states. Nato shares the burden in Afghanistan.
State of the Region Merkel supplanting Blair in "special relationship". Use of European airports for "rendition flights" has damaged US.
AFGHANISTAN
State of the Union US trumpets progress, pointing to $5bn spent on the country. Afghan government committed to improving security and economic affairs.
State of the Region President Karzai confined to his palace as the insurgency spreads in the south where UK troops will be deployed.
IRAQ
State of the Union "Free elections" were held in December. Iraqis replacing American forces, raising prospect of troops' withdrawal.
State of the Region Shia majority, allied to Iran, swept to victory. Insurgent attacks dashing hopes of withdrawal. More than 2,240 US troops have been killed.
IRAN
State of the Union Adamant Iran must not be allowed nuclear weapons. Washington wants diplomatic solution but bombing an option.
State of the Region By keeping military threat alive, Mr Bush may allow mullahs to justify nuclear weapons programme for self-defence. Could invite riposte from Israel.
ARAB-ISRAEL
State of the Union After first election for a Palestinian parliament in a decade, US refusing to deal with Hamas until it drops terrorism and ambition to destroy Israel.
State of the Region Dilemma for US is whether to cut off funds to Palestinians - choking the seeds of democracy. Same problem across the Middle East.
AFRICA
State of the Union US forgave debt of the poorest countries. A key bulwark in the "war on terror''. Its mineral and oil assets make it a key strategic partner.
State of the Region Scramble for Africa between China, the US and India. US defines its value in terms of oil and access to military bases.
LATIN AMERICA
State of the Union A problem. Socialist candidates topped the poll in 11 elections in past year. But US investment in region is strong. The market economy safe. Drugs war being stepped up.
State of the Region Voters rejecting unfettered capitalism. New leaders expanding state control on the oil and mining industries.
CHINA
State of the Union An ally in the "war on terror" and a source of enormous potential profit for corporate America.
State of the Region China is poised to challenge the US global leadership and overturn international standards. Economically and militarily the Middle Kingdom is bursting outward.
NORTH KOREA
State of the Union The regime is a bandit state that will stop at nothing to build a nuclear arsenal. There are fears it will send plutonium to Iran.
State of the Region US policy on North Korea has been a complete failure and the regime has blackmailed South Korea into sending aid.
CANADA
State of the Union President Bush sees new Prime Minister Stephen Harper as an ally on issues including abortion. Mr Harper criticised Canada for not joining Iraq war.
State of the Region Mr Harper's first move was to say he rejected the US assertion that the Arctic North-west Passage was "neutral waters".
EUROPE
State of the Union Enlargement of EU protects friends of the US: Poland, the Czech Republic and the Baltic states. Nato shares the burden in Afghanistan.
State of the Region Merkel supplanting Blair in "special relationship". Use of European airports for "rendition flights" has damaged US.
AFGHANISTAN
State of the Union US trumpets progress, pointing to $5bn spent on the country. Afghan government committed to improving security and economic affairs.
State of the Region President Karzai confined to his palace as the insurgency spreads in the south where UK troops will be deployed.
IRAQ
State of the Union "Free elections" were held in December. Iraqis replacing American forces, raising prospect of troops' withdrawal.
State of the Region Shia majority, allied to Iran, swept to victory. Insurgent attacks dashing hopes of withdrawal. More than 2,240 US troops have been killed.
IRAN
State of the Union Adamant Iran must not be allowed nuclear weapons. Washington wants diplomatic solution but bombing an option.
State of the Region By keeping military threat alive, Mr Bush may allow mullahs to justify nuclear weapons programme for self-defence. Could invite riposte from Israel.
ARAB-ISRAEL
State of the Union After first election for a Palestinian parliament in a decade, US refusing to deal with Hamas until it drops terrorism and ambition to destroy Israel.
State of the Region Dilemma for US is whether to cut off funds to Palestinians - choking the seeds of democracy. Same problem across the Middle East.
AFRICA
State of the Union US forgave debt of the poorest countries. A key bulwark in the "war on terror''. Its mineral and oil assets make it a key strategic partner.
State of the Region Scramble for Africa between China, the US and India. US defines its value in terms of oil and access to military bases.
LATIN AMERICA
State of the Union A problem. Socialist candidates topped the poll in 11 elections in past year. But US investment in region is strong. The market economy safe. Drugs war being stepped up.
State of the Region Voters rejecting unfettered capitalism. New leaders expanding state control on the oil and mining industries.
CHINA
State of the Union An ally in the "war on terror" and a source of enormous potential profit for corporate America.
State of the Region China is poised to challenge the US global leadership and overturn international standards. Economically and militarily the Middle Kingdom is bursting outward.
© 2006 Independent News and Media Limited
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