Abstract

One Year and Counting

The author argues that U.S. President George W. Bush has caused great damage to the country, and should not be re-elected in 2004. There will be a presidential election in a year, and it will come as no surprise that we hope Election Night 2004 ends early with the defeat of George W. Bush. Yes, there are fourteen months left in Bush's term. But he is beyond redemption. He has caused damage that will take years to undo: damage to the environment, damage to the fiscal security of the nation, damage to America's standing in the world. Bush claims that the war on terrorism is being won. But it will be hard --though not impossible--for the White House and the Bush campaign, which will have about $200 million at its disposal, to deploy rhetoric to counter the reality on the ground. Perhaps less visible will be the long-term harm Bush has done to America's economic security. To keep pace with population growth--put aside recovering lost jobs-the country has to create 150,000 or so new jobs a month. Bush's tax cuts are not up to this task.That's because of the massive debt Bush is bequeathing the nation.