Our Seven Year Nightmare Comes At A Cost

by Bernie Ellis

Seven years ago this month, Bush stole his first election with the help of his Daddy's Supreme Court appointees. Though there is no longer a single state where Bush enjoys majority support and his foreign policy failures abound, Bush still claims to have created a robust economy. Let's look at some comparisons:

Seven years ago, you could buy a Canadian dollar for $.59 -- now it
costs you $1.07.

Then, you could buy a Euro for $.97 -- now it costs you $1.43.

Then, a gallon of regular gas cost $1.44 -- now it's over $3.00 (and
rising fast).

Then we had a balanced budget and a surplus. Since then, Bush has raised
the national debt ceiling five times and we are now drowning in red ink.

Then, home foreclosures were at record lows -- now they're at record
highs.

Then a barrel of oil was $36 -- now it's $97.

Then a loaf of white bread was around $2 -- now it's almost $4.

Today, 15% fewer Americans have health care than did back then.

Then we were at peace -- now our brave young women and men are dying in
two wars (and Cheney's itchy trigger finger is aiming for a third.) We
have money now for body bags and Blackwater but no money to fund health
care for poor children.

Then, the dollar was the world's preferred currency -- now other
countries can't dump their dollars fast enough.

This is an economic boom? This is peace and prosperity?

To paraphrase Ronald Reagan: "Are we better off today than we were seven
years ago?" Not hardly.

Being good at stealing elections hasn't translated into any other skill
worthy of our great nation.

Bush's illegitimate nightmare cannot end soon enough.

Bernie Ellis
Fly, Tennessee