What is wrong with Bush???
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I was watching CNN and was horrified to see that the situation in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina mirrors the situation in Indonesia after the Tsunami in December. At least, we can say that Indonesia isn't developed so much, but at least the government made their best efforts to send relief to the stricken areas, even Aceh; they even let in all the foreign aid. And foreign aid came slow. In contrast, now, countries like Russia and Israel are offering funds to the USA which it appears the govt has not even accepted yet, and BBC reports that water is being flung down in bottles on the land and women are denied medical treatment in the interest of State public order, with a shotgun aimed at their breasts. And I thought Americans respected civil rights!!! And it is heart-wrenching to see the people being aqueezed inside the Houston Astrodome. And shocking to see looting on a similar scale to Iraq happening in New Orleans. And in the midst of this, Bush goes around with a holier-than-thou attitude, vowing to stem all the evils going on. What the heck is Bush doing? I am as of the moment really inclined to follow NYT's line that Bush is a real hypocrite!!!
the (disgusted) pikamaster -
there's no oil in New Orleans...
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He's enjoying it, because releasing the strategic oil reserves means they can play around with the price of oil abit.
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Clinton
During Clinton's tenure, the U.S. enjoyed continuous economic expansion, reductions in unemployment, and growing wealth through a massive rise in the stock market. The economic boom ended shortly after his term ended, possibly indicative of a stock market bubble; Although the reasons for the expansion are continually debated, Clinton proudly pointed to a number of economic accomplishments, including:
1. More than 22 million new jobs
2. Homeownership rate increase from 64.0% to 67.5%
3. Lowest unemployment in 30 years
4. Higher incomes at all levels
5. Largest budget deficit in American history converted to the largest surplus of 6. over $200 billion
7. Lowest government spending as a percentage of GDP since 1974
8. Higher stock ownership by families than ever before
The reasons for this growth are hotly debated, but many cite his 1993 tax increase which is generally acknowledged to have reduced the deficit, which in turn lowered interest rates, which spured comsumption and consumer spending. Alan Greenspan supported this plan, which was approved by Congress without one Republican vote. His critics credit solely Alan Greenspan, the Republican Congress' 1995 spending cuts, the Contract with America initiatives, or even Ronald Reagan's 1981 tax cut during the 1980's.
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Bush
During his first term, Bush sought and obtained Congressional approval for three major tax cuts, which increased the standard income tax deduction for married couples, eliminated the estate tax, and reduced marginal tax rates, and are scheduled to expire a decade after passage. Bush has asked Congress to make the tax cuts permanent. According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, by 2003 these tax cuts had reduced total federal revenue, as a percentage of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), to the lowest level since 1959.
The effect of the tax cuts and simultaneous increases in spending was to create record budget deficits. The annual deficit reached record current-dollar levels of $374 billion in 2003 and $413 billion in 2004, though as a percentage of GDP these deficits are lower than the post-World War II record set under the Reagan administration in the 1980s.
In an open letter to Bush in 2004, more than 100 professors of business and economics at U.S. business schools ascribed this "fiscal reversal" to Bush's "policy of slashing taxes - primarily for those at the upper reaches of the income distribution". Bush's supporters have countered that, primarily because of the doubling of the value of the child tax credit, "7.8 million low and middle-income families had their entire income tax liabilities erased by the cuts."
According to the "baseline" forecast of federal revenue and spending by the Congressional Budget Office (in its January 2005 Baseline Budget Projections, the trend of growing deficits under Bush's first term will become shrinking deficits in his second term. In this projection the deficit will fall to $368 billion in 2005, $261 billion in 2007, and $207 billion in 2009, with a small surplus by 2012. The CBO noted, however, that this projection "omits a significant amount of spending that will occur this year--and possibly for some time to come--for U.S. military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan and for other activities related to the global War on Terrorism." The projection also assumes that the Bush tax cuts "will expire as scheduled on December 31, 2010." If, as Bush has urged, the tax cuts were to be extended, then "the budget outlook for 2015 would change from a surplus of $141 billion to a deficit of $282 billion."
Inflation under Bush has remained low. The recession and a drop in some prices led to concern about deflation from mid-2001 to late-2003. More recently, high oil prices have caused concern about increasing inflation. So far, the economy has withstood these threats.
Unemployment percentage, 2000 - 2005Private employment has decreased significantly under Bush according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. After private employment (seasonally adjusted) peaked at 111,680,000 in December 2000, it dropped to 108,250,000 in mid-2003. The percentage drop in jobs was the largest since 1981-1983.
The economy has added jobs for 25 consecutive months, but the employment level remained below the pre-Bush level until June 2005 when it reached 111,823,000 (preliminary). Considering population growth, that still represents a 4.6% decrease in employment since Bush took office.
Unemployment levels under Bush started at 3.9% in December 2000, peaked at 6.3% in June 2003, retreated to 5.0% in July 2005, and appear to be generally declining. The economy has added 1.924 million jobs so far in 2005.
The rise in GDP since the recession was undergirded by substantial gains in labor productivity, in part due to layoffs of underutilized workers. Long-term problems include inadequate investment in economic infrastructure, rapidly rising medical and pension costs of an aging population, sizable trade and budget deficits, and stagnation of family income in the lower economic groups.
Poverty Rate, 1973 to PresentWhile the GDP recovered from the recession early in Bush's term, poverty has since worsened under Bush according to the Census Bureau. This might be due to the concentration of wealth being in fewer hands. The percent of the population below the poverty level increased in each of Bush's first four years, while it decreased for each of the prior seven years to a 26-year low. At 12.7% in 2004, it is still lower than at any time during the Reagan and Bush I administrations. -
why don't you bring this up to the congress? if you think that bush Sucks, then find someone that can be better than him, and make him president, did bush want the hurricane? did he control it to hit louisiana? Fucking think before you say something
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and if you think you can be a better problem solver than bush, then go ahead please, take over america if you can. the government is already doing their best, relocating people to nearby states such as where i am from. there is no choice but to place people in the astrodome. this is a state of emergency, it is a crisis, what can be done, has been done.
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The truth is: New Oleans is predominantly black and mainly poor.
They can send thousands of soldiers to Iraq but cannot set enough soldiers on the ground to maintain security. They have to suspend helicopter evacuation because someone fired at them, but willing put thousands of soldiers in harm's way to get rid of one tyrant. They boast of their precision bombing but cannot air drop water and food to the thousands of refugees. They put scores of police to disarm one looter in a supermarket whilst hundreds of people are dying from thirst and hunger.
The problem is not lack of resources or the scale of the disaster. The problem is racism. -
We should do a minister level exchange with US. Our prime ministers and defence ministers are great at organising relief efforts. In return for our PMs, MPs, I only want 2 persons from the states: Clinton and Greenspan.
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Compare the aftermath of Tsunami and Kathrina.
There were wars in Sri Lanka and Aceh between different races and factions, the people there were poor, very poor. Tsunami struck without warning, the devastation no less than katrina. After Tsunami, we saw government and people moving in to help, the rebels or the poor people did not take the opportunity to loot and rape. Soldiers in uniform were sending in relief supplies and helped to rebuild. We saw no guns!
New Orleans, a historic city, a paradize for tourists, there was no war, the people can't be poorer than those in Aceh, and Katrina struck with full warnings!! yet we still hear of slow response, no help, corpse rot along flooded sidewalks. Instead of seeing relief helps coming to the stranded, we see SWAT Teams on armor cars with loaded automatic weapons!!!
Why the difference??
why are cop turning in badges? Is it really "Go to hell...its evey man for himself"?? as the cop responded to tourist Debbie Durso. Where is the spirit of america when terrorists struck on 911?? Where are the brave cops and firemen that fought against all odds to save victims??
How can a model for democracy turned into anarchy in a natural disaster?
blame the black and the poor?
Is it something that Bush should be responsible? or is this the ugly side of the americans that most people do not see??
Think twice next time when you want everything america. -
there are only two things wrong with Bush...
everything he says and everything he does
see?
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Look in the context of predominantly black and poor South.Not everywhere in America is nice and clean or worth looking up to.Originally posted by sgdiehard:Compare the aftermath of Tsunami and Kathrina.
There were wars in Sri Lanka and Aceh between different races and factions, the people there were poor, very poor. Tsunami struck without warning, the devastation no less than katrina. After Tsunami, we saw government and people moving in to help, the rebels or the poor people did not take the opportunity to loot and rape. Soldiers in uniform were sending in relief supplies and helped to rebuild. We saw no guns!
New Orleans, a historic city, a paradize for tourists, there was no war, the people can't be poorer than those in Aceh, and Katrina struck with full warnings!! yet we still hear of slow response, no help, corpse rot along flooded sidewalks. Instead of seeing relief helps coming to the stranded, we see SWAT Teams on armor cars with loaded automatic weapons!!!
Why the difference??
why are cop turning in badges? Is it really "Go to hell...its evey man for himself"?? as the cop responded to tourist Debbie Durso. Where is the spirit of america when terrorists struck on 911?? Where are the brave cops and firemen that fought against all odds to save victims??
How can a model for democracy turned into anarchy in a natural disaster?
blame the black and the poor?
Is it something that Bush should be responsible? or is this the ugly side of the americans that most people do not see??
Think twice next time when you want everything america.
Same as Singapore.Do our tourists come and take a look at our 1-room flats and their neighbourhoods?The homeless men and women sleeping on the benches?
There is good and bad in every society.Don't twist this for your own goal. -
Are you any better yourself? Better get that damn plank out of your eye before telling your neighbour there is a splinter in his.Originally posted by coffeeortea:why don't you bring this up to the congress? if you think that bush Sucks, then find someone that can be better than him, and make him president, did bush want the hurricane? did he control it to hit louisiana? Fucking think before you say something -
New Orleans is a city of 515 sq. km, slightly smaller than the 620 sq. km of singapore. There are rich and poor people among the 1.2 million people there just like singapore. New orleans is a part of americas, a historic city and a major tourist attraction, it is not the poor ghetto that exist in most cities in america, or the equivalent of the 1-room flats in singapore.Originally posted by LazerLordz:Look in the context of predominantly black and poor South.Not everywhere in America is nice and clean or worth looking up to.
Same as Singapore.Do our tourists come and take a look at our 1-room flats and their neighbourhoods?The homeless men and women sleeping on the benches?
There is good and bad in every society.Don't twist this for your own goal.
What is the context??? blame the chaos to the poor? are they poorer than the poor in aceh and sri lanka? blaming in on the black is simply racist!!
What is my own goal??? tell me!! -
this is probably Bush's thoughts about it right now....
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The problem lies with the inadequacy of the countrys emergency programme. Do you know that people are actually dying on the streets through illness, hunger etc.
There is no food and fresh water around, and when the only thing you have left is your life, i think taking drastic action is understandable. Don't forget that many of the people who chose to stay in the city are those with either nowhere to run to, or who have no money to leave.
All i can say is King George does it again. 5 days and you still haven't got your act together? FFS, you are the president of the richest nation on earth. And it takes you more than 5 days to organize a proper relief effort? Worse, King George seems to be trying to pass the buck. I was pretty pissed when the cnut said something to the effect of "The relief effort thus far has been inadequate. Relief workers, make it adequate". He is of course trying to stick to his "straight shooter" country boy image. This time though, i think his abilities (or lack of) has been exposed for all to see and no amount of fighting talk is going to change that. -
I think i am. I am just not as charismatic nor as good a liar as him. I also do not have a rich and extremely well connected dad to set me on my way.Originally posted by coffeeortea:and if you think you can be a better problem solver than bush, then go ahead please, take over america if you can. the government is already doing their best, relocating people to nearby states such as where i am from. there is no choice but to place people in the astrodome. this is a state of emergency, it is a crisis, what can be done, has been done.
Yes, there is nothing wrong with putting people in the astrodome. BUT why no food? Where are the medical supplies. 5 days is just taking the piss. I can do better. -
The same thing will happen to Singapore.
The head of state is some past leader son.
The Nation like to show off to the world for what ever things that they does.
Singapore like to put off people fire, sponsor military supply to corrupted neighbours.
So, if the Katrina hit Singapore, it will be interesting to see how many ministers actually stay back to help or they packing their bags to leave from the air force bases ??? -
I agree..think many of us can do better.Originally posted by lwflee:I think i am. I am just not as charismatic nor as good a liar as him. I also do not have a rich and extremely well connected dad to set me on my way.
Yes, there is nothing wrong with putting people in the astrodome. BUT why no food? Where are the medical supplies. 5 days is just taking the piss. I can do better. -
u hit the jackpot ! dis answers almost everything....now left the final '?'....how to justify more funds to Iraq instead of rebuilding NO...shouldn't be difficult to churn out an unconvincing excuse given his way of doing things.Originally posted by the Bear:there's no oil in New Orleans... -
considering that most of america's wealth is generated by new york and california and to a lesser extent maybe other states like illinois, florida etc, with or without new orleans, there wouldn't be much of a difference. same thing with places like alabama or tennessee or any of the poorer southern/middle states. bbush will just have a smaller pool of manpower to staff his war machine. oh wait, the latinos streaming into california should do the trick.
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well, seriously after hearing how the americans tried to 'help' in Indonesia, I'm not suprised their own rescues are pretty screwed up.
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how much help are you providing to our good friends down in louisiana?Originally posted by kopiosatu:well, seriously after hearing how the americans tried to 'help' in Indonesia, I'm not suprised their own rescues are pretty screwed up. no point providing help to a far off land which burns american flags and adds fuel to the fire of anti-american rhetoric. -
It's not just Bush. To the American army, it's just a job like any other job to be there in New Orleans.
View the pics and see the difference between GIs and the "evil" soldiers of another country:
http://www.wforum.com/newspool/articles/headline/65542.html -
Nonsense, who could be as stupid as Bush?Originally posted by Medicated Oil:The same thing will happen to Singapore.
The head of state is some past leader son.
The Nation like to show off to the world for what ever things that they does.
Singapore like to put off people fire, sponsor military supply to corrupted neighbours.
So, if the Katrina hit Singapore, it will be interesting to see how many ministers actually stay back to help or they packing their bags to leave from the air force bases ??? -
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Nothing. That is the real him!