Why does ANYONE support George W. Bush? I have heard some say he is good for the economy and has a good business sense. Forget the fact that his business ventures before he went into politics were disasters. Let’s look at his economic performance as president:
* 2.9 million private sector jobs were lost since Bush took office
* 2.5 million people lost their jobs since Bush took office
* Unemployment rate increased by 37 percent since Bush took office
* An average of 79,000 jobs were lost per month under George Bush (as apposed to an avearage of 135,000 jobs being created under every president since Truman)
* The country has gone from a $281 billion surplus to a $521 billion deficit, so far.
* When Bush took office, a $5.6 trillion baseline budget surplus over the next 10 years was projected by the Congressional Budget Office. This number has been reduced to a projected $5.2 trillion baseline budget deficit since then.
* Bush’s 2004 budget deficit is the highest in history by $188 billion. (ecclipsing his father’s previous record)
* Personal bankrupcy filings have increased by 10% under George Bush.
* Out-of-pocket healthcare cost increased by 50% under George Bush.
* Job-based health insurance costs increased by 14% under George Bush.
* College tuition & fees increased by 35% under George Bush.
* Gas prices increased by 11.5% under George Bush
* Set all-time record for biggest annual budget increases
* President's Economic Plan Claims Outsourcing is Good for America; Millions of Jobs Will Be Lost to Outsourcing.
Now let’s get the ecomonic experts opinions:
* Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan urged Congress to cut the growth of Social Security and Medicare, warning that without immediate measures, the U.S. will face unsustainable deficits, rising long-term interest rates and slower growth in living standards. Rising pressure on U.S. finances from an aging population makes it vital to fix the social safety net soon with steps such as raising the age for full retirement benefits..
* Goldman Sachs economist Ed McKelvey stated in his firm's newsletter that "the U.S. federal budget is out of control." The $374 billion dollar budget deficit in the fiscal year that ended on Sept. 30, 2003 which was by far the largest dollar amount ever, is expected to rise to $525 billion in this fiscal year. Should that be the case, the Times reports that "the annual budget picture will have deteriorated by more than $650 billion" during Bush's term as president, from a surplus of $127 billion in fiscal year 2001.
* U.S. Comptroller General David Walker refuted George W. Bush's claims that his administration can cut the federal deficit in half within five years without changing policies. According to the Los Angeles Times, "Bush has argued that by 2006, growth prompted by his $1.7-trillion tax cut plus spending cuts will pare deficits in half." Contrary to Bush's claims, Walker, the nation's chief fiscal officer stated that, "The idea that this is manageable or that we are going to grow our way out of the problem is just flat false."
Let's here one of his business associate's opinion of his business acumen:
Co-Founder of Carlyle Group, David Rubenstein, talking about setting up Cater Air after Carlyle acquired it: “When we’re putting together the board,” Rubenstein said, ‘somebody came to me and said ‘Look, there is a guy who would like to be on the board. He's kind of down on his luck a bit. Needs a job. Needs some board positions. Could you put him on the board? Pay him a salary and he'll be a good board member and be a loyal vote for the management and so forth.’ …We put him on the board and (he) spent three years. Came to all the meetings. … And after a while I kind of said to him, after about three years – ‘You know, I'm not sure this is really for you. Maybe you should do something else. Because I don't think you're adding much value to the board. You don't know that much about the company.’ The board member told him, Rubenstein said, ‘Well I think I'm getting out of this business anyway. I don't really like it that much. So I'm probably going to resign from the board.’ And I said, 'Thanks.' Didn't think I'd ever see him again. His name is George W. Bush,’ Rubenstein said. ‘He became president of the United States. So if you said to me, name 25 million people who would be president of the United States, he wouldn't be in that category. So you neverknow." Nicholas Horrock, “White House Watch: With Friends Like These,” UPI, July 16, 2003 .
[SCARY]
Are you better off than you were four years ago? Is the country? When can we start blaming bad economic conditions on W?
Would you hire George Bush to run your company? A lemonade stand? Hell, I wouldn't trust him to be the banker in a game of Monopoly.
It's splitsville for Barbie and Ken
Couple 'will remain friends,' says Mattel
Thursday, February 12, 2004 Posted: 7:35 PM EST (0035 GMT)
NEW YORK (AP) -- Just like J.Lo and Ben, the romance is over for Barbie and Ken.
After 43 years as one of the world's prettiest pairs, the perfect plastic couple is breaking up. The couple's "business manager," Russell Arons, vice president of marketing at Mattel, said that Barbie and Ken "feel it's time to spend some quality time -- apart."
"Like other celebrity couples, their Hollywood romance has come to an end," said Arons, who quickly added that the duo "will remain friends."
Arons denied that there was any truth to rumors that the breakup was linked to the Cali (as in California) Girl Barbie, arriving in stores now. To better reflect her single status, Cali Barbie will wear board shorts and a bikini top, metal hoop earrings, and have a deeper tan.
This new style already has attracted a new admirer, Blaine the Australian boogie boarder.
Barbie -- the most popular fashion doll in the world, according to toy maker Mattel -- met Ken on the set of a TV commercial in 1961, and they have been inseparable ever since.
Arons hinted Wednesday that the separation may be partially due to Ken's reluctance to getting married. All those bridal Barbie dolls in toy chests around the globe are really just examples of Barbie's wishful thinking, she explained.
Another possible factor is Barbie's career. The doll who was "born" Barbie Millicent Roberts in 1959 has been everything from a rock star to military medic, and she's currently marketed in more than 150 countries. According to Mattel, every second, three Barbie dolls are sold somewhere in the world.
So where does that leave Ken? Said Arons: "He will head for other waves"