Posted on 09/09/2004 9:59:21 AM PDT by presidio9
Posted on September 8, 2004 After the State of the Union address the other night, I couldn't help thinking, is George W. Bush pretending to be a Democrat? Many parts of his speech could have been spoken by Bill Clinton, Dick Gephardt, Tom Daschle or John Kerry. He used the rhetoric of health care, jobs, and education ... The difference is that while Bush talks about these issues that are so important to working and middle-class Americans, and sometimes even says the right thing, his policies reflect an entirely different agenda - one that has the sole purpose of making the rich richer. Who does he think he's fooling?
There were so many hypocritical and misleading statements in the State of the Union speech - here are just a few that stood out in my mind:
Education What he said: "Republicans and Democrats worked together to achieve historic education reform so that no child is left behind."
What he did: Took away nearly all of the funding increases for education in his own "No Child Left Behind Act" after the bill passed.
Economic Stimulus What he said: "When America works, America prospers, so my economic security plan can be summed up in one word: jobs."
What he did: Proposed an "economic stimulus" plan that helps the rich and does little to encourage job growth. His new plan will provide a $289 tax cut for the middle 20% of Americans, while giving $90,000 to millionaires. And how do we know this statement about job growth is all smoke and mirrors? Last year he said the same thing, and instead of job growth we've seen a loss of 2.1 million private sector jobs since March, 2001. In fact, experts estimate that Bush's new package will "stimulate" only 190,000 in new jobs. So what are the other 1.9 million people who lost their job this year supposed to do?
Energy Conservation What he said: "This Congress must act to encourage conservation, promote technology, build infrastructure."
What he did: Bush has discouraged energy conservation every step of the way - suing California for passing a law requiring more fuel-efficient vehicles and even proposing a tax cut for SUV owners! Bush is now talking about funding for developing fuel-efficient cars for the future... but what about today? Remember, this is the administration that has said that Americans should not have to change their lifestyles after September 11th...
Health Care What he said: "Americans know economic security can vanish in an instant without health security. I ask Congress to join me this year to enact a patients' bill of rights - to give uninsured workers credits to help buy health coverage - to approve an historic increase in the spending for veterans' health - and to give seniors a sound and modern Medicare system that includes coverage for prescription drugs."
What he did: Bush proposed a fake "Patient's Bill of Rights" written by the insurance industry, that actually undermines patient's rights, and a prescription drug plan for seniors that would cover only a very small percentage of seniors in need. He even wants to stop the ability of Americans to sue if they are wronged by their insurance providers. That doesn't sound like it's going to help most Americans to get better health care.
Corporate Accountability What he said: "Through stricter accounting standards and tougher disclosure requirements, corporate America must be made more accountable to employees and shareholders and held to the highest standards of conduct."
What he did: Does he think we've forgotten that Ken Lay of Enron, the symbol of a corporate scoundrel, is one of his closest friends and advisors? Accountability? Despite all the "corporate wrongdoing" Lay has done, criminal charges still haven't been filed against him.
The Environment What he said: "Members, you and I will work together in the months ahead on other issues ... a cleaner environment."
What he did: A cleaner environment? In November, Bush's Environmental Protection Agency announced new rules that stripped the Clean Air Act of its pollution standards for newly modernizing plants, provoking outrage among Republican and Democratic environmentalists alike.
And one more thing, Bush mentioned in his State of the Union speech his faith-based initiative that would give tax breaks to religious charities ... Isn't this America, where we have a separation of church and state, which guarantees freedom of religion? The needy in this country should be able to receive human services irregardless of religious affiliation.
"Nuts" ping
Jeeves, the Butler: "Ms. Streisand, a Mr. Cooper on the phone for you, ma'am."
Babs is an idiot.
Streisand is a stone nut case. What CRAT dribble.
I thought his name was Dick Gebhardt... (snicker)
The sad part is that it probably takes old looney tunes days to come up with this sort of drivel.
She is a shitforbrains who can't write worth a juicy-fart stained pair of skivvies. I am surprised you would bother.
Waiting to read Blabs's posting the morning after the election will be delicious.
I am just really bummed that she is in the new Ben Stiller movie. I love him and now I can't watch it.
State of the Union? WTF!
Kerry has had many opportunities to make a speech like this. He hasn't. Maybe she should wonder why? Something called Vietnam.
senility?
The political genius of Ms. Streisand.
Doncha just lover reading her illiterate musings.
..your much too kind. I, being a Southern Gentleman, can't tell you what I real think of Babs...even by freepmail.
I am bummed too. Maybe we could organize a passive resistance, like turning around every time she appears on screen. On second thought, she just plain ain't worth it. I can afford to miss one Ben Stiller movie. He should have used the actress who plays Jerry Seinfeld's mom (forget her name). Streisand adds nothing.
This is America, and our Constitution does not state sep of church and state; nice try Barbie.
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