The Economy
The OLM has dutifully carried the water for Democrats on the Economy for as long as I can remember. Always suggesting that Democrats are better on economic issues, even though History tells us otherwise. I'm guessing it has roots to the Democratic Myth about Franklin D. Roosevelt's salvation of our economy from Herbert Hoover's "Great Depression". The Truth is the Market crash which kicked off the Depression took place on Hoover's watch, FDR's "New Deal" deepened and extended the Depression for over 7 years according to UCLA study.
It was during Bill Clinton's 1992 campaign that "It's the Economy, Stupid" became the new rallying cry for Democrats and their PR wing in the OLM. Well as a Tax Payer, I want a government that takes less of My money by way of IRS extortion. The rest will take care of itself.
Even in this most recent election, Liberals spoke longingly of the Days of the Clinton Economy. You know the one boosted by the Tech Bubble and faulty accounting that still had a higher unemployment figures than George W Bush's Administration? When W. was sworn into office in January of 2001, he inherited Bill Clinton's Recession. Young President Bush immediatley called for taxpayer relief in the form of the Now famous, "Bush Tax Cuts", to stimulate the economy.
Liberals love to say that Bush's Tax Cuts only benefited the Rich. Once again those pesky facts rebuff that claim.....
According the Tax Foundation's Data
Taxes under Clinton 1999 Taxes under Bush 2008
Single making 30K - tax $8,400 Single making 30K - tax $4,500
Single making 50K - tax $14,000 Single making 50K - tax $12,500
Single making 75K - tax $23,250 Single making 75K – tax $18,750
Married making 60K - tax $16,800 Married making 60K – tax $9,000
Married making 75K - tax $21,000 Married making 75K - tax $18,750
So much for those "Tax Cuts" for the Rich eh? Just remember if You make more than $30k, Democrats think You are "Rich".
Education
Contrary to popular belief, George W. Bush wanted to be an 'education president'. One of his first major initiatives as a New president was to tackling our failing educational system. Mirror his plan after his successful program in Texas which required accountability for teachers and students. No Child Left Behind was crafted in collaboration with Ted Kennedy himself. Initially supported by Liberals, but was later decried as being ineffective and under funded, which is code for the Teacher's Union doesn't like it.
Even the Washington Post was forced to admit there were many "Myths" being circulated about No Child Left Behind including the one about it being "underfunded". As the Post points out with a 40% increase in Educational spending there are some other questions Critics should be asking...
Instead of demanding more money for No Child Left Behind, critics should ask why states and local communities get such dismal returns on the half-trillion dollars, or nearly $10,000 per student, that they already spend on primary and secondary education every year.
Some quick facts about No Child Left Behind from the Department of Education:
More progress was made by nine-year-olds in reading in the last five years than in the previous 28 years combined.
America's nine-year-olds posted the best scores in reading (since 1971) and math (since 1973) in the history of the report.
America's 13-year-olds earned the highest math scores the test ever recorded.
Reading and math scores for African American and Hispanic nine-year-olds reached an all-time high.
Achievement gaps in reading and math between white and African American nine-year-olds and between white and Hispanic nine-year-olds are at an all-time low.
Forty-three states and the District of Columbia either improved academically or held steady in all categories (fourth- and eighth-grade reading and fourth- and eighth-grade math).
That is George W. Bush's legacy on education. He took action and Achieved measurable results. Other than throwing money at the problem, What exactly was Clinton's Education Policy, again? In Clinton's 'memoir' "My Life" ...
I proposed a large package of education reforms, arguing that we should change the way we spend the more than $15 billion a year of education aid to ‘support what works and stop supporting what doesn’t work,’ by requiring states to end social promotion, turn around failing schools or shut them down.
Oh Really? Anyone else remember this "Accountability" in Clinton's policies? There certainly aren't any Programs to back it up. Trust me I googled and googled and googled. The end of "Social Promotion" came with Bush's "No Child Left Behind".
Ethics
Hysterical liberals have thrown out words like "Haliburton", "Enron" and "War Crimes" for the last eight years in attempt to cast doubt on the Character of George W. Bush. They've concocted conspiracy filled theories blaming Bush for everything from Global Warming to 9/11. Those people should probably just go ahead an move to Cuba, but they won't so I thought I'd take the time to remind people what the last Democratic President did to "restore diginity and respect" to the Office.
Just today, Chicago Ray compiled a fantastic review of the "Clinton Legacy", here's a few of my favorites..
Whitewater
Travelgate
Gennifer Flowersgate
Vince Fostergate
Donations from convicted Drug dealers and Weapons dealersgate
Wag-the-Doggate
Zippergate/Interngate
Chinese Commiegate
Pardongate
Read the Complete legacy here.
And in as much that we've heard all these crazy accusations against President Bush, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, Bill Clinton was actually Impeached. Trust me, in the current political climate, if Bush had really done anything wrong, no matter how small the offense, the Liberals would have forced an Impeachment hearing. The mere lack of a prosecution in this case, proves Bush is probably the most ethical President in our History.
Tomorrow I will conclude my reflection on George W. Bush's Presidency...
