The State of the Nation

Let's skip the name-calling and emotional tirades in our discussion of the presidential election. Let's give each candidate the benefit of the doubt and assume that each is intelligent, informed, and acting in good faith. Let's look at the events of the last four years, the facts as we know them, and the current state of the nation.

The Bush Administration presided over the single most lethal attack on American citizens ever sustained, the result of a catastrophic intelligence failure. We can not blame the administration for the attack; the failing intelligence system and lack of preparedness were largely the product of previous regimes. Nonetheless it happened on the Bush watch, and he had to accept responsibility, which he did. President Bush performed admirably in rallying the country at this time of great crisis and in the months following.

The invasion of Afghanistan was necessary and well executed by our military, destroying the terrorist operations base, routing the Taliban, and expelling the Al Qaeda leadership. However the follow-up was short-changed by the diversion of resources to Iraq. There remains a massive reconstruction effort, and the fledgling Afghan regime needs a lot of help transitioning to a stable and effective government. The perpetrator of the September 11 attack has yet to be apprehended.

The invasion of Iraq was ill-conceived and we are now awash in the mess we created, a result of poor planning and bad decisions. The American people were misled into believing that the invasion was necessary and of a very urgent nature. Monetary, military, and intelligence resources have been poured into Iraq, weakening our effort to dismantle terrorist networks worldwide. Our military is now stretched to its limits, leaving us more vulnerable to other threats. A battle may have been won but the war has been prolonged. In fact we are sowing the seeds for more terrorism in generations to come.

Does anyone really believe that we are only spending $200 billion for the Iraq war? The effort will consume that many times over before long. Can anyone really justify the loss of life in support of this unnecessary war? If the war is just and truly necessary for national defense then what are we citizens prepared to sacrifice?

Through arrogant diplomacy and unilateral action we have alienated much of the world, whose cooperation we desperately need in the fight against terrorism. We are now back in the business of nation building, and trying to police the world. These policies have never worked in the past, and are extremely costly.

We are more secure at home because of the increased security measures, in particular with respect to our transportation system. However we are now saddled with yet another gigantic beaurocracy, the Homeland Security Department. Where is smaller government?

The Bush Administration inherited a $230 billion budget surplus, by far the largest in American History. In 2004, the United States has its largest budget deficit ever, approaching $500 billion. The solution: more tax cuts. Where is fiscal responsibility?

Has the economy turned the corner? ... Where are the Jobs? … What about the health care crisis? ...What about the environment?…What about education?...What happened to the stock market?... Is the price of gas coming down? Are we making progress in these areas? Is there a plan to address these problems (other than more tax cuts)? Take a good look.

How did we get here?
Step by step, as a result of calculated decisions and subsequent actions of the Bush Administration.

Is there any reason to believe that what is not working will suddenly start working?

Is it time for a change? You decide, and then vote.