Bush on the issues at news conference

IRAQ:
President Bush urged Iraqis to defy terrorists and vote in Sunday's election. He asked the American people to be patient and committed to the long-term objective of bringing freedom to Iraq, despite the continuing violence and climbing death toll of U.S. troops. "We're making progress in helping Iraq develop a democracy," he said, and called the upcoming election itself a sign of success. "In terms of troop levels," he said, "obviously we're going to have the troop levels necessary to complete the mission" of enabling Iraq to defend itself from terrorists.

INAUGURATION SPEECH:
Bush said the emphasis in his inaugural address on spreading freedom around the world was not a policy shift in his administration. "It reflects the policy of the past, but it sets a bold new goal for the future," Bush said. He added that he would continue to press for Democratic reforms even in nations that are allied with the United States, such as Russia and China.

MEDIA RELATIONSHIPS:
Bush said the Education Department made a mistake by paying conservative commentator Armstrong Williams to promote the administration's No Child Left Behind law. He also blamed Williams for showing poor judgment and said new leadership in the department would not repeat that practice. "There needs to be a nice, independent relationship between the White House and the press," Bush said, adding that the White House didn't know about the agreement.

SOCIAL SECURITY REFORM:
Bush said he will continue to push Congress to adopt his proposal to reform Social Security. He acknowledged it's a sensitive issue and politicians often fear tampering with it could lead to "political death." Bush has called for legislation to extend the financial stability of Social Security, . . .

The cost of tax cuts to Americans in the top 1% is estimated at $3.4 Trillion over the next 75 years. The cost of Social Security over the next 75 years (by the very highest estimates) is $3.7 Trillion.

The President tells us we should give permanent tax cuts to the top 1% of Americans making millions of dollars a year, while reducing benefits to millions of America's elderly and poor.

The Administration is trying to convince us that poor millionaires in this country need the money more than our seniors. Millionaires and corporations are suffering and the elderly and poor are dragging our economy down. They see the poor, elderly and middle-class as the enemy and entitlements as giveaways to people who are too lazy to plan for their own future.

Shouldn't the measure of a society be how they provide for those least able to care for themselves? Since when did Americans get so greedy and mean? Why are we buying into welfare for mega-corporations and multi-millionaires but cuts in Social Security and Medicare?

Today, the poor are sending their children to fight and die, multi-millionaires and multi-billionaires are reaping the rewards from no-bid contracts, war profiteering and tax cuts. Millions of our tax dollars have simply disappeared in Iraq and our troops are still using plating out of wrecking yards to arm their vehicles. The American middle-class is being told that they should pay for it all, by allowing the government to rob a fund that we have paid into for our entire working lives.

The Administration is claiming that we need tax cuts for millionaires and billionaires because they create the jobs and put the money back into the economy? Where’s the proof of that? Aren’t corporations continuing to cut jobs and outsource them to other countries? How does that help the American worker?

Where is the honor among millionaires? Where is the honor among corporate billionaires? Why do they feel that they are entitled to reap the rewards of living in this great country without having to share in the hard times?

How can this Administration claim moral leadership when they consistently place the desires of billionaires above the needs of the American people? Even their supposed "Prescription Drug Benefit" benefits mega pharmaceutical companies more than seniors and adds $8.7 Trillion over 75 years to the deficit. Again, a corporate giveaway they want the middle-class to pay for.

Ask yourself, why should we pay for tax cuts for millionaires and billionaires? Why should we pay for the cost of the war when corporations are reaping huge profits on no-bid contracts? Which oil companies will reap the profits from the Iraq oil fields? Where did that money go in Iraq and why aren’t our troops properly armed. Who’s getting rich off this war and who’s going to pay? Who’s going to pay for the runaway spending by this Administration? Why are we standing by while they drive the country into bankruptcy?

Is the President a compassionate conservative. From what I can see, he’s neither compassionate or conservative and he is definitely not a real Republican!

Shouldn't the measure of a society be how they provide for those least able to care for themselves?

The American govt. is not responsible for the care and feeding of all its citizens. The family is the group that is most directly responsible. That being said, there are some folks who truly need assistance. They can get basic assistance from many different agencies in this govt. Others are just welching off the system, and need to be set straight.

The President has been pushing his Faith Based initiatives because he's seen the evidence that these groups have the most success in not only taking care of people, but in moving them out of poverty. Welfare programs are not meant to sustain generation after generation of families, but that's what is expected by some nowadays.

This country is very diverse in that there are some people with LOTS of ambition, some with none, and most in the great middle. Everyone has access to an education; some better than others, but the basics are there. It's what people do with the opportunities they are given that shows their measure.

You can tax the rich until the Day of Judgement, but that won't help one single family rise out of poverty if they don't want to take the time or trouble to do so.

As for Senior citizens, the individuals that largely make up that group right now have a larger disposable income than ever before. Many could buy their own prescription drugs, but don't want to spend the money on that particular purchase. For those who truly cannot afford meds, I'm happy that some of my tax money will be helping them, but there is absolutely no need for my taxes to subsidize the prescriptions of some rich elderly geezer and his wife simply because they happen to have survived past the age of 65.

I agree with much of what you say but the answer is not to continue to give tax cuts to people earning over a million dollars a year while we're at war. It's the middle class that is going to pay for this war and the rich, who have had incredible opportunity in this great country, should be willing to do their share. They are not patriots.

Simple solutions like raising the income cap for social security would fix the problem. After what happened with Worldcom and Enron, etc. it distrubs me that Wall Street is literally salivating to get their hands on that money. I don't think that there are safequards in place to protect those dollars.

Worse yet, what about the debt? Why is everyone ignoring the national debt? Who do you think is going to pay for it? With the current tax evasion laws in place and corporations moving off-shore in order to avoid paying any taxes, it's the middle class that will pay. The President's proposal adds 2 TRILLION dollars to that debt.

I am not opposed to tax cuts for the middle class or for small businesses, I am opposed to corporate welfare for giant coporations who have all of the opportunities afforded by this country, but don't want to pay their share.

The oil companies have all reported record profits!! Guess who paid for that? When are we going to wake up and figure out that the middle class is being slimed!

When are we going to admit that millioniares are still going to Washington with their hands out while our troops go without proper armour?

My point exactly. So why are millionaires screaming for more tax cuts when we are at war, when our troops are not protected? Why do they think they should get to keep more of their money when many pay little or no tax to begin with? Why are we giving no-bid contracts to corporations who have moved off shore (in reality they only have a Post Office box off shore and continue to conduct their business here) in order to avoid paying their share? Why are we allowing Haliburton to overcharge our government in one scandal after another when our troops are not being provided for? What kind of patriots are these people? Why do they think it's up to the middle class to pay while they skip away tax free?

The national debt is growing at an alarming rate. The World Bank is now warning that the U.S. may need to bring down our debt before they will consider us credit worthy.

This is a real problem and now on top of it, the President is proposing adding 2 Trillion dollars onto that debt.

It's great to want to overhaul social security, it's great to want to spread freedom throughout the world. There's a time and a place for everything and until this war is over and paid for, we cannot afford this overhaul, we cannot afford tax cuts.

I am very upset with these tax and spend neo-cons who are bankrupting this country.

When are we going to admit that millioniares are still going to Washington with their hands out while our troops go without proper armour?

Our troops have armor, or are getting it as we speak. It has taken a couple of years to build the military back up, and then equip the men for war. It might be that there are soldiers who are not 'front line' who do not yet have body armor, but that just reflects the fact that the army hasn't moved into the 'every soldier is a combat soldier' mode required by this war.

As far as the rich not getting a tax cut, why shouldn't they get their own money back? They've been paying the lion's share of the taxes. Besides, in order to reduce the deficit, the economy needs to grow. In order for that to happen, there have to be people willing to take risks and either start new businesses or expand the existing ones. Who is going to do that and from where will the money come? That's right, those nasty rich folks. With the money that they don't have to send to the government in taxes, they can help create another couple of jobs which will provide greater revenue for the government.

People seem to have forgotten the double whammy that this Administration suffered in 2001. First was the recession that was inherited from the Clinton administration. George W. Bush was warning about it during the summer while he was running against Algore. Then as things had leveled off, along came 9/11 which was another HUGE blow to the economy. We're just now turning around from that.

Are you serious? The richest people in this country have been very blessed. They should be willing to do their share. I'm tired of their complaints about how hard they've got it, how unfair it all is. I'm sick of them whining to Washington and lining up at the gates with their hands out. Do you realize that some multi-billion dollar corporations doing business here pay absolutely no income tax? What kind of patriots are these? Why do they think they should get tax cuts when we're fighting a war? when our budget deficit is so high the World Bank no longer wants to certify us?

As for them putting the money back into the economy, where's your evidence. The rate of companies outsourcing has not slowed in the least, in fact it is continuing to grow and our government is continuing to give huge contracts to companies that are outsourcing our jobs. Not only that, we are outsourcing many many of the functions that used to be performed by our people in the government to other countries like India. The oil companies make record profits this year. How much did they pay in taxes. How much are we still paying for oil. The Iraqi's are pumping 2.5 million barrels of oil a day. At $48 a barrel, why are we footing the whole bill? Where's the money going?

So our troops have body armour? I just read an account by a soldier on one of the Veteran's forums about having to take apart old tanks in order to put armour on the sides of humvees. That was this week. Haliburton has literally ripped off millions of dollars in Iraq but, our soldiers still don't have properly armoured vehicles. It is an outrage!

Excuse me but, this president inherited a huge budget surplus. He's still trying to claim that the problem was the recession that he inherited when in fact, there was never any attemp what-so-ever to control spending. The amount of pork that makes it's way into spending bills is absolutely outrageous but, they get signed anyway. When does it stop? When do the American people say enough is enough and throw the whole bunch of them out on their ears?

Funny how anyone who doesn't like the porkbarrel spending going on is a commy! I am a small business owner who owns my own home and rental properties as well. I pay my taxes and at this point, I do so willingly. I think it is unAmerican to try to avoid taxes during a time of war. I am very upset with all the people who are doing so well lining up at the trough for more.

Let's get real, let's get rid of the deficit and get this war won BEFORE we start doling out more money. I realize many people would rather hide their heads in the sand and just hope things will get better but, the reality is, it's gonna take a lot more than tax cuts to dig us out of this whole.

Do any of you who are accusing me of being a communist actually believe the GW is going to be willing to cut the waste out of this government, at the risk of offending his base?

Unfortunately, with the continued increase in outsourcing, and the continued increase of offshoring, these patriots are not putting the money back into the U.S.

Someone tell me how this is good for America. Give me some EVIDENCE that this helps our country (without the name calling please).

When do the American people say enough is enough and throw the whole bunch of them out on their ears?

The American people heard all the tripe you're spewing, weighed it, and decided last November that it, in fact, WAS tripe and re-elected the President with the largest majority vote in YEARS!

Your arguments are not anything new; I've heard them for over 30 years, all during which time this country's economy has grown steadily, even with cycles of downturns every few years. Right now the mantra is 'outsourcing'. In the 80's, we were going to get taken to the woodshed by Japan; didn't happen. Folks don't seem to have much perspective these days, and what's happening NOW is all that seems to matter. Very shortsighted, and NO way to make policy.

As for Halliburton; it has become the favorite whipping boy of the left simply because Dick Cheney used to be the head of it. Did you know that the way the company is doing business is the SAME WAY it did business back in the 90's during our involvement in Yugoslavia? They even received no-bid contracts at that time, but I don't seem to remember any bitching about it then. But then, a Democrat was President, and the media supported him completely. Halliburton is an oil services company that also provides many other services for the military that NO OTHER companies can provide. They are getting paid extra because they are paying their employees a premium for taking jobs in combat areas. Do you think only the military deserves 'combat pay'?

So outsourcing is good for America? Don't think so!

Haliburton is overcharging in Iraq and it's our tax dollars paying for it. I realize that they are a target because Cheney used to head it but does that make it right? I'd like to see all of the companies over there that are ripping off the taxpayers exposed. My point is that we're being scammed and no one is doing anything to stop it. Seems the only ones screaming about it are Libertarians!

As for combat pay, again, that money is coming out of our tax dollars. Nice work if you can get it. I know there have always been war profiteers but, once you know it's going on, what are you going to do about it? Should we condone this amazing rip-off of our tax dollars simply because it's always gone on? Are we going to continue the practices of the Clinton era or are we going to get real and do something about it?

I'm not a Libertarian but, I sure can identify with some of their positions, especially when it comes to private companies feeding at the public trough.

So outsourcing is good for America? Don't think so!

Pay attention!! Many companies thought outsourcing was a good idea. They are learning that, in some instances, they were wrong. Their customers didn't like having to talk to someone they could barely understand when they had a problem with a product or service. The companies have also found that some folks in the world don't work quite as hard as Americans do.

What's not mentioned in the uproar over 'outsourcing', which has taken it's place in the corporate bashing pantheon along with 'junk bonds' and 'mergers and acquisitions', is that America is the recipient of the outsourcing done by some large firms including Honda, and Toyota. Those companies are building plants in this country, and are paying good wages in areas that really need the wages, such as Alabama and Tennessee.

Yes, the money being paid to Halliburton is coming out of our tax dollars. Who else is going to pay for the war? I don't consider it profiteering because these folks are taking huge risks to provide these services. How many people associated with Halliburton and other so called 'profiteers' have died in this war? Remember the picture of the charred bodies hanging from the bridge? I don't think most Americans ever realized that those folks were working for one of those companies that you think was 'profiting' from the war. I don't think their employment justified their treatment, do you?

When I get someone from India on the other end of the line, I hang up and call the company to let them know I don't want them "sharing" my personal information with other countries. I think it's very dangerous for us to be placing our private information and government information in the hands of foreign companies and governments.

Hooray for Honda and Toyota but, the fact is, there are more jobs going out than coming in. Many of those are U.S. and State government jobs. Don't these people realize that those low cost good are only valuable if there are people here with good jobs to buy them?

How many more stories do we have to hear about paying $20+ for a towel with the KBR logo on it when the same towel without the logo is $2+ and the contract was for thousands of towels that went to a friend of a friend of someone at KBR and was no bid, before we get truly outraged?

Yes, I feel horror and outrage about the capture and torture of private contractors. But, I don't feel any more horror than when I see our troops maimed by roadside bombs. Our troops are volunteer and know what they are getting into. The contractors are also volunteer and know what they are getting into. Does that mean that they should be paid outrageous salaries for that work. Why aren't we hiring Iraqi's who will work for much less and put that money back into the economy?

I had hoped things would get better but, as far as I can tell, pork barrel spending, is pork barrel spendng is pork barrel spending, no matter who's doing it. The result is the same. A runaway budget deficit that is damaging our nation.

Nice talking to you. Sorry if I offended. Won't post any more of these opinions.

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