Political Clips

In 1980, Ronald Reagan asked the quintessential question that should be asked by all voters in an election year, "Are you better off than you were 4 years ago?"

Recently, a Pew Research poll said that for the first time in almost 50 years a majority of Americans feel like they are stuck or falling behind. Their poll showed that the last 9 years was the longest downturn ever for the middle class standard of living.

This election is not about guns, god, gay marriage, lapel pins, perceived patriotism, or any other wedge issue. This election is about real issues. Things that actually matter. This election is about the economy, inflation, gas prices, food prices, the housing crisis, the budget deficit, the never-ending war, the falling value of the dollar, and world opinion.

I was a Republican and I still believe in a lot of their principles. However, I just can not vote for a party that has done so much damage in such a short amount of time. Maybe the next generation of Republicans can take back the party but until then I won't vote for them.

Here is a recap of the issues that matter and where we stand now after 7 years of Republican Rule.

Gas Prices
Oil hit a new high of $120 a barrel and gasoline hit an all-time high of $3.51 a gallon.
Sources: ABC News

Food Prices
Food prices climbing at a rate of 5% - a rise not seen in 20 years. Some food staples like milk, eggs, and bread have risen by double digits. A CNN poll finds nearly 1 in 3 people already cutting back on food. ABC News reports hunger, once again, is rising in America.
Sources: ABC News, CNN

Inflation
Inflation was 1.55% 10 years ago. Today inflation is 4.10%. Actually, inflation is much higher but they no longer include rises in food and energy costs when calculating inflation. I'm not sure why...I still have to pay those bills. As noted above, inflation for some food staples has risen by double digits over the past year.
Sources: ABC News, InflationData.com

Housing Crisis
Prices have already fallen 15% across the country and there are predictions that they could fall more than 30%. That is more than home prices fell during the Great Depression.
Source: ABC News

The Falling Dollar
The Euro climbed to a new record high of $1.60 while the dollar fell to a new low. Lowering interest rates causes the dollar to fall in value. Because oil is traded in dollars when the dollar falls oil prices go up.
Sources: ABC News

Never-Ending War
The cost of a war that the first President Bush was smart enough to avoid is now well over $500 billion. After factoring in long-term health care for wounded US veterans, rebuilding a worn-down military, and accounting for other unforeseen bills and economic losses the tab tops $2 trillion. Plus, there is no end in sight. We freed Iraq of their dictator. The war is over. It is up to them now. We need to leave.
Sources: The Boston Globe

The Economy
Today 90% of voters in Pennsylvania said the country was in a recession. Also today, President Bush, who is oblivious to reality, said the country was not in a recession. The economy is collapsing after being propped up on the stilts of endless interest rate cuts that have only caused inflated gas prices and a worthless dollar.
Sources: Reuters, ABC News

The Budget Deficit
When President Bush took office in 2000 he was given a $236 billion budget surplus. In 2008, the budget deficit is projected to be $410 billion. I remember when Republicans stood for balanced budgets and small government. You may want to blame this entirely on President Bush because 'he's not a true conservative' but the Republicans in Congress passed the budgets he signed.
Sources: CNN

World Opinion
Russia is now seen as a more positive influence on the world than America. Only 35% of the world population still believes America is a positive influence. I still find this unbelievable. Growing up I always felt America wore the white hat and Russia the black hat. Now, we do the things that made Russia the evil empire -- renditions, torture, spying on our own people. It's depressing to think about.
Source: BBC News

If this was the State of the Union at the end of Bill Clinton's Administration then Rush Limbaugh, Bill O'Reilly, and the rest of the GOP would be up in arms and I would be with them. But it is not. It is the State of the Union after 7 years of Republican rule and that is why I now stand with the Democrats.