1: No, but I would have to be a pretty liberal democrat to blame my disabilities on Prs. Bush.
2: Yes, because of the $400 check we received, we were able to pay off a couple of credit cards, which lowered our monthly expenses. That, in turn saved us from the minimum monthly payments that our new budget forced us to pay (along with the interest accrued). So far that $400 has saved us over $1000. With that money freed, we were able to add to our car payment, so now that is paid off also. Because that is paid off, we do not need to apply for food stamps. Which, in turn reduces the burdon on the system itself.
3: Yes, recent reports show that Bin Laden's ability to inflict terror is so reduced that he felt the need to enlist the help of Zarqawi in Iraq. Terrorist groups have moved to Iraq to fight against freedom for Iraqis by killing them and our troops. This, instead of coming to the U.S. to kill us. While I don't think that ensures safety from terrorism, I see that they are signs that the Bush plan is significantly reducing the threat.
4: This question is a joke. Leadership is not about taking polls and popularity contests. It is about seeing a problem, deciding what can and can't be done about it, making a plan based on what was decided, and implementing that plan. So far, that is what Prs. Bush has done. Asking who likes us sounds a whole lot like saying, "But dad, little Johnny said that if I didn't do it his way I woudn't be able to be in the club!".
5: Every economic indicator has returned to what is considered "normal" ranges. The only indicators that haven't are the, "how can we second guess the numbers to make Bush look bad" scale.
6: Healthcare and prescription drugs are goods and services traded on the open market. Unless you are advocating socialized medicine, this has nothing to do with Prs. Bush. If you are insisting the office of the president take on the responsibility of healthcare in this country, are you equally willing to grant that office all the authority necessary to take on that responsibility?
7: No. The prevailing military doctrine put too much of our war fighting assets into the reserves and national guard. This was done at the expense of our homeland security. This doctrine predates Prs. Bush, but I'm sure a little thing like FACTS won't get in the way of your rhetoric. The truth is, the #1 thing that needs to be done for homeland security is for the people of America to start paying more attention to what is going on around us, and report what they see that isn't "normal". In fact, in all my security training, the first and most important thing we were taught was, "look for what isn't normal". Of course, any politician (including Prs. Bush) who gets up and says that nothing the government does is as important as an attentive population, and people should start reporting what they witness, they would be thrown to the PC and Conspiracy dogs.
8: But Col Gene, the best thing we can do about Social Security is continue the status quo... right? Therefore, unless you're admitting that Social Security is in trouble, the question is meaningless. If you are willing to accept that, then the best way to secure Social Security would have been for the folks in Congress to leave it alone. Of course, they didn't, so now it's headed for failure. Since Prs. Bush's plan is the only one on the table, I guess we should back this one. Now if any of the naysayers are willing to actually do something other than play Monty Python's Argument Clinic diplomacy games; saying, "No it isn't", to any claims that Social Security is in trouble, we might have something to talk about. Otherwise, we don't.
9: Same as 8.
10: The job figures are back up to what is considered "normal" ranges.... so, yes, the people who create jobs have been doing so.
11: No we're not, and Prs. Bush AND Congress need to work this problem. Of course, in a free society our borders are never going to be all that secure, but more can be done.
12: Yes and No. The National debt will never be paid off, because there is no part of the economy, budget or infrastructure under the Federal Reserve system to pay it off. In other words, every program, department and pork project has higher priority than the debt. Unless you are willing to see us destroy the rest of our economy, in order to pay the national debt, it's going to be with us forever.
13: Yes, and some of that lies with the government, but most of it lies with "We, the People". We are going into some major changes in our society. Name one major societal change in our history that didn't include equally major divisions. You can blame the president if you want, but again, are you willing to give the office of the president enough authority to take on the responsibility of making you and I agree on things?
14: That depends on which "experts" you listen too. Unfortunately science has become so politicized and undemonstrable, that niether side is worth listening to anymore.
15: No, but what laws are you willing to see enacted so that our society sells as much as we (the people) buy? Are you willing to handle the increases in inflation that would go along with those changes? If you are willing to see laws passed, restricting the freedom to choose for others, would you be just as willing to see restrictions placed on your own freedom to choose?
Well, there are my answers. Pretty good topics, it will be interesting to see how this one plays itself out.
