I think you put the Iraq issue in great perspective Kat.
My politics fall somewhere in the liberal Republican/ conservative Democrat
range.  For anyone who want real faces to go with that fiscal
irresponsibility of the present administration come spend a day with me.
Social Security isn't just for old people. Many of my families get some SSI
benefits (usually less the $100 a month) just so that they can qualify for
other benefits you know those frivolous ones like health care for your
child, respite care for your family and goodness forbid behavior therapy for
your child with difficulties.  I've got working families who 's children are
being kicked off the roles of SSI and Medicaid because they make too much.
Families that are seriously thinking of getting divorces and parents who
never get married so that their children might have a chance of recieving
some type of services.
I go to bed at night feeling very overwhelmed with the need out there.


Beth T. the OT

-----Original Message-----
Subject: Re: WMD'S DOES IT MATTER


Well, not finding evidence of WMD does matter in the scheme of things as it
undermines Bush's and Blair's credibility, and rather negates the
justification for war against Iraq.

As for life now vs. life under Saddam, that may be true as far as we're
concerned, but if they don't think life is any better under us than under
Saddam, things will never settle down and there will still be a lot of
problems with Iraq.  It's not going to be a easy peace, that's for sure.
Perceptions are just as important as reality when dealing with people, and
we Americans have reputations of being bullies.  We are the invaders that
are not welcome in a Islamic nation.

I agree Saddam was (or is, if he's alive) evil, and I think once we were
over there, it was a waste of energy and time to protest, but now that it's
over, we need to let Bush and Blair know our displeasure by voting them out
of office.   I certainly plan to campaign against Bush.

My main reasons for not supporting Bush are more economic than anything
else, and I think the tax cuts he pushed through Congress is a big mistake.
People aren't spending money not because taxes are too much; they're not
spending money because they've lost confidence in the economy and the
President's ability to make things better.  That is one reason I was so
against us going to Iraq - it took billions of dollars from the US, away
from social welfare programs where they are badly needed as well as
educational programs.  Schools are hurting so badly that according to an
article I read earlier this week, parents are donating blood for money to
raise funds for schools.  Is this what this country has come to?  Guns
before butter?

I am fiscally conservative and I think there are a lot of people on welfare
who don't belong there. However I am realistic enough to realise there are
people who never will work because they can't.  What will happen to them
when the safety nets fail?  I worry about them.

If we can't fix the mess the Social Security program is in and help the
elderly better, we're going to lose a lot of them, too.  I know they're
better off now as a rule, but now that the stock market has lowered the
values of portfolios, there are a lot of folks out there whose 401ks, IRAs,
etc. have shrunk tremendously and are close to retirement age.  What will
happen to them?

Sure, lower taxes are nice for the very rich, but for most of us, it's a
mistake in my opinion. I feel Bush is really out of touch with Americans.

Kat