President inherited much, lost much

TyJuan J. Cratic
president, SIU College Democrats

This is in response to „Democratic challengers are no match,‰ by Kevin Dawson, president of the SIU Law School Republicans.

Mr. Bush inherited an economy that was thriving, a Middle East that had moved closer to peace than it has in past years and a record surplus that could have been used for the good of the nation. With all that he inherited, Mr. Bush still managed to put instability into the White House with the mismanagement of the war on terror and not allowing other nations to share the burden of the war in Iraq. If Iraq was a threat to the world, then why was it the job of the United States to go to war alone with only one allied force?

Every other day we hear about suicide bombings in the Middle East and escalating violence that take the lives on children, mothers and fathers. I remember well the peace talks that President Clinton had at Camp David with the leaders of Palestine and Israel. They seemed to come closer to peace agreements each time they met, and the violence was settling until Mr. Bush refused to enter into peace talks.

Mr. Bush failed at diplomacy and rushed to war, a war he not only mislead and lied to American people about but that his own Secretary of Defense second guessed not only our strategy but results in this war. Now we‚re leaving our soliders over there with no plan of exit or attack.

Mr. Dawson, you tell me how that shows Mr. Bush‚s „unequivocal leadership.‰ Now he wants $87 billion when he has showed no improvement or clear plans for Iraq‚s future. Mr. Bush, give the American people the truth, not your lies.

The example that Mr. Dawson gave about the Illinois State Police was uncalled for and out of line. Never in my life had I heard of someone disgrace not only the Illinois State Police but the soldiers in our armed forces for an inane pointless comparison.

It is simple to go after a field of Democrats because of their difference beliefs and our diverse party. Not everyone conforms to a one-size-fits-all membership such as the Republican Party. It seems as if the empty attacks are starting now from the Republican Party before the democratic nominee has even been chosen.

Mr. Bush has given us too little reason to re-elect him. Under him, this country lost a record surplus that was given to the wealthiest Americans. The tax cuts did not stimulate the economy because he gave the money to the wrong class of people. Wealthy people don‚t need more money; it should have been given to working middle class families. The state of Illinois is in a fiscal crisis, and tuition is on the rise while Pell grants, work-study programs and federal loans are being cut and frozen. Americans can‚t afford health care for their families because he is holding to the special interest of the drug companies. A prime example: why can‚t we import cheaper medications from Canada? Americans are losing their jobs left and right, and what is Mr. Bush doing about it? Nothing. Mr. Bush has more to do with the economy than any person in this nation. Yet, he does nothing and Œhopes it will turn out for the best.‰

Americans have a wide variety to choose from in the Democratic primary. As a voter, I will make an informed choice in March for my candidate. I am glad to know that people are watching the Democratic debates, just as Mr. Dawson did for his quotes, and they are listening to what each candidate is saying.

All nine candidates are not running for president; only one will, and that one will be chosen soon. They will lead the fight against George W. Bush in November to reclaim and lead government back to helping and working for the middle class and poor, students, minorities, gays, lesbians and all men and women across this nation.

These views do not necessarily reflect those of the Daily Egyptian.

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