Cheap shots at Republicans

I saw a Bush-Cheney bumper sticker while I was at the Kelley School of Business yesterday and I wanted to puke. Under this administration, record surpluses have turned into record deficits, Social Security hasn't been talked about since 2000, Iraq is in ferment, gas prices are climbing and will continue to according to OPEC's recent statements and U.S. credibility abroad is about as low as when the U.S.S.R. invaded Afghanistan during the Carter administration. Dubya's got a record even my good friend and IU College Republican Chairman Angel Rivera would have trouble logically defending. Things are not looking good, so why are half the people in this country so blind as to think George Dubya will change? How could anyone honestly say they are better off than they were four years ago? Have they looked at the Dow Jones, the unemployment rate, job growth or tuition prices? How could anyone say America is more respected in the world and that we are making reasonable foreign policy measures? In John Kerry, America has a viable alternative to Dubya and has shown the country with three unquestionable debate victories that he has the ability, verve and intricate knowledge of domestic and international policies to not only be a good president but an extraordinary one. \nJohn Kerry has worked across the partisan aisle to restore relations with Vietnam, led the investigations in the international financial systems misuse of drug and terror money and has shown in three debates that he has the knowledge and understanding of government to be an effective president. Bush's sputtering petulant rebuttals were nebulous, scripted and seemed like a seventh-grader giving a presentation after cramming the night before. \nI'm actually at a loss when trying to think of something positive that has come as a result of his administration. "No Child Left Behind," although noble in its intentions of raising standards, has lifted the bar but not been fully funded. So basically we are asking inner-city schools to stop shuffling kids through school but giving them no funds and only the disincentive of losing funds to effect change. The war in Iraq was catalyzed by lies and chicanery and was declared accomplished before any objectives had been achieved other than removing Saddam. Colin Powell's tragic tenure in the Dubya's administration has shown that this administration won't listen to moderation and bases foreign policy on ideology and personal zealotry. \nThis election will be a message to the world about Dubya's policies. If we re-elect him we will be saying: Yes, we support this man and his policies. Who today would say there was a link between 9-11 and Iraq or that if we could do a preemptive strike once more, we would? If we \nDubya we will sow a wind of disapproval. We will reap a whirlwind in years to come - gas prices, our environment, international approval, further terrorist attacks and more fiscal irresponsibility. \nSince I mentioned it, are we safer from terrorism? Let us not forget that Bush was in charge when we were attacked and it was he, Richard Clarke said, who refused to take the proper measures to keep us safe. Condoleezza Rice said that there was "no silver bullet" that could have prevented 9-11. Well, I have a cartridge that was never tried: Read the anti-terrorism report and do what the hell it says! \nJohn Kerry has proven to be one of the most outspoken advocates for the middle class and he has promised that he won't rollback Bush's tax cuts, except for those earning more than $200,000. With John Kerry I believe I can truly start believing in my government again. On inauguration day, Dubya will no doubt look into the camera and dutifully accept his defeat by admitting that his downfall was precipitated by "misunderestimating" the senator from Massachusetts.