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Politics : PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Lizzie Tudor who wrote (440626)	8/9/2003 10:42:38 PM
From: Raymond Duray	Respond to of 769667

"Fabulosa Condoleezza" madkane.com Sing to the tune "Mona Lisa" by Jay Livingston & Ray Evans, using this midi link smickandsmodoo.com which opens a second window. (Thanks to reader Warren Woodruff for inspiring this song parody.) And a one, and a two.... Condoleezza, Condoleezza, Dub adores you. You're so fine at saying falsehoods with a smile. Is it cause you're female, Condi, that they've blamed you For your fabulosa fakery and guile? Do you smile to tempt the press men, Condoleezza? Or is this your way to hide your lying art? Dubya beams when you're brought to his doorstep, Cause you lie here While they die there. Misinformed? Let's get real, Condoleezza. You're just a cold mendacious gal without a heart. Condoleezza, Condoleezza, Bush won't blame you For deceit you may perpetuate with smiles. It's not only cause you're brainy that he named you. It's your fabulosa fakery and guile. How you smile to mask your motives, Condoleezza. Oh but what you say is rarely from the heart. Many dreams have been lost by your war schemes, While you lie here, As they die there. Misinformed? Let's get real, Condoleezza. You're just a cold mendacious gal who should depart.

To: Lizzie Tudor who wrote (440626)	8/9/2003 11:01:01 PM
From: laura_bush	Respond to of 769667

Job Losses from NAFTA; and a convenient, searchable "format:" citizen.org A Sampling of NAFTA Related Job Loss... NAFTA Trade Adjustment Assistance (NAFTA TAA) Search the NAFTA TAA Database Enter Company (or none) Enter City (or none) Enter State Abbreviation (or none) Enter 2-, 3-, or 4- digit SIC CODE (or none) More than 525,094 U.S. workers have been certified as of December 31, 2002 under one special NAFTA unemployment program, NAFTA Transitional Adjustment Assistance (NAFTA TAA). These workers represent only a fraction of the total U.S. jobs lost due to NAFTA. The NAFTA TAA program provides job training and income support to workers who meet very narrow criteria. Only workers who know about and choose to apply for the program are even considered, and only certain types of workers in certain types of companies can qualify. Also, only workers who produce a product (rather than a service) that was directly affected by NAFTA can qualify. The program's narrow criteria exclude a significant amount of NAFTA job loss. For example, workers at an auto assembly plant that relocated to Mexico would be good candidates for NAFTA TAA. But, the plants' parts manufacturers and suppliers, as well as stores and restaurants in the community, would not be eligible for the program. The entire service sector is exempt from the program. The program only includes workers who have petitioned the Labor Department. The NAFTA TAA program has certified 62% of the petitions it has received. Of course, many workers are not aware that the program exists since there is no mandatory posting of information about the program required for local unemployment offices. Also, many workers laid off under NAFTA may apply instead for generic Trade Adjustment Assistance which provides the same benefits with easier administrative requirements. Some unions advise members not to apply for NAFTA TAA for this reason. In a historic reversal, the U.S. has developed a trade deficit with Mexico since NAFTA. The $1.7 billion U.S. trade surplus with Mexico in 1993 has been transformed into an annual trade deficit of $25.0 billion in 2000. The U.S. trade deficit with Canada has increased from $10.8 to $44.9 billion over the same period. For a more thorough assessment of NAFTA job loss, please see the Economic Policy Institute's NAFTA AT SEVEN: ITS IMPACT ON WORKERS IN ALL THREE NATIONS. While NAFTA TAA represents only the tip of the iceberg of NAFTA job loss, it does provide a useful sampling of some of the U.S. workers laid off because of NAFTA. While this job loss is a matter of public record, NAFTA proponents can not provide documentation for more than a few thousand NAFTA job gains.

To: Lizzie Tudor who wrote (440626)	8/9/2003 11:56:51 PM
From: Peter O'Brien	Respond to of 769667

I don't think tariffs would work. They would ultimately depress world trade and create even more job losses (like in the Great Depression). Ultimately, the U.S. just has to be competitive with the rest of the world. If we are not, then we will simply continue to lose jobs in the areas where we are not competitive. Unions are not a long-term solution either. In my opinion, the U.S. will not be competitive until we have a much simpler and fairer tax code. I believe that means a flat tax of at most 20%. You saw my other post about Russia and the eastern European countries adopting a 13% flat tax. China is also looking into a flat tax. These countries will be formidable economic competitors if the U.S. does not get its act together soon. And, with our public education system also in shambles, we are at serious risk.

To: Lizzie Tudor who wrote (440626)	8/10/2003 1:42:01 AM
From: denizen48	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 769667

Until we reform our political system to where our politicians are not for sale to the highest bidder, our country will be sold down the WTO-river by every money-hungry marketer in our hallowed halls. Lizzie, you're still under the illusion that the problem is just wrong policy. No, they're doing everything right, just according to plan. God knows what mantra Harvard/Yale/MIT business schools have been teaching. We've reaped the consequences. It's time we use our common sense, each of us. We can't live without jobs. And we can't pay our bills with IOU's, like Mr.Bush. Open your eyes everybody.

To: Lizzie Tudor who wrote (440626)	8/10/2003 10:28:02 AM
From: Johannes Pilch	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 769667

Well Liz, I think your position here for once is pretty much on target, except for the very nasty suggestion that America use tariffs as a potential tool. Very nasty. No country will stand idle while something like this takes shape. The fact is, it is just too late. The die is cast and no force on earth can stop the horror that is surely on its way. Blaming Bush is ridiculous because the problem clearly existed long before he was even considered a presidential contender. Bush is not at fault for anything. He merely flows in accord with the physics of history.