[Slingin Sammy 33]

Originally Posted by GhettoDogAllStars

I wouldn't say the threat of terrorist strikes is one of our biggest problems. However, it is made to look like our biggest problem, so that the powers can control the people through fear.

Terrorist strikes are and will continue to be a major threat for the forseeable future as long as fundamental Islamists are teaching that the U.S. is the "great Satan" and openly declare jihad against us. I guess 9/11, the first WTC attack, the USS Cole, Khobar (sp.) Towers, numerous attacks against U.S. embassies are just "made to look like problems". Let's not forget the subway attacks in England or the train attacks in Spain, all very real. When we take the view that these attacks are not a threat and ignore the problem it only grows worse.

1.) Foreign Oil
-- The price of oil has risen more dramatically during Bush's term than at any other time in history. Demand is through the roof. I would guess a lot of the demand for oil is coming from our government and their operations in Iraq. The Bush administration lied about Iraq. That one's on them -- not the American public. While Bush isn't responsible for all of the increased demand, he's certainly responsible for a large part of it, and he's not doing anything to help the situation. He's only made it worse.

Bush got bad intel due to our Human Intelligence network being dismantled by the Clinton Admin (not to say he still wouldn't have made poor decisions with better intel) and made some strategically poor decisions in the execution of the Iraq War. However if he lied, so did a majority of the Congress and several leading Democrats.

This rise is similar to the spike during the Carter Administration. Many factors go into the oil price, the actual use of oil by the U.S. military is not even on the radar as a major factor. The major factors spiking the oil price are increased demand from China, India and other developing countries (I believe U.S. demand has gone down slightly or remained constant over the last year or so) and unrest/instability to the oil supply, Iran/Israel potential war, Venezula - Chavez, political instability in Nigeria. The U.S. involvement in Iraq has been a constant since 2003.

Our problem with the dependency on foreign oil is still the same, spike or not in oil prices. Congress hasn't approved (Repub or Dem controlled) drilling in key areas where we know there are vast reserves, new refineries, new nuclear power plants, greater research into new power sources other than combustible engines. This should've been addressed aggressively after the spike in oil prices and the Mid-East turmoil in the Carter years and hasn't been.

Decreasing dependence on foreign oil will also greatly reduce the U.S. dollars from funding many governments hostile to the U.S.

2.) Government Overspending
-- From the article:
"House Budget Committee Chairman John Spratt, D-S.C., said the new deficit figure confirms 'the dismal legacy of the Bush administration: under its policies, the largest surpluses in history have been converted into the largest deficits in history.'"

This administration spent $482 Billion (with a 'B') over the budget -- in one year! Never has this country overspent so much -- never. The previous record of $413 Billion was also set by Bush, in 2004.

It's hard to imagine how anyone could excuse Bush for that.

Nothing like using a quote from a Democrat to state a case against Bush....Pretty hypocritical of the Chariman of the House Budget Committee to blast Bush for the budget deficits. His committee forwards the final House version of the approved budget to the House floor for a vote. The CONGRESS must pass the budget, they have the ultimate control on the Gov't purse-strings. For him to blast Bush on this is ridiculous, it's like two guys robbing a bank, getting caught, and the gunman who went into the bank puts all the blame on the getaway driver. They are both very responsible.

3.) Social Programs
-- I wouldn't just say social programs are one of our biggest problems. It's too general. Social programs can be great, and it's a shame that most of America's social programs are worthless. This is definitely not Bush's fault, but this problem pales in comparison to the previous two.

Social Security, Medicare & Medicaid are the biggest expenditures of the Federal government each year (close to 50%). By no means are these problems that pale in comparison to the other two. The solutions will take some work, but we've got to take action now and not push this off on future generations.

I agree that the public is ultimately responsible. However, our government doesn't work the way it is supposed to, and what we are left with is what I like to call a "Virtual Monarchy". The people who make most of the important executive decisions -- the Presidential Cabinet -- are appointed, not elected. In addition, for any citizen to truly do their duty as a participant in the democracy, they would have to spend all of their time doing it. There is far too much going on in government every day.

But the President that appoints the cabinet is elected, and the Congress and Judicial systems do have significant oversight of the Executive branch.