Bush buckles to backlash

Bush buckles to backlash. Finally, but it's far from over. For someone who is not able to seek re-election, this is probably a most fitting 'exit' to one of the most crippling presidencies since Nixon. Hundreds of our troops are being killed in a 'war' that went from 'response to an intentional declaration of war upon and against our nation' (with the attacks of the World Trade Centers in NYC), to a modern day 'crusade/jihad'. Many veterans of the Viet Nam war are looking at this Iraqi action as a modern day mirror imaging of Viet Nam itself. Gee, I can't imagine why.

Our Social Security system has been put through the ringer. The cost of living has gone through the roof. Gas prices are well over $3.oo a gallon now, in California, and Congress itself is at it's limit, almost near a revolt. Healthcare is horrendous, and it seems that our government is spending more time worrying about who to send to federal prisons for going to an Al Quada camp, rather than placing their time and resources taking care of the nation as a whole.

So here we have President Bush (who, if you will ntake careful note of many news reports is not refered to by his official title, but rather is addressed by a lower status type pre-empt of 'Mr. Bush')telling the nation that we will not tolerate price manipulation at the gas pump. Well NOW he gets the clue? 'We the people' have been screaming that into the very last corner of Washington for the past 4 years, and NOW he's getting the idea that maybe, just maybe, the price of gas is a 'bit too high'. Well DUH! So is the price of everything else.

Just in the past 10 years, the prices of just about everything have gone totally through the roof. A house that costs $300,000.oo now, only cost about $175,000.oo 10 years ago. Cars have jumped from $15,000 to a minimum of $30,000. Even for the more practical items, like basic necessities, the prices have soared. A gallon of milk is pushing $4.00 in some places, and even a loaf of bread runs almost $3.00 a loaf (you can find bread for about a dollar, but that is rare in some places). A gallon of gas that ran over $1.25 a gallon 10 years ago was 'really pushing the wallet'. Now, it's well over $3.00 a gallon. Do you think the wallet is just about worn out by now?

The cost of living would not be so bad, if the rate of minimum pay increased. However, the state minimum wages have not risen enough. I remember 20 years ago when making $5.00 an hour was a huge deal. Now, in all that time, it has only risen to $6.75 an hour. That type of rate, in this day and age, is not going to keep people living. And, those in wealthier positions around the nation, are not paying total attention to the hardships that over 40% of this country face on a daily basis. Even those bringing home $50,000.oo - $75,000.oo are strained. A house, a car, kids, medical and dental expenses, work clothing, clothing for growing children... the list is enormous...but must be taken care of by all people, regardless of income. Those that are living below the poverty level (which is now estimated at around 30% of the entire population of this country) simply cannot make ends meet.

They get 'punished' because they are unable to earn enough pay. Why can't they earn enough pay? Because the businesses are so worn out that they can barely keep up with the costs of running the businesses in the first place. Then, on the flip side, we have huge corporations, who claim that they do not have enough money to give better pay raises to their employees. Well here's an idea... stop paying the top executives so much, and that right there ought to give them enough money to play with for the next 30 years!

Point is, that although President Bush may have buckled to the gas prices, there is far more out there that the next president will have to seriously take on. I'm hoping that the very foundation upon which this nation was built.. will not also be the one that makes this nation's economy crumble into dust. So far...their batting average stinks.