Bush plans increases, then cuts, in programs he plugs

[Pale Blue Dot]

http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/news/nation/7886692.htm

President Bush's long-term budget plans include deep spending cuts in programs that he's promoting this year on the campaign trail as among his signature achievements.

The President, for instance, trumpeted his "Jobs for the 21st Century" program during a speech in South Carolina yesterday. That program, which Bush said aids states and local communities, falls under funds for training and employment, which his budget proposes to increase by nearly $100 million for fiscal 2005.

But the following year, Bush would cut those funds by $36 million, assuming he wins reelection in November.

Other programs that the President plans to give funding boosts, then cuts the following year include the Women, Infants and Children supplemental nutrition program; Pell Grants for higher education; special education; the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program; and the National Institutes of Health.

What a surprise, they're all programs that appeal to more liberal voters.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

1. Can you say Con Man?

That's what Bush is.

[shanti]

6. yep

the old shell game at work, typical election year BS.

[benfranklin1776]

2. More confirmation that Junior has the credibility of a snake oil salesman

This is oh so typical for him. Pretending and staged photo ops are the name of the game. The sad thing is that they aren't even good at it they are so brazen. Witness the formation of their own handpicked "Commission to Whitewash the Rush to War" aka the Iraq Intelligence Commission which will of course not be releasing its report until after the election. This is akin to the fox forming a commission to investigate henhouse security after being caught with a mouthful of feathers and announcing the results of his investigation only after finishing his chicken dinner. This sudden budget influx of cash is solely for one purpose and one purpose only so that on the campaign trail he can trumpet and hail his supposed compassion in his PR dog and pony shows. He is counting on people noticing the election year increases and overlooking the meat axe which will follow. Since the media will do their best not to cover the truth of what he is doing it is incumbent on all Democratic candidates to remind people of his counterfeit budgeting games.

[Vogon_Glory]

3. An Old Boosh Regime Trick The Lazy Media Failed To Note

Dubya has been pulling that trick since he was Governor of Texas. Boosh would claim that he favored increased school funding or other programs, then quietly signal his henchmen in the Texas Legislature that he wanted those programs cut. Those programs would be cut and Arbustito would be able to vogue about as if he had nothing to do with it.

[lovedems]

4. I use to work as a case manager for teen-age mothers. Do you know how

many of them depend on WIC for formula, milk and other basics for their children? For those of you not familiar, WIC lets you select from a list of HEALTHY food. It doesn't let you spend willy-nilly on junk food. Formula is expensive and WIC covers the cost. It also pays for cheese, milk and cereal. This really pisses me off big time!

Alot of my clients also depended on LIHEAP. I always tried to set them up (you are usually eligible for 1 MONTH of your electric/gas bill paid) and that helped these girls out tremendously. They were all trying to raise their children on their own and either go back to school or get job training. Most of them didn't have the help of the child's father or their parents. They needed all of the help they could get.

OH, as someone who has witnessed the benefits of these programs, this pisses me off big time that they are on the chopping block.

:grr: :grr: :grr: :grr: :grr: :grr: :grr:

[alfredo]

8. I am seeing beggars at the malls. It blew me away. It isn't drunks,

it is retirees I am seeing. These are downtown malls, but suburban shopping malls.

[salin]

5. He consistently did this when stumping for the 2002 midterms

made a promise with local appeal... then within weeks cut funding.

[leftchick]

7. uh, Hello! He has done this since ...

Day One of his fucking misadministration. Are they only now catching on?!? :grr: