Did I hallucinate this ABC story?

[spinbaby]

I'd swear that ABC reported tonight that Bush just announced that he's cutting civil servants' pay raises to help pay for Iraq.

He can't be doing that. That would alienate a HUGE voting block. That would be stupid.

[Systematic Chaos]

1. Apparently they cut out the quote from Karl Rove:

"Voting blocks? We don't need no steenking voting blocks! That's what electronic voting machines are for!"

[spinbaby]

2. oops, sorry

meant to post this in GD

[peterh]

3. Bush: Fedl Pay Raises Over 2% Would Jeopardize Terror War

no link yet


CRAWFORD, Texas (AP)--Giving civilian federal workers a pay raise of more than
2% next year would jeopardize the war on terrorism, President George W. Bush
said Wednesday.
In a letter to congressional leaders, Bush reiterated his support for giving
the nation's 1.8 million federal workers the 2% raise he outlined in his 2004
budget proposal.
But a House appropriations subcommittee has included a 4.1% raise in its
version of the legislation. Military pay is not affected.
"Such cost increases would threaten our efforts against terrorism or force
deep cuts in discretionary spending or federal employment to stay within
budget," Bush wrote.
Bush announced he was using his authority to change workers' pay structure in
times of "national emergency or serious economic conditions."
A national emergency has existed since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks,
and now includes Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and Operation Iraqi
Freedom, he said.




The friggin’ asshole feels it’s more worthy to spend 4 billion a month on a lie, give tax cuts to those that don’t really need it and give year-end bonuses to his inner circle….but piss on the workerbee. Compassionate Conservatism in all its glory.

[pw]

5. The emergency will be over when the last terrorist surrenders

And not a moment before.

Of course, he's right that we're in a time of "serious economic conditions," but for him to be using that to justify anything is pretty much the definition of chutzpah.

[kainah]

8. Here's the DU thread for that story

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=86198

[peterh]

10. Yeah…I know…

I posted that before I saw the post from Ductape :shrug:

[BeFree]

4. "That would be stupid"

Stupid is as stupid does.

I don't think he plans on finally being elected in 2004. But not to worry, his friends in the top 1% will take good care of him....

[Kbowe]

6. Are the military part of that block also?

Their pay is usually tied to civil service hikes.

[Rose Siding]

7. Will appointees still get those bonuses?

Surely those couldn't jeopardize the war effort. :grr:

[Donna Zen]

9. Unions

Aren't most civil service jobs unionized? therefore, ergo..."who cares what they think..."

[NNN0LHI]

11. Were all going to have to tighten our belts dammit

All execpt Bush's top election contributors of course. They get a huge tax cut. Nice, huh?

Don