It's the economy, voters, but whose?

[CShine]

John Kerry is campaigning on the state of the economy. So is George W. Bush. But they sound as if they're running for the presidency on different planets.

In one of his Internet ads, Kerry's economy is a dusty road, empty except for tumbleweeds. "Bushville, USA," as it's labeled, is a place where jobs are vanishing, personal bankruptcies are up and median family income is falling. A banjo plunks as an unseen horse snorts. The mercury on a thermometer that measures the "misery index" rises so high that the glass shatters.

In one of his TV ads, Bush's economy is a bustling Main Street USA. A smiling butcher opens his shop, entrepreneurs shake hands on a deal made possible by tax cuts, and young women study at a computer and in a lab for the skills "to fill the new jobs of the 21st century." Orchestral music swells.

Whose version of the economy is accurate? They both are.

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=676&ncid=716&e=21&u=/usatoday/20040426/ts_usatoday/itstheeconomyvotersbutwhose

[Bandit]

1. I hate to say it but I find Bush*'s ad more appealing and if I were an

undecided voter I may just go for the good times instead of the doom and gloom. Remember if I am an undecided voter that means I don't know what the truth is. That is how Clinton won. He was upbeat all the time and everything was possitive. He never criticized Bush or dole. That job was left to underlings somewhere. Kerry needs to have a talk with Bill and get some needed advice.

[Wright Patman]

2. 'It's the economy, stupid'

was the Clinton campaign's mantra. The campaign labeled Poppy's economy "the worst in 50 years" and in truth it was for a majority of the people.

Of course, Poppy's 38 percent thought Ross Perot did them in.

Maybe there was some truth to that, but I don't recall anyone giving Bush 41 a pass on the economy. Quite the opposite. 41 was consumed with foreign policy and the people got sick of it. I wonder why they don't see through 43's same misguided obsession.

If these polls coming out are accurate, I can only think that 43 has some kind of demonic power to influence the public that down is up and bad is good.

[Demeter]

3. I'M ONE OF THOSE ENTREPRENEURS ON MAIN ST

And I and my fellow business owners are starving to death. The rate of business failure and blighted lives, starting with the 9/11 catastrophe, is steadily growing. We aren't voting for the Bushwacker, and hope nobody else is either.

[mhr]

4. Republicans Worst Nightmare - People Like Myself

Unemployed 4 years!

Two College Degrees: BSEE, MBA

Special Training: FAA Certified Commercial Pilot

Military Service: Officer United States Navy

Professional Work Experience: Long and Varied

Slowly becoming impoverished!

Can't get low income jobs - too much experience, too many illegal aliens
Can't find middle class white collar jobs - outsourced or already filled

Republicans say I and others did not work hard enough, or play by the rules well enough, or stay off drugs, or a whole host of other excuses used to dismiss the misfortune of others?

The argument does not hold water and myself and others are living proof of the lie!

Bush's version of the economy is Bullshit, Bullshit, Bullshit!

[Just Me]

5. I'm a highly educated indigent, too.

JD + masters course work in clinical psychology.

Broad-based background in both legal (although not a licensed practitioner) and non-legal work for fourteen years.

Over-qualification has proven to be biggest obstacle.

Unemployed nearly three years (with the exception of a part-time, temporary, low-wage, tax preparation job that just ended).

Broke. Bankrupt. Single mom.

There is one economy for the rich and "well-connected", and another economy for the struggling.

[mhr]

6. I Hear You And Sympathize - I Am Past Knowing What To Do

Many people say retrain.

I say for what?

They say for something the economy needs.

Like what I say?

Well you know some low wage benefit-less job with no future.

You mean like flipping burgers at McDonald's or stocking Wal-Marts?

Well yes they say.

Would you like me to slit me wrists now I say?

Sadly, several have handed me the razor blade!