Bush’s single-minded focus on Iraq shortchanges other national priorities

[proud2BlibKansan]

The Bush administration’s stalling game on Iraq continues, amid a flurry of confusing rhetoric.

Essentially, President Bush remains wedded to the policy that so many military and diplomatic experts have long warned against: an unlimited military commitment to a badly divided country that is far too reluctant to mend its ways.

The United States has become a crutch for the Iraqi government, enabling it to postpone difficult decisions and constructive action.

This is why the Iraq Study Group, a bipartisan panel headed by Bush family confidante James A. Baker III, warned in late 2006 that most American combat troops should be out of Iraq by early 2008.

Bush escalated the American commitment instead, patting himself on the back both as more troops were sent into Iraq and then again as they were withdrawn.

more . . . http://www.kansascity.com/340/story/572187.html

[ladjf]

1. Bush's position on things has become a meaningless slurry

of fabricated fantasy. It's pointless to try to analyze his views. Steal the money, impose his will on the world, make up great things about himself. His is indeed a very sick and dangerous person. The fact that he is still being allowed to participate in the ongoing political and strategic business of the U.S. show just how ineffective our government processes are. He should be in prison without bail while being prosecuted.

[Cresent City Kid]

2. While the nation was focused on Iraq...

Bush, since taking office, has systematically dismantled and underfunded agencies designed to protect us. From worker safety to consumer protection, the government protects business from us instead of the other way around.

Too many voters have bought into the Republican argument that the government is out to get us. They have forgotten that the government IS us, we the people. The ordinary joe can't fight big business unless millions of joes elect leaders that create regulation. We wouldn't have the funds to enforce regulation unless we all chip in, in the form of taxes. It's a sensible system that balances the playing field, but this system is under attack from two fronts.

Regulations have been scaled back, and the funding to enforce the ones we have left has been slashed. All of this was done quietly, drowned out by the drums of war. Recalls of lead-laden toys are only one manifestation. This has resulted in richer rich people, and a non-zero number of DEAD BABIES!

These moves by the Bush administration are documented in detail in "The Book on Bush" by Eric Altermann. Read it if you haven't already.