Yesterday the Republicans took back control of the Senate, which gives them control of both the legislative and executive branches of government. To me, this is the worst news since 9/11, because this means that the Republicans will be running rampant, pushing an agenda which think will (and probably has) done irreparable harm to this country. From lack of fiscal discipline, to advocating an agenda defined by big-business, the conservative right and the gun lobby, this current administration has undone alot of the progress we made in during the Clinton years.
It breaks my heart to see what was a golden opportunity to make real progress towards a better country squandered, wasted, and slip so quickly away. I mean, it seems like a long time ago, but two years ago, there was just so much more optimism than there was now. Of course, some of the doom and gloom now is not Bush’s fault, after all, the economy was turning down before he came into office, and 9/11 was not his doing either, but nevertheless, the current administration seems to make everything worse, don’t they?
Our budget surpluses are gone, and the deficits will only get worse, as their misguided, backloaded tax cuts for the rich kick in. Before 9/11, they carelessly alienated allies with a cavalier unilateral arrogance, disregarding international treaties and turning their backs to multilateral efforts to stem global warming, land mines, etc. In reacting to 9/11, the administration chose to imprison hundreds indefinitely, casually disregard civil liberties, and completely ignore the root causes of poverty and lack of opportunity which underpin the Islamic fundamentalism we are fighting today. And now this. Unchecked by a depressingly impotent Democratic party, the Republicans are going to have two years to make the damage they’re doing permanent. In light of this new, depressing reality, I have only one thing to say.
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