The only problem with the Bush administration is that the smaller
government
has grown from nearly 4 million to well over 12 million people. Where
has
the Republican smaller government gone to? I realize that "smaller
government" means more about less regulation but this is a lame way to
decrease the unemployment figures. And the lower taxes will soon rise due
to the rebuilding of Iraq (though somehow the Democrats will be blamed).

I personally loathe all politicians but I'm a disgruntled Republican at
the
moment. I'm still trying to figure out why our schools have cut out music
programs, shop, teaching for advanced students, have three administrators
for every one teacher, etc., and still want more money. Seems that 89
billion would help more here in the states instead of rebuilding a country
that is supposed to have trillions of dollars in oil reserves.........

Gary

First, I don't necessarily dispute the figure, but can you back up the 4
million to 12 million number? I'd be shocked to learn than there were only
4 million federal government workers when Bush took office (even excluding
the military). Heck, I'd be suprised if it was only 12 million before or
after.

I don't have an answer where the money goes in the rat hole we call the
public education system. Seems that I just saw a report that says the
United States spends more money per child on education than any other major
country in the world. My children aren't in school yet, so I haven't had an
up-close look at the school system as an adult. Maybe I'd have a better
handle on the problem if I did. And the states are screaming for more
federal money because the feds are mandating testing that the states say
they don't have the money for. I guess if they were doing their job in the
first place, all of this testing wouldn't be necessary.

I'm a mildly disgruntled Republican in that I haven't agreed with everything
this administration has done. I think there have been mistakes, but
unfortunately, there isn't a book that tells you what to do after
terrorist-controlled planes kill a few thousand Americans. My hope for Iraq
is that there is a broader strategy at work that is aimed at containing the
Middle East, but it's the kind of plan you can't publish in the newspaper.
You can't convince me that the whole idea is to get some sweetheart deals
for Haliburton. Laura Bush would not be married to someone who would trade
American lives for Haliburton contracts.

todd