Letter from Michael D. Melio
Politics – October 2004 – Colorado Central Magazine
Dear Editor:
Here is the essence of the Bush campaign strategy:
Make the fear of war and terrorism so central to the election debate and attack the character of your opponent so repetitively with charges of “Unfit to Command” that the voters will be equally frightened to elect Kerry. Bush then gets re-elected by default.
Could any news on the domestic economic scene find it’s way to the front of the national election debate?
How about the addition of 4 million Americans to the poverty rolls? Or should we blame 9/11 for that?
How about a record deficit of $450 billion for 2004 alone? Or should we blame 9/11 for that too?
How about a loss of over 1.7 million jobs since 2000? Or should we blame 9/11 for that too?
How about the loss of health insurance for 5 million Americans? Or should 9/11 take the fall for that too?
Instead of blaming 9/11 for all of our problems, while claiming 9/11 as a personal success, Bush should fess up to his obsession with tax cuts for the very affluent as the major cause, not to mention the new military budget of $457 Billion (which does not include the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan!) that looks more like a lot of handouts to Bush patrons than like a national strategic defense need.
When will Bush take responsibility for the state of the nation?
Thank you,
Michael David Melio
Westminster