Tuesday, November 08, 2005

Bush Borrowed More Than All Previous Presidents Combined


http://www.cnsnews.com/ViewNation.asp?Page=\Nation\archive\200511/NAT20051104b.html

Bush Borrowed More Than All Previous Presidents Combined, Group Says
By Melanie Hunter
CNSNews.com Senior Editor
November 04, 2005

(CNSNews.com) - President Bush and the current administration have borrowed more money from foreign governments and banks than the previous 42 presidents combined, a group of conservative to moderate Democrats said Friday.

Blue Dog Coalition, which describes itself as a group "focused on fiscal responsibility," called the administration's borrowing practices "astounding."

According to the Treasury Department, from 1776-2000, the first 224 years of U.S. history, 42 U.S. presidents borrowed a combined $1.01 trillion from foreign governments and financial institutions, but in the past four years alone, the Bush administration borrowed $1.05 trillion.

"The seriousness of this rapid and increasing financial vulnerability of our country can hardly be overstated," said Rep. John Tanner (D-Tenn.), a leader of the Blue Dog Coalition and member of the House Ways and Means Committee.

"The financial mismanagement of our country by the Bush Administration should be of concern to all Americans, regardless of political persuasion," said Tanner in a press release.

Earlier this year, the Blue Dog Coalition unveiled a 12-step plan to "cure" the nation's "addiction to deficit spending." It included requiring all federal agencies to pass clean audits, a balanced budget, and the establishment of a rainy day fund for use in emergencies specifically a natural disaster.

"No American political leadership has ever willfully and deliberately mortgaged our country to foreign interests in the manner we have witnessed over the past four years," said Tanner. "If this recklessness is not stopped, I truly believe our economic freedom as American citizens is in great jeopardy."

Wanting


I'm thinking tonight about things I want more of in my life.

I want more afternoons like yesterday, when I went to tea and was enchanted with the place, the company and the experience.

I want more time for meditation, introspection and art. So much of my life is wrapped up in house things at the moment that it there's not enough time for those other things.

I want to explore more energy healing. My healer is coming to town in February and I've already booked an appointment with her. She will be teaching a class but I'm not sure what it will be yet.

I want more travel - some alone - for thinking and exploring in my own ways.

I want more love. Doesn't everyone? I'm still not ready for another relationship, but I need more love in my life.

I want more friends. I want more time with friends in my life. Some friends I never see enough of.

I want more money. Enough that I don't have to think about it.

I want more great books. I just finished "Running with Scissors," which I highly recommend.

I want contentment. How ironic is that?