Bad budget memory

Fri., July 8, 2011

Gene Sivertson states George W. Bush is remembered for an economy that resulted in huge deficits during the period of a Democratic-controlled Congress. I think Mr. Sivertson’s memory has been clouded by excessive viewing of Fox News.

There is a general agreement among economists that the recession started in 2007, and the budget for that year was set in 2006 when Republicans controlled all branches of government. Previous to that, the Republican cabal implemented the largest social program in decades (Medicare prescription plans) with no funding to pay for it and started two wars off the books. Taxes were cut, and we were asked to shop more to help pay for this.

During this period of fiscal irresponsibility, Bush must have mislaid his veto pen, only to find it when the Democrats took over in 2007.

Dave Blairs

Chewelah, Wash.

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