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As an observer of politics in this country and a member of ‘the left', I've tried to not fall into the reactionary ‘blame Bush first' camp. My logical reasoning abilities are sophisticated enough to understand most issues are quite complex and nuanced, and one's opinion or perception is often derived from personal, subjective experience. When I heard President Bush's press conference from April 29th, 2008 on the radio, however, I felt compelled to comment on some important points he brought up, and I think missed. Reading the transcripts was a bit like reading through a schizophrenic's diary - wandering journeys straying in three directions at once, punctuated by abrupt returns to the four key talking points he no doubt rehearsed at length with his advisors: rising oil prices, high food prices, the mortgage crisis, and student loans. Bush repeatedly repudiated Congress for failing to introduce legislation that would ease public anxiety over these issues - and all without ever acknowledging the ‘R' word. While individual issues could be cast off as partisan Congressional failures, public perception most surely would associate ‘recession' with the inability of the president to successfully manage the economy. The root of all these problems, Bush argues, stems from the fact that Congress is unwilling to authorize domestic drilling. He explains that our country has not built a new refinery in 35 years, and suggests that initiating exploration in areas like the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) region in Alaska would be the all-encompassing remedy to our ailing economy. Domestic drilling would lower gasoline costs, which would have an effect on food costs, home mortgage defaults, and student loans. What is never mentioned, and I think a critical missing element, is how the diversion of funds to support our overseas military ventures has affected the national economy. Bush states several times that anxiety over tax increases, (he includes rising fuel costs as a tax as well) have contributed to the slowing down of the economy. Anxiety and uncertainty over the future is a problem, yes - but are taxes really the leading cause?? What about anxiety over the fact that we've been in Iraq for five years now, with little measurable net progress and no sign of leaving? What about concerns that his administrations' rhetoric suggests the desire to intervene militarily in Iran, Syria, North Korea, and who knows where else? While Bush does mention bio-fuels and alternative energy sources, I think this point is dangerously overlooked in the current administration. He suggests this is long-range thinking that will not have a significant impact any time soon. While there will absolutely be challenges associated with this transition, the research and development aspect should be a top priority now. Instead, at the government level, innovation seems to be losing out to special interests and narrow-minded thinking. The recession we are entering is a hardship for most families. Rise fuel prices and other attenuated increases, the mortgage crisis, and apparently student loans are real problems confronting our country and our daily lives. But one of the first steps towards alleviating these problems is an honest evaluation of why we're where we are, and an open-minded approach to addressing the economic situation. Drilling in Alaska is not the magic wand Bush discusses throughout his press conference.
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