My friend, a staunch Republican states simply that he does not want the government in his pocket. He believes in both tax and spending cuts. He does not believe in a welfare state. Government should not support anyone. All people should work and support themselves. This on the surface makes sense. I note that when the welfare rolls were drastically cut during the Giuliani adminstration in NYC many people originally on the dole went to work, began paying taxes and feeling great pride in their accomplishments. So welfare is not always a good thing. Does that mean that Social Security is not a good thing? Well it's our money which we paid in so getting it back in old age seems to be OK. However, our president would like to discontinue SS eventually and let individuals manage their own retirement funds. I wonder if this would work.

Is Bush reducing taxes and spending? Yes on the taxes, no on spending. He is running up a huge deficit which we will have to pay for some way. I heard one commend that he is trying to bankrupt the government so that he can privatize all government functions. If the privatization were fair and honest this might be a good thing. We would eliminate the middle man, (government) and this may be cheaper in the long run. However, the privatization is taking another form. Contracts are being given to Bush's friends and cronies. Consider the lucrative contracts let out in Iraq. The military has in large part been privatized. Food, housing, supplies and even prisons have been privatized to friends of the Bushes (Haliburtan). No competitive bids were sought. And goods and services provided are poor and costly. There has been a scandal about the high cost of food that was inedible. Also soldiers do not have proper equipment so that famlies are sending them "bulletproof vests" from home. So as we see it now privatization is being paid for by government spending that is lining the pockets of the president's friends at the expense of future American taxpayers by the huge build up of the deficit.

# Posted by Eve Winer on 5/23/04; 12:57:17 AM - --