What is the worst thing that's happened to you under Bush?

[PretzelWarrior]

I lost my job. got some college classes..have a lower paying job 3 years later. I

[phish420]

1. ALL!!

I think we need an All of the Above!! lol...

[Droopy]

2. I haven't personally been hurt by Bush's policies

But I know a lot of people have, not to mention the thousands who have lost their lives due to war. That hurts anybody with a conscience.

But then again I might be hurting pretty soon. I work for a trucking company that is contracted to General Motors. The stagnant economy has meant that fewer people are buying new cars and the plant that I deliver to may be cutting production pretty soon. That mean less loads hauled and possibly the unemployment line for me.

[Placebo]

3. Both Of My Parents LOST Their Jobs...

All through the 90's no problems at all, suddenly, they are both out of work.

Damn you shrub, damn you to blazes!!! :grr:

[bluestateguy]

4. Well

The university at which I work and study was forced to dramatically raise tuitions because Shit for Brains left the state of Texas with 10 billion $ deficit. In any other state they might raise taxes for the well to do, but not in Texas, where state legislators are controlled by corporate lobbyists and the mean white suburbanities who elect them. They raised tuition, tried and failed to get rid of my health insurance and cut funding for public universities. Had those cuts not been implemented, I might have a TA for the class I teach. And now of course, Rickey Perry is making noises about raising sales taxes (which are already 8.25%) so that rich school districts can have more money.

Yes, I did get that $300 tax rebate, which was just absorbed into my monthy finances. Bill Clinton's Lifetime Learning Tax Credit has saved me THOUSANDS of dollars since I have been enrolled as a graduate student. But those are the kinds of tax cuts Republicans like.

[Rambis]

27. Tuition up 38% and rising under shrub

The students for bush just make me go hmmmmm? People I work with, one husband 16 years in abstract work for lawyers doing real estate layed off. The Pharmacuetical guy down the street 10+ years layed off. IT just layed off 20 people in their dept. These were folks firmly entrenched in jobs that should be doing well. How does this happen?

[Zookeeper]

5. Through an employer's attempt to economize...

we now have the world's crummiest HMO. We have a child with Insulin Dependent Diabetes and now our prescription co-pays are as high as $40.00 per prescription. The HMO refused to pay for a medication that could save her life in an emergency and when a pharmacist called the company, he was talking to someone in India. She refused to let him talk to a supervisor, then....decided she just wouldn't talk to him anymore!

Our family's income has increased through a job change and promotion, but, guess what? The cost of *everything* is so much higher that we are actually ending up with less than four years ago.

I'm just grateful, given BushCo's four year mismanagement of our country, that we still *have* an income!

[LiberalPersona]

6. My cousin

recently finished boot camp for the Marines and he wants to go to Iraq, and he has always been one of my best friends. If something happens to him, I put all the blame on Bush.

[Bongo Prophet]

7. Broken family relations, and more

Wife's sister went ballistic on 9/11.
Death to all the $%^&, you know the jingo syndrome.
Disinvited to Xmas, told to shut up.
Can't see grand nephew because we are a bad influence.
Work slowdown.
etc.
:nopity:

But it could be sooo much worse.
Not in Gitmo, no death camps for liberals, we can still work this out.
One step forward - 3 back- get up again.

[Aunt Anti-bush]

8. My husband and I BOTH lost our jobs.

Then we started a business knowing that in years past the government helped small business owners, only to find that is no longer true and we went under because the loan we thought we'd be able to get didn't go through. Now, we've both had to struggle through the last 3 years to get better jobs. We've had to work for minimum wage and only a little more than minimum wage at times. We BOTH lost our health care coverage, too.

[dbt]

9. Other: I now live in a Rogue Nation!

For all of my life--and my fathers before me--America has been The Good Guys. WE were "who ya called" when Fascism threatened to engulf the planet, when beaten-down Berliners were in danger of starving in 1945, when the Red Menace threatened South Korea.

We stood for What Was Right. We actually had some concept of Liberty And Justice For All. When the Americans showed up, the world knew that The Bad Guys were about to get they ass kicked.

Now, bu$h can send this country to war just because he wants to! And boy, does the Worthless Little Fuck EVER want to! He has sent American troops into Iraq just because he can.

Thanks to bu$h (and a Congress that is so OBVIOUSLY for sale to the highest bidder), the United States of America is no better than Nazi Germany in 1939. Both nations decided they would invade unarmed and largely defenseless countries (Iraq and Poland) for the PROFIT that might be realized.

There's your damage: bu$h has made an Inflatable Love Doll out of the Statue Of Liberty!

:nuke:
dbt

[yardwork]

43. I'm with you on that - invading and occupying Iraq is a blot

on the United States. It hurts every one of us and will do so for generations. It's a nightmare. The costs - financial, ethical, moral - will far exceed any benefit.

[Hekate]

10. Stress. Stress. Stress. Stress. Stress.

I voted for "staying up late posting on the internet" because you didn't have what I think is the absolute worst that's happened to me: I have seriously considered leaving my own country because I have lost faith in its institutions. I cannot begin to express how heartbreaking that has been. I'm still here, but it's not November 3 yet.

Truth, Justice, and the American Way: I want my country back.

Hekate

[wackywill]

14. Don't leave DIVIDE.

The country is split close to 50-50. The other "side" believes they are on the correct side also. The differences are irreconcilable. It's time to divide the US into 2 or more separate countries.

[LynnTheDem]

17. Great but...

We'd all be living a beautiful and happy and prosperous and peaceful life, while the ignorant little shits next door would decide they want what isn't theirs gimme gimme and invade us.

Then we'd have to show them we liberals are no strangers to fighting...we just don't start the fights.

[liberal N proud]

11. My family has been hit hard in the job's area

My brother lost his job after 9/11, that cost him his wife because he couldn't keep her in the style she was accustomed.
He has been out of a job since that time. Working odd jobs when he can find them
I have 4 neephews and nieces that are without work since bush took office and another that has been told he will be out of a job in October.
One of my other borthers is overseas training replacments for the people that he worked with here in the US.

I feel myself lucky to have a job, even though others around me are loosing theirs.
I don't know how long this can go on!
:grr:

[Paradise]

12. really great post/poll! n/t

[noamnety]

13. laid off

I put in a lost job vote, although actually it was just having my hours cut to less than full time last year in a teacher layoff fiasco.

[Massacure]

15. My aunt lost her job, my Reich-wing parents hate when I mention Kerry

And I'm going to have to pay insanes amounts of money when I go to college in two years.

It hasn't effected me, but I am PISSED.

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

16. Husband lost his job, we lost our house (forced to sell)

He actually had 2 layoffs in three years. Fortunately, we had money in the bank to cover the first time, but when it happened again our cushion was gone. My job provides the health benefits, thankfully. Both jobs were in high tech telecommunications. MKJ

[Mad_Dem_X]

18. I've been fortunate...

My husband and I both have good jobs (he works for the P.O.), but I know many people who've lost their jobs and/or are struggling to make ends meet. One of my friends has a brother over in Iraq; I can only imagine what he's going through worrying about him.

Most conservatives have what I like to call the I Got Mine Syndrome. Meaning, they and their families and friends are doing well, so they couldn't care less about anyone else. Liberals, meanwhile, still care about others less fortunate even when they themselves are doing well. Hope that made sense. :)

[Zookeeper]

28. You are so right about "I Got Mine"

I have heard that directly from a Repub's mouth.

"I'm doing fine. Everyone in this neighborhood is doing fine." ('Don't know why he's so sure of that.) "I only care about my neighborhood and the areas up north where I hike and hunt."

Really, he actually said that!

[PretzelWarrior]

29. exactly. people with no empathy or human concern for others

are amazing to watch in action. they really feel this is the way human society should function.

[Hobarticus]

30. We've lost our sense of community...

Whatever happened to 'what hurts you will end up hurting me'?

[Zookeeper]

34. Wow! That is so far beyond the Repub's thinking!

If they even stopped to think about it, or really cared, their answer would still be the "trickle down" or that crazy "a rising tide lifts all boats" theory.

I actually really do value the bizarre conversations I have with my RW friend, just because I'm no longer theorizing about RW/Repub viewpoints. It's like we are living in parallel worlds.

[yardwork]

44. "I've got mine, Jack" has always been the Repug motto

[noonwitch]

19. Higher bills and a 10% pay cut.

Things should change next year, somewhat.

[MoonRiver]

20. I've gotten into a lot of arguments, but I chose wasting time on the web!

It really has become an obsession, and I'm trying to wean myself away from doing it so much. Walking, meditating, reading, and knitting are a lot better for my mental health. Also, I believe the stress effects from our nightmare administration have probably played havoc on my health. I now have a borderline high cholesterol count, and have to be monitored for pre-Diabetes. :( More reasons for me to back off focusing so much on this election. After all is said and done there's not a whole lot more I can do to change things. I'm at the "let go and let God" stage now.

[PretzelWarrior]

21. yes....I know what you mean. It is crazy how involved I am

but he has motivated me to stop him no matter the cost

[MoonRiver]

32. I keep swearing I'll stop obsessing,

but how can I? Too much is at stake. I guess I need a little break. Sigh.

[Chichiri]

22. I broke up with my fiancee . . .

. . . in November of 2001.

Probably not Bush's fault, per se, but it did happen on his watch.

[PretzelWarrior]

23. BUWHAHAHAHA....ohh...you're so funny. I thank your for your

perspective. Since you can point out one thing during Bush reign of terror that isn't connected to his failed policies....the mere idea that ANYTHING negative during these 4.5 years can be tied to him is LUDICROUS.

I bet there were plenty of personal reasons that caused the breakup. Being a troll may have been one of them.

[Chichiri]

39. Well I doubt that

since I'm not a troll.

I really was just trying to be funny.

If you want a serious answer, how about my health insurance premiums almost doubling? How about a whole bunch of layoffs in the area where I live? How about a good friend of mine in the National Guard reserve being shipped off to Iraq and I may never see him again? How about friends of mine from Europe and Asia and Austrailia laughing at my county whenever I talk to them online? How about the way I felt at the realization that the leader of my country came onto my television set, looked me in the eye, and lied to me?

How about, unless you're fairly sure you really know what's going on in my head, you shut the hell up?

[newyawker99]

33. Hi Chichiri!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[Chichiri]

42. Thank you

And it does. :)

[RichardRay]

24. I watched my country walk down a well worn path

to yet another disaster. I did what I could to prevent it but it was never really in doubt, regardless of my disbelief.

As with most folks of my age and politics I was convinced that Iraq would become another mess from which we would not be able to extricate ourselves without great cost. It seemed tragic and close to ridiculous that our country and culture was only barely getting over the trauma and cost of Viet Nam and was already going back to the place we had only just escaped.

I'm way beyond the age where I could get sent overseas. The circumstances of my discharge make it more likely that they'd take a gay commie with one arm then want me back again. I'm single with no kids and no related loved ones likely to get caught in the wrangle of another draft.

There's little practical, day to day cost to me of the war in Iraq and its aftermath, but it saddens me at a visceral level that more young folks will have to serve for no good reasons and that the fabric of our country will take yet more generations to regain wholeness.

For that reason I want George Bush and his cadre out of power. I want them gone and forgotten.

Richard Ray - Jackson Hole, WY

[PretzelWarrior]

26. very good post. I love Jackson Hole, WY.

I was there on my way back from Yellowstone and Grand Teton Ntl Parks. Stayed in a little inn and stopped by the Million Dollar COwboy.

I envy you your location.

[HarveyBriggs]

25. Why not "All of above?" Or close to it.

Lost my job. Had a loved one on overextended duty in Iraq. Had him come back and be told by a Republican he was a traitor. Had street lights shut off because of tax cuts. Bills are higher than ever.

Harvey Briggs

[nomatrix]

31. How about your Social Security?

JACKSON, Wyo. - Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan said Friday that the country will face "abrupt and painful" choices if Congress does not move quickly to trim the Social Security and Medicare benefits that have been promised to the baby boom generation.

Returning to a politically explosive issue that he has addressed a number of times this year, Greenspan said that it was wrong for the government to hold out the promise of more retirement benefits than it is capable of providing.

He said this issue was particularly critical given the impending retirement of 77 million baby boomers born in the two decades after World War II.

"As a nation, we owe it to our retirees to promise only the benefits that can be delivered," Greenspan said in opening remarks to a two-day conference sponsored by the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City on the challenges posed by aging populations.

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&ncid=716&e=...

Lockbox My Ass!

[SCRUBDASHRUB]

36. No payraise since 2001 (though I guess I'm fortunate to have not lost my

job, although the boss is treating everyone like shit b/c he knows we all need it and the job market sucks ass, no thanks to Bushie tail), so while the cost of living goes up, my salary hasn't compensated for it. Also, I'm now taking anti-depressants and anti-anxiety pills, which may/may not be to blame on Bush, but my anger toward him probably hasn't helped my mental state.

One of my cousins served in Iraq and is now running for Congress (David Ashe for second district in VA (Hampton Roads area); his brother-in-law went over there and I think may be back for his second or third tour of duty (his wife is expecting their second child).

[no name no slogan]

35. Lost TWO jobs

...when the Dot-Com shit hit the fan in 2001, and then lost the job I got in June 2001 last January.

However, I'm very pleased to say that after six months of looking, I finally got hired by my state's department of human services to run its public web site. Better yet, I'm making almost $10k more a year, have "normal" working hours (mandated 40 hrs/week), and I'm in a UNION-- which is the reason for the good wage and normal work week, I'm sure.

One good thing to happen has been my renewed political activity. I got lulled under Clinton, even though I didn't care for him that much. But now, I'm back working within the party, fighting to make it a force for progressive change.

This year is just the start.

[SCRUBDASHRUB]

37. Congrats on your new job!

[NightOwwl]

38. Personally, I've been lucky...

Stay up late, get up early, late to work, ignore family, ignore friends...all because I have a compulsion to read and post, read and post...

However, the reason I do this is because I'm worried sick about the people who haven't been so lucky.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

40. SHRIEK!!

Pay cut, benefits cuts, higher bills. Can't discuss * at all with freeper family, lost some "friends" over politics. Stressed out and obsessed, consumed with fury and loathing. Worried sick about the possibility that what was once a noble attempt at true democracy is devolving into a corrupt plutocracy in which 90% of the cowed, frightened population is effectively enslaved by the wealthiest 10%.

I thought things were scary in 1968, but this is so much worse.

[SCRUBDASHRUB]

41. My dad, who is going to be 62 this year, said Shrub is worse that Nixon.

[yardwork]

45. I hope he tells his friends

I agree with your dad.

[Dem2theMax]

46. I vote for an 'all of the above' choice too.

Along with an additional choice - 'have nearly gone insane in past 3 1/2 years due to *.'