So peace out you conservative types.

I am very well aware that Alan Greenspan is responsible for the economy, being the head of the Federal Reserve (I bet you didn't even know that much, did ya?).

You know what? I don't give a fuck. Greenspan's been in office since the Regan Admin, and the economy has taken off since Clinton took office. And it's true -- do you know how low unemployment is? There was an article in Newsweek about how employers are going to great lengths to keep their employees.

All Presidents take credit for the economy. Yep, Jeff, all of 'em. So I'll say it again num-nuts,

IT'S THE ECONOMY, *STUPID*

And as for Houston, I find it hard to believe that Bush couldn't go in and force 'em to clean up their act. Sorry, buddy. Bush is the governor of Texas and responsible for the whole state. You can't brush it off by saying "oh, its someone else's fault!" Bush himself didn't do that, he didn't say "there's a Democrat there, so it's not my fault" so I find it hilarious that you're using the excuse.

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"[Smith] ran on an agenda that was revolutionary for his time -- a 45 cent minimum wage, limiting the workweek to six days, building a bridge to the 1930's -- and I want to say it's quite a tribute to Al Smith that Governor Bush has adopted the same agenda." - Al Gore

A challenge. You named 7 lies you've accused Gore of, including one, which most people invovled in relationships realize isn't really a lie, it's probably the most romantic thing you can say to a girl, so shame on you.

But, back to the challenge ... if you can name 7 lies that Gore supposedly said, can you list 7 positive things Bush has done for Texas? And back them up? And I don't mean:

-Bush stops at all the red lights

Can you take this challenge, oh-you conservative right wing nut head?

Untrue. The economy began a steady rise roughly 18 years ago, and was only interrupted briefly (actualy, stalled out entirely for a short time) by the huge 1993 tax increase passed by the then Democratic (but not for long, guess why) Congress.

The explosion under the late Clinton Administration is a result of reversals on the Now-Republican Congress's part, combined with a profusion of unstable 'dotcom' stocks, and the uninhibited influence of Greenspan. Clinton/Gore had almost nothing to do with it, and, had they been able to push through the tax increases they proposed, would almost certainly have stalled it out again.

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"Ed Gruberman, you fail to grasp Ty Kwan Leap. Approach me, that you might see." -- The Master

Unemployment Down to 4.1%: The unemployment rate in Texas has declined from 7.6% to 4.1% since 1993.
2,005,800 New Jobs: 2,005,800 new jobs have been created in Texas since 1993 -- an average of 267,440 per year, compared to an average of only 153,075 jobs per year during the previous governor's.

1,803,300 New Private Sector Jobs: Since 1993, 1,803,300 new private sector jobs have been created an average of 240,440 jobs per year, compared to an average of just 113,000 private sector jobs per year than the previous governor.

106,600 New Manufacturing Jobs: 106,600 manufacturing jobs have been created in Texas since 1993 -- an average of 14,213 jobs per year. In contrast, an average of only 1,950 manufacturing jobs were created each year during the previous governor's admininstration.

212,000 New Construction Jobs: 212,000 construction jobs have been created in Texas since 1993 -- an average of 28,267 jobs per year. In contrast, an average of only 6,300 construction jobs were created each year during the previous governor's admininstration.

Bankruptcy Filings Down 13.7%: Bankruptcy filings in Texas have declined 13.7% per year since 1993, after increasing 14.2% during the previous two administrations.

Homeownership Has Increased in Texas: Homeownership in Texas has increased from 59.3% to 62.9% since 1993.

Homebuilding Up 10.3%: Homebuilding in Texas has increased 10.3% per year since 1993. In contrast, homebuilding in Texas decreased an average of 5.6% per year before Bush.

1.4% Growth in Total Bank Loans and Leases: Texas has seen a 1.4% average growth rate in total bank loans and leases per year since 1993. In contrast total bank loans and leases fell an average 4.9% per year before Bush.

0.6% Growth in Commercial and Industrial Loans and Leases: Since 1993, Texas has experienced a 0.6% annual growth rate in commercial and industrial loans and leases. In contrast, commercial and industrial loans and leases fell an average of 8.2% per year before Bush.

ACCESS TO EDUCATION

Over 58,100 Children in Head Start: 58,173 Texas children were enrolled in Head Start in 1999. In FY00, Texas will receive $351.2 million in Head Start funding, an increase of $179.2 million over 1993.

Over $35 Million for Technology Literacy: This year, Texas receives $35.2 million, for the Technology Literacy Challenge Fund, which helps communities and the private sector ensure that every student is equipped with the computer literacy skills needed for the 21st century.

$681.4 Million for Students Most in Need: Texas receives $681.4 million in Title I Grants (to Local Educational Agencies) providing extra help in the basics for students most in need, particularly communities and schools with high concentrations of children in low-income families [FY00]. This includes $11.6 million in accountability grants, to help states and school districts turn around the worst performing schools and hold them accountable for results.

CRIME AND VIOLENCE

Crime Falls 15% in Texas: Under Bush, Texas has experienced the longest continuous drop in crime on record. Since 1992, serious crime in Texas has fallen by 15%. Violent crime and property crime has also declined by 18% and 14% respectively.

Crime Has Dropped Sharply in Major Cities: In Dallas, between 1992 and 1997, serious crime, as indicated by the crime index, has declined 23%, with a 46% drop in murder and a 51% drop in robbery.

In addition, serious crime has also declined 47% in Fort Worth, 32% in Beaumont, 46% in Odessa and 31% in Wichita Falls. The murder rate has fallen 52% in Beaumont, 47% in Brownsville, 45% in El Paso, 57% in San Antonio and 91% in Wichita Falls. [1992 and 1997 Uniform Crime Reports]

Juvenile Arrests Down in Texas: Texas�s juvenile murder arrests have decreased 61%. [FBI, Uniform Crime Report, 1992 and 1997]

WELFARE TO WORK

496,746 Fewer People on Welfare: There are 496,746 fewer people on welfare in Texas now than there were at the beginning of 1993 -- a 63% decrease.

Child Support Collections Up 178%: Child support collections have increased by nearly $448 million or 178% -- in Texas since FY92.

TEXAS�S HEALTH

In Texas in 1998, 91% of two-year olds received the vaccines for diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis; 88% received the vaccine for polio; 90% received the vaccine for measles, and 91% received the vaccine for Haemophilus influenzae B, the bacteria causing a form of meningitis.

11 Toxic Waste Sites Cleaned Up: Since 1993, the EPA has completed 11 Superfund toxic waste clean-ups in Texas. The sites are located in Grand Prairie, Bridge City, Texas City, Friendswood, Crosby (2), Houston, Lamarque, Conroe, and Odessa (2).

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Intelligence, Integrity, Responsibility.
Vote Bush/Cheney 2000

"including one, which most people invovled in relationships realize isn't really a lie, it's probably the most romantic thing you can say to a girl"

Irrelevant. It's still a lie. Things don't suddenly become good because you have good intentions. If you say something that you know is false, IT IS A LIE. Period.

Fo2:

"The economy began a steady rise roughly 18 years ago, and was only interrupted briefly (actualy, stalled out entirely for a short time) by the huge 1993 tax increase passed by the then Democratic (but not for long, guess why) Congress."

Well, almost right. The economy was stalled by the 1991 tax increase under Bush. Balanced budget deal, in which the Dem congress lied. Again. But the economy was back on its feet LONG before the '92 election. Yet another thing Clinton lied about to get into office.

"Clinton/Gore had almost nothing to do with it, and, had they been able to push through the tax increases they proposed, would almost certainly have stalled it out again."

Oh, and don't forget about HillaryCare. Natonalizing a full seventh of the economy is generally a bad thing. 'Course, we in TN got stuck with it anyway...

JK (again):

I think JR won that one.

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"So put your hands down my pants and I'll bet you'll feel nuts"

NEVER make me read all that shit again at once! My head hurts now.

I can't justify Bush. Nor can I justify Gore; the spectre of PMRC still lingers in my head 15 years later. I'd vote McCain, but..well...yeah.

I COULD take my housemate's idea & wrtie in our mayor....hell, EVERYone loves Gene!

Nah...I'll probably go all out & vote for Unabashed Craziness: Duke 2000

Here's the real issue of this election.

It's The Stupidity, Stupid

and...

It's The Character, Stupid

Fun for the whole family! Well, except for Nader supporters, but who really cares about them?

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"So put your hands down my pants and I'll bet you'll feel nuts"

Stupid idiot doesn't realize that the military has been shrung because the Soviet Union collapsed. Did he miss the fact that the cold war is over? What a moron.

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Friends Don't Let Friends Vote Republican
***
Gore/Lieberman 2000 - a step forward into the new millennium

Russia sold nuclear technology to Iran. Is that the action of a non-threat?

Then Chenemyrdin (sp?) entered into an agreement with Gore to withhold knowledge of said sales from Congress. Is this good?

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"Ed Gruberman, you fail to grasp Ty Kwan Leap. Approach me, that you might see." -- The Master