Marie C. Barkovic – 4/16/07

This page was last updated on April 16, 2007.

The George Bush legacy; Marie C. Barkovic; Beaver County Times; April 16, 2007.

This letter is nothing more than a list of talking points. Ms. Barkovic presents no supporting data. What a surprise.

Below is a detailed critique of the subject letter.

“America is under attack, not by terrorists but by our government.”

[RWC] You know you’re in for an intelligent discussion when a letter leads off asserting the real enemy is President Bush, not the terrorists.

“Our civil liberties are under attack. Our constitution is under attack. Our manufacturing jobs are under attack. Middle-class America is under attack.”

[RWC] Note Ms. Barkovic provides no details.

“We are in a war with no end in sight with a country that had nothing to do with Sept. 11, 2001. We have lost more than 3,000 soldiers and have approximately 24,000 wounded who may need health care for many years to come. Billions of our tax dollars are being spent to build roads, bridges, schools, hospitals, etc. in Iraq while our infrastructure deteriorates.”

[RWC] Since when did involvement with the 9/11 attacks become the sole determining factor for going to war with an enemy?

Regarding infrastructure, the vast majority under the control of government is under the control of local and state government. Ms. Barkovic is simply barking up the wrong tree.

“Our borders are not secure, and we have been invaded by 15 to 20 million illegal aliens.”

[RWC] I agree we haven’t done enough to secure our borders, but it’s not like we didn’t have millions of illegal aliens before President Bush took office. Further, I’d be willing to bet Ms. Barkovic votes for the very people who believe in what amounts to open borders and amnesty for the illegal aliens already here.

“Free trade. How about fair trade? Every country we trade with has a trade balance in its favor.”

[RWC] Note Ms. Barkovic doesn’t tell us what constitutes “fair trade.” We’re left to infer “fair trade” means either a neutral trade balance or one in favor of the U.S.

“Gasoline and home heating bills continue to soar along with food and everyday basic needs. Tax breaks go to the rich and big business dictates policy.”

[RWC] In what world does Ms. Barkovic live? Inflation is low. Regarding the “tax breaks go to the rich” BS, “the rich” actually pay a greater proportion of taxes than they did during the Clinton years. As a reminder, the top 5 percent of income earners already pay over 54% of total taxes paid and the bottom 50% pay less than 4%.

“The George Bush legacy will leave most of the world hating America and the downfall of our country.”

[RWC] Yeah, the whole world loved the U.S. before President Bush took office. What, then, explains all the attacks against us before 2001?

From where do folks like Ms. Barkovic get their information?