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Barbara's Daily BuzzFlash Minute

WELCOME to Barbara's Daily BuzzFlash Minute, a collection of insightful ruminations, reflections, and rants on the events of the day (with the exception of the weekend). A regular contributor to our Mailbag, we've elevated Barbara to her own BuzzFlash page. We'll collect a week's worth here and then archive them. Come visit each weekday to see what's pushing Barbara's buttons.

July 19, 2002

By establishing an offshore tax haven, Big Business in America has shifted the tax burden to average America. We are paying for the benefits received by these guys who don't pay a dime in taxes. I guess they figure that's the best way to give CEO's big salaries and bonuses. It also helps toward big campaign donations to those compassionate conservatives who will assure big business the ability to locate elsewhere. They don't mind spending your money. The politicians, who receive a salary paid for by you for representation are aiding and abetting big business in their effort to avoid responsibility.

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Compassionate conservatism at work in Florida -- seniors receiving $682 monthly from Social Security no longer qualify for Medicaid. Repuglican-dominated Florida lawmakers enacted a bill that disqualified seniors and the disabled from Medicaid if their income exceeded $671 monthly. When asked about the rule change, Jeb Bush's spokesperson said, "We are satisfied there are places for everyone to go." I just wonder where they think these seniors and disabled will go?? Is this the conservative compassionate answer, just cut off their medical coverage? These guys are lower than low, they are rotten to the core.

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Compassion is a window dressing word for the Bush clan. It does not matter that seniors are no longer covered in Florida, Jeb needs the money saved on Medicaid for pay-backs to big business. After all, one good turn for the very rich deserves another in the Bush world. America better wake up.

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If you would like to get a glimpse into how you are going to feel in the not so distant future, try calling a few Enron ex-employees and ask them how they are doing. Folks, if we don't recognize, right now, that Bush and the Republican administration are leading us down the road to disaster, we may not have a future -- economically and physically. Don't think for one minute that those who caused this mess will have to face justice. Those folks who tell us they care about what happens to the American people will be the first to run, and run they will with all your money and mine. They will be first in line to send our sons and daughters to war to fight the patriotic cause that puts more money in their bank accounts. It is time to be a patriot and support the ideals this country has represented for so long. It's time for the Bush gang to resign. It's time for the American people to regain its democracy.

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July 18, 2002

Does Jeb want to keep the news about his daughter private because he can be evicted from public housing? Of course he has bilked enough from the people already, so he can afford to pay the rent somewhere else. Too bad the same considerations can't be made for the poor people who have no recourse. But then that's the Bush philosophy -- judge and convict others, but we are private and above the law. It stinks -- get the jerk out of there and send him back from whence he came. He has brought the plague of bad politics to Florida. Rid the state of vermin and bring back the sunshine!

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Are Repuglicans beginning to find out what we've known about Dumbya all along, that he is in this game for selfish reasons? Have they ever heard of a "fair weather" friend?? Perhaps they are unaware that he wants to be a dictator and finds them annoying to say the least. Oh well, as they say, "that's Repuglican politics."

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Dumbya and the GOP want to eliminate Social Security and, in the process, they want to glean all they can from it. Certainly they want to give all that money to Wall Street. As we can see in the recent past, investors and workers were the losers, they have nothing left. Enron, Global Crossing, World Com et al have wiped out life savings and retirement funds while the CEOs, executives and their friends have walked away with millions. In the end, the only concern was for personal wealth. Now those guys at the top want to eliminate retirement as we know it under Social Security. NO, NO, NO! vote Democratic if you want to save Social Security. Vote Democratic if you want your government to represent the people.

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There's a reason Dumbya stumbles and bumbles his way through all that rhetoric about honesty and integrity -- this man has never known the meaning of the words. Bush is an arrogant bully who is using this country for personal gain. To get a glimpse of the future it helps to review the past -- a spoiled rich kid who needed his father's influence, a man who had no problem selling stock when the company was tanking, a chickenhawk who couldn't finish his term in the National Guard, someone who had no qualms over confiscating property to gain financially, a substance abuser, and ultimately a thief stealing the most precious right of every American, their vote. If you expect honesty and integrity, you are not going to find it in Dumbya.

July 17, 2002

Releasing the SEC papers on the Harken controversy will have no bearing on National Security. The secrecy surrounding the "privacy" sounds like it may have something to do with Dumbya's security. Where's all that gibberish we heard the other day regarding transparency, honesty, and integrity? Practice what you preach George! Will you sign a paper stating you are above board, will you allow Harken and the SEC to release the documents? Or are you shredding by way of not allowing the sunshine on all the paperwork?

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Excuses, excuses -- don't question anything the current administration does because it may take attention away from the war! Ha, that's the same as saying don't pay your rent because you have to clean the room. It really means they are using the war to benefit personal finance and squeezing all they can from this country. Scare the country and pass an agenda that wouldn't have a prayer without the cover of war. These are despicable tactics used by unethical people. It's a strategy right out of the Hitler manual on how to control the masses.

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While we watch the economy tank, taking those who thought themselves millionaires with it, will America wake up to the disasters caused by this administration? Now that those "millionaires" become part of the "regular folk," will honesty, integrity, and values become more important? Will a fair day's pay for a fair day's work return? Will civil rights, civil liberties, and democracy again become the best way to run America? I certainly hope so, because these ideals are the basis for all that is good in America.

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Anyone notice how this administration is doing what they condemn in others? To say "whistleblowers" in corporations should be protected (which I agree with), but then give the "whistle blowers" no protection in the vast new Homeland Security agency is ridiculous. To say that CEOs should have integrity and honesty as a prereq for serving, when Dumbya stole an election is ludicrous. Integrity and honesty are not part of his persona. If it were, then democracy would have reigned and the man who got over 500,000 more in the popular vote, the man who legitimately won the election, would be in the White House and the country would not be suffering the sins of Dumbya.

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Another glaring example of how the Bush policy works -- deregulating industry does not clean up the air! Look at the air quality in Texas. His "cheerleading" does not produce a winner for America. Our future and the future of our children is looking smoggier, thanks to Dumbya and the gang. Remember this administration and its leader are corporate-minded, bottom line, and money-oriented. Air quality is not a concern when the dollar is at stake.

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July 16, 2002

Now that America has a glimpse of how well Dumbya's and the GOP's deregulation policies work, do we really think it's what's best for the nation. Give 'em an inch and they take ten miles. Not to worry, Dumbya can still eat three times a day and vacation at the ranch. It's just hard working Americans who lose.

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Just wondering what's going to happen as all these rich guys are used as scapegoats to save Dumbya's behind? What will the outcome be when they realize they spent a lot of money for protection and have now become the sacrificial lambs? Will he protect them and risk the public finding out where his values really lie? Is Poppy rich and powerful enough to protect his boy?

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A wolf in sheep's clothing is still a wolf. Americans are finding out the guy perched in the Oval Office is not that likable guy you'd invite to dinner! No wonder the secrecy -- when the truth comes out and the sheep's clothing is shed, we find Dumbya is just like the rest of the corporate CEO's who would do anything to inflate their personal bottom line. It would be laughable if it wasn't so pathetic. Hard working people are not only losing their jobs, but their life savings as well, all while the fat cats get fatter. Hard working Americans have nothing left, thanks to the corporate climate supported and practiced by the reprehensible Bush gang!

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As bits and pieces come to the fore regarding Harken, the public is beginning to see why Dumbya and Dickie are so concerned with secrecy. As we learn more details, America is finding out what many of us have known -- these guys are not nice! They really don't give a hoot about the "little folk." They really aren't above board, straight shooters. This is the same guy who STOLE the presidency. Trust him? No, not in a million years.

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Ask the taxpayers in Arlington, Texas how they feel about Dumbya's business dealings. Ask them if they like contributing to his bank account? Ask those land owners how they feel about having their property condemned, confiscated and sold to advance Dumbya's fortune. Honesty, integrity, and responsibility do not exist in Bush's business plans. America is getting a taste of the Dumbya plan, and believe me, it isn't good for us!

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July 15, 2002

Take notice America, "Ouch! Shareholders lost $2.4 trillion in 2002." This headline from Mercury News should be enough to make all Americans want to IMPEACH THE THIEF! The boy in the White House does not have a clue about running the corner gas station, much less the greatest nation in the world. Poppy may have been able to buy him the office, but we all know he isn't capable of doing the job. Even poppy's money isn't enough to buy the boy a brain.

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Floridians should be worried that keeping Jebbie in office means states rights must bow at the feet of "big brother's" dictates. What's good for Floridians may not be good for George, so Floridians lose. We all know this after the theft of the election in Florida. The people are of no consequence when "brotherly bias" is at stake. This family will stop at nothing to attain personal goals. Their motto is "the end justifies the means" and in the end they want power over the people.

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The first big step in prevention is knowing the cause. Congress should be vigorously investigating everything that led to the horrific attacks of 9-11. If they can't do it, then a special commission should be appointed. No stone should be left unturned to find out the real reasons America was unprepared. Dick Cheney asking "not to investigate" is truly a slap in the face to all Americans and the MOST UNPATRIOTIC request by an American ever made. No more cover ups, no more secrecy -- just find out what happened and how to prevent it from ever happening again!