Presdent Bush on why he doesn't want to raise taxes, (even though he's the first wartime president to not raise taxes):
I strongly oppose that. If that's the kind of sacrifice people are talking about, I'm not for it because raising taxes will hurt this growing economy. And one thing we want during this war on terror is for people to feel like their life's moving on, that they're able to make a living and send their kids to college and put more money on the table.
That's right, Mr. Bush: if the economy goes you may lose your popularity or something. How silly of me. Wouldn't want that.
And about that "life's moving on" thing...
If he wanted us to move on, he would have resigned two years ago (or sooner).
The mindboggling arrogance of this boy-king only seems to grow with every passing day. Who the hell is he to determine how Americans choose to sacrifice during wartime, especially during a time where our soldiers need our support the most? Where is it in the Constitution that says: "The President shall determine the level of all sacrifices?" I swear, I can't find it anywhere.
It's this thought process that punishes mothers who want to send their son's suitable body armor because Bush's people don't want their business-buddies to lose money or face (when it's proven on the battlefield that their product is inferior). It's despicable, and to make such a inference just illustrates how Bush sees the country as his plaything.
What's worse is to, in the next breath, tell the American People that the best thing you can do is pretend none of this is happening. Pay your bills. Go to work and/or school. Turn off that nasty TV with their lies about the war. Ignore those people on "the internets" who hate freedom and don't understand that this is a different war.
OK, ok...let me pause a minute and put this in context, so there won't be any misunderstanding (or, if you prefer, TP has a video clip):
MR. LEHRER: Let me ask you a bottom-line question, Mr. President. If it is as important as you've just said - and you've said it many times - as all of this is, particularly the struggle in Iraq, if it's that important to all of us and to the future of our country, if not the world, why have you not, as president of the United States, asked more Americans and more American interests to sacrifice something? The people who are now sacrificing are, you know, the volunteer military - the Army and the U.S. Marines and their families. They're the only people who are actually sacrificing anything at this point.
PRESIDENT BUSH: Well, you know, I think a lot of people are in this fight. I mean, they sacrifice peace of mind when they see the terrible images of violence on TV every night. I mean, we've got a fantastic economy here in the United States, but yet, when you think about the psychology of the country, it is somewhat down because of this war.
Now, here in Washington when I say, "What do you mean by that?," they say, "Well, why don't you raise their taxes; that'll cause there to be a sacrifice." I strongly oppose that. If that's the kind of sacrifice people are talking about, I'm not for it because raising taxes will hurt this growing economy. And one thing we want during this war on terror is for people to feel like their life's moving on, that they're able to make a living and send their kids to college and put more money on the table. And you know, I am interested and open-minded to the suggestion, but this is going to be -
MR. LEHRER: Well -
PRESIDENT BUSH: -- this is like saying why don't you make sacrifices in the Cold War? I mean, Iraq is only a part of a larger ideological struggle. But it's a totally different kind of war, than ones we're used to.
We have a CIC concerned with what's being shown on the TV screens, but showed little concern when he ordered them into that environment. Maybe he hasn't made the connection yet that people are watching the news that he's created with his policies. And despite Bush's delusions, they're not watching victory. This, in part, is why people are "somewhat down on this war;" promises were made ("Mission Accomplished") and not kept.
But it's no surprise that a person who never made any real substantive sacrifice, a person who's bucked responsibility at every turn, a person who enjoys all the perks of leadership but none of the pressures, to ask anyone to sacrifice anything.