As the Tribune reflexively endorses George W. Bush, let’s stop for a minute to see if we are better off now than we were eight years ago.
The Clinton-Gore administration has brought us record economic growth, a balanced federal budget, lasting peace, a steady decline in crime and the lowest unemployment in my lifetime.
A return to Reagan-Bush promises a return to failed economic policies of spend now, pay later.
Reaganomics, which Bush has adopted wholeheartedly, gave us unprecedented debt and economic stagnation. To give credence to Bush’s economics means this newspaper learned nothing from the dismal debt of Reaganomics.
On the world front, Bush has displayed the sort of visionless rhetoric that hamstrung his father. A strong military to fight a non-existent threat is no vision.
A Gore presidency projects the strengths of America–peace and democracy–throughout the world. It is that America that I want represented at the White House.
On the national front, Al Gore’s positions on gun control, abortion and education are right for America. While Bush favors concealed weapons for everyone, Gore proposes background checks and cooling-off periods. Gore believes in privacy, whether in one’s home, at one’s doctor or over one’s own body. Bush’s veiled rhetoric belies a willingness to let government decide the most personal of personal decisions.
Finally, when our public schools are in greatest need of funds, Gore makes a profound commitment to the public schools of our country.
Gore has the experience, intelligence and compassion to be our next president. This newspaper does us all a disservice by blindly endorsing Bush.
