Bush Hits the Trifecta, America Hits the Skids
March 6, 2002
By Radfringe

From Reuters:

"He's reminded them this is a very serious matter that when it comes to risking the default of the United States government in the pursuit of politics, that is something the American people will not welcome," White House spokesman Ari Fleischer said.

"He hopes they will not politicize this issue," Fleischer told reporters as Bush was traveling to North Carolina for a political event.

From the New York Times:

House Republicans are exploring whether a March deadline for raising the federal debt limit can be postponed to delay an election-year showdown that Democrats hope to use to tar the GOP for renewed budget deficits.

It is unclear whether the Bush administration will cooperate. President Bush said Wednesday it would be "inappropriate to play politics with the debt ceiling,'' and the Treasury Department renewed its demand for an immediate debt limit increase.

Meanwhile in North Carolina pResident Bush jokes about hitting the Trifecta:

Remarks by the President to Robin Hayes for Congress and Elizabeth Dole for Senate North Carolina Republican Party Luncheon

"And we've got a job to do at home, as well. You know, I was campaigning in Chicago and somebody asked me, is there ever any time where the budget might have to go into deficit? I said only if we were at war or had a national emergency or were in recession. (Laughter.) Little did I realize we'd get the trifecta. (Laughter.) But we're fine."

Does Bush also find this funny?

THE EMPLOYMENT SITUATION: JANUARY 2002 Employment continued to decline in January.

In January, the number of persons not in the labor force who reported that they currently want a job rose by 163,000 to 4.8 million, seasonally adjusted.

With weekly Terrorist Alerts, apprehension about the economy, and worries about the escalation of military action, do you feel lucky that Bush hit the Trifecta? Bush continues to speak with one lip expressing compassion and concern, while with the other lip he is turning a serious matter into a lounge act - using the economy, September 11, and the War on Terror to raise money for his party.

Do the Americans on unemployment find it amusing and lucky that Bush hit the Trifecta? Do the families that lost loved ones on September 11 find it funny and lucky that Bush hit the Trifecta? Are the Enron employees laughing about how lucky Bush is to hit the Trifecta?

Bush, the Republicans and their corporate friends may find it funny. It may be amusing to turn tragic events and circumstances into fodder for fundraisers. Many checks are being written for these great one liners. Legislation being dictated to the White House in exchange for all those dollars. Isn't that a knee-slapper?

We had eight years of peace, prosperity, and an historical surplus. Within one year under Bush, Republican and corporate leadership we have a war, a recession and a deficit. Our financial security, our safety, and our freedoms are in jeopardy. This is our Trifecta. Do you find it amusing? Do you feel lucky? Well, do you?