BUSH PROSPERITY

It's scary when a Commerce Secretary believes that the economy has improved since Bush took office. According to today's Washington Post, Commerce Secretary Donald Evans said, "This president inherited a Clinton recession and turned it into the early stages of Bush prosperity."

That is true, I suppose, if you consider a budget surplus a "recession" and a record budget deficit "Bush prosperity." Bush prosperity means a reduction of over a million jobs in three years. Bush prosperity means a dramatic increase of Americans living below the poverty level. Bush prosperity means more people than ever without any health care safety net. Bush prosperity means a larger tax burden on the middle class and working poor.

In short, "Bush prosperity" is Orwellian double-speak.

Arnold Schwarzenegger began his speech last night saying the Democratic campaign's theme should be "True lies." Bush's campaign theme, then, should be just, "Lies."