Today I stumbled over some stats provided by The Progress Report that details the impact this president has had on Ohio, Pennsylvania and Florida. If you live in one of these states you might want to pay attention. Why anyone would want to cast a vote in favor of Bush, Republican or not, is beyond me. I'm saying this as a moderate independent, step away from your ideologies and look at the impact on your life. Step away from the partisan talk show spin and try to look at the facts. You might just surprise yourself.
Here is a lot of good reading to get your started...
For links and documentation on the stats below visit the site here.
With presidential elections a mere five days away, campaigns are pulling out all the stops this weekend in crucial battleground states. Citizens have been barraged by a confusing array of ads, polls and speeches. American Progress has created two maps that give you the facts on the cost of war and the environment in all 50 states. Here's a look at what's really been going on in key states on the economy, war in Iraq, health care and the environment over the past four years:
OHIO
IRAQ: Cost of the war in Iraq for Ohio taxpayers so far: $5.7 billion.
JOBS: The Bush administration projected 151,000 new jobs would be created in Ohio. As of September 2004, the economy had actually lost 18,200 jobs, a 169,200 job shortfall.
ENVIRONMENT: According to EPA consultants, "fine particle pollution from power plants shortens the lives of 1,743 Ohioans each year. Ohioans have the fourth highest risk in the country of dying from power plant pollution." The administration, however, has acted in the interests of power plants, ending legal action to force compliance with clean air standards and rolling back clean air standards for the oldest, dirtiest power plants.
POVERTY: More Ohioans slipped into poverty last year. According to the Columbus Dispatch, "about one in six children and nearly one in three households in Ohio headed by women were in poverty in 2003, both increases from the previous year." Cleveland was ranked the number one poorest city in the nation, with 31.3 percent of citizens living under the poverty line.
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