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June 08, 2005
Reality Check
Today's Washington Post summarizes its recent national poll results. In short, they are very bad news for the folks running the country.
Attitudes about the Iraq War, in particular, have steadily eroded, with now nearly 6 in 10 surveyed saying the war hasn't been worth it, and a majority now believe the war has not furthered the United States' long-term security interests.
6 in 10 surveyed also believe the President and GOP leaders are not making good progress on the nation's problems, and two-thirds blame Congressional Republicans and the President for this lack of success. A few blame the Democrats, but it's hard to make bogeymen out of those with no power.
There is a sense nationally that those in charge are simply not addressing the most important problems facing the country. We might say the same here in Texas.
After all, we just completed a legislative session in Austin where critical issues such as public school finance, the tax bill and children's health insurance were left unresolved. Our Republican leaders crow about parental notification for abortion, a same-sex marriage amendment, and asbestos litigation reform -- such accomplishments.
Meanwhile, without a finance plan, the public schools will close in October, we have a state budget but no approved revenue plan, and hundreds of thousands of kids cut off CHIP still have no healthcare.
Perhaps folks here and nationally are finally realizing that the Republicans in charge just use one wedge issue after another to hide the fact that they're not doing their jobs. Perhaps the American people will voice their displeasure at the ballot box in 2006.
One can hope, but don't bet the farm on it just yet.
Posted by houtopia at June 8, 2005 10:11 AM