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March 15, 2006
Bush Makes Some Gains With His Base
OIL (Our Illustrious Leader) initially ran on a platform of compassionate conservatism. We now know, based on his actions, that the platform was a smokescreen. His actions have clearly been targeting the rich, helping them any way he can. His administration is currently rejecting hurricane disaster recovery loans at a higher rate than ever before. A report by congressional Democrats states (AP)
... business and home loan approval rates averaged about 60 percent after Hurricane Andrew devastated much of south Florida in 1992. The trend continued through the rest of President George H.W. Bush's administration and into the Clinton administration, according to Democratic members of the House Small Business Committee.
After Hurricane Wilma surged ashore in south Florida last year, the approval rate for low-interest, taxpayer-guaranteed loans by the Small Business Administration had dropped to barely 15 percent. Overall, Democrats said, approval rates for home and business disaster loans since 2004 have averaged about 35 percent.
I realize that many people in the Gulf Coast region are poor and may not qualify for loans under normal circumstances. But these are far from normal circumstances and deserve special attention. It also seems clear that the rebuilding effort has not been a high priority of OIL. He must realize tha many of these people don't vote and definitely don't provide him or his party with much in the way of financial support. Why bother?
Posted by Chip Spear at March 15, 2006 3:26 PM