The Economic Costs of the Bush Administration

Thomas F. Schaller, of the UMBC Political Science Department, wrote an article for the Baltimore Sun today that outlines what impact the Bush Administration is having on the American economy.

Despite decades of conservative emphasis on economic opportunity, Americans who work for a living aren't buying the "ownership society" and other presidential platitudes. Working people value "economic security" over "economic opportunity," 69 percent to 26 percent - and by security they mean health care reform and retirement security.

"Only 1 percent of Americans said the American dream means obtaining wealth," noted Ms. Lake, in direct rebuke to the familiar but false claims from conservatives that people think getting rich is the core of our national identity.

The American dream used to be simply stated: Work hard and you get ahead. But Americans are working harder than ever: Productivity is up, vacation time down. The fruits of their labor, though hardly spoiled, just don't taste as sweet.

Read the entire story here.

Schaller is the author of Whistling Past Dixie: how the Democrats can win without the South.