Four more years of Bush means...

[AIM]

If Bush wins this election what will 4 more years bring? Higher taxes? Another war? The draft? Higher cost for health care? More jobs lost? Higher cost for an individual to attend college?

Or maybe the opposite will happen?


:D

[Jason McCullough]

Worst case: an ever-increasing draft to for the quagmire in Iraq, invasion of Iran, nuclear brinksmanship with North Korea possibly with nuclear exchange, exploding deficits that drive long-term interest rates up and crush the US economy, plus a domino effect of muslims countries being toppled by radicalized bin laden-style young turks.

Best case: Iraq simmers at a level equal to the current mess, a miracle somehow occurs with Iran & NK, bin Laden-like revolutions aren't triggered by his stupid policies, and he manages to get out of office before the deficits bring down the roof on everyone's head.

Raising taxes: ha ha. Unless you mean "raising taxes on the poor to close the deficit"; I suppose that's possible.....

[Brian Rucker]

The three biggies, IMHO, are:

1) Continued alienation from the world community and the international sense of anti-Bushism becomes a more deeply entrenched anti-Americanism if we're seen as supporting his unilaterist policies as espoused by The Bush Doctrine. Of course, most Americans seem to clueless to understand why this is an issue. National solipsism.

2) Crushing financial situation as the national deficit and debt increase at the same time the babyboomers start retiring. Ideological rigidity prevents any rollback on the taxcuts and even moderates are forced into cutting benefits, and other popular domestic services, or face national bankruptcy.

3) Fundamentalists and constitutional constructionists take control of the federal judiciary and start rolling back various rights for a variety of reasons including religious morality, defense of corporate entities from litigation, and national security.

Those are the three big bads I see. While it's possible Bush might start another war, or accidentally find himself in one, it's unlikely he'd have any domestic public support or international support after the complete fiasco in Iraq.

[Bub, Andrew]

Four more years of Bush means...

A dramatic increase in Message Board trolling and the well-meaning posters who fall for it?

[Mark Asher]

No one -- Republican or Democrat -- wants to vote for tax increases. The poor and middle class will likely bear the brunt of budget-cutting measures through the elimination or reduction of services. That's how Bush will attack the deficit.

Bush will also attempt to make permanent his current temporary tax-cut program.

He will also try to eliminate estate taxes.

Another four years of Bush means more conservative judges on the Supreme Court.

We might see some kind of limited privatization of Social Security.

I don't see Bush starting another war -- the Republican Party doesn't have the stomach for it. I do see the possibility of preemptive air strikes against Iran's nuclear facilities, though the Israelis might do it before us or with our behind-the-scenes support.

The big pressure on Bush will be in getting the economy turned around and the situation in Iraq stabilized. If he doesn't, the Republican Party could have some problems in the '06 elections. Also, another big terrorist strike would hurt Bush. There are no excuses this time.

[Jamie Madigan]

I don't see Bush starting another war -- the Republican Party doesn't have the stomach for it. I do see the possibility of preemptive air strikes against Iran's nuclear facilities

That sounds a lot like "starting another war" to me.

[Mark Weston]

... the chance to enjoy watching many of my friends descend into a frothing frenzy. :roll:

[Mark Asher]

There's a big difference between going on a bombing run and committing ground troops. If we bombed Iran's nuclear facilities, what are they going to do? Invade Florida?

[Angie Gallant]

There's no doubt in my mind that with a Republican house and senate and no need to worry about re-election, the next two years under Bush would result in the destruction of Roe vs Wade. And that's why this election is terrifying to me.

[graller]

There's no doubt in my mind that with a Republican house and senate and no need to worry about re-election, the next two years under Bush would result in the destruction of Roe vs Wade. And that's why this election is terrifying to me.

Yep - this one bothers me too

[shift6]

...constitutional constructionists take control of the federal judiciary and start rolling back various rights for a variety of reasons including religious morality, defense of corporate entities from litigation, and national security...

Not disagreeing, but just asking: Huh? Religious fanatics, yeah. But what non-fanatic constructionist would do this?

[Toddy]

There's a big difference between going on a bombing run and committing ground troops. If we bombed Iran's nuclear facilities, what are they going to do? Invade Florida?

No, but Iran might then decide to okay terror attacks using radiological weapons. Even if you stop the weapons programs, barring a full-scale invasion and occupation it would be impossible to keep all the nuclear materials under wraps (even then you'd need at least 500,000 troops to control the country, maybe even a million). And, of course, if Hizbullah sets a dirty bomb off in Tel Aviv, Israel might just respond by nuking Teheran. Fun, fun, fun.

Having said that, I'm still all for hitting the Iranian facilities before a nuke is completed. The above is a better bet than allowing Iran to become a nuclear power, as that would end the Israeli nuclear deterrent and perhaps encourage a mullah to try a preemptive strike. Or at least turn up the conventional terror attacks, figuring that Israel now wouldn't dare strike back.

Man. Is there an even remotely positive end scenario to Iran's nuclear development?

[Zarathustra]

Well, I'm not worried about which guy wins. I'm for Bush but if Kerry wins, all the problems we face today will be fixed in six months.

[Toddy]

There's no doubt in my mind that with a Republican house and senate and no need to worry about re-election, the next two years under Bush would result in the destruction of Roe vs Wade. And that's why this election is terrifying to me.

So true. Which begs the question--why the hell are so many women apparently voting GOP this time around? All the news mags have run features on how women are flocking to the GOP for the first time ever because they feel Bush will keep them safe from terror attacks. Don't they realize that they may be giving up their individual rights in the process?

I've said it a million times--I don't understand why this election is even remotely close. Kerry should be kicking back at one of his many mansions right now, just taking it easy and waiting for the coronation.