Editorial: Much worse off now than under Clinton’s watch

Monday, Aug. 1, 2005 | 9:06 a.m.

The Republicans and their media henchmen keep telling us that everything is going well with the war in Iraq, the national economy, employment prospects and our national debt. During the Clinton years we kept hearing about how bad things were and how terrible they would continue to get. I really wonder: Are things better now, or were they better under Clinton?

I, for one, cannot understand how the Republicans can claim that employment and the outlook for the national economy is improving when nearly every month we hear of massive layoffs of 10,000 to 25,000 employees with companies folding like decks of cards. National airlines are nearing economic collapse and the public is expected to foot the bill to support their continuance in business. Pension plans of thousands of employees nationwide are disappearing faster than tigers at a magic show on the Las Vegas Strip. Illegals are entering our country at a frightening pace, placing tremendous economic burdens on the economy of individual states.

Is it better now, or was it better before?

During the Reagan years we constantly heard a Republican mantra about tax-and-spend Democrats endangering our children's future and placing a horrendous economic hardship on them. Today we are spending billions daily on a questionable war in Iraq with the subsequent loss of American lives. The national debt is growing at a frightening rate with no end in sight, although George Bush has promised a balanced budget will soon be forthcoming.

Is it better now, or was it better before?

VIRGIL A. SESTINI