The Collegian

Issue date: 5/2/06 Section: Opinion

Media Credit: Ken Fung

The biggest secret going into the mid-term elections is that the Bush economy is doing nothing less than booming. Currently, consumer confidence is at its highest in nearly four years. Since August of 2003, over five million new jobs have been created. The claim that there are no jobs to be found has also diminished. Unemployment is well under 5%, a historical low-lower than the average for the 1960s, 70s, 80s, and 90s. These numbers are the absolute envy of other advanced Western European countries. What is important as well is that this job growth is not centered in only one or two cities, but throughout many different states. In the past 12 months, 48 states have seen employment rise. Black and Hispanic owned businesses have multiplied at an incredible rate, several times greater than the national average. The positive trend of growth is also present in America's strong Gross Domestic Product. It has outstripped the pace set by countries like Japan and the United Kingdom.

The Bush tax cuts have also helped the economy, while at the same time helping the federal government to take in more revenue: 15% more in the fiscal year 2005. The per capita after-tax income of Americans has gone up 8.2% while Bush has been in office. The stock market is also at highs it has not seen in years. The income tax collected from corporations is up 30%, and up 10% from individuals.

In 2004, the Democrats attacked Bush and his economic plan, and since then Republicans have been far too defensive about that issue.

The string of positive economic news indicates that Bush's policies are effective and should be continued into the future. The liberal media has not helped broadcast this news and Bush has not done well with getting the message out. Emphasis on gas prices may also be blocking the issue. While that is important, there are many other things to consider in the economy. The Republicans have been surrendering this topic to the left. By aggressively supporting their record on the economy and on national security, the Republicans could succeed in making the 2006 elections an unpleasant and lonely experience for Democratic candidates. Unfortunately, the real story about the economy has not gotten out and Bush's economic plan has remained a secret. If the Republicans can change this, they will significantly increase their chances in the upcoming elections.

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