Elephant In Exile

Just One Question:

Let's say it's October 2000, the presidential race, Gore v. Bush, is in high gear. Suddenly for no apparent reason, you slip into a coma. Five years later, on February 25, 2005 you awake, no worse for ware, and strangely refreshed. Curious about what's happened in the world you ask the nurse what's been happening.

She tells you this:

• The current President, who was just re-elected, has turned the massive budget surplus into a $500 billion per year dollar debt.
• At his urging, congress passed a massive program to provide proscription drugs for seniors, the program costs keep escalating and the current projection is that it will cost $700 billion over the next ten years.
• He has greatly expanded agricultural subsidies and spending in the Department of Education and Labor, in fact, she tells you, he's increased spending faster than any president since Johnson.
• In a speech, he said that it's the government's job to provide help wherever 'hurt' exists.
• He's detained close to 4,000 people with out access to the courts and without charges.
• It was recently discovered that a reporter covering the White House, known for asking softball questions, is a male prostitute who obtained White House access under questionable circumstances.
• At his behest, Congress has passed legislation on education, marriage and other social issues that override the rights of states.
• He's currently pushing a plan to 'save' social security that will require the government to borrow more than $2 trillion dollars. The plan may include tax increases and significant benefit cuts.

Your heart skips a beat, your confused. "What happened?" You ask. "When will we finally get rid of those big government democrats?"

She looks at you with pity. "What do you mean?, The Republicans have never had more power, they control the Presidency, the House and the Senate.

You feel weak. Your eyes roll back and you drift off to sleep. Hopefully 2008 will be better.