On every major measurement, the Census Bureau report shows that the country lost ground during Bush’s two terms. While Bush was in office, the median household income declined, poverty increased, childhood poverty increased even more, and the number of Americans without health insurance spiked. By contrast, the country’s condition improved on each of those measures during Bill Clinton’s two terms, often substantially.
We’re poorer, our kids are poorer and we are all less likely to have health coverage. Bush inherited a $236 billion dollar surplus and left us with a $1.3 trillion dollar deficit. Along the way, he saddled us with a $1.35 trillion dollar tax cut (among others) and a $694 billion dollar war (more expensive that Vietnam, it turns out). Oh, and the stock market lost 22% under Bush’s economic policies.
Heckuva fiscal responsibility, Georgie.