Reply #5: What's really annoying is

[karynnj]

that there are very few members of the top 1% living in these states. This was purely bowing to political pressure from the Republicans. In Arkansas, it is likely that only the Waltons, a few money managers and Bill Clinton (Who said often and clearly that he didn't need the tax cut) would be affected.

I think the problem last year, was the country was not ready to believe that money was being this blatantly mismanaged (the kindest word to use). I think there are likely things we still don't know as to where the money went and it is most likely not incompetence, but willful use of the money for purposes other than those it was legislated for.

The administration used much of the money to fight terrorism in Afghanistan to start the build up for Iraq. Although various Democrats spoke up loudly on this, the majority of the people either agreed with Bush that he could use it against terrorists anywhere - designated by Bush - or didn't care or hear. It may well be that the Iraq reconstruction money was diverted to new goals - Iran? What's clear is that the Bush administration has nothing but contempt for our democracy with its checks and balances.

I do think you may be right that it's the corruption, stupid. If so, is there a potential 2008 candidate who has fought corruption for about 20 - 30 years? One whose local paper has never found any quid por quo or other corrupt actions, though they looked very very hard?