US Democrats Attack Bush on Economic Policy, Iraq

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Wednesday, January 29, 2003

US Democrats Attack Bush on Economic Policy, Iraq

US Democrats attacked President George W. Bush on his economic and Iraq policies in his State of the Union address on Tuesday night, saying his economic revival plan was "upside-down economics."

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US Democrats attacked President George W. Bush on his economic and Iraq policies in his State of the Union address on Tuesday night, saying his economic revival plan was "upside-down economics."

"We think it's upside down economics; it does too little to stimulate the economy now and does too much to weaken our economic future," Governor Gary Locke of Washington state said in response to Bush's State of the Union address.

"It will create huge, permanent deficits that will raise interest rates, stifle growth, hinder home ownership and cut off the avenues of opportunity that have let so many work themselves up from poverty," said the Chinese-American governor.

"Today, the economy is limping along. Some say it's a recovery, but there's no recovery in our states and cities. There's no recovery in our rural communities. There's no recovery for working Americans and for those searching for jobs to feed and clothe their families," Locke said.

Locke's selection to represent the Democratic Party this year reflected the growing power of Democratic governors. While Democrats gave ground in the House and lost control of the Senate in the last midterm election, they picked up four governorships, for a total of 24.

Locke said in comparison, Democrats have a plan "to restore prosperity so the United States once again becomes the great job engine it was in the 1990s."

In his speech, Bush touted his 10-year and 674-billion-US dollar economic stimulus plan, the largest tax-relief in a generation, which he said would promote economic growth and create more jobs.

But Democratic Party argued that Bush's economic plan would only help the wealthy. Democrats have proposed a far more modest 100 billion dollar package, which they say would help working families.

Bush accused Iraq of hiding weapons of mass destruction and vowed to fight with "the full force and might of the United States military " to disarm Iraq if necessary.

"We will consult, but let there be no misunderstanding: If (Iraqi President) Saddam Hussein does not fully disarm for the safety of our people, and for the peace of the world, we will lead a coalition to disarm him," Bush said.

Locke said the US should not go it alone in the war against terrorism, instead, it should work with the allies and the United Nations to insist on strong weapons inspections.

"We need allies today in 2003, just as much as we needed them in Desert Storm and just as we needed them on D-Day in 1944 ... We urge President Bush to stay this course for we are far stronger when we stand with other nations than when we stand alone," Locke said.

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