Applause for Clinton simply makes sense
This letter is in response to the Sept. 6, 2008, Fence Post letter written by Chris Rawlings of Long Grove. Let me say that I enjoy reading the opinion section of the Daily Herald to get a glimpse of the attitudes and opinions of local citizens. I am a firm believer in personal expression and don't normally get annoyed by what I read. However, after reading Mr. Rawlings' letter, I felt compelled to respond. First of all, Mr. Rawlings is bewildered by the applause and adulation that President Clinton received at the Democratic National Convention. He can't understand why Democrats show their appreciation for our 42nd President because he "lied (about his affair with Monica Lewinsky) with his finger in our face." So, Mr. Rawlings, let me clarify.
In 1992, the unemployment rate was 7.5 percent. In 1999, the unemployment rate was 4.2 percent, the lowest since 1969. President Clinton balanced the budget and created a federal surplus of $559 billion. Our strong economy created 22.5 million jobs in fewer than eight years. That's the most jobs ever created under one president. Median family income increased by $6,000. Homeownership rose to 67.7 percent, the highest rate on record. The poverty rate declined from 15.1 percent in 1993 to 11.8 percent in 1999, the largest decline since 1969. Under Clinton-Gore the economic growth averaged 4 percent per year compared to average growth of 2.8 percent during the Reagan-Bush years. President Clinton left office with an approval rating of 65 percent.
Now, let's contrast that with his successor, George W. Bush. Our current unemployment rate is 6.1 percent, the highest in five years. Our federal deficit was at a record high in the first half of 2008, a whopping $311 billion! Medium family income has decreased $2,000. Poverty rate is up to 12.5 percent and our fearless leader's approval rating is at 33 percent, which is actually an INCREASE from his April 2008 approval rating of 28 percent. Not to mention his bumbling the Iraq war, the highest gas prices on record and the current mortgage crisis. As you can see, there are many reasons why Democrats would go "so crazy" over our ex-president. After all, isn't it the Republican Party who are now reminding us that a politician's personal life is a PRIVATE matter as in the case of Sarah Palin's 17-year-old pregnant daughter?
Secondly, Mr. Rawlings seems to mock the American dream as passe. Mr. Rawlings wonders "Why do the Democrats have to keep reminding the folks of this dream? It has always been there." Well, maybe that is true for those privileged few who are lucky enough to live in Long Grove! All I have to say is, maybe it's time to take a look OUTSIDE of your quaint, upscale, sterile, suburban surroundings and see the REAL world and the REAL problems the majority of our citizens who are not living the "American dream" face every day. If we don't look now, the dream may become a nightmare for ALL of us.
Sherri Smith
Libertyville