Many of the speeches at this week's Republican convention sought to portray Democratic nominee John Kerry as being a flip-flopper, constantly changing his mind and unable to make a decision.

That's been the spin, of course, that the GOP hopes will strike a chord with independents still trying to decide between George Bush and Kerry.

This month's American Prospect sought to turn the tables. The real flip-flopper, the magazine insists, is none other than Bush.

"Let us reflect on the promises he made (back in 2000) and the realities he created," it begins.

"Flip: America has a strong economy and a surplus. We have the public resources and the public will, even the bipartisan opportunities, to strengthen Social Security."Flop: Projected deficit for 2004: $445 billion. The Center for Budget and Policy Priorities estimates that, if Bush's tax cuts are made permanent, the revenue loss over the next 75 years will be triple the size of the Social Security shortfall over the same period.

"Flip: My administration will give taxpayers new incentives to donate to charity.

"Flop: The Congressional Budget Office reported in July that permanently repealing the federal estate tax would result in a 6 percent to 12 percent overall decline in charitable giving.

"Flip: We will set Medicare on firm financial ground and make prescription drugs available and affordable for every senior who needs them.

"Flop: The new prescription drug law covers less than a fourth of the total drug costs of the elderly and disabled, actually reducing drug benefits for millions currently covered by both Medicare and Medicaid, and prohibits Medicare from negotiating with drug companies for lower prices.

"Flip: I will work to reduce nuclear weapons and nuclear tension in the world.

"Flop: The administration announced in late July that it now opposes the inspection and verification provisions of an international treaty regulating nuclear materials.

"Flip: We're learning to protect the natural world around us. We will continue this progress, and we will not turn back.

"Flop: See road programs in national parks, rollback on Superfund, drilling in Alaska, snowmobiles in national parks, arsenic in the water, the energy task force, the Kyoto Protocol.

"Flip: I want to change the tone of Washington to one of civility and respect.

"Flop: Dick Cheney to Pat Leahy (Go f*$@! yourself)."

Dave Zweifel is editor of The Capital Times

Copyright 2004 The Capital Times

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