Editor,
An recent article regarding George Bush's fiscal record during his tenure as president called Mr. Bush a "fiscal conservative."
According to Americans for Tax Reform's Cost of Government Day report, the average American worked 77.4 days to pay for Federal spending in 2000. By 2003, the average American needed to work an additional ten days, for a total of 87, because federal spending rose so much faster than family income.
Federal employment soared under Mr. Bush as well. From 2000 to 2002, the government's workforce grew from 1,778,138 to 1,818,260. That's a 2.3 percent increase in just the first two years of his administration.
Being a fiscal conservative means more than cutting taxes. Being a fiscal conservative means resisting the growth of government and balancing the budget.
Those looking for a fiscally conservative Republican for president must look beyond the Bush campaign.
ATRIOS G. NORQUIST
(the above is a parody of this letter to the editor)
