BUSH: IRAQ, ECONOMY TOP 2005 SUCESSES

Washington (WPI)- In his weekly radio address on New Year’s Eve President Bush identified the elections in Iraq and the US economy as the most important progress of his 2005 administration.

Bush, who advocates spreading democracy in the Middle East through the use of US military force, said "2005 has been a year of strong progress toward a freer, more peaceful world and a more prosperous America."

In 2002 the US invaded Afghanistan to oust the “Taliban,” America’s former cold war ally against the Soviet Union. The Taliban were identified as the sponsors of international terrorism and responsible for the attacks on the WTC and Pentagon on 9/11. A year later, acting on forged, error ridden intelligence the US invaded Iraq and toppled the dictatorial leader of a foreign nation, Saddam Hussien.

"As we help Iraq build a peaceful and stable democracy through our military occupation, the United States will gain an ally in the war on terror, inspire reformers across the Middle East and make the American people more secure," Bush said.

Critics point out that authentic evidence proves that the opposite. Terrorism is on the increase, Iraq is more unstable and on the brink of civil war and resentment toward the U.S. and it’s plan of ‘democratization,” is spreading throughout the Middle East.

Domestically, Bush claimed his policies have created economic growth, and said the U.S. economy "remained the envy of the world. Except for China, of course. And maybe Japan, I think."

Record-high energy and fuel prices in 2005 year also dragged on Bush's popularity. He again called for making his tax cuts to the super-rich permanent and expanding free trade, promoting more loss of middle class manufacturing jobs. The President claimed the United States was "on track" to cut the federal deficit in half by 2009, one year after he leaves office. The deficit in fiscal 2005, which ended September 30, narrowed to $318.62 billion from a record $412.85 billion in fiscal 2004. However, the White House distributed statistics that showed the economy was on solid ground toward the end of the year, growing at a 4.1 percent annual rate in the third quarter. Mr. Bush offered no evidence to resolve this conflicting data.