HEATHER WOKUSCH

To be honest, Obama, you lost me when you voted for the PATRIOT Act reauthorization in 2006. You lost me again when you voted for the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) amendment in 2008. And you lost me every single time you voted for yet more war funding.

Don't even get me started on your vote for the $700 billion Wall Street bailout.

I cast a ballot for you in November, but I just can't share in this moment of collective euphoria over your election.

So, if your transition team really wants feedback on "where President-Elect Obama should lead this country," here's a Top Five list:

Note: Originally published: November 21, 2008

Read full article: 'You’re Scaring Me, Obama: Let the Bush Years Die'

The Bush administration is heading us towards more disaster with its 'toxic debt' bailout and destabilization of Pakistan and Iran. We can’t afford to go down this road again. Heather’s 10-minute video above provides background, context and ideas for taking action.

Links for sources cited in this video:

Bailout:
"http://edition.cnn.com/2008/BUSINESS/09/20/us.markets.toxicdebt.plan/index.html" Crisis talks over $700B 'toxic debt' rescue plan Bush: "The American people have got to know that I made this decision along with a lot of experts because it was necessary to protect them."

Pakistan:
"http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1841649,00.html"
Washington is Risking War with Pakistan

"http://www.tomdispatch.com/post/174977/tariq_ali_has_the_u_s_invasion_of_pakistan_begun_" The American War Moves to Pakistan

Iran:
"http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2008/07/07/080707fa_fact_hersh"
Preparing The Battlefield July 07, 2008

"http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1220186494776&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull"
Dutch intel: US to strike Iran in coming weeks September 1, 08

"http://haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1019989.html"
Israel asks U.S. for arms, air corridor to attack Iran September 11, 08

"http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1020702.html"
U.S. to sell IAF smart bombs for heavily fortified targets September 14, 08

"http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/sep/17/iran.usa"
Bush could still attack Iran Sept 17 08

Note: Originally published: September 21, 2008

The lack of oversight characterizing both the Bush administration and crony capitalism have bankrupted the U.S. and created the need for perpetual war. With Cheney stirring up trouble over Iran, we can't wait until November 2008 to fight back.

Note: Originally published: March 31, 2008

Read full article: 'Bush’s Legacy Leads to Iran: Will Clinton or Obama Make Any Difference? Will You?'

The Pentagon is slated to release a suspected toxicant in Crystal City, Virginia this week, ostensibly to test air sensors.

The operation is just the latest example of the Defense Department’s long history of using service members and civilians as human test subjects, often without their consent or awareness.

Note: Originally published: March 6, 2008

Read full article: 'Breaking the Nuremberg Code: The US Military’s Human-Testing Program Returns'

"If we cut the Pentagon budget 15%, $75 billion will go into a universal pre-kindergarten program so our children ages 3, 4 and 5 will have access to full-time day care and more money would go into elementary and secondary education. Our college-age students need to know that with a Kucinich administration they're guaranteed a two- or four-year college, tuition free, and it'll be paid for by the government investing in our young people. That's the kind of approach I'll take to education." - Presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich (D-OH), Oct 30, 2007, Democratic debate at Drexel University

In a Gallup poll released on December 10 2007, Education scored a respectable #12 for the issues determining Americans' choice of president in 2008. Education even scored above Terrorism, Environmental Issues, Employment Issues and World Peace.

Note: Originally published: January 2, 2008

Read full article: 'Hey Iowa, Only One Candidate Links Education with War Spending...'

(partially excerpted from The Progressives’ Handbook: Get the Facts and Make a Difference Now, Vol.1)

"On September 11, we saw clearly that evil exists in this world, and that it does not value life ... Now we are engaged in a fight against evil and tyranny to preserve and protect life." – George W. Bush in 2002, linking abortion rights with terrorism, as he declared the 29th anniversary of Roe v. Wade to be "National Sanctity of Human Life Day."

Bush has used his Oval Office years to limit reproductive freedom and stack critical posts with right-wingers bent on rolling back the clock.

And now it appears yet another reactionary Bush appointee is on track to get a lifetime position as a federal judge...

Note: Originally published: December 28, 2007

Read full article: 'Bush in Your Bedroom: Top Ten Worst Appointees for Reproductive Rights (so far…)'

The Progressives’ Handbook: Get the Facts and Make a Difference Now, Vol.1, hit #1 on Amazon’s political activism charts in December 07. Vol. 2 of the series simultaneously reached Amazon’s top ten list for political activism.

(this article originally appeared in Foreign Policy in Focus)

The Vatican's recent snub of Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is only the latest salvo in the battle between Pope Benedict XVI and President George W. Bush. This tug of war has profound implications for both U.S. foreign policy and the critical Catholic vote in 2008's presidential race.

On issues ranging from the war in Iraq to global warming, the Vatican and Washington have not seen eye to eye. With the popularity of U.S. foreign policy at record lows around the world, however, the Vatican's diplomatic approach is more consistent with global public opinion.

Note: Originally published: October 6, 2007

Read full article: 'Pope Versus President'

“Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we. They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country and our people, and neither do we.”- George W Bush

Much in the same way that US investors were “steered” into rip-off mortgage loans, the entire country has been “steered” into an economic crisis. The question is how to get out of it.

Note: Originally published: August 27, 2007

Read full article: 'How the Bush Administration Is Turning the USA into a Subprime Borrower'

"...the people shall become so corrupted as to need despotic Government, being incapable of any other."- Benjamin Franklin, 1787

They say that if you drop a frog into a pot of boiling water it will immediately jump out, but that if you raise the pot's heat gradually, the frog won't react.

Note: Originally published: August 12, 2007

Read full article: 'Welcome to the Jungle: US Military Psychological Operations and You'