[PandaMoOo]

I know this may or may not be the place for it, but was anyone else annoyed by the conventions? This is my first election year, like it is for many others I imagine so a community for us to come together would probably be good!

I watched both elections quite closely but soon became dissatisified with both parties when they seemed to be targeting what they think people want. Not what they think is truly best. I

"On September 7, the Congressional Budget Office released new estimates showing that the budget deficit will grow to $422 billion in fiscal year 2004.[1] This is $46 billion higher than the 2003 deficit, which stood at $375 billion.

Despite the economic recovery, the deficit has continued to rise. 2004 will be the fourth consecutive year of fiscal deterioration, following eight consecutive years of fiscal improvement. Moreover, outside the surplus in the Social Security Trust Fund, CBO estimates the 2004 deficit at $571 billion.
"-http://www.cbpp.org/9-7-04bud.htm

Aah well.. thats only about $1400 per american, I plan to write my check tonight, what about you?

On another note: Acording to the following graphs from zfacts 7 more Million Jobs should be present. Although... bush lost 1.5 million or so, the job market SHOULD have grown, as it has for the last 20 years, and been 7 million jobs higher.
http://zfacts.com/p/531.html
http://zfacts.com/p/529.html

According to: http://www.bls.gov/cew/state2002.txt
The average salary for every american is: $36,764 (for 2002.)
7 Million Jobs * $36,764 per Job * 27% Income Tax Rate = $69.5 Billion.

So... if the economy continued its normal process, for the last 20 years, we wouldn't have had a deficit. (Because $69.5 billion is one tax year income, and we had a debt of $46 billion this year.)

I'm no expert, but... not good times.