Tax cuts for wealthy or homeland security? You decide.

"So far, Mr. Bush has paid no political price for his shameful penny-pinching on domestic security and his refusal to provide effective protection for America's ports and chemical plants. As Jonathan Chait wrote in The New Republic: 'Bush's record on homeland security ought to be considered a scandal. Yet, not only is it not a scandal, it's not even a story.'

But Mr. Kerry raised the issue, describing how the administration has failed to protect us against terrorist attacks. Mr. Bush's response? 'I don't think we want to get to how he's going to pay for all these promises.'

Oh, yes we do. According to Congressional Budget Office estimates, Mr. Bush's tax cuts, with their strong tilt toward the wealthy, are responsible for more than $270 billion of the 2004 budget deficit. Increased spending on homeland security accounts for only $20 billion. That shows the true priorities of the self-proclaimed 'war president.'"

-Paul Krugman, New York Times

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