You wouldn't expect economist James K. Galbraith to be a big fan of the current administration but I was surprised by how vehement he is in this attack in Salon. Here's a key paragraph…
What does Bush want? He wants a growth rate high enough to get him through the election. That's obvious. After that, he doesn't care. His clientele — the military contractors, oil companies, pharmaceutical firms and big media that control this government — make their money on patents, contracts and the exercise of monopoly power. (Case in point: Bush is pressuring impoverished Central Americans, in trade negotiations, to add 10 years to the length of drug patents.) These people have no interest in full employment. They like unemployment, weak labor, low wages and a government that bullies on their behalf. And after the election, if Bush wins, that is what they will get for four more years.
The whole article is full of pretty strong stuff like that. I don't know that it's true…but I do know we're going to hear this kind of thing a lot between now and Election Day. Get used to it.