Bush birthday overshadowed by failure

"Spiralling costs of a college education and even basic health insurance coupled with worries over pension provision, conspire to leave many middle-class Americans concerned that their children will have a tougher life than they do themselves. This is almost unique in American history and strikes a blow against America's very idea of itself. Millions of Americans in places such as Akron, Ohio or Milwaukee, Wisconsin, find themselves running faster and harder just to remain still. For many ordinary Americans, this is exemplified by rising petrol prices which have become a painful and literal reminder of the cost of the Bush years. No wonder 66 per cent of voters, according to Time magazine, believe the country is heading in the wrong direction." "A Happy Birthday, Mr. President?" The Scotsman (Scotland)