W BUSH—Stands for WORSE

The Bush administration, under the banner "W Stands for Women," is trying to persuade women that the President supports them and truly cares about their needs. Here's an alternative view — based on the facts. During the Bush administration:

• 1 million American women have lost health care coverage. But not just women: Since Bush took office, 3.8 million people have lost coverage.
• Critical funding was cut for the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, which enforces federal anti-discrimination laws. The budget also eliminated the Equal Pay Matters Initiative, which was intended to tackle discrimination and educate women so they can get better jobs.
• Funding was cut for emergency shelters, crisis hotlines and other crucial services created to protect women from domestic violence.
• By 2010, due to Bush's proposed budget cuts, nearly 500,000 children stand to lose their child care programs, and would see their after-school programs cut back.
• Bush's congressional allies have blocked every effort to vote on legislation to increase the minimum wage, which would benefit nearly 7 million working women.
• Working women and their families are finding it harder to get ahead, or just get by. Under the Bush-Cheney administration, household income and wages have failed to grow, while poverty and unemployment have expanded.