President Bush delivered his proposed budget to Congress earlier this month. The proposal outlines Bush"s priorities for the nation homeland security and the "war on terrorism" abroad are the first two categories, followed by a plan to "return to economic vitality" mostly by enacting tax cuts, and finally a discussion of "government accountability" by all the departments. More than the out of sync priorities that Bush presents, he used his budget proposal as propaganda for the "war on terrorism" and for his own popularity.

The rhetoric in the proposed budget creates a tough national atmosphere that increases the apprehensions of the American people. For example, as part of the new homeland security measures, Bush plans to stockpile antibiotics and vaccines pending a biological attack by terrorists. The language and proposed actions, especially in this case, will only incite fear in the American people if people are afraid, they are less likely to question the actions of the government, even if those actions are unwarranted or revoke civil rights.

The Bush administration appears to be using the devastation of Sept. 11 as propaganda to increase spending for otherwise unrelated domestic issues, as well as to draw attention away from less popular domestic proposals.

By including an American flag on the cover of the proposal and filling the version available online with pictures of the World Trade Center attack, Bush seems to be telling Congress and the American people that in regards to the budget, "if you"re not with us, you"re against us." By labeling opponents unpatriotic, he is abusing Congress and the American people to push forth his agenda without legitimate opposition.

Bush uses "homeland security" as a front for other domestic issues in his proposed budgetary increase for the Drug Enforcement Administration to stop transportation of drugs from Mexico to the United States, which, at best, is minimally connected to the homeland safety of Americans against terrorism.

By focusing on homeland security and Sept. 11, Bush is misusing patriotism to justify an increase in military spending, while also pushing for more unpopular measures, such as tax cuts for the wealthy and invading the Social Security surplus (breaking a bipartisan agreement not to).

It is also clear that Bush"s budget proposal is propaganda for his re-election campaign in 2004. Bush"s budget focuses not on pressing domestic issues, but rather, this "war on terrorism" in order to sustain the high approval rating of the post- Sept. 11 Bush administration. Recent polls indicate that while Bush"s popularity falls, the American people still largely agree with the "war," but disapprove of his domestic policy agenda, especially tax cuts.

Bush wants the focus of the American people, Congress and the media to stay on the "war," because he would like to maintain high approval ratings in order to stay a second term in Washington.

No president of the United States should use his fiscal budget proposal as propaganda for his popularity and to demand the unquestioning patriotism of the American people.