Last Wednesday, George W. Bush spoke to the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

Even as he admitted that we are going through a challenging time, Bush had the nerve to tell the audience that his economic strategy has worked.

He set it up by saying, "I remember meeting with some right after the [9/11] attacks and we were wondering whether or not our economy could withstand a terrorist attack -- after all, a recession was in place just as I came into office; then the terrorists attacked; then we had corporate scandals."

So, first the excuses, and now the lies:

Bush went on to say, "And a lot of folks were wondering whether or not this economy would be resilient enough to withstand those pressures. And it turns out it was. And I want to thank you very much for supporting the tax cuts plans that had good effect on small businesses all across the United States during that period of time. I think when people take a look back at this moment in our economic history, they'll recognize tax cuts work. They have made a difference."

Yes, George, your tax cuts have made a difference.

Your tax cuts have increased the gap between the rich and the poor in this country. Your tax cuts have helped the rich get richer, at the expense of the poor and the working class and the middle class.

Yes, George, your tax cuts have made a difference.

Just look at the precariousness of the stock market. Just look at the stagnant wages of the middle class, with our standard of living steadily declining due to inflation. Just look at the housing foreclosures. Just look at all our jobs being shipped overseas. Just look at the growing national debt resulting from your very expensive and unnecessary war in Iraq.

Yes, George, your tax cuts have made a difference.

And yes, George, history will have something to say about it. But by then you'll be comfortably retired on your Texas faux-ranch, and you will no longer have to pretend to care.

And maybe you will no longer have to pretend to be a Christian, because I really don't believe that the biblical Jesus would feel good about all this. Please reread the Sermon on the Mount:

Your Jesus said, "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."

Your Jesus said, "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth."

And your Jesus said, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God."

Amen.