It's the economy, stupid:

Worldwide effects of sinking dollar : "The dollar is now down 50 percent against the euro since October 2000, and hit a its lowest level since 1995 against a basket of foreign currencies last week.

While the shift isn't entirely new, it has accelerated since President Bush's reelection. Some observers say the timing reflects concern that Mr. Bush - with his emphasis on tax cuts - won't be able to rein in record budget deficits.

'The general perception was that under the Bush administration there would be less concentration on tackling the two deficits,' says Richard Reid, European economist for Citigroup, the world's largest financial institution.

He was referring to the $412 billion budget deficit and the approximately $600 billion trade deficit the US ran in 2004. A trade deficit must be financed by other nations willing to hold US currency."

Why is that Republicans, supposedly so interested in economic issues, continue to put blinders on when it comes the Bush tax/deficit plan? It's not working, it has never worked - it never will work!! It feels so obvious to many of us in the world. It's very frustrating - like trying to teach a child a simple fact that they simply refuse to understand. Yes, I'm calling Republicans children in this regard. I understand the economic theory that they propose - but after twenty plus years of trying it, from Reagan forward, with a very prosperous break in the middle with Clinton, why can't they see that it just doesn't work?