2001

• California's electric market is dysfunctional. There are suspicious shortages and blackouts in the winter months when demand is lowest. Electricity prices in some cases rise to 10 to 40 times the usual rate.
• The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, charged with ensuring "just and reasonable" rates in wholesale electricity markets, does not act.
• California urges the President to get FERC to impose price limits, but Bush says the crisis is a matter of inadequate supply and that there is nothing he can do.
• More western states are affected by the crisis (including those with Republican governors). Political pressure builds.
• Bush eventually gets FERC to limit prices in June, and the crisis recedes, but not before the State of California is overcharged $9 billion. (Total to all of California - consumers, businesses, utilities, governments - is about $27 billion. Total to all western states is estimated at $60 billion.)

2002

• California has a budget deficit of $25 billion - 1/3 which is attributable to Bush's failure to act promptly during the state's energy crisis.
• The State of California cuts back on healthcare spending. In particular, it cuts back on funds it sends to the counties.
• As a result, Los Angeles County, which runs the largest public health care system in the nation, faces an $800 million shortfall and shuts down 11 clinics. DR. PAUL HUA, Imperial Heights Health Clinic:

  "There are going to be more people dying in the ER if you don't give them preventive care, definitely. There will be people dying out in the streets."

• During past health care crises, Washington provided hundreds of millions of dollars in relief to LA County. Local officials have been in closed-door meetings with federal authorities to appeal for more government assistance, but the Bush Administration, has said there will be no bailout.

Compassionate conservative, my ass. He's a son of a bitch.