Monday, January 19, 2009

Countdown to Crawford, Days 3,2,1 - Good Bye President Bush



Of all the pictures I see of our current President, this one bothers me the most. The war. The number one problem I have with Bush’s presidency, the thing that sets him apart from Reagan and his father, the only two other Republican president's that fall within the realm of my adult life. His anti-environment legislation, his tax breaks for the wealthy; these are not new concepts for a Republican president. No big surprises there. It’s that war, that proverbial monkey on George Bush’s back that will decide, ultimately his “legacy”.

I’ve read the commentaries, the news articles, and watched George Stephanopoulos and others argue their talking points, and I’m generally in league with the consensus. The war and the mess it’s left our country in will last for decades, if not lifetimes to come. My grand children and great-grand children will still be paying for this stupid war. Does that make me happy and proud of our current president and vice-president? Ah no. It saddens me. It makes me sick to my stomach.

But, I’m tired of thinking about it. I’m tired of blaming Bush for the war, for our countries problems, because really it’s not all his fault. A man can not be more than he is. If 9-11 hadn’t happened, he’d probably have walked through the annals of time much like his father, Gerald Ford, or Jimmy Carter, only briefly mentioned here and there without much consequence.

But 9-11 did happen, and it changed the political landscape into one that President Bush was unprepared for. This is why I believe the best and the brightest should be elected to lead our country. You never know what extreme crisis they will ultimately face. After the planes hit the towers, Bush held some of his highest approval ratings due to his forth-rightness, his honesty with us, the American people. I believe because of that he felt he had a free pass to do whatever he wanted, and his arrogance was in part, his downfall.

He brought us to the brink with a war almost the size and scope of Vietnam, without raising a tax, without asking anything but of those that served in the military and their families. The honest and forthright talk became almost nonexistent. The message was, don’t worry about it taking longer for you to get on a plane, just keep spending, spending, spending. We are winning the war. Mission accomplished. We want your life to continue as it always has, making no sacrifice whatsoever….Thus budget surpluses became ballooning deficits, China and Japan became our lenders, giving the economy a false sense of security that all was well, until finally, the glass-plated floor fell out from under us.

In his arrogance, he thought we’d follow him along this lonely path. The majority of us, finally, did not. There are some of you that still hold out. Call it blind faith. Call it an outright decision to block out and forget about what I would call major flaws. Hmm...I wonder what you'd all say if he was a Democrat. You can make all the excuses you want, but his presidency, the eight years under his watch, have been a disaster. I'm sorry, but I hold him accountable for that. Even the Great Decider holds himself accountable yet his supporters refuse to. I find that interesting.

And so I say, enough. I don’t want to talk about him anymore, like I’m sure he doesn’t want to think about it anymore. I’m done. Finished. Good bye President Bush. Have a good time with your rocking chairs in Crawford. May they get much use in your later years. Do I think his decisions will ultimately affect him? I believe only mentally, as he is already extremely wealthy. He will never feel the hard pinch of finances like most Americans as a lot of us continue to feel it mentally, and physically. To the very cores of our lives.

Time to turn a page. Time to move onto something new. At least I hope it’s new.

I hope.

13 comments:

Christina said...

Bingo- he was the wrong person at the wrong time, but it is over (FINALLY!) and time to (FINALLY) move on! Yeah for the Change Train that's a-coming!

L said...

Too bad we can't go back in time to see how Gore would've done in Bush's place. He probably wouldn't bored Osama to death! But at least he'd be dead, and maybe we would've taken a few more steps forward instead of so many backward.

But onto greener pastures. I'm keeping my fingers crossed..

okbushmans said...

I had a much longer response which I deleted, and decided today (and tomorrow, for that matter) is not the day to banter about politics. Let's just hold hands and sing 'My Country Tis of Thee'!

I thought you'd be so gloriously elated that tomorrow has come to dirty yourself with the memories of the past 8 years.

okbushmans said...

Enjoy the Honeymoon while it lasts!

And I'm guessing the Obama Honeymoon will last a little longer than Bush's... that could be taken totally wrong...I meant politically...oh boy, I just walked right into that.

I'll stop now.

L said...

You know Obama's "package" is pretty big I hear, wink wink, so it could take awhile.

I don't feel I "demonized" Bush at all in the post, meaning I never said he was wicked or cruel. Of course I realize some conservatives think anything said against THEIR president is wicked or cruel. But usually a differing opinion is just that, a differing opinion. I don't claim to be unbiased on this site. I think that's untruthful and unrealistic. Of course, I'm biased, but I am not a moral judge either. I don't claim to be otherwise when it suits me.

Just curious, how many republican politicians and conservative policies have you made fun of on your site like you've made fun of environmental laws and Blagovich?

I don't recall any. My point is are YOU being as fair and balanced as you claim?

I offered my own analysis of the most unpopular president since Truman, for my own benefit, as a way to end an era. To put it to a close. I find nothing wrong with that.

You tried to make me seem unpatriotic because I'm unhappy with the Bush years. That's your opinion. I will not sugarcoat it anymore than I did when Clinton was done. Times are tough now. I need closure.

Christina said...

Thank you, OKBush, and I sincerely mean that. It would be easy to fight and bicker over how good/horrible a president Bush was, but for right now, for both today and tomorrow- I am excited and optimistic, and I feel like it is finally my time (and I guess by "my" I am referring to everybody who voted Dem this election and is excited for change). Us Dems have not had a lot to celebrate- not in 2004, and certainly not in 2000, so if we are a bit elated and over the top, it is because we are genuinely excited! (I am more excited about tomorrow then the Super Bowl- and I LOVE football- just ask my husband who hates that I watch it so much) We will have plenty of time to bicker later, but for now- thank you for letting us just be excited- at least until Wednesday!!!

Mandy said...

I enjoyed your post Lula and I couldn't agree more.

We all know how I feel about the war so I won't go into it now. I'm just happy Bush's presidency is finally over with. He has been president for almost my entire adult life. I am ready for it to be over and for a new, fresh face to be in office that can hopefully breathe new life into the office and our country.

I saw a funny bumper sticker the other day. It said "1-20-09 The end of an error" I got a good chuckle out of that.

Anonymous said...

Everyone is glad to see the back of presdient Bush. Obama has a lot of expectations to live up to now and a very difficult job to do.

okbushmans said...

Of course I am biased as well. I won't deny that. And I would never, EVER, suggest you were unpatriotic for criticizing Bush. He warrants criticism, and I think many Republican's will also be breathing a sigh of relief when he is relieved of his duties tomorrow at 12:00pm. (Laughed heartily at the "end of the error". You liberals sure are creative!)

Has my blog been fair? I hope so. Balanced? Most likely not. I write about whatever grabs me, as do you. But I can say I have highly criticized Bush's financial policies as of late, referring to the auto-bailout as "Welcome to the USSR" and comparing Sect. Paulson to the grim reaper.

Putting all of that aside, there is such an energy of hope throughout the country. This is the first inauguration I have thought, "I wish I was there". And I didn't even vote for him. I turned on the radio hoping to hear that even the hardened extreme right representative, Rush, would take a day off to revel in history in the making. I was deeply disappointed to immediately hear him say he wasn't falling prey to the cult mentality sweeping the nation, worshiping Obama, blah blah blah. Quickly turned it off.

So I guess if you want to take this final day of the Bush Presidency to conclude his glory days, I shouldn't get defensive. You'd think after 8 years I'd be immune! But, Wednesday we should have an official passing of the high measuring stick and whip, so MY side can be appropriately armed for YOUR President. It will be interesting to watch the tide turn.

L said...

Hi Maddy, Yes, I agree. It will be interesting to see what happens. Expectations will be very high.

OkBushman, oh, you noble one. You are a good girl. Much better than me.;o)
I haven't read what you said on your site yet. Was it more venomous than this reply? Gosh, I hope so...wink, wink.
It will be interesting to play offense for once. I almost went to DC this week - my father is there for the party - but I would've had to be gone almost the whole week. Couldn't manage that. I'll kick myself later but that's what you get when you reproduce..I'm hoping he brings back some good pictures to post.

L said...

Mandy, very funny bumper sticker. That ranks up there with the one I had on my car in October...Sarah Palin and whats-his-name.

Christina, yes we are all excited. I plan on marinating myself in the events of tomorrow until my fingers are all pruny. But I still needed to vent one last time before clearing my head of the detritus. It felt good.

Christina said...

Vent away! I am glad you did- you completely expressed how so many of us are feeling! But, I know this is going to be a tough couple of days for the Reps. to swallow, so I am glad that rather then retaliating and disputing your points, OKB is letting us enjoy our moment. That takes a big person to be able to do that!

okbushmans said...

I'm actually only 5 feet tall, so it takes a really little person. (Legally handicap actually!)