tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1833907669377506399.post2875623972777449101..comments2023-12-27T22:08:45.355-08:00Comments on Bob's Web Log: Top 5 Lessons from the Bush AdministrationBobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10529044668868964131noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1833907669377506399.post-62466754415236631432009-01-21T07:07:00.000-08:002009-01-21T07:07:00.000-08:00I didn't mean to imply that the President has that...I didn't mean to imply that the President has that much to do with social issues. On the contrary, social issues are often used as a smokescreen. In the big scheme of things, I don't care about abortion and gay rights. I care about how the government spends its money and conducts international affairs.Bobhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10529044668868964131noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1833907669377506399.post-85322305640785847702009-01-20T09:42:00.000-08:002009-01-20T09:42:00.000-08:00Good commentary.One of the things I liked about Bu...Good commentary.<BR/><BR/>One of the things I liked about Bush was his personal convictions. I thought this would help him tackle tough problems. But instead it prevented him from listening to / looking for other opinions and resulted in him getting far off course. Now I value more the leader who is deliberate and wise, and value less the "rugged American individualist".<BR/><BR/>I don't think the president has THAT much to do with social issues. How often does a president take up one of these social banners and run with it? More typically people, groups, organizations start the ball rolling and the president jumps on board when it has enough support and needs the last little push.<BR/><BR/>I agree that our system of government isn't bullet-proof (weasel-proof?), but it's pretty good. As citizens we have the responsibility to be vigilant.<BR/><BR/>I'm cautiously optimistic about Obama. If he can ride this tidal wave he started, it might be a good ride, but he could crash hard. I wouldn't want to be in his shoes - people expect so much from him. If he chooses his battles carefully and crafts good solutions, with the support of the people (which he has), he can get things done. The danger is, the only thing worse than an ineffectual government is a effective and bad government.<BR/><BR/>The next four years won't be boring.KanyonKrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01954169751206336705noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1833907669377506399.post-18629711382946741232009-01-19T10:51:00.000-08:002009-01-19T10:51:00.000-08:001) Fiscally, there has been no (significant) diffe...1) Fiscally, there has been no (significant) difference between the parties, at least when considering that Bush has spent, spent, spent. The deficits Bush has racked up are an embarrassment. As for social issues, see #4, below.<BR/><BR/>2) Some of Bush's inner circle have gone on to defend themselves by saying that they thought he was going to be another JFK. He was an outsider (as much as the son of a president can be). He did have a (limited) history of being fairly bi-partisan. He was going to bring a more moderate tone to DC.<BR/><BR/>3) Not just in the Legislative branch. Kerry? Really? That's the best you got?<BR/><BR/>4) A financial-themed talk-show that I listen to did one show where for 3 hours they just took calls and asked, "who are you voting for and why."<BR/><BR/>Callers were not allowed to comment on the opposition, only why they were going to vote for a particular candidate.<BR/><BR/>I was suprised and horrified by how many callers who were voting for McCain were doing so because of abortion and gay marriage. There were no calls about guns and none about immigration.<BR/><BR/>McCain was never going to do anything to restrict abortion or gay rights. But there are a lot of people in the country who would never vote for anyone who 'supports' abortion.<BR/><BR/>Bush never did anything about guns or abortion. He did speak up about gay rights, but during his presidency, that seems to have been a primarily state-based issue.<BR/><BR/>My problem is that these social issues are a 2 on a scale of 10. They don't really effect that many people and they don't make or break our social structure. They sure get magnified so that people think just because 'democrats support abortion and republicans oppose gay rights' that there is a meaningful difference between the parties.<BR/><BR/>At times, there may be meaningful differences, but those differences are not because of differing views on most social issues (unless you start bringing things like healthcare into the picture).<BR/><BR/>Nobody in this country did or did not get a gun, abortion, or gay marriage because of GWB.<BR/><BR/>5) Undoing the system of balances requires 75% majorites in the legislative branch and ratification in 66%(?) of the states.<BR/><BR/>More importantly, it would require an issue of overwhelming importance and a leader of incredible charisma.<BR/><BR/>Obama is the most charismatic leader of my lifetime, and as you said, 47% opposed him. Maybe if you pair Obama with starvation, something crazy could happen, but I don't see it.<BR/><BR/>In summary, as I've said before, I think Bush never got past 9-11; in fact, he explicitely said so in his farewell address. I think his presidency will be summarized by describing that inability to move forward coupled with his stubborness in doing what he thought was right rather than what his advisors told him was the best thing to do.<BR/><BR/>Botched<BR/><BR/>PS: I think almost everyone in the country is ready for Bush to hang 'em up and Obama to take over. Virtually every multi-term president has had their lowest approval ratings at the end of their 2nd term. Bush especially so.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1833907669377506399.post-37574213116074505492009-01-15T16:17:00.000-08:002009-01-15T16:17:00.000-08:00the handmaids tale. it's possible. and i'm scared....the handmaids tale. it's possible. and i'm scared.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com