[Grasshopper359]

I smell a merge coming up...

What do you think about george bush being the president and how well he has done since he began.

Thank God he's limited to two terms.

How's he done?

Economy: Bad shape. Spending a lot of money on the Iraq war that he doesn't have to spend. Spending a lot of money on War on Terror that he doesn't have. Running the country economically like he ran his drilling businesses. Enter China to offer new trade deals and a land of silk and honey. He has this uncanny ability to get people to bail him out, even when he's proven his managerial ineptitude.

International relations: shaky at best. Cavalier, Spaghetti Western attitude has alienated a lot of foreign allies. Lack of statesmanship has soured diplomatic relations with nations that were on the brink of becoming friendly. Pakistan comes to mind. War on Terror / Iraqi Freedom debacle combined with "Yer either fer with us, er yer ageenst us, partner" mentality has left the US very alone in the world. Enter China to make an offer that he couldn't refuse. You look the other way on our atrocious human rights record, and we'll trade with you. We'll scratch your back, if you scratch ours. And butt out of the North Korea scene while you're at it - that's our backyard. Mysteriously, after Washington started getting closer to Bejing, Kim Jong-Il's name became less and less heard from the White House press room.

On the Home Front: he's currently at his lowest approval rating ever. Over 2000 American soldiers dead in Iraq, a stalling economy, rising unemployment and inflation, lies, scandals, cover-ups and the USA Patriot Act have the majority of American dissatisfied with the Bush Administration. Can't imagine why.

Personally, I think that his approval rating speaks for itself.

[PaidInFull]

I feel sorry for him. His years in office have been nothing but headache and trouble since the beggining. I do admire Mrs. Bush though, a very strong dedicated wife. Not like Hilary. Im glad Kerry didnt get elected though, things would be worse off.

[guitarmonkey<><]

Originally Posted by Blade84135

Bush is definately not the best man for the job. I didn't vote for him and I honestly believe he has little concern for our country's people as a whole.

It's true, he only cares for Georgia, Ohio, and Texas. Everyone else can go eat social reform.

[Grasshopper359]

Originally Posted by PaidInFull

I feel sorry for him. His years in office have been nothing but headache and trouble since the beggining.

Most of which is his own doing.

Im glad Kerry didnt get elected though, things would be worse off.

And there's the problem: how do you choose between two inept candidates running for two corrupt and self-serving parties? Let's imagine that John Kerry did get elected. What would he have changed? By the end of the election campaign, he was making all the same promises as Bush was.

The two-party system in the US looks like it's heading the same way as ours did. When you consider that the average US election turns out 30-50% of eligible voters, and the winner is elected by just over half of them, then the leader was chosen by as little as 15% of registered voters. There seems to be an astounding dissatisfaction with the conventional parties, but there's no room for anyone else to challenge them, so fewer and fewer people bother to vote. The same two parties get elected, and figure that because they keep getting elected, they don't have to change anything. Why should they? The people keep electing them, so they must be at least somewhat content, right? They blissfully ignore the ones who didn't vote. And eventually, someone comes along and says, "Hey! In the last election, two thirds of registered voters didn't vote. Why not?" and they collect a chunk of the disenfranchised voters and become the second-most popular party, cruising for the top. Ultimately, the government is supposed to serve the people, but in most democracies, it's the other way around.

[JerryLove]

I feel sorry for him. His years in office have been nothing but headache and trouble since the beggining.

That's the Job description.

I do admire Mrs. Bush though, a very strong dedicated wife. Not like Hilary.

Really? Was Hillary weak or undedicated? Support.

Im glad Kerry didnt get elected though, things would be worse off.

In what way? Please be specific as all you've done is spew rhetoric.

[JerryLove]

[quote]And there's the problem: how do you choose between two inept candidates running for two corrupt and self-serving parties? Let's imagine that John Kerry did get elected. What would he have changed? By the end of the election campaign, he was making all the same promises as Bush was. [/qoute] There's no way to tell. Bush in general has shown himself inept. I think Kerry was worth a shot, though I'll admit I didn't love him; I found him far more likeable than Bush... I suspect the world would have as well.

There have been a few people I've seen that I'd really like to elect. When Powell was talking of maybe running back in 1999, I was ready to go vote for him; I likely still am. I personally didn't like the Reagan era; skyrocketing unemployment, the beginning of offshoring, government bailouts of inept American companies, and a dying economy. I have no idea why we elected the exact same people.

[PaidInFull]

Originally Posted by JerryLove

Really? Was Hillary weak or undedicated? Support.

It should have been her on her knees, not Lewinsky.

[QUOTE} In what way? Please be specific as all you've done is spew rhetoric.[/QUOTE]

Kerry couldnt make up his mind and had a track record for going back on his own words. I dont think any one of us wouldnt have done any better than Bush in that office, not me, not JerryLove, not anyone.

[JerryLove]

It should have been her on her knees, not Lewinsky.

That's simply an inappropriate comment on this BBS.

Kerry couldnt make up his mind and had a track record for going back on his own words.

Could you offer specific examples?

I can for Bush. He campaigned against the Patriot act and then passed it, he promised to hunt down BinLauden, then said he wasn't worried about him, then denied saying it. He flip-flopped his position on steel tarrifs, he flip-flopped on UN support (originally seeking it for Iraq then abandoning it). He's gone back on his stance offiring anyone in his adminstration who leaked information illegally (the guy is not only still employed, but still has full clearance; usually clearance is removed for even the appearance of impropriety). He lied about the war (perhaps he was at least consistant there). Shall I continue?

I dont think any one of us wouldnt have done any better than Bush in that office, not me, not JerryLove, not anyone.

Actually, I suspect I would have. Bush has shown no real qualifications for the position, and his entire base position is wrong. I can think of a dozen people I think would have done better (including his brother Jeb).

[TheProdigalModern]

Originally Posted by Grasshopper359

The two-party system in the US looks like it's heading the same way as ours did...And eventually, someone comes along and says, "Hey! In the last election, two thirds of registered voters didn't vote. Why not?" and they collect a chunk of the disenfranchised voters and become the second-most popular party, cruising for the top.

I pray for the day.

[Danny]

Originally Posted by PaidInFull

I do admire Mrs. Bush though, a very strong dedicated wife. Not like Hilary.
...
It should have been her on her knees, not Lewinsky.

Wow. Way to be a sexist pig. A guy cheats on his wife and it's her fault for not "being on her knees"? As if the only cause or motivation for infidelity is a wife who won't put out? Seriously, that's one of the most chauvinistic things I've ever heard.

[guitarguy]

Originally Posted by PaidInFull

It should have been her on her knees, not Lewinsky.

Wow, what did that have to do with Bush? I liked him in the start of things and still think he's a good guy for the job but he has just been messing up way too much lately.

[JerryLove]

I liked him in the start of things and still think he's a good guy for the job but he has just been messing up way too much lately.

Lately?