The Great President Bush

[Devils Horse]

Just because someone tried hard doesn't make them a success. Our country is in the worst shape it has been in since I can remember. Sure there alot of factors that have contributed to our current situation, but it all starts at the top. A president, above all else, should be a good leader and bring people together, regardless of political affiliation to achieve goals. Bush has helped create a divide in this country, and that is a failure in leadership. America has lost it's global appeal, and is no longer held in such esteem around the globe as it once was. Ask anybody from any foriegn country what the major problem is with America, and they will say Bush - he really has become a global punch line. The American President was once one of the most respected people/positions on Earth, and it no longer is. Hopefully, our next president, regardless of who it is, will be able to restore the prestige that came along with the position as president of the US.

You are not old enough to know what true bad shape is. Bad shape is 21% mortgage interest rates, double digit unemployment, skyrocketing inflation, watching our citizens held hostage by the Iranian government for 444 days, watching a long range helicopter based rescue attempt end with the death of our brave service men. All this was during the Jimmy Carter administration, the guy Barack Obama is most like. It is worth noting the Iranians turned the hostages loose just before Reagan took office, knowing I'm sure what they were going to get once the weak kneed Carter was out of office. Ole Jimmy did talk a lot to those fine and reasonable folks though.

Barack Obama and Joe Biden are closet Marxists feeding off the votes of all those who believe they'll take from the rich and give to them. Think we're in bad shape now? Jack up the taxes on corporations who're providing jobs, slap windfall taxes on oil companies, tax all those 'rich' small business owners, add another huge branch or two of the federal government...then we're all going to find out what 'bad shape' really is like. That you BO supporters can't understand that confounds me.

What the rest of the world thinks of us has absolutely no relevance, in fact if countries like France don't like us, that's a good sign. Other countries who blame everything on Bush hate him because he has the backbone they lack. He doesn't subscribe to their liberal pacifist notions, and I'm very proud of him for it. Barack Obama will turn this country back into the paper tiger it was during the Carter years.

I haven't completely given up hope, but I'm already getting my "Don't blame me, I voted for McCain" bumper sticker ready. God help this great country once Dems have the white house and congress.

[apb]

...It is worth noting the Iranians turned the hostages loose just before Reagan took office...

Part of the Iran-Contra scandle if I remember right.

...What the rest of the world thinks of us has absolutely no relevance...

Sorry, but I gotta disagree with this. Certainly there are some countries out there whos opinion means nothing, but to blow off the rest of the world is a little arrogent in my book. You have to learn to live with others even if you do not agree with them.

Andrew

[Devils Horse]

Part of the Iran-Contra scandle if I remember right.

How could Reagan have cut a weapons for hostages deal with the Iranians before he was even President? According to what I read, The Iran Contra scandal initially involved trading weapons through the Israelis to a group of moderate Iranians thought to be opposed to Khomeni for their help in getting 6 hostages released (nothing to do with the embassy hostages). Later a bunch of Reagan administration officials were indicted for selling weapons to Iranians through a weapons dealer and giving the proceeds to the Contras. Those officials were pardoned by George H. Bush.

Sorry, but I gotta disagree with this. Certainly there are some countries out there whos opinion means nothing, but to blow off the rest of the world is a little arrogent in my book. You have to learn to live with others even if you do not agree with them.

The President should make decisions based on what's best for our country, not what other countries think or say. I didn't say blow them off in arrogance. Toss them a couple of platitudes like they do us, then do what needs to be done, to hell with what they think. First time their butt's in a sling they'll come to us for help anyway, they always do. Maybe you can explain a situation where another country's opinion should influence our decisions.

[apb]

Not positive on the Iran-Contra stuff, thats why I asked. I know there were a number of things going on at that time. Also rumors of Bush I meeting with the Iranians prior to the election. Been a few years, and some of those years are a bit fuzzy

...Maybe you can explain a situation where another country's opinion should influence our decisions.

I agree that if we are talking internal stuff then other people's opinions do not count. On the world stage, we have to balance what is right for us along with what is right for the rest of the world. Not an easy task.

Andrew