Its too bad Bush didn't have anyone to clear up everything he messed up. I can't believe that there are people out there who think the guy was a good president. He was awful at everything he did his entire adult life.
Why are people so quick to judge? He TRIED to prevent the market slip but DEMOCRATS blocked legislation that would have prevented it. He was a good president, much better than Zachary Taylor (who only won because of William Henry Harrison), Herbert Hoover (who only extended the Great Depression and was a paranoid cross dresser), Richard Nixon (we all know about Watergate), William Henry Harrison (who died a month into his Presidency), Grant (who's administration was full of corruption), Millard Fillmore (who allowed the South to expand slavery and begin to succede), Johnson (got impeached), Harding (just sucked), and James Buchanan (He refused to challenge either the spread of slavery or the growing bloc of states that became the Confederacy). That doesn't even put Bush in the top fifteen.
Next, here is some stuff he did that, I guess, made him "awful at everything he did his entire adult life."
He got elected President. Have you done that?
2. Fighting AIDS in Africa. I have been surprised that Pres. Bush made this commitment early, stuck to it, and put some real money inton it. It doesn't fit with the rest of the foreign policy of his administration. It produces no immediate benefit for the interests of the U.S. government or major U.S. businesses. I think this one comes right from Pres. Bush's heart.
3. The week of September 11, 2001. The high point of the Bush presidency. He rallied the country. He said clearly that Islam was not the enemy, and opposed all efforts to demonize Muslims here or abroad. An imam was included in the national prayer service for the first time. He went to Ground Zero and praised the emergency responders. The world stood with the U.S. as never before. Gore would have wanted to talk about feelings.
4. Got rid of Partial Birth Abortions.
5. As much as I hate
No Child Left Behind, it raised teaching and learning standards.
6. Got rid of stupid taxes: the death tax and marriage tax are two I can think of.
7. He DOUBLED trade with Africa.
8. He did not open up ANWAR for drilling.
9. He created 190 million square miles of ocean as natural preserves.
10. He enforced and got cleaner air and water standards throughout the US.
11. Opened numerous community health centers and doubled their funding.
12. He got prescription drug coverage for senior citizens.
13. Contrary to popular wisdom, in 2001 George Bush was one of the first to warn Congress of the dangers of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac run amok. Between him and John McCain, the warnings continued through 2006. Leading the pooh poohs were Democrats Sen. Chuck Shumer and U.S. Rep. Barney Frank, both leading recipients of Fannie and Freddie campaign contributions.
14. Whether intended or not, the Iraq war - besides liberating Iraqis from a despot and planting the seeds of a democratic ally in the most dangerous part of the world - distracted Al Qaida from plotting more attacks on the U.S. It drew them into a losing commitment, showing their darkest side to the people of Iraq and the world.
Their power and stature have been significantly diminished. Bin Laden is withering away in a dark Wiziristan cave, emitting an occasional feeble message to his wandering followers.
Care to tell me he did nothing?
