Love Him, Hate Him President: Americans adore Bush or loathe him — how we became a nation divided
Perhaps it would have been different if he had "won" his office through honest means. Perhaps he would at least be respected for the courage of his convictions if he hadn't employed any and all means to steal the 2000 election. There are those who would say that George W. Bush has made his own bed. Indeed, I would be at the front of that line. Seeing him having to lie in it is really rather satisfying.
There is an axiom in American politics that says whenever a sitting President is running for a second term, the election is more a referendum on him than a judgment on his opponent. President George W. Bush has taken this truism to a new level. With just under a year to go before Nov. 2, 2004, Americans are already finding ways to show how passionately they feel about their President.
In August, KB Toys rolled out its George W. Bush Elite Force Aviator doll, a 12-in. action figure in full naval flight gear. At $39.99, it has set the sales record for collectible action figures on KB's website. There's also brisk traffic on the Web for donations in memory of Sally Baron, 71, of northern Wisconsin, and Gertrude M. Jones, 81, of Mandeville, La. Obituaries for both women contained requests that money be sent to any organization working for the removal of Bush from office. And in Jefferson County, Colo., West Jefferson Middle School teacher Martha Swisher sparked a furor by wearing a he's not my president button on her coat during a sixth-grade field trip.
For many of us who could be characterized as Left of Center, George W. Bush will never be legitimate. Yes, he successfully manipulated Florida to his own advantage, and for that he has earned our everlasting enmity. I'm not talking personal hatred, because I've always felt that Republican hatred of all things Clinton was silly and immature. Frankly, and speaking only for myself, George W. Bush is hardly worthy of the emotional capital it would take to hate him. Besides, before I hate someone I generally prefer to have actually met them.
Perhaps what upsets so many Democrats (outside of the lying, thievery, and general dishonesty) is that Bush is clearly not disposed to entertaining opposing sides of issues. For a man who is proud of the fact that he does not bother to read newspapers, he is an amazingly shallow political character. Brooking no debate or dissent, Bush appears to be completely convinced of his own correctness. Judging by who he has surrounded himself with, Bush clearly has no interest in abstract debate or a well-rounded examination of issues.
It is sad that the US, a nation that once was perceived to stand for freedom and fair play, is now seen as completely self-absorbed and unwilling to take the sensibilities of it's supposed allies into consideration. Bush is responsible for creating an international atmosphere where a jackass like Jacques Chirac can openly defy Bush on Iraq and look like a hero to the French electorate.
It will likely take the next President fully half his term to undo the damage wrought by George W. Bush and his minions. Of course, Americans tend to get exactly the quality of leadership they deserve. It's just too bad that so many of y'all are completely blinded to the incompetence, the greed, and the venality that define the Bush Presidency.
Don't blame me, y'all...I voted for Al Gore.
