Case in point, George Bush.
GW's ratings would be a lot higher if he didn't spend more money than any president in recent memory. He would have at least not alienated his base. Leftists hate Bush because, well, he's Bush, even though he spent more money on social programs than LBJ. Conservatives hate Bush because, he's not conservative.
So here's a lesson to McCain and any other Republican out there. Quit trying to be everything to everyone. You could advocate nationalized health care and the left will still try to find something wrong with you, even if they have to make it up (Bush caused Katrina anyone???). Be Republican, advocate lower taxes IN CONJUNCTION WITH CUTS IN SPENDING, be an adult and TELL the American people you WILL revamp social security whether they like it or not, because you are the father figure and you make the hard choices for this family known as America.
Of course you can keep on trying to win the favor of your children by bribing them with cake, but something about good parents are "parents" and not "best friends" comes to mind. Ah, heck, never mind, with the lot of Republicans running for office I have no hope for the future.
I think the reason people hate Bush's economic policies - from the left or right - are actually quite similar: accountability. Outside of the Ron Paul crowd, people on both sides of the political spectrum accept that there is a role for government spending at some level. What they'd really like to see is more accountability on how the spending decisions are made, how much is wasted, and whether we got a good return on our investments.
ReplyDeleteBush fails at this due to secrecy in how decisions are being made, no-bid contracts, and through wasteful spending on an unjust war.
True Cappy, but is the President really supposed to be the "father figure?" IMO, when people start looking to the leader of the nation to "save" them, you start getting problems (people all viewed Hitler and Mussolini as "saviors;" this is also another example of why it is ludicrous to compare Bush to Hitler; no woman ever was feinting I doubt over Bush :D).
ReplyDeleteRepublicans need to just man up, say they are going to do this and that, and then do it.
"Bush fails at this due to secrecy in how decisions are being made, no-bid contracts, and through wasteful spending on an unjust war."
ReplyDeleteThe 'no-bid' contracts were awarded based on prior bids, and during a war, being fast is better than being cheap. Bidding processes take time.
As far as the 'unjust war', well you're just wrong, and history will show that. In the meantime, Canada will be using Saddam's yellow cake to run their nuclear reactors.
Captain...can you reference that graph. Good stuff.
ReplyDeleteLJ
Broadsword sent it to me, forgot where he got it, Heritage Institute I think?
ReplyDelete