Written like a true republican. Complete with blinders and apparent amnesia. George Bush and Richard Cheney with the assistance of a selective and dishonest main street media, self serving legislature, military with hand picked leadership, a corrupt to the bone justice department, “police state” Homeland Security Department, packed Supreme Court, fascist mentality, fake religious agenda, utterly devoid of any ability to tell the truth, treasury raiding administration that was illegal from the get go have turned a relatively tranquil, peaceful, productive, law abiding, respected and admired country into a personal play-thing for cronies, idiots, liars, thieves, con-men (and women).

In just over seven years, this mob has managed what most Americans and the rest of the world would never have conceived. Destroyed our peace of mind, ran our military into the ground in an unjust and illegal war, pilfered our treasury for many decades to come, made our constitution an ineffective side note and turned our powerful country into a thing that is now mocked and belittled by even the most inconsequential countries the world over.

He giggles, dances and generally makes a general fool of himself at press conferences and in front of other world leaders. He ignores, indeed perpetuates the misery he has caused here and the world over. To call him a bald faced liar is too kind. To call him the worst president ever is too generous.

He has left Americans with a lost, guide-less, pessimistic outlook for our country. We, well, most of us anyway, worry and wonder if we will be able to repair the carnage he will leave. The extent of his outrageous and destructive march to achieve a misguided and completely un-American agenda will take many years to uncover and correct. There is nothing good about George W. Bush or anything he has ever attempted. Only a robot, relative, or oilman would not know these things to be true.

And this thing about not wanting your representatives overly influenced by other sources….you mean those others that pay taxes just like you, enterprises and individuals alike? Why shouldn’t they get the representation they want? And I’m not talking about corruption, but rather the right to free speech, including lobbying their representatives.

And, if I’m not mistaken it is precisely because Bush has put America’s interests “first and foremost”, that he is crucified in the press day in and day out. He’s not the greatest president we’ve ever had (e.g. steel tariffs, poor record on curbing spending, poor tactical execution in Iraq early on), but he is far from the worst – I would lay that banner at Jimmy Carter’s feet.

Here’s my view of what America is (or once was):

On the economic front, I am for a smaller government, with flat, simplified taxes, lower regulation, and drastically reduced entitlements and welfare. For example, free national healthcare is a farce and the idea that Americans “have the right to retire with dignity” as said by Obama, is just nonsense. We have the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. That means, work hard, make good choices and make the most of the hand your dealt. The government cannot legislate/regulate away risk, poor decisions or personal misfortune (i.e. bad luck). We have a grave sickness growing in this country and it’s called Dependency. Our politicians thrive on it because it ensures their employment, and the American people have grown to expect something for nothing, completing the vicious cycle. Life is not always fair and their are no free lunches.

As for national defense, I believe in speaking softly but carrying a very big stick…and a willingness to use it. Appeasement masked as diplomacy had gone on long enough and in order to protect our country and our freedoms, we are required to get our hands dirty from time to time. The liberal community believes that smoother talking with the likes of Iran and Syria will curb their terrorist and nuclear ambitions. This is foolishness and perceived by our enemies as weakness and as an opportunity.

I welcome the debate.

“usnagu Says:

So, ricchase, please explain to me what “America” means to you.”

Simply stated, when I go to sleep at night I want to be able to dream pleasant dreams. Not worry and fret about what my government is cooking up to curtail my freedoms and liberties. The ones I have known all of my long life. I want to live in a country that cares about the people of the world and does not try to conquer them. I want the people I help send to Washington to be representative of my welfare and considerate of the choices I want them to make. I do not want my representatives overly influenced by OTHER sources for their personal or corrupt agenda. And I want a president I can trust and be proud of, that I know is putting the interest of America first and foremost. Give us back that America and we’ll do the rest.

The United States is not a Democracy. We are a Republic. There is a big difference and you Donks don’t seem to get it.”

Well, maybe we don’t know the difference between a “democracy” and a “republic”, but we damned well know what we think of when we think “America” and this ain’t it.

Dear me! How very …quaint.

/snark off

Yes

IgnoranceIsNotBliss Says:
“Does anyone in this administration have any shame at all?”

No

D.C. has become a zoo for political primates, & the zookeeper is the worst gorilla of all.

Make a difference in ‘08 & vote for Americans that care about the people, not the corporate donors.

Corporate citizenship has surpassed individual citizenship in importance in our Capitol. If we don’t make changes in this election, we may as well kiss our freedoms goodbye.

The OIG found that Elston at least violated federal law. If Mukasey is seriously asking Feingold to point out a violation then he showed up to testify without reading the report prepared by his own Inspector General. Whether he didn’t read it (which is incompetent as well as contemptuous of the legislative branch that funds his department) or ignored it (which is dishonest) he is treading in serious Gonzo territory.

Agreed, there are those, past and present that jumped on the Bush bandwagon on the heels of 9/11 and knowingly trampeled constitutional law with the rallying cry “either your with us, or against us”….its the George Bush mentality.

there’s a whole new line of defense, kidz. any embezzlers out there ought to try that one out. ‘but, your honor, i no longer work at abc company, so i can no longer be charged with a crime.’