[Archived] The George Bush Years

[MCMC1875]

Time for a quick look back at George W's 8 years of office.....

.....well he got caught with his pants down on 9/11,

.....he made a mess of Iraq,

.....he made a mess of New Orleans,

.....and now he's presided over the collapse of the world financial system.

Bet he can't wait to start writing his memoirs!

[dave birch]

Sorry, can't agree with 9/11.

Someone wanted to do that and do it bad.

It could have ended up far worse.

GW and his advisors lost it after that.

[scotchrover]

.....and now he's presided over the collapse of the world financial system.

And its all because of his right wing approach to the world most important economy.

[Bazzanotsogreat]

Time for a quick look back at George W's 8 years of office.....

.....well he got caught with his pants down on 9/11, Surely the blame must be apportioned to Clinton

.....he made a mess of Iraq, Agreed

.....he made a mess of New Orleans, Totaly agreed

.....and now he's presided over the collapse of the world financial system. Much more complex situation than simply blaming one man

Bet he can't wait to start writing his memoirs!

[sijoco]

Sorry, can't agree with 9/11.

Someone wanted to do that and do it bad.

It could have ended up far worse.

GW and his advisors lost it after that.

Someone in a cave? Sending not even half trained pilots? With box cutters? On the day NORAD stood down? On the day 2 planes crashed and 3 buildings fell? When no bodies were found yet a passpost of a hijacker turned up at ground zero? When 7 of the (alledged) hijackers turn up alive and well months later?

No i've not done my homework either.

GW and his advisors (who refused to enter a Court of Law seperately for the 9/11 commission- thats against the law) have a few unanswered questions.

[philipl]

This article neatly sums up the end of American neo-conservatism which the Bush regime was the total embodiment of and with it the premature end of the "American Century".

"Neo-ism" was always a deeply and massively flawed economic/political creed which lasted 20 to 25 years and as such will be a mere footnote in history compared to something far far worst- communism or vastly more destructive but equally short-lived- fascism.

It is totally illogical and physically impossible to have a unipolar world and as such a period in which the USA was the world's only super-power was always going to be limited. But, the legacy of the Bush Presidency is that the USA's supremacy is ending perhaps 25 years earlier than it needed to.

As the USA are the good guys (albeit with an electorate as dumb as the be-lipsticked pig to have twice elected George W) the premature demise of America is almost certainly a very bad thing for all who believe in liberal democracy, personal freedom and the markets as the best form of distribution.

[chileandude]

Good article.

I like the strange contrast he makes on the Chinese space walking at the same time the US treasury is on it's knees.

[neekoy]

This article neatly sums up the end of American neo-conservatism which the Bush regime was the total embodiment of and with it the premature end of the "American Century".

"Neo-ism" was always a deeply and massively flawed economic/political creed which lasted 20 to 25 years and as such will be a mere footnote in history compared to something far far worst- communism or vastly more destructive but equally short-lived- fascism.

It is totally illogical and physically impossible to have a unipolar world and as such a period in which the USA was the world's only super-power was always going to be limited. But, the legacy of the Bush Presidency is that the USA's supremacy is ending perhaps 25 years earlier than it needed to.

As the USA are the good guys (albeit with an electorate as dumb as the be-lipsticked pig to have twice elected George W) the premature demise of America is almost certainly a very bad thing for all who believe in liberal democracy, personal freedom and the markets as the best form of distribution.

Agreed with the comments saying it is a bad thing, the Chinese, Indians and Russians are not now and will never be westernised which is only a bad thing for us who want to live in a free and democratic world.

It has to be remember though that the 'demise' of America is not a new idea, they have been spouting the same thing since the early 70's. All that has changed is the world perception of the US and the ability of the US to use their 'soft power' relying on military strength to push the point.

Whilst I agree that the destruction of the Soviet Union has meant that Europe has not had to rely on the US for support as much, they are still THE key figure in global policy.

Change the President and change the perception, it was only 8 years ago and Clinton couldn't step a foot wrong.

[philipl]

Agreed with the comments saying it is a bad thing, the Chinese, Indians and Russians are not now and will never be westernised which is only a bad thing for us who want to live in a free and democratic world.

It has to be remember though that the 'demise' of America is not a new idea, they have been spouting the same thing since the early 70's. All that has changed is the world perception of the US and the ability of the US to use their 'soft power' relying on military strength to push the point.

Whilst I agree that the destruction of the Soviet Union has meant that Europe has not had to rely on the US for support as much, they are still THE key figure in global policy.

Change the President and change the perception, it was only 8 years ago and Clinton couldn't step a foot wrong.

If only it were that simple.

Even before the current dramatic events (American investment banks have literally ceased to exist as a class of entities in the last two weeks), the American balance sheets read:

Miltary Power:

2000- all missions successfully completed in the past quarter century. American military supremacy utterly unchallengeable and unquestionable. American Gun Boat Diplomacy to use a British phrase from the nineteenth century totally supreme.

2008- two missions very messily incomplete and no political will nor military ability to engage in a third almost irrespective of where the flashpoint might come. At this moment a bunch of Somali pirates on board a Ukrainian ship are laughing at an American destroyer which they can see on the horizon.

Financial Power:

2000- economic model unquestioned. Government surpluses and finances supremely healthy. American personal domestic economy manageable and set fair.

2008- economic model cracked; largest socialisation of a democratic economy since Allende. Government borrowing $2bn a day with China as lead lender effectively able to say to the USA Government when it does not like anything. American personal domestic economy scary at many levels of society (I have just received a solidarity e-mail re my fellow alumni in what was investment banking.... my old school had more people in Lehman Bros than any other business school)

Soft Power:

2000- not loved but you knew who was top dog and who you needed to make things work. Enormously respected.

2008- Bush's domestic ratings look great when you compare them with what the rest of the world thinks of him. Eight years of Mr Bean in the White House has spread from the world laughing at the President to shaking its head in sorrow at the whole nation. Still top dog but cannot make things work and very little respect. Do you think Brown or anybody else would follow Bush anywhere after Bush shafted Blair on the Iraqi make believe? McCain would get zero tolerance (the Economist opinion survey has Obama as preferred candidate in every country in the world- mostly by 80-20 margins), Obama at least would be given the benefit of doubt and restore some soft power to the USA.

[dave birch]

And yet, philipl, life goes on.

[jim mk2]

.

2008- Bush's domestic ratings look great when you compare them with what the rest of the world thinks of him. Eight years of Mr Bean in the White House has spread from the world laughing at the President to shaking its head in sorrow at the whole nation. Still top dog but cannot make things work and very little respect. Do you think Brown or anybody else would follow Bush anywhere after Bush shafted Blair on the Iraqi make believe? McCain would get zero tolerance (the Economist opinion survey has Obama as preferred candidate in every country in the world- mostly by 80-20 margins), Obama at least would be given the benefit of doubt and restore some soft power to the USA.

The US has been through crises before but has managed to reinvent self and thrive through superior intellectual capital and while the banking system may be broke at present I wouldn't write off the US just yet.

The world economy needs a strong US.

[MCMC1875]

I can't think of a more calamitous presidency. Good riddance to the man who cheated in Florida to gain power eight years ago.

[neekoy]

If only it were that simple.

Even before the current dramatic events (American investment banks have literally ceased to exist as a class of entities in the last two weeks), the American balance sheets read:

Miltary Power:

2000- all missions successfully completed in the past quarter century. American military supremacy utterly unchallengeable and unquestionable. American Gun Boat Diplomacy to use a British phrase from the nineteenth century totally supreme.

2008- two missions very messily incomplete and no political will nor military ability to engage in a third almost irrespective of where the flashpoint might come. At this moment a bunch of Somali pirates on board a Ukrainian ship are laughing at an American destroyer which they can see on the horizon.

Financial Power:

2000- economic model unquestioned. Government surpluses and finances supremely healthy. American personal domestic economy manageable and set fair.

2008- economic model cracked; largest socialisation of a democratic economy since Allende. Government borrowing $2bn a day with China as lead lender effectively able to say to the USA Government when it does not like anything. American personal domestic economy scary at many levels of society (I have just received a solidarity e-mail re my fellow alumni in what was investment banking.... my old school had more people in Lehman Bros than any other business school)

Soft Power:

2000- not loved but you knew who was top dog and who you needed to make things work. Enormously respected.

2008- Bush's domestic ratings look great when you compare them with what the rest of the world thinks of him. Eight years of Mr Bean in the White House has spread from the world laughing at the President to shaking its head in sorrow at the whole nation. Still top dog but cannot make things work and very little respect. Do you think Brown or anybody else would follow Bush anywhere after Bush shafted Blair on the Iraqi make believe? McCain would get zero tolerance (the Economist opinion survey has Obama as preferred candidate in every country in the world- mostly by 80-20 margins), Obama at least would be given the benefit of doubt and restore some soft power to the USA.

Um, I don't want to sound silly here because I am only reading what you posted but aren't we agreeing?

You reflected how good it was in all cases 8 years ago under a different president, the major issue the US has in whatever scope you want to look at it is perception.

The US still has an extremely robust economy, banking sector aside, and there is nothing to say that the US economy won't bounce back bigger and stronger then ever.

I mean we are not talking real dollars here, we are talking about figures on a balance sheet that is speaking, no screaming, a big NO CONFIDENCE.

I will not believe for a second, as bad as Bush is (god he is horrible), that this means the demise of the US as a nation because of 8 years of ineptitude.

I will reiterate, this isn't the first time something like this has happened in history.

[Billy Castell]

One thing is for sure, George squandered any sympathy the rest of the world had towards the USA after those terrorist attacks. The war in Iraq was pointless, and very badly planned, kidnapping people all over the world, and torturing them in Cuba, insane economics whereby they cut taxes for the better off whilst spending billions of dollars on Iraq, not investing in alternative energy whilst oil prices sky rocket, propping up Musharaff whilst Pakistani hatred becomes violent and Islamic and anti-Western and finally damaging the reputation of his post by setting up a cabal of crooks, liars and idiots.

He has simply been the worst President for a very long time. At least Regan made Americans feel good about their country for a while, and Nixon tried to talk to China and left Vietnam. The only good thing Bush has done is to provide endless material for comedians. And now there is an outside chance the Americans will have a 'brain fart' and end up with Georgina Bush.

[philipl]

Not arguing about the under-lying strengths of America, my point is that Bush has unnaturally hastened the end of uni-polar period of American sole-ascendancy.

And I fear that is bad for all of us.

[blue phil]

He got involved in a stupid war which only the terminally gullible supported .......(no offence).

Compared to the mistakes made in Vietnam by Kennedy and Johnson it pales a little . America survived that escapade and emerged stronger .

As for the banking crisis I really don't think a Kerry or Gore or Clinton would have had the qualities necessary to see it coming .

If the tide of history is against America and favours China or India then Bush's contribution won't be judged all that great when viewed in context .

Somehow I feel that we're overestimating the two countries I've just mentioned . Neither has the political stability and maturity that the US has . China , for example , is a nation which has its army at the ready to use against its own citizens should they be audacious enough to ask for a vote ......

[Bazzanotsogreat]

I for one don’t see this as the end of the US’s reign as the only true hegemon. It has faced far bigger crisis in the past and has pulled through stronger. In virtually all KPI's it streets ahead of the rest of the world.

The fact that the US holds patents on most major retail, technolgical and scientific commodities ;means that it will always be a super-power in a 'free-market'

On China- it is to early o say if China will become a true hegemon- it is equally as likely to implode with a mass civil uprising, should the one-party system be abolished. For China to become a true rival to the US it needs to address the huge chasm between its interior & West and fundamentally decide once and for all whether it will ever become a democracry.

[philipl]

I for one don’t see this as the end of the US’s reign as the only true hegemon. It has faced far bigger crisis in the past and has pulled through stronger. In virtually all KPI's it streets ahead of the rest of the world.

The fact that the US holds patents on most major retail, technolgical and scientific commodities ;means that it will always be a super-power in a 'free-market'

On China- it is to early o say if China will become a true hegemon- it is equally as likely to implode with a mass civil uprising, should the one-party system be abolished. For China to become a true rival to the US it needs to address the huge chasm between its interior & West and fundamentally decide once and for all whether it will ever become a democracry.

Interior & East

[chileandude]

I for one don’t see this as the end of the US’s reign as the only true hegemon. It has faced far bigger crisis in the past and has pulled through stronger. In virtually all KPI's it streets ahead of the rest of the world.

The fact that the US holds patents on most major retail, technolgical and scientific commodities ;means that it will always be a super-power in a 'free-market'

On China- it is to early o say if China will become a true hegemon- it is equally as likely to implode with a mass civil uprising, should the one-party system be abolished. For China to become a true rival to the US it needs to address the huge chasm between its interior & West and fundamentally decide once and for all whether it will ever become a democracy.

I don't see them collapsing either...but they will gradually fade away...much like the British empire...the Brits didn't collapse like the Roman Empire...you may not be a super power but you are still a major power in the world...only dwarfed by the bigger USA. In time China will replace the US much like the US replaced the UK.

But I don't see Washington burning anytime soon...

[neekoy]

I don't see them collapsing either...but they will gradually fade away...much like the British empire...the Brits didn't collapse like the Roman Empire...you may not be a super power but you are still a major power in the world...only dwarfed by the bigger USA. In time China will replace the US much like the US replaced the UK.

But I don't see Washington burning anytime soon...

Why will China replace the US? Whilst the Chinese capitalist revolution has happended quite quickly they are still light years away from developing into a financial and influential power world wide such as the US

And the US never replaced the UK, it is two completely different scenario's. Whilst the US is currently all powerful they have never sought the imperial agenda that England did.

England put flags in each country and called it their own, the US doesn't need to do that because of the economic and social influence it has in EVERY country in the wolrd.

[philipl]

The Bush Presidency has dissolved into total farce. His Administration got voted down by 2 to 1 by his own side. 21 out of 24 Republican representatives from Texas (Bush) and Arizona (McCain) voted against the plan that Bush proposed and McCain suspended his presidential campaign supposedly to make sure got passed.

McCain in reality is playing the poison dwarf game of course. He would love to be against the rescue but dare not.

[American]

Interior & East

Interior and both coasts. They don't call the west coast the left coast for nothing.

[philipl]

Interior and both coasts. They don't call the west coast the left coast for nothing.

China does not have a West Coast. It does have an unpopulated frozen desert on a high plateau on its western border though.

[philipl]

Devastating

[sijoco]

Devastating

Yet British sit there and think " It's ok, he'll be gone soon" Sh!t, God help America if McCain gets in, and the World come to think of it. And all the time Golden Brown rests on Blairs legacy. The futures bright, the futures a kinda glowy yellowy colour !!!