End of Term Report (597 hits)
Category: PoliticsRating: -1.12 on 11 reviews (Rate this item) (V)
Submitted by Judoka (View user info) at 2004-09-14 14:42:52 EDT
I am not a GWB supporter, that's fairly obvious to anybody who has read my comments or posts. But I am a teacher so I feel compelled to evaluate the current administration "work" to this point.
Lets begin with everybody's favorite subject-money. Much of the news concerning the state of the economy is bad, gas prices remain high and they are likely to remain near record levels for the foreseeable future. The numbers on unemployment are certainly disheartening, too many people are still out of work. I am willing to entertain the idea that the Tech bust contributed to the economic downturn. But there is little doubt that GWB policies have had a major impact on the economy.
What ever happened to the Republican Party being the party of defiect hawks?
My grade for GWB's handling of the economy: D
Now onto our military.
The big issue needs to come first, the war in Iraq. It doesn't matter if you are a GWB supporter or even if you thought the war was justified. Various Op Ed pages from across the political spectrum agree that the Iraq war was ill advised (see the provided links for more detail). To wit the war was conducted without sufficient planning, adequate troops and the wrong conclusions were drawn about the wars effect on Middle East stability. Furthermore, Afghanistan (a completely justifiable war) has been neglected. Neglected to the point were we don't control much of the country outside Kabul.
His handling of our military benefits and care is reprehensible. These men and women serve our country in often dangerous and difficult situations. To even consider cutting their benefits in a time of war in beyond the pale.
Our National Guard is being called upon to supplement our overextended forces. Asking them to do jobs the are ill prepared for-Abu Ghirab immediately springs to mind.
My grade for GWB's handling of the military: F
The domestic issues: Gay marriage, assault weapons, environmental protection all these issues GWB toes the religious rights/neo-con line. Now I don't have a problem with someone believing in God. I understand the evangelical's need to proselytize, good news and all that. But as a wise man once said, "your right to swing your fist ends were my nose begins."
I love shooting, I've even had the opportunity to fire an Uzi. The feeling of power was indescribable. I own a handgun but, object to the fact that assault weapons are available, semi auto or not. And my friend, the proud owner of the Uzi, and several other firearms says that anybody who hunts with an AK or any other assault weapon is a "fuckin idiot"
And I thoroughly enjoy my vacations spent hiking and fishing in northern Maine. I think that big business with its devotion to the bottom line (which is absolutely appropriate) should be in charge of environmental policy.
My grade for GWB's handling of the economy: D
If you had a CEO who ran a business as poorly or suffered as much loss as America has in the last four years there would be no way you would rehire the person who had been managing the company for the last four years.
An MSNBC/Newsweek link:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5973272/site/newsweek/
A NY Times link: http://www.nytimes.com/auth/login?URI=http://www.nytimes.com/2004/09/13/international/middleeast/13iraq.html&OQ=hp
User Reviews
Submitted by NotNormal (user info) at 2004-10-05 10:56:53 EDT (#)
Ranking: -2
Closed minded, you are.
Submitted by cigar (user info) at 2004-09-19 13:58:46 EDT (#)
Ranking: -2
No Comment
Submitted by Brianthetruthspeaker (user info) at 2004-09-14 20:08:54 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
You're a teacher?
What course do you teach? And in what country?
This is how the US government works.
Civics class 101.
If you look this post is devoid of favoritism towards any party.
It is just the facts.
The President of the United States
The President is the head of the executive branch and plays a large role in making America's laws. His job is to approve the laws that Congress creates. When the Senate and the House approve a bill, they send it to the President. If he agrees with the law, he signs it and the law goes into effect.
If the President does not like a bill, he can refuse to sign it. When he does this, it is called a veto. If the President vetoes a bill, it will most likely never become a law. Congress can override a veto, but to do so two-thirds of the Members of Congress must vote against the President.
Despite all of his power, the President cannot write bills. He can propose a bill, but a member of Congress must submit it for him.
Also, the President is the official head of the U.S. military. He can authorize the use of troops overseas without declaring war. To officially declare war, though, he must get the approval of the Congress.
The U.S. Congress
The U.S. Congress is made up of two parts, the House of Representatives and the Senate. Congress meets at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. Its primary duty is to write, debate, and pass bills, which are then passed on to the President for approval.
Other Powers of Congress
· Makes laws controlling trade between states and between the
United States and other countries.
· Makes laws about taxes and borrowing money.
· Approves the making of money.
· Can declare war on other countries.
I know you don't know how things work.
This might help you .to blame or cheer the President for the way things are going is just stupid. Congress has the so-called purse strings.
Congress also controls federal taxing and spending policies, one of the most important sources of power in the government. The Constitution also gives Congress the authority to "make all laws which shall be necessary and proper," an implied source of power sometimes called the Elastic Clause.
Submitted by domenad (user info) at 2004-09-14 18:36:11 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
By the way, go read my Trollbridge story. You love anything I post that isn't political.
http://www.ubersite.com/m/44919
Submitted by domenad (user info) at 2004-09-14 18:34:53 EDT (#)
Ranking: -2
I could be really, really nasty, but we're starting to establish a dialogue so I won't. So I'll just say that I think you left too much out.
Submitted by strider (user info) at 2004-09-14 18:23:33 EDT (#)
Ranking: -2
I mostly agree with running in place
Submitted by PersonMan (user info) at 2004-09-14 18:02:01 EDT (#)
Ranking: -2
"But I am a teacher so I feel compelled to evaluate the current administration "work" to this point. "
Well, shit. This surprises me. Not.
Submitted by runninginplace (user info) at 2004-09-14 15:47:58 EDT (#)
Ranking: -2
Gee, RJ, good counter. Like how you sign in too.
Submitted by Random Joe at 2004-09-14 15:44:49 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
runninginplace: You sir are definitely dealing with a limited resource when it comes to intelligence. I suppose diamonds are so expensive because they are a limited resource also.
Don't worry, there are enough ignorant fucktards in America to get Bush re-elected. Hell, half of the USA's population probably couldn't find the USA on a global map. [No, see that's Antarctica.]
Submitted by firefly (user info) at 2004-09-14 15:32:25 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by runninginplace (user info) at 2004-09-14 15:09:05 EDT (#)
Ranking: -2
Yep, it is pretty obvious that you don't support Bush.
You grade out the economy based on several issues. Let's look at gas prices. Gas prices are not at historically high prices in real dollars. Some things like clothes or food you could reasonably expect to decrease in price as time goes on. After all, we become more productive with increases in technology. But gas is different. Oil is a limited natural resource. Well, no shit I am sure you are typing. Wait a minute. The point is, is that the price should be a lot higher than it is. Supply and demand should drive up the price and eventually bring down demand. I actually think we are working too hard at keeping the price low. We will run out sooner or later.
Who are you to judge where the economy should be at? I think we are doing pretty good recovering from first the tech bubble and then 9/11. I know it has been three years, but the Great Depression was a hell of a lot longer and much more severe. Unemployment is decreasing and we are recovering. Too many people expect an overnight solution. There isn't one. Give it time. We are on the right path.
Your review of the economy F
The military issues have been hashed out here before, including your so called "reprehensible" military benefits and care. The only issue I agree with you on in this section is the planning. We did need more troops.
Your review of the military D-
Domestic Issues is where you really dropped the ball. These issues that you jumped really split based on political parties. Many people support the ban on gay marriage and want to buy assault rifles. These would give Bush an A+. The environmental issue is another partisan issue. A lot of people feel we need to develop oil reserves in environmentally sensitive areas.
You review of the domestic issues: 0. An F isn't low enough.
I am sorry, but I have to let you go.