Job approval of George W. Bush has fallen so low (the latest is 34% and for VP Cheney, 18%), that I am almost tempted to feel sorry for them, but when I consider the state of affairs in our country and our world, I feel sorrier about that. Bush has made so many mistakes that he does not only seem to be a failed president but a dangerous one. I have tried to gather what I consider his major shortcomings and how they have affected our American government and lives, and those lives of people in Iraq and the Middle East which have been most impacted by his misdeeds, and in other parts of the world, such as Darfur.

Some of Mr. Bush's most egregious errors include negating treaties, forsaking the United States Constitution when it suits him; the approval of torture of prisoners; authorization of domestic spying; the stifling of dissent through fear; moral self-righteousness; duplicitous behavior; class-based economic policies; saying he supports life but really supports war and the death penalty (even for those who are mentally retarded), opposing stem cell research despite its contribution to prolonging life; blaming others for his mistakes; increasing the threat of terrorism; serving the interest of the ruling class and ignoring the plight of workers; not protecting American borders; delaying responses to natural disasters such as Katrina; enforcing the idea of a unitary executive; chronic ineptitude (not knowing about Dubai Port Agreement); financial interests put ahead of national security; outsized arrogance; dangerous incompetence; lack of engagement (seems tired and bored with his presidency); extremist right-wing ideology; cronyism; Plamegate; Harriet Miers; and hoodwinking of Americans into a needless and failed war in Iraq; the largest deficit in the history of the country; and if this is not enough, I am sure there are many more failed measures initiated and supported by this President, such as ignoring the other two co-equal branches of government - the Legislative and Judiciary. Lastly, but certainly not least, no protection has been provided our borders which are teeming with crossing over illegal aliens who are sapping tax dollars and causing multiple problems; and law-breaking in the NSA spying against Americans.

I am aware that pointing out these shortcomings of our President will not sit well with many, but his own base is beginning to draw away from him. I believe every American of voting age who is serious about government wants our President to succeed. It is wrong to think that his opponents want to see him fail. We want to support our county's causes when they are the right causes. Even William Buckley, the near-founder of modern conservatism, states that the war in Iraq has failed. 80% of Americans are against turning our major ports over to people who have supported the Taliban and some of whose citizens participated in 9/11. Can we still believe, as we were taught in our school days, "Americanism means the virtues of courage, truth, sincerity, and hardihood - the virtues that made America. The things that will destroy America are prosperity-at-any-price, safety first instead of duty first, the love of soft living and the get-rich-quick theory of life." Those words were said by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1917. In 1863, during the hardships of the Civil War, President Lincoln said "It behooves us then to humble ourselves before the offended Power (God), to confess our national sins, and to pray for clemency and forgiveness." He said these words on a day of Fasting, Humiliation, and Prayer. The Bible says "He who exalteth himself shall be abased but he who humbleth himself shall be exalted." We can no longer say, "My country right or wrong." We must be sure that we are right when human life is at stake. I am reminded of the beautiful hymn which says, "This is my Father's World! O, let me ne'er forget that though the wrong seems oh so strong, God is the Ruler yet!"

Mildred Perry Miller
Millermaj@aol.com

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Mr. Bush is a salesman, and a very good one. As for being a leader in today's world, it is far too complicated and, simply put, over his head. He's a nice enough man. He has no idea what to do or say in any situation, and it shows.

This is especially painful for those who voted for him in good faith. He might've done alright, but 9/11 happened, and suddenly it was no time to have a salesman in the White House. We desperately needed a leader. His style of leading is to listen to those around him. This, even he confesses. He has to defer to others as his analytical and problem solving skills are those of a salesman.

When he found himself with great public approval, post 9/11, he went to the self-righteous heavy hand. The U.S. had the sympathy of the world, but that was quickly lost. So many young men are dead in vain.

Now, his sales pitches, when he cares to make one, ring hollow across our land and around the world. He leads an aimless Congress. The Democrats see the weakness, but are themselves hard pressed to take advantage.

Shortcomings are not unique to Mr. Bush. They are epidemic throughout our entire political system. We need leaders. We need peacemakers. We need politicians of character and strength.

David Saluk
Signal Mountain
aluk22@yahoo.com