I knew it was only a matter of time before our current Commander in Chief would be less-popular than Nixon.By 64%-31%, Americans disapprove of the job he is doing. For the first time in the history of the Gallup Poll, 50% say they "strongly disapprove" of the president. Richard Nixon had reached the previous high, 48%, just before an impeachment inquiry was launched in 1974.
Hmmm... let's examine what I believe are the main causes for the Bush popularity decline, shall we?
In no particular order, kind of...
1:: War. Of course the war in Iraq takes the main stage at the Conflict Concert, but let us not forget that we are currently embroiled in not one, but TWO ADDITIONAL wars: the war in Afghanistan and the amorphous War On Terror. All three of these fracas can be traced directly to the attacks of September 11th, 2001. Afghanistan and the War On Terror are direct results of the attacks - whereas the war in Iraq is more of a rhetorical link that has been graciously provided to us by the Bush administration. Americans are sick and tired of war. We are hearing the drum beats for engagement with Iran now - and I really don't think that our country will put up with it. Moreover, G.W. Bush and his homies really dropped the political ball when they didn't go after Osama bin Laden. I think that his approval ratings would be MUCH higher if we had at least TRIED to catch this guy. Ugh.
2:: Gas. Prices in my neighborhood are $3.00 per gallon. I live in the 'sticks', so I can only imagine what a gallon of regular-unleaded costs in the city. I know that I cannot blame Bush and Cheney for the high price of gas - that is partially my fault (and yours) for needing so damn much of it. It doesn't help when every soccer-mom that I see drives a f**kin' GMC Yukon Denali. HOWEVER, our nation's recent foreign policy has definitely had some affect on the price of a barrel of oil (which is now hovering right around $100 per barrel - a record high). This means that my second point (gas) is directly related to my first point (war). In fact, there are those who would argue that it's the other way around...
3:: Healthcare. Okay, so you don't want universal health care coverage for everyone. That makes you a likely Republican and that's just fine with me. BUT - how can Mr. Bush think that Americans are going to get behind this zany idea that kids who cannot afford health care don't deserve it?! If you are an adult, get out and get yourself a job to pay for YOUR health care - or go uninsured. Under his thought process, Mr. Bush is seemingly blaming kids for having parents who happen to be down on their luck, unemployed, underemployed or are just simply dead-beat-parents. How is that the kids' fault? This isn't about "Hillary-care" (as Mitt and Rudy LOVE to trumpet) folks, this is about kids getting the medical coverage the need and deserve.
I would think that those three arguments would be enough to prove why the numbers are low, but I'm going to add one of my pet peeves to the mix:
4:: Fiscal Responsibility. The last time that I checked, the GOP was the "party of fiscal conservatism". Republicans want to cut wasteful spending, and keep the budget balanced. Currently, our national debt stand at just under $9.2 trillion. That's trillion with a T-R people. You always hear conservatives complaining about the Democrats wasteful spending and what-not. Up until a year ago, the government was almost COMPLETELY controlled by Republicans - and it was all directed by George W. Bush. This national debt issue has not been getting a lot of play with the media and with the 2008 presidential candidates (from either party) - but I think that it should. If we cannot get our debt under control, it could be our children who are adversely affected.
Our country is rapidly losing it's moral standing in the global community because of wars and issues like torture and habeas corpus. We may soon lose our effectiveness in the trade community because of looming debts. This president and his loyalists are, for the most part, to blame. It does not surprise me in the least that president Bush's approval numbers are in the toilet.
It's time to flush the toilet America.
Or at least get out the Drāno...
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Photo: Larry Downing/Reuters
The Pajama Pundit - Founder/Editor
1 comments:
2:: Gas.
Mark my words - WHEN we invade iran, There's no if's about it in my opinion, Gas will approach $200 a barrel in a year from now and gas will approach $6/gallon. I've said this for a couple of years now. Also, my prediction of gas hitting $100/barrel around this time came true.
4:: Fiscal Responsibility.
Only defense on this one is that the Bush Administration are not REAL Republicans. more like RhINOs (Republican In Name Only). Hell, JFK was more republican then this administration.
::flushing sound::
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