Why I'm Routing for Bush
| By gqmartinez - Jul 12th, 2005 at 12:51 am EDT |
Gasp! Am I really routing for Bush? Yup.
Up until this point there are only a handful of things the Bush Administration has done that I can say I agree with--if that much. When he was first elected, I figured there wasn't too much bad he could do with a Democratic Senate. Now I almost hate reading the news when I wake up in the morning for fear of what else is going to happen. Despite that, I still think there are a few things Bush is in a position to do that will have a positive impact.
Most presidents spend their second term focusing on their legacy and foreign policy, in particular. I see a few things Bush can do with a little effort on the foreign policy arena. First, he has a fantastic opportunity to help out in the Israel-Palestine conflict. The U.S. has a lot of power in this issue and Bush can put pressure on both sides and get a reasonable compromise. The region is ready for change, a little prodding and aid can get things going. I'm sick of the large number of suicide bombers there and the frequent and indiscriminent missile strikes and house demolitions. Something needs to be done for those who aren't extremists on either side.
Bush likes to talk about the culture of life, but frequently ignores the plight of the world's poor. His seeming aloofness on African Aid was a disappointment, but he can make a lasting impression on the world if he gives Grover Norquist and his buddies the finger and makes a monetary commitment to improve the lives of hundreds of millions of people. He can pander to his greedy corporate cronies, or he can help enough people to leave a lasting legacy.
Terrorism is a real threat and nuclear and biological weapons pose grave risks. Bush can "stay on the offensive" against the terrorists by working with the international community to reduce and secure the world's stockpiles of these weapons of mass destruction. We can prevent terrorists from getting weapons if we secure and destroy some of the older ones--by fully implementing Nunn-Lugar. And for goodness sake, we need to stop trying to make new ones.
Terrorism is going to be with us for a long time. We need to work internationally to minimize the risk. Part of this goes into non-military foreign aid (for example, money to build state-run schools to replace some of the anti-West madrassas). Another possibility would be to begin thinking of an international terrorism center. Terrorism has also been globalized and bin Laden can now outsource at will. It's time to realize this and come up with bold new strategies.
On the domestic front, I can't see Bush hoping to do much that I agree with. I see opportunity in education investment as a job creation plan--he mentioned that during one of the 2004 debates. But that's about all I see even a remote chance of him doing. Of course, I'm happy if he limits his damage at home to focus on international issues. He has a lot to gain by becoming an internationalist...and our country has a lot to lose if he doesn't.
Up until this point there are only a handful of things the Bush Administration has done that I can say I agree with--if that much. When he was first elected, I figured there wasn't too much bad he could do with a Democratic Senate. Now I almost hate reading the news when I wake up in the morning for fear of what else is going to happen. Despite that, I still think there are a few things Bush is in a position to do that will have a positive impact.
Most presidents spend their second term focusing on their legacy and foreign policy, in particular. I see a few things Bush can do with a little effort on the foreign policy arena. First, he has a fantastic opportunity to help out in the Israel-Palestine conflict. The U.S. has a lot of power in this issue and Bush can put pressure on both sides and get a reasonable compromise. The region is ready for change, a little prodding and aid can get things going. I'm sick of the large number of suicide bombers there and the frequent and indiscriminent missile strikes and house demolitions. Something needs to be done for those who aren't extremists on either side.
Bush likes to talk about the culture of life, but frequently ignores the plight of the world's poor. His seeming aloofness on African Aid was a disappointment, but he can make a lasting impression on the world if he gives Grover Norquist and his buddies the finger and makes a monetary commitment to improve the lives of hundreds of millions of people. He can pander to his greedy corporate cronies, or he can help enough people to leave a lasting legacy.
Terrorism is a real threat and nuclear and biological weapons pose grave risks. Bush can "stay on the offensive" against the terrorists by working with the international community to reduce and secure the world's stockpiles of these weapons of mass destruction. We can prevent terrorists from getting weapons if we secure and destroy some of the older ones--by fully implementing Nunn-Lugar. And for goodness sake, we need to stop trying to make new ones.
Terrorism is going to be with us for a long time. We need to work internationally to minimize the risk. Part of this goes into non-military foreign aid (for example, money to build state-run schools to replace some of the anti-West madrassas). Another possibility would be to begin thinking of an international terrorism center. Terrorism has also been globalized and bin Laden can now outsource at will. It's time to realize this and come up with bold new strategies.
On the domestic front, I can't see Bush hoping to do much that I agree with. I see opportunity in education investment as a job creation plan--he mentioned that during one of the 2004 debates. But that's about all I see even a remote chance of him doing. Of course, I'm happy if he limits his damage at home to focus on international issues. He has a lot to gain by becoming an internationalist...and our country has a lot to lose if he doesn't.
!
Comments are closed for this post.