I haven't read this thread in a while, so I can't really judge whether I fall into the group of "those of your ilk", but I was reading this mornings London times [Sunday] and noticed an article on President Bush. It appears that he has garnered a nickname throughout Europe....."global village idiot". Pretty impressive in only two months.
I suppose "better" then depends on your criteria. Conservatives seem to have a strong preference for a President that is referred to in international circles as the "global villiage idiot" over a President that receives a standing ovation at the United Nations.
Strong rumor in Europe is that the EU will refuse to accredit Bush's ambassdorial nomination to the EU. It is intended as a personal insult to Bush. Will Bush know he's been insulted, or will he make a self-deprecating joke of it?
So on the one hand, conservatives will assert that President Clinton didn't have international respect even at the same time that Clinton was getting a standing ovation at the UN. And now, I'm sure that the conservatives will assert President Bush's international respect while he is referred to as the "global village idiot".
They [conservatives] seem pleased that Sec Powell can tell the European allies that...we came into [Bosnia] together and we'll leave together...while the US begins to take forces out of Bosnia; they also seem to be pleased that Sec Whitman can tell our Allies that we can work with the Kyoto protocol while others in the Administration [and Bush] say Kyoto is dead....BTW the claim about Kyoto and the US economy, jobs, etc...is readily seen by the Europeans as completely transparent. It's about US industrial interests; and President Bush is willing to sacrifice the planet to protect industrial interests.
Similar to the blatant transparency of Bush's radio address yesterday, when he said that one should support his budget for the children...What percent of the total budget went for children? Anyone have a number on that?
Also, did you notice that the House Bill on eliminating Estate Taxes went into full affect after 10 years? The Democrats offered an amendment to put it into effect immediately and the Republicans voted it down unanimously. No doubt the Republicans will point out what a success the passage of the Bill will be. And when the money isn't there [like they know it won't be] they'll blame the Democrats for killing it.
Marriage tax penalty...bogus BS. I've asked this question of conservatives before and none has ever answered it...
Three married couples, same deductions...
A. One earner, one job, $100,000
B: One earner, two jobs, $100,000
C: Two earners, total $100,000 [$10K/$90K or 50/50 or any combination you choose.]
Who should pay more in taxes and why?
Environmental issues: Typically, the Republicans have a 20% unfavorable spread in how they are doing on the environment. Recent poll shows that Bush has increased the margin to a 30% unfavorable spread. Roughly 60% unfavorable to 30% favorable....The good part....the Administration is confused, because the only thing they have done is reverse what Clinton did. [Not that this Administration looks at polling data...<LOL>].
and so we not forget you're original statement....
He's doing far better than those of your ilk were predicting...
He's doing a LOT worse than I ever imagined was possible, but I didn't consider T-Ball on the White House lawn as a national priority.
Being the scholar of the government, Constitution, etc., that you and all conservatives are, we'll perhaps discuss the Reagan years, the '39 Supreme Court decision on the right to bear arms, the Framers views on term limits and separation of Church and State. But let's see how you handle the easy ones first.
I don't want to put in a lot of effort here, the last time I put effort in with a conservative, he seemed to be holding to the view that Reagan's first term started in 1980 and that the House of Representatives controls the budget and can't be adjusted unless there is a 2/3 majority in the House. I was ready to discuss Executive Recissions but couldn't get him to acknowledge that Reagan was elected in 1980 and innaugerated in 1981.
My apologies on any typos or spelling errors.
Regards,
jttmab |
