nmp wrote:
Op Thu, 01 Sep 2005 18:57:08 -0700, schreef Bob Haller:

What do all of you think of Bush? With Iraq, gas prices, storm response
and everything else....

How do you rate his job performance?

In a newsgroup predominantly visited by people from the USA, I would
instantly be labeled an anti-American Euro-trash liberal coward if I would
give you my honest opinion about your president and his "performance" on
said issues... So, I will not.

Because I'm really not anti-American

I think that the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina
will be a watershed event in U.S. politics. In
the U.S. right now, just about everyone is
mystified, angry, and embarrased at and by their
government - or lack of government. It isn't
about blaming one political party or the other -
both are to blame - but the current president and
the current party in power are clearly going to
take much of the heat. Lifelong Republicans are
especially angry right now about GW's poor
performance this week (rather than stand in the
rubble, comfort victims, and say something
memorable to bolster confidence, he flew over
New Orleans in his jet on his way back to D.C.
from vacation).

But more important for the long term, I think,
will be the deeper questions that will come next.
For example, should New Orleanians be surprised that
their often corrupt city and state governments let
them down so terribly? Should those who have voted
to cut federal taxes for decades (an effort supported
by Dems and Repubs) be surprised that the U.S.
government wasn't up to the task (the hospital ship
will arrive *next Friday*)? Should those who
have participated in the do-nothing partisan
name-calling bicker-fest that we have had to endure
for years be surprised that their government doesn't
remember how to solve real problems in a crunch?

The U.S. has been split 50-50 politically for
years now. It won't be split 50-50 during the next
election. Americans don't like being made fools of
by their leaders. Big changes are coming.

- Ed Kyle