How long will it take to repair the damge to America done by the Bush regime

[chequita guevara]

The economy's in the tank. Okay, that's not really his fault, up to a point. However, two of his policies were terrible for the economy. Number 1, regardless of your stance on the war, the uncertainty around the war is causing economic damage. On top of this, the war is going to cost a lot of money the government doesn't have. Estimates run from sixty billion to two hundred billion dollars. On top of this, with revenues already down and expenditures already expectated to go way up, he wants to push a tax cut that would further decrease government revenue, that would put the government into a long term deficit situation (as opposed to short-term which is okay) at a time when the dollar is already shaky.

Two, Bush has almost completely destroyed America's relationship with the rest of the world. From Kyoto to the World Court to the ABM treaty to the War against Iraq, Bush has thumbed his nose at the international community. It's his way or the high way, there are no negotiations. No one likes being dicatated to, especially not one's allies.

Three, civil rights: okay, we aren't a police state . . . yet. However, we have entered a period of true McCarthyism (unlike the PC crap righties were whining about only a few short years ago). People have had their businesses destroyed for the crime of being Muslim, people have been jailed for months incomunicado, American citizens are being held illegally in military brigs against the rulings of the court, many of the rules put in place to protect us from our government in the '70s have been undone or eroded (and the government has wasted no time in abusing its new powers), and plans are in the works for even greater attacks on civil rights.

Bush has done something the Democrats weren't able to convince me of in over a decade, that Republican or Democrat does make a difference. When will our long national nightmare end?

[NeOmega]

Kyoto PFFT
World Court PFFT

War with Iraq.... I'm going to live in fear for the rest of my life, as will all other Americans. People killing themselves to kill Americans... something ain't right.

Civil Rights: Bush didn't write the Patriot Act, that was Republicrat garbage.

Nightmare ending? Never... it is the nature of power.

[chequita guevara]

Originally posted by NeOmega
Kyoto PFFT
World Court PFFT

It's not whether or not you agree with it, but how Bush handled it. Rather than handling things diplomatically, he basically told the world to f*ck off!

Hell, I totally forgot to mention how Bush is handling the crisis on the Korean peninsula, which is largely his fault. If he hadn't told the DRPK to screw itself in the early days of his coup (pulling the rug out from underneath Powell while he did it), they might not be building their bombs and threatening to invade the South.

Meanwhile, Nero fiddles while Rome burns.

[OldWarrior_42]

Hell, I totally forgot to mention how Bush is handling the crisis on the Korean peninsula, which is largely his fault.

Not really "largely his fault".

To be sure, he has exasperated the situation... especially his Axis of Evil speech, but NK was already f***ing us over during Clinton days and before that as well.

Some places never get better. But to blame it all on Bush is incorrect. He is not handling it well right now in some people's opinion, but he didn't create the mess. Only adding to it.

By the way, I am not a big Bush fan.... but I believe in accuracy of statement and fact.

One other thing ... regarding economics.... It is still disputed by many economists that tax cuts either increase or decrease Gov't revenue. Some say it hurts short term and is good for long term and others say the opposite. Yet still, some even say tax cuts never help. So it is a disputed fact that you stated in a fashion to be seen as total fact.

(But I'll take the cut if it gives me more of my money. )

[Spiffor]

The Bush administration is considerably hurting America's power at longer term, but the damage it does isn't really its fault.
America has now passed the apex of its power, and is entering the lowering curve, as the world is slowly becoming multipolar : the intra-European crisis will likely need to an ambitious Common Foreign and Security Policy, which will make the EU a significant diplomatic actor in less than 20 years, as it is a significant economic actor today. China still is growing and being modernized, which should make it the most influent country in a couple of decades. Russia seems to seethe its wounds, and is likely to get power with its remaining huge military ability.
It doesn't mean the US will become a small actor, but it will merely become one of the big dogs, rather than the absolute boss it is now.

Bush alienates the international community, and thus fastens this process. The arrogance of his administration helps the US of being hated, and helps other blocs to solidify on a easily criticizable common enemy. However, despite all his mistakes and clumsiness, he isn't the source of America ceasing to be the hyperpower.

On domestic policies, I don't think it will last forever. The paranoia born from Sept. 11 will abate at some point, and the McCarthysm you're currently knowing will be scorned upon by history as the former one.
Overall, I think Bush will be harshly criticized by history books for its terrible misuse of his power, but he isn't the source of America's uncurable problems.

[St Leo]

Economy: 8 years of Democrats or Greens needed to fix it
Diplomacy: Could be fixed almost instantaneously (If we are lucky, Bush has been pulling a Brian Mulroney on the Republicans)
Civil Rights: 25+ years of Supreme Court cases

[monkspider]

Good post Che. All excellent points.

[PLATO]

As all historical hyperpowers go, so will the US. No one country can maintain dominance forever. While there is currently a multipolar environment emerging, this is only an interim phase. Eventually China will emerge as a superpower. When this happens, the west will once again unite to create a bi-polar world (No pun intended!). At the end of the day, we will still have more common interest than differences.

On Civil Rights(For my fellow Americans): The Patriot Act is one of the greatest assualts on our liberty ever. Read it and the write your congressman. We cannot wait for this to just go away. It is your government, you must act now to keep it that way!

[Spiffor]

You made me curious Plato. I didn't think the patriot act was that terrible. Do you know where I can find it ?

[PLATO]

I'll get it for you and post it here.

[PLATO]

The "Patriot Act"

http://www.eff.org/Privacy/Surveillance/Terrorism_militias/20011025_hr3162_usa_patriot_bill.html

[Spiffor]

thanks

[Berzerker]

It's not whether or not you agree with it, but how Bush handled it. Rather than handling things diplomatically, he basically told the world to f*ck off!

Bush? The Senate voted that garbage down 99-0.

[DanS]

Bush has been good for the US.

[DuncanK]

I'm starting to see that the US economy will never be the same. Wealth will keep decreasing and spending will never be what it was. I don't know if the dems can make it workable, but any more Republican governments and there will be serious trouble.

Two other points. I've seen estimates of the war costing the economy as much as 1.9 trillion dollars in direct and indirect costs. And I doubt if China will ever reach the economic strength that people are assuming they will. They have serious problems. I'm suprised they have made it this far.