2:19:46 PM  

comment

These represent some of my perceptions as a news consuming citizen. These are perceptions based on cumulative information rather than particular news items. I am not attempting to justify these views; I am only expressing them honestly. I regret that I perceive many of these things; I would much rather think and feel that our country was being led by an administration which is honest, capable and morally well-guided.

You might figure that I am a democrat, but that is not the case -- I am unaffiliated. It is true that I lean much more toward the democrats than the republicans, but not enough to register as one or to identify as one.

I run a business with several employees and the encumbent responsibilities -- such as making payroll. I have to make decisions and be accountable for them. My mistakes impact others. These thoughts, albeit from a person who leans toward the democratic side of the aisle, are informed by the realities of honest responsibilities. Small business is an inherently optimistic enterprise. If my perceptions seem less than optimistic, it is not because I am naturally pessimistic or antagonistic. For better or worse, whether ultimately right or wrong or in between, I am simply calling it like I see it.

I think it is important, at this juncture, for our country to discuss our political future.

• Saddam Hussein was a hideous dictator, and it is unlikely that future dictators will be as bad. It was nonetheless wrong of the U.S. to have gone to war with Iraq.
• George Bush disregards all evidence that is not in alignment with his intentions. Truth really has little relevance to his administration or it policies.
• I wonder if the Bush administration confuses capitalism for democracy. The administration is so keen on supporting capitalism that it will disregard the constitution to do so. Moreover, my perception is that the capitalism which the administration supports happens to very directly benefit its friends and business associates.
• Bush strikes me as morally misguided at best -- and morally corrupt at worst.
• Bush strikes me as intellectually inept -- not stupid. Bush showcases the sort of intellectual ineptitude which causes a person to disregard all evidence which is contrary to his intentions. This sort of ineptitude is more dangerous than stupidity.
• I believe that Bush believes that he means well. However I believe that the world is a more dangerous place because of his actions. I believe that the United States is not safer since 9/11 and partially that is due to the actions of the Bush administration. I believe that our credibility in the world is rightly diminished. I believe that under the current administration, the United States no longer represents the last best hope of mankind; I do not know the country which might embody that hope, but it is not us.
• My perception is that the economic situation in the U.S. is worse than the current statistics indicate. Apparently there are 20 million people out of work who are not represented in the unemployment figures because *they are no longer looking*. 20 million is a very high percentage. I think that current budget is irresponsible. If democrats are "tax-and-spenders" republicans are apparently "spend-and-spenders". If I ran my business the way the current administration runs our company, we would soon be out of business altogether.
• Tax cuts are not helping the economy but are benefitting the already rich. Moreover, cutting taxes now does not help us long term, instead it adds additional burden to future generations of Americans.
• I think it is *conservative* to protect the environment, and this administration is basically at odds with anything that potentially protects the environment.
• My perception is that should the Bush administration lose in November, that the incoming administration will inherit the worst *overall* situation since the Great Depression.
• My perception is that the core values of Democracy are somewhat at stake in the upcoming election. I do not expect in my lifetime or yours, to encounter a worse president of this country.

10:46:19 AM  

BBC Bush military records 'destroyed'. The Pentagon says documents relating to a dispute over President Bush's military service have been destroyed. [BBC News | News Front Page | World Edition]