Tuesday, July 15, 2003

Pessimism and the Bush Presidency "Ignorance and Greed, Part 2" Bush's political opponents are caught in a fantasy that they can win against him simply by proving the superiority of their ideas. However, people do not support Bush for the power of his ideas, but out of the despair and desperation in their hearts. Whenever people are in the grip of a desperate dependency, they won't respond to rational criticisms of the people they are dependent on. They will respond to plausible and forceful statements and alternatives that put the American electorate back in touch with their core optimism. Bush's opponents must combat his dark imagery with hope and restore American vigor and optimism in the coming years. They should heed the example of Reagan, who used optimism against Carter and the "national malaise"; Franklin Roosevelt, who used it against Hoover and the pessimism induced by the Depression ("the only thing we have to fear is fear itself"); and Clinton (the "Man from Hope"), who used positive language against the senior Bush's lack of vision. This is the linguistic prescription for those who wish to retire Bush in 2004. 6:11:27 PM    comment []

Bush and Safeway July 14 —  As chairman, president and chief executive of Safeway Inc., the world’s 11th-largest grocery chain, Steven Burd is the nexus of a wide network of subordinates and suppliers, as well as friends in corporate suites. And that is why he will play a critical role in President Bush’s effort to raise the largest amount of money ever spent on a presidential campaign — not by giving a lot of money himself, but by finding a lot of people to give relatively little. IN THE jargon of political fundraising, Burd is a bundler.   No matter how much money Bush raises for the election, lies, joblessness and justice will loose the White House.   But the ignorance and greed of those on the opposite ends of the socioeconomic spectrum will win the next election for him.   UPDATE: We went shopping at the new Queen Anne Safeway last night. I talked to a couple of employees and asked them if they were union workers. They said, "Yes", they were. I was pleased and said that I enjoyed shopping in the store. Larry's Market is the best place to shop for Quality and Variety.   5:45:54 AM    comment []