Why Bush is SO hated by the left (explained)!

Re: My analogy

Blaming the divisiveness of the current political environment and the ascent of such propaganda mouthpieces as Moore and Limbaugh on "baby boom pop culture", almost sounds like the lament of a cantankerous old man ;-)

Besides, this is hardly the first time American politics has been so polarized, nor do Limbaugh and Moore even come close to the more zealous examples of political muckrakers American history has seen (The Abolitionist Movement, Sen. McCarthy, etc.)

So, not only do I think it unfair to blame it on the culture of one particular generation, I don't think that even if it were somehow "true", that it'd even be relevant to the discussion. Granted, I'm probably one of the younger members of the board, but being a "precocious youngin'", I am pretty tired of having societies ills either blamed or somehow associated with my generation, as if they were somehow unique.

Anyway, that self-righteous rant aside, as a card carrying liberal, I have several reasons for not caring for Bush's policies, which isn't to say I "hate him". In fact, discussing it the other day, George W. Bush is the kind of man I wouldn't mind having a beer with one day, which is actually much more than I can say about Kerry. However, many liberals are opposed to Bush, not solely because of the conduct of the Iraqi occupation, but his woeful domestic policies and various campaigns (a constitutional amendment against gay marriage? Is that really a productive use of the executive?) , and his willingness to curtail civil liberties in pursuit of the terrorism "boogymen".

This isn't to say that terrorism isn't a legitimate threat, *but*, terrorists are HARDLY the gravest threat America has ever faced. Suffice to say, we didn't have to curtail civil liberties to win the Cold War, and what limited curtailments of civil liberties during WWII were ultimately proven to have been needless, thus warranting an official apology from the government years later.

The way I see it, I honestly think that any politician in Bush's position during and after 9/11 would've responded in the same exact manner. Therefore, I try to consider Bush's presidency in matters unrelated to terrorism. Try thinking about what Bush's presidency would've been like had 9/11 never happened. Do you think that the American public would've cared about him in the slightest?

Also, I wouldn't agree that there is no substantial difference between Bush and Kerry. Whereas Bush is quite solid in his moral and political beliefs, even to a point that some would consider
'foolhardy', Kerry doesn't suffer from any such ideological commitments (as much as I hate to admit it). Whether or not you believe that to be a "good thing" or not, is closer to the heart of the issue of what seperates liberals and conservatives now.

 

I happen to like Bush myself