I agree with Ray Simpson’s editorial about the remarkable job that President Bush is doing [Bush is still better than Carter and Clinton, Viewpoints, April 19]. W is the preeminent president in our history. How can we dispute it after all he has accomplished? A true visionary is our W.
Following is a partial list of these accomplishments during the first five years of his administration. I can think of no other president, including Bush Sr. and the legendary Ronald Reagan, who can claim more successes. Maybe Clinton, but then again what good is a thriving economy, if there is peace?
I think it is a remarkable accomplishment that W lied about intelligence to justify a war that may go down as the biggest gaffe by any president in our history. I think it is a remarkable accomplishment that W has started the first pre-emptive war in this country’s history. I think it is a remarkable accomplishment that W has compiled record budget deficits. I think it is a remarkable accomplishment that W has borrowed more money from foreign governments than the first 42 presidents combined. I think it is a remarkable accomplishment that W is the first president to have tax cuts during wartime.
I think it is a remarkable accomplishment that W believes that people who are gay do not have the same rights as I have. I think it is a remarkable accomplishment that W does not believe in science. Who needs stem cell research anyway? I think it is a remarkable accomplishment to appoint justices who will try to empower the office of the presidency and overturn Roe v. Wade. I think it is a remarkable accomplishment that W can watch people dying in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and still vacation at the “Ranch.” I think it is a remarkable accomplishment that W’s economy can lose jobs, see oil prices skyrocket (mostly because of his policies), see unemployment go up and wages down, see 40 million people living in poverty, see millions without health insurance, see federal financial aid for college aid decrease, see a reduction in school hot lunches, see a decline in social programs and still claim an economic success. What a guy!
I think it is a remarkable accomplishment that W can have the most corrupt administration in this country’s history. I think it is a remarkable accomplishment that W can have such honest people in this administration, such as Carl Rove, Condy Rice, Donald Rumsfeld, and the intoxicated bird-hunter, Dick Cheney. I think it is a remarkable accomplishment that W can illegally wiretap our citizens. I think it is a remarkable accomplishment that W can leak classified information for political gain. I think it is a remarkable accomplishment that W authorized the outing of a CIA agent.
Nevertheless, I saved what I think is the best for last, which has to be, that W can see a PDB (Presidential Daily Brief) just weeks before 9/11 entitled, “Al Qaeda prepared to attack using airplanes,” and dismiss it. No one could be expected to figure that one out.
Mr. Simpson, I am a Cubs fan, and my unfortunate reality is that the Cubs have not won a World Series in 98 years and this president is contemplating dropping a nuclear bomb on Iran. I would love to live in your world, but my wife and kids are expecting me back here on earth.
Richard Gertler
Oak Park
