George W. Bush an "Average" President
So says a new survey conducted by James Lindgren of Northwestern University Law School for the Federalist Society and The Wall Street Journal. Sounds about right to me, but I would give him the mark of "below average."
For many years, I have argued that GWB is the Republican equivalent of LBJ -- both pursued the worst aspects of "guns and butter" during their presidency. How dreadful it is that the Opportunity Society shall neither augment nor supplant the Great Society. Instead, President Bush and a GOP Congress have accelerated the advance of the welfare-warfare state. Among their accomplishments: a new Medicare prescription drug entitlement that will wind up costing trillions of dollars, a Wilsonian foray into the treacherous waters of nation-building, and largely backloaded tax cuts that skew too heavily toward increases in child exemptions.
Chief Justice John Roberts may very well wind up as the cardinal achievement of this Bush Administration.
The president recently voted "the greatest American" ranks sixth, which is about right as well. Lincoln is the de facto greatest President, though even his record isn't immaculate by any means (see, e.g., the succession of incompetents who led Union forces until Ulysses S. Grant). Washington deserves high admiration for his farewell address, which should be read yearly by every American (especially those who walk the halls of power). Washington also refused entreaties to become the titular head of the young United States for life; the act of forsaking power offered is perhaps the rarest of virtues in a political leader, or any leader for that matter.
Whenever the Founders are assessed, there will always be an inherent lack of focus that requires sound and sharp scholarship. For example, it is difficult to separate the achievements of a Thomas Jefferson as president from the larger arc of his life. Thankfully, there is a discernible record not subject to executive privilege and the like.
Back to the present: I'm just looking forward to the day when the White House isn't occupied by a Bush or a Clinton -- which may be a decade hence.
For many years, I have argued that GWB is the Republican equivalent of LBJ -- both pursued the worst aspects of "guns and butter" during their presidency. How dreadful it is that the Opportunity Society shall neither augment nor supplant the Great Society. Instead, President Bush and a GOP Congress have accelerated the advance of the welfare-warfare state. Among their accomplishments: a new Medicare prescription drug entitlement that will wind up costing trillions of dollars, a Wilsonian foray into the treacherous waters of nation-building, and largely backloaded tax cuts that skew too heavily toward increases in child exemptions.
Chief Justice John Roberts may very well wind up as the cardinal achievement of this Bush Administration.
The president recently voted "the greatest American" ranks sixth, which is about right as well. Lincoln is the de facto greatest President, though even his record isn't immaculate by any means (see, e.g., the succession of incompetents who led Union forces until Ulysses S. Grant). Washington deserves high admiration for his farewell address, which should be read yearly by every American (especially those who walk the halls of power). Washington also refused entreaties to become the titular head of the young United States for life; the act of forsaking power offered is perhaps the rarest of virtues in a political leader, or any leader for that matter.
Whenever the Founders are assessed, there will always be an inherent lack of focus that requires sound and sharp scholarship. For example, it is difficult to separate the achievements of a Thomas Jefferson as president from the larger arc of his life. Thankfully, there is a discernible record not subject to executive privilege and the like.
Back to the present: I'm just looking forward to the day when the White House isn't occupied by a Bush or a Clinton -- which may be a decade hence.
posted by ronpaulpoets @ 9/12/2005
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