This blog explores the contemporary political and cultural trends from a distinct perspective
Time to change course
Published on April 23, 2006 By Bahu Virupaksha In International
It has become common knowledge that Bush and the Bushmen are losing ground rather rapidly. Come November and the Democrats will be in a strong position in both houses. However, it will be more accurate to say that Bush is slipping due to certain fundamental policy snafus: the Democrats are gaining by default. They have hardly come up with a single sensible solution to either the immigration issue on the policy towarsd Iraq. The monumental failures of Bush is making the Democrats look like statesmen. What are those monumental failures?

The response of Bush and his Bushmen to Katrina was woefully inadequate. The hurricane exposed the fact that in spite of having adequate warning about a category 5 storm heading toward Louisianna, Bush did little to mobilise the Federal Government for the tragedy. The FEMA proved to be totally ineffective. So the hurricane will takes its toll this November in political terms.

Second, Bush tried and utterly failed to reform social security. His plan was essentially to privatise Social Security. This measure collapsed within a few months after it was launched. Come November the eclectorate will remember the abject manner in which Bush attempted to dismantle the social security system.

Third, Iraq. This is the sinle most important reason for the fast eroding public rating of Bush. The civil war is raging on. Malaki may well become the Prime Mihnister of the Green Zone in Baghdad but that will amke no difference to the Civil War. The Governemt in Iraq is considered by the average Iraqi to be a quisling government and commands absolutely no respect on the streets of Baghdad. The Generals have not helped by making loud noises about the conduct of the war. Even if Donald Rumsfeldt is shown the door the fact is that it will not help Bush gain the political initiative. And now the price of gas is soaring beyond all limits. Bush is certainly not hepling matters by constantly harping on Iran. In fact the USA needs Iran tom arrange a politcal settlement in Iraq and hence it is being unwise by alienating Iran.

Will the Democrats gain in these elections in November? It is as yet difficult to predict. Nearly 8 to 10 percentage points swing in favor of the Democrats is needed for them to win. However should Bush decided to gain political advantage by escalating the war in Iran things may change.

Comments
on Apr 23, 2006
I will agree with the one about Social Security reform. But the one about Katrina? You need to lay the blame where it belongs. At the feet of the Louisiana government! That is where preparedness "should" have started. Not with Bush. Along with "all" the money that was "not" spent on fixing degraded levees by the govenor of Louisiana. The way you're stating it is not the way it works here, state "first" and then the federal government is how it goes. And just for the record, brush up on our political situation and do not rely on polls for your info. Bush may indeed be losing ground but the GOP themselves are not. The democrats are gaining no ground. If anything "they" are the ones losing it.
on Apr 23, 2006
Down with chimp boy BUSH!
on Apr 23, 2006
www.guardian.co.uk/cartoons/stevebell/0,,1756700,00.html
on Apr 23, 2006
The response of Bush and his Bushmen to Katrina was woefully inadequate. The hurricane exposed the fact that in spite of having adequate warning about a category 5 storm heading toward Louisianna, Bush did little to mobilise the Federal Government for the tragedy.

You mean as opposed to those whose job it really was to prepare for the hurricane - the city and the state ?

Second, Bush tried and utterly failed to reform social security.

Okay, you criticize a guy for recognizing a huge pending problem - the implosion of social security in about 20 years - but you give a free pass to those with their heads in the sand and ignoring the problem. What's your solution?

Third, Iraq. This is the sinle most important reason for the fast eroding public rating of Bush.

Agreed, but as doc says, Bush is not the GOP. The race is not going to be between the previous candidates, but the current ones.

And now the price of gas is soaring beyond all limits.

It can (and might, but hopefully not) go much, much higher than it currently is.

In fact the USA needs Iran tom arrange a politcal settlement in Iraq and hence it is being unwise by alienating Iran.
If that were indeed true, you'd be right, but the situation with Iran is extremely complex. If by some miracle Iran suddenly became our ally, then they might be in a position to negotiate a settlement as you say. But if their current President is any indication of the sentiment of the nation, I wouldn't hold my breath.
on Apr 23, 2006
although the buck stops at FEMA and President bush, there is more than enough blame to spread around, contrary to democrats belief, that all bad things come from bush, first responders should have had there part handled, starting from low and going to bush it should have been handled this way.

Police from new orleans.
Fire department
Hospitals.
City council of N.O.
Mayor of N.O.
The county that N.O. resides in.
The state of Louisiana
Fema

then president Bush.

there was a massive breakdown from the bottom to the top Yet the only blame falls on Bushes shoulders.

Now IF Katrina was handled perfectly, no lives lost. everyone sheltered and warmth and food I am sure everyone would promptly forget bush and give all credit to Democrat ray nagin and the democrats governor.
on Apr 23, 2006
I do agree with your basic point that the Democrats may gain from default.

But your artical is just another sign of the problems with the Democrats. i.e. pointing out what is the problem, but not provide anything that could solve the problem.

I'm just woundering what explanation they will have for not having anything, when they are no longer the minority? Whining, just saying we can do better and blaming others don't work when your the one in charge.
on Apr 23, 2006
I will agree that the Democrats think they look good in comparison, and that all they have to do is show up for this fall's elections to return to power, but this is not all about Bush - Congress's job approval rating is even worse than Bush's - and it's just possible that a different crowd of Republicans will be running the show come January 2007. They may have dropped the ball and fallen out of sync with the majority, but the majority hasn't changed its fundamental beliefs or its politics all that much.

And this statement:

His plan was essentially to privatise Social Security.


exposes your ignorance, at least on this issue.
on Apr 24, 2006
The democrats are gaining no ground. If anything "they" are the ones losing it.Bo


I think I did say that Democrats may gain but their gain is not propotionate to GOP's decline.