George W. Bush: The Gift That Keeps on Giving

The other night, I had a difficult time sleeping. Eventually, I realized why. I was furious at George Bush.

To be clear, this wasn't a case of living in the past and not getting over it. This was seeing the damage still being caused.

Pretty much everything George W. Bush touched shredded the United States of America. That's not my opinion. When George Bush left office, 81% of all Americans thought the country was "pretty seriously" going in the wrong direction. "Pretty seriously" doesn't mean taking a bad turn, it's "Er, dad, we're driving off a cliff." That's why Mr. Bush ended with a 32% approval rating.

Yet even leaving office, George Bush has continued to do damage to America. He's the gift that keeps on giving.

The economic meltdown is Barack Obama's responsibility to fix. But that means there was a disastrous economy that needed fixing. George Bush was given a $127 budget surplus and left behind a $455 billion deficit. He doubled the national debt. George Bush's destruction of the American economy caused the near-depression that the nation will have to painfully dig out for a very long time to come.

Yet that is not the only lasting damage from George Bush's presidency. Nor the worst.

Though he campaigned against "nation building," America has been mired in rebuilding Iraq for six years -- after we ourselves tore it down. A nation that did not attack us. Did not have WMDs. Did not have an al Qaeda presence. Yet George Bush's legacy in Iraq continues to haunt America's economy, haunt the loss of 100,000 lives and haunt America's place of respect in the world. And even when we finally pull our troops out, our responsibility will remain there for decades to come.

Yet that in not the only other lasting damage by George Bush's presidency, either. Nor the worst.

Because worst may be that he came to office on a lie that he was a "Uniter Not a Divider." A "Compassionate Conservative."

The seeds of division that he planted in America see their flowering today. Contradictory charges of socialist on the one hand and Nazi on the other, cries of terrorist and traitor, rallies of teabag parties and birther movements, bullying tactics at townhall meetings to deny others their free speech, and the growing presence of firearms at rallies -- such a breath of disunity as these requires formation from an earlier time.

George W. Bush did more to foster fear, hatred, distrust and division than any politician since Joseph McCarthy. You are with us or you are a terrorist. You are with us, or you are a traitor. You're for God, or you're the Devil. It was his fostering of division that allowed Congresswoman Jean Schmidt (R-OH) to call honored war veteran John Murtha (D-PA) a coward. That allowed the GOP to paint three-time medal winner John Kerry traitorous. That allowed Ann Coulter to "joke" about killing Supreme Court justices and Congressmen.

They are the shamed parents of today Michelle Bachman (R-MN) calling all Democrats in Congress traitors. Of Rep. Todd Akin (R-MO) mimicking the lynching of Democrats. Of Glenn Beck "joking" about poisoning the Democratic Speaker of the House.

It is perhaps the worst legacy of many from George W. Bush that lingers to this day.

It is a legacy of discord that Sarah Palin carried, suggesting that Barack Obama "pals around with terrorists," amid unanswered cries of "kill him." That she carries to this day, divisively suggesting that Democrats want to kill our elderly with non-existent Death Panels.

It is a legacy of mean-spirited division that allows commentator Tammy Bruce to spew, "We have trash in the White House." That allows Townhall.com commentator Burt Prelutsky to write about the Obama children's new dog, "will she be the First Bitch or will she have to settle for second place?" That allows Glenn Beck to sneer that the President of the United States is a "racist" with a "deep-seated hatred for white people."

It is this legacy intentionally planted by George Bush, to use people's fears after 9/11 and create a wedge that has let people who would otherwise skulk alone feel empowered in their hate.

It is a world so divisive that a self-described "proud right-wing terrorist," can be hailed by his congressman, Wally Herger (R-CA), as a "great American."

When daily we hear Glenn Beck cry that American mothers won't be able to defend their children, when Bill O'Reilly repeatedly smears George Tiller as "Dr. Death," when Sean Hannity writes a book whose title equates evil with terrorists and liberals, it's no wonder when the divide grows wider because the malevolence feels it is protected.

And so it's what allows a white supremacist gunman to open fire on tourists and kill a guard outside a Holocaust museum. What gives support to a neo-Nazi inspired to kill three Pittsburgh policemen. What lets Dr. George Tiller to be murdered in church.

And all of it was given voice, aid and comfort by the George Bush Administration. Empowering hatred.

After 9/11, the world joined in support of America. It was the closest there has been to world peace in our lifetime. And George Bush took that and callously, calculatedly shredded it. Because he is a Divider, not a Uniter.

He created a division today so deep that an elected United States Congresswoman, Lynn Jenkins (R-KS) feels empowered to call publicly for a "Great White Hope" in the Republican Party.

And it all stems from George W. Bush. The gift -- one of just many of his, from the economy to Iraq to dividing America -- that keeps on giving.

Comments

[teofisto]

Many of those who post replies will try to find error in Mr. Elisberg's story. All of his information is fact. Comparing Obama's approval rating, or spitting out the stimulus numbers still does not hide the fact the the Bush Administration ruined a lot of what worked in the United State of America.

The ware in Iraq. Who cares if there was a 'secret' vendetta or whatever. The fact is this, that everything we went there for was not backed up by facts. Many died. And all from professional fabrication of words.

[suzeranda]

This article describes The Grand Lie, and how it is leading the United States and the rest of the world into a very horrific crisis. Once the Grand Lie has been told, no one knows who to trust anymore. The Truth cannot overcome the Lie. You cannot defend yourself from prejudice and ulterior motives.

The crisis in Iraq is not actually a war, but a genocide. It will continue to draw in people until every person on the planet is somehow affected. It is destabilizing the entire planet.

Genocides evolves differently than a war. It is based on an entirely different evolutionary process. How a genocide evolves must be addressed, because it is spreading now to the Republicans and Democrats.

The Republicans believed what was told them, and are fighting for their life. They believe they are defending the United States. The Democrats got into power and stand on the idea that time it is time to move on with a higher form of functioning, and they know how to do it. The Democrats cannot defend themselves from prejudice and ulterior motives.

This is setting the stage for world peace. The United Nations has proven they do not have the capacity to prevent or stop wars and genocides. Time to find a new plan, one that functions on a higher level, one that everyone can agree to.

[Fescue]

Dear Mr. Elisberg:

While Bush's ending poll numbers was 38%, recent polls indicate Obama's approval ratings are only41%-51%

If "...such a breath of disunity as these requires formation from an earlier time." is true, why did we not see massive anti-war protests and tea-bag parties during Bush's administration?

Regarding "... it's what allows a white supremacist gunman to open fire..." Do you not remember that the Oklahoma City bombing occurred during Bill Clinton's presidency? Does this make Bill Clinton responsible?

If we simply chose to blame George Bush for the current division, then we risk either intentionally or unintentionally diverting attention from the true causes of the current state of affairs.

For instance, are you aware that at least nine states have all introduced bills and resolutions declaring sovereignty under the Tenth Amendment, and at least 13 more have similar positions under consideration.

Wikipedia attributes the Oklahoma Bill as "a reaction to the increasing role of federal government in state affairs, which many believe reached unforgivable levels with the implementation of President Barack Obama's stimulus bill and its accompanying regulation­s..."

Many may see this as simply a legacy of George W. Bush, but does this not appear to be the beginnings of a grass roots initiated movement--not to overthrow the Government, but rather to restore our Republic to the constitution to which I and millions of others have sworn an oath to defend?

God Bless the USA!

[NoSillyName]

Very well said. I just wish some members of my family would read and appreciate your words. You are preaching to the choir, unfortunately.

[SimJack]

Democracy was subverted in the election of 2000 and we are seeing the result from that. We have never been so fragmented as a society and the result is hundreds of virtual mini-civil wars on many fronts - education, economic/finance policy, taxation/r­epresentat­ion, employment, health care, energy/env­ironmental policy, criminal justice, national security, military spending/foreign aide. This is what corrupt leadership, failure to uphold the Constitution and rule of law, corporate and financial deregulation plus a disenfranchised, uninformed, confused and powerless citizenry ultimately leads to.

This is not the country the forefathers or our predecessors envisioned and fought for. Democracy is a vine that must be carefully nurtured and defended by all its participants. Bush, his administration, associates and supporters did the exact opposite of what they took an oath to uphold and defend. Shock and Awe, they got us embroiled in two illegal wars as a diversion and looted the country on the way out. I suppose we're lucky they didn't declare Marshal Law and just remain in power and I just wish you weren't so damned correct.

[mamalisa38]

While I agree with you, I think Cheney and Karl Rove were just as responsible as Bush. I

[MsT05]

I don't know. I would change it from George W. to the 4 Horseman: W, Rumsfield, Cheney, & Rove.

[truthartbeauty]

yes the great uniter divided the county more than anyone could. He has left a trail of disasters everywhere he has gone, and someone has always been there to clean up after him as he is clueless that he did anything wrong.

[tnduffin]

Unfortunately, what we are seeing are the cracks in our society. For a nation built upon the backs of immigrants (those who came here voluntary and those in chains) we have a very low tolerance for others. The Catholics weren't wanted, then the Irish, then the Italians and Poles, now the Hispanics (Africans were never wanted if they weren't going to work for free). The only common divider in all of this was that those in charge were white. While you might not be catholic, you could still identify with the other. We now have a President who is half black (with a true African born father) and a white mother. We have a large Hispanic population growing. Our nation is changing at a fairly fast rate and this is upsetting to many people. And unfortunately so many of these people are disguising their racism with political semantics. To use a racial slur on anybody is frowned upon today. So what we see and hear now are ridiculous attacks on the government (i.e Obama) as being Socialists, Nazi's and wanting to kill your children or elderly parents with death panels. We see any and every tactic used that isn't "racist" because to come out and truly say what these people want to say would destroy any credibility they have.

[loveHP]

"And it all stems from George W. Bush."

My concern about giving Bush so much credit for what we are suffering today is that firstly it is disempowering, and secondly it tends to obscure the extent to which his values are held by a substantial segment of the population, whether it be a minority or not. To think that a third of the country still approved of Bush at the end of his second term is disturbing. The divisiveness so prevalent today is really a "gift" from the Republican party as a whole, rather than Bush alone.

[foxtruth]

Bush was a big government Republican who should be criticized for running up huge deficits.O­bama on the other hand should be impeached for making Bush look like a Conservative.

[cafemocha]

Mr. Elisberg's right about Bush's horrible presidency. But Bush perfected what was nurtured by the messiah of their party, Ronald Reagan. Reagan legitimized, glorified, "dignified" wingnut behavior. Reagan never respected logic or facts. As an actor, he new the power of raw, visceral emotion. Most conservatives don't remember exactly what Reagan was talking about in his "government is the problem" tirade - they remember the statement, how certain he sounded, and anger in his voice. The visceral emotions of anger and contempt - provoked by his famous one-liners live in the hearts of his followers, providing inspiration and examples for the current behavior of the republican party seen in town halls, tv, radio, and congress. If you want to find the real "ground zero" to this anger and contemptuous behavior of the right, look to the miss-leadership of Reagan. Reagan frequently laced sound bites with anger: "I paid for this microphone!", "Put up or shut up!", "There you go again". Reagan threatening violent, lethal force against those who opposed him with his Dirty-Harry outburst, "Go ahead, make my day!" -my favorite. No logic, thinking, respect, discussion, or intent to reason, just threaten the hell - and life - out of your opposition! American progress is up against this today - a thoughtless contemptuous mob of Reagan inspired wackos. Bush, Fox, wingnut radio/tv, congressional wackjobs, and an abundant supply of stupid people who respond to the fear stimulus have seized the torch from Reagan and show no signs of relenting.

[NoSillyName]

Good points, but the downward trend was accelerated by Bush and his cronies. They put the pedal to the metal of RR's hate-car.

[suz1941]

This is a really excellent piece. As I watch the reactions at Town Hall's across the country it appears to me that the people - the ones not transported in to incite divisiveness - are not just confused about health care reform. They are mad! It is like a delayed reaction to the last 8 years and they have found their scapegoat and to add to that anger, their scapegoat is a black man. The man they should be calling out is Bush, but they can't bring themselves to go against their party. These people are fringe people in the party that are generally uninformed and want to be told what to think. I have been around for a while and I have never seen a more "down and dirty" campaign run by McCain and his ridiculous choice as a running mate. This supposed hero lost his integrity.

But pause a moment and ask yourself, what were the democrats in Washington doing to expose the Bush et al crony president. Nothing. The media was doing nothing. If all of this had happened during the era of Watergate, there would have been consequences for the lying and misinformation. Where are the Woodward and Bernstein of the 21st century? As a nation, those in power stood by and sometimes complained, but that was all they did. They did not act. Where was the fight when Bush stole his first election? There is alot of blame to go around for the last 8

[slg]

What might have woken you spitting mad was that shot of W at the Kennedy service, smirking away like the guy who always gets the last laugh. From the beginning in 2000 it's been one endless unbroken chain of bs and bafflegab; a giant talk sick smoke screen, hiding big lies. One very determined group gained ultimate power, chose the hammer of fascism and drove stakes of fear and ignorance into the heart of Americas' soul. There's no going forward ready into this shiny new Century until those splinters are removed. Wounds, cleansed and healed.

[JHCorcoran]

Good Piece. I still think it started with Reagan!