by James Lynne

Created on: September 20, 2008   Last Updated: January 18, 2009

The legacy of the Bush presidency is Elmer Gantry in the persona of George Bush. In truth, Bush cannot be solely blamed for the travesty of his administration. What mattered most to American voters was that Bush appeared to be one of them, ignorant, uninformed, impulsive, prone to drink and other vices common to the average man. Claims of religious grandiosity ameliorated his obvious imperfections, making him the candidate of the American redneck and the religious fundamentalist. The true legacy of the Bush presidency is a lesson about the ignorance of the American citizen.

Even though in the American culture it is possible for "anyman" to become President, George Bush, as President, has demonstrated it works best if that man is actually qualified to hold the office. Although it is comforting to believe the average American can become President, George Bush has shown that the process works best if the President values education, wisdom, patiience, personal growth and development, and honesty. The legacy of George Bush is one of failed leadership through self-service, dishonesty, divisiveness, manipulation, and cronyism.

George W. Bush often boasts that he is not one to read lengthy advisories nor does he spend a great deal of time deliberating before making decisions. According to him, he makes decisions from his "gut." This is fine for a leader who is intellectually sophisticated, worldly wise, and who listens to those who do read advisory messages. Unfortunately, George Bush is neither. His lackluster education and career background did little to prepare him for the Presidency. His impulse-based decisions brought the United States to its financial knees and undermined the security of the American family. Due to a clever and ruthless campaign team, that manipulated the naivete of Christian fundamentalism in America, Bush was able to ascend to the Presidency without the requisite background or skills to manage the office. The American family has paid, and will continue paying for generations. This is the legacy of the Geroge W. Bush Presidency.

While claiming a Family Values platform, President George W. Bush has done more to undermine the American family than any other President in American history. Bush propelled the nation into an unnecessary war costing trillions of dollars that can only be paid by present and future families. As a result of Bush policies that promote the rich at the expense of the poor, the American family is now shackled with debt that will

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