Is anyone nervous about the way the world is looking at us?  Bush looks like a bully, I don't care what anyone says. You can't go into the middle east, wage war and do it in the name of "evil" without pissing some people off. Plus, the dude bumbles so often. Kinda like watching Gomer Pyle in a suit. Clinton wasn't much better for a reputation. Snake oil salesman, with a very intelligent bulldog for an advisor.  I'm just sick of scandals, sick of the deficit and sick watching the dollar go down the toilet. If we're gonna go break other peoples crap, turn around and offer to rebuild it, I think we should have some money in the bank. Not just presidentially either, what about congressional? Are they all in it for civic duty or are they about blaming each other for not getting anything done? What will you take from and what will keep you from voting for, based on past leaders? Gonna be ok to smoke pot? Snort coke? Granted it's not the worst thing, but these people represent us globally.
208508
Just look at whats going on in this country & the Middle East.\n\nMy mind's already made up; it's time for a change.
62774
Honestly, Bush knows about pretty much everything going on. Now, does he act accordingly to what goes on? No. Why? Well that's the multi-billion dollar question, er, wait, multi-billion dollar war budget he made. Why focus so much time and effort on a country hundreds of miles away when your own country isn't too well off? We have people protesting soldier funerals for gods sake. WTF. And he knows about everything going on, but doesnt know what to do. So how does he react? "Well the war is going good". Honestly, f*ck Bush. He's the worst mistake in the history of the United States.
15953
I'm going to have to quote Sherasi here (you wrapped this up perfectly): Personally, I neither hate or love President Bush. He has been an adequate president doing nothing outstanding or terrible in either direction.  (Now here's my part).  As for the WMD's it is possible that they haven't been found.  However, and I don't think I'm speaking alone when I say this, given the tone of the Administration, the UN speech by Colin Powel and George Bush's own firey speeches, I was under the impression that the WMD posed a clear and present danger to us our or our friends in Europe (them being closer, it would be easier to get a missle there).  Therefore, even though I wasn't an avid war supporter, I did expect there to be some sort of major find (again, just because of the tone).  After these years, though it is possible that they are well hidden, the United States has sent top experts of our own (so the crack towards the UN in an earlier answer was pointless), along with spy planes, ground-penetrating radar and computer logistics simulations that could track the likely path of any movement.  I believe the weapons did exist, at one time, but were destroyed or moved.  The fact that the supposed weapons haven't been found then should NOT be seen as a 'victory' for Democrats or a 'defeat' to Republicans.  It should, if we go on the premise that Bush was telling the truh, be a cause of great alarm:  Where are these weapons? Could enemies be plotting against us right now?  It is very sad (and alarming) how even something as overtly destructive as biotoxins suddenly becomes political in this toxic political atmosphere.  And to address you additional comment, if the weapons are one day found, I would hope that the 'Bush haters' say "It looks like we made a mistake".  However, you and I and everyone here knows d*mn well that we're not that forgiving in America, and that - unfortunately - is the reason many foreign policy blunders (and that's aimed at all Presidents, not just Bush) go not only unapologized for, but are compensated by compoundingly disastrous steps.
450971
I don't understand what the republics problem is... Hell are you really happy with the way things are going? The Government is taking away freedoms... We're in a country we SHOULDN"T have ever even VISITED let alone take over... (you can't argue there I mean "weapons of mass destrution" in Iraq when there are ACTUAL weapons in Japan to be concerned about... But we cant do anything about that, our troups are in Iraq.) This countries going to end if things don't change. Lets not even talk about the debt we're racking up. Jobs leaving. Economy *hit... What scares everyone SO bad about things changing (it can only get better)
127657
That's funny that you say that, I just read the other day that "survival mode" is what insiders are calling what the Bush Administration is doing right now.  They are tanking all across the board, polls are way down, Iraq is a mess...\n\nI wouldn't say our country as a whole is in bad shape, but our leadership in Congress and in the Whitehouse needs to change for sure.  A question I ran across the other day, which I though was very astute, do people of the world think of the US like most of us think of Microsoft?  Or Wal-Mart for that matter...too powerful, too crappy, to mundane, a bully? How did our great country get to this point?
32116
I'm sorry, but you are obviously one of the stereotypical Democrats out there.  Democrats tend to hear something and take it as whatever meaning they choose, as long as it makes Republicans sound like they don't know what they're talking about.  "Everything changed on 9/11" because we realized that our country isn't as safe as we all thought it was.  We realized that terrorists can attack us and that it was time that we stopped allowing them to carry out their missions the best we can. This was going to happen no matter what party was in office.  It's been being planned for a very long time.  I watch what Democrats say about Bush and I just can't help but think that in the back of their mind they're all saying, "thank goodness it didn't happen while we were in office."  They know it very well could have, but it seemed like a perfect opportunity to crack on the Republican party.  If a Democrat were in office, all of our soldiers would be home and we'd be the target of horrible attacks.  We'd be giving into terrorists negotiations and the United States would be growing weaker every day.  Thank God that Bush is in office right now because he knows what needs to be done and isn't afraid of doing it.  That's why Democrats don't like him so much.  He knows their tactics won't work right now, and he's not afraid to stand up for what he believes will.  God help us if a Democrat like Hilary Clinton takes office next.
266904
There was a similar conversation going on within yahoo 360. I, being an American, can do nothing more than agree with you on most points. I don't know that I would go as far as to say that as a whole we are worse than Hitler, but I have mentioned to several that I work with that I feel, our President Bush is modern days version of Hitler. \n\nI think, unfortunately, that most (not all) foreigners don't realize that most (not all) Americans don't like the man either! His approval rating as of yesterday was 33%. That's pretty bad. We don't like that he seems to be a bully to others and don't like that we are as a whole viewed as believing the way he does. The argument can be made that "we" re-elected the man. I understand that, although I did not. I didn't vote for him either time. I think the general thought at the time, was that he started something we better let him finish it, since (in theory) he should know what he's doing. Ha!\n\nAs far as history is concerned. I can't argue that either. But again, like every other country that is judged, and they all are, the country as a whole does not necessarily believe the same as their leaders do. I think in the beginning they put on a good "show" and are then elected into leadership. Whom ever puts on the best show wins the "prize". It sucks.\n\nMy response in the discussion to the blog was similar to what is here. I also said that I really hope that someday people just learn to accept others for what they are and what they believe. There is no right or wrong way. There is only what people believe is best for them. That includes democracy! It might be OK for us, but not for others. Our way is not necessarily the "best" way. I just wish everyone could leave everyone else alone.
371157
I disagree with knowsigns... that was one mistake clinton made, but what about the mistakes Buh has made? I'm a New Yorker and was deeply affected by the 9/11 tragedy. What did Bush do about that tragedy? Invade the privacy of millions of Americans  right? What should he have done? If you read Time magazine you would've read a punchline about how some director is making a movie about the search for osama bin laden, it's 300 hours long with no ending. That is precisely the kind of search President Bush led. I am oly 12 and you cannot guess how strong the deep contempt for the failed capture of Osama Bin Laden is. During that search he went off into Iraq, called it operation Iraqi Liberation, or: O.I.L. What did he want? the destroyer of America in jail, or oil? He didn't even need oil then. I know what people will say that he didn't do it for oil, but how sure can you be? My theory about why he changed Operation Iraqi Liberation's name was because OPEC told him you can't have our oil. He didn't want to look stupid that's why he changed the name! In my point of view Bush is the worst president we possibly could have at times like this when theres a war being waged in Iraq!! I'm only 12 years old and i feel this way, call me an anger bomb just waiting to explode, but i would say some very "colorful" things about our dear president if i didn't have faith in the Americans that trusted him.
168764
I am mostly concerned with the NOW.  The past is the past, and we cannot change that.  Bush is destroying both our international image and American lives.
209319
we have an idiot in our white house that has no clue what he's doing. None of his "plan" is justifiable. Its a war for oil, not peace. A power hungry village idiot (Somewhere In Texas a Village is Missing It's Idiot, best bumper sticker i've seen about this cause) came up with the brilliant plan that we could dispose of WOMD in iraq. Which basically brings us to good and them to not. It was pointless from the point that we found no WOMD. Anyway, it proved to be damn near impossible so we turned it into a reformation mission. We tried to reform the government yadda yadda yadda. Well we went over there to find WOMD. We didnt. We found a guy in a hole. Big woo. So now there is absolutely no reason for us to be in iraq. We accomplished all the things bush set out in the beginning. Now its just ridiculous. We're over there fighting for some retarded cause that a texan oil junkie idiot decided we absolutely needed to work for. Jay Leno put it right when he said "We are now down to the final 4. I'm not talking about basketball, i'm talking about how many people still think george bush is doing a good job."
509568
I agree w/FreeBird, there are lots of forces working behind the scenes for wars. As has been so painfully shown in this current one, I mean if you believe what the admin is saying that we invaded Iraq to "Protect our country" and "Foster Democracy". Then;\nA) Like the elusive WMDs, there never were any terrorists in Iraq...oh yeah TILL WE INVADED!\nB) What about Iran, N. Korea, or a multitude of other countries that have said outright,"We HATE America, we ARE developing WMDs, and WE WANT TO KILL YOU!"? \nC) Why right after 9/11 after saying "Our #1 priority is capturing or killing Bin Laden.." did "Dubya" not even 4 months later say,"We don't know where Bin Laden is, & we honestly don't care, Iraq is our main focus now..."?\n\nThink about how much $$ the defense industry, Haliburton, Big Oil, etc, has made & continues to make from this war.\nThis war was orchestrated as "pay back" for Bush's backers.\nTo keep our focus away while Bush dismantled 40 years of environmental protections, gave billions in tax cuts to the ultra rich, "outted" government whistleblowers who disagreed with his devious plans, and tried to rewrite future legislation to patronize his "base".\nWell beginning today most of that will be just a bad memory.\nDon't get me wrong, with the exception of the environment I think both parties are essentially the same. But just like the Dems before 94 with their complete control of the last 6 years, the old adage rang true,"Absolute Power Corrupts Absolutely". The Republican party had become what they promised they would fight, we came out of the fog & sent them a message yesterday. Democracy works best when there is balance, right & left, Liberal & Conservative. That is what our founders sought to achieve. May the investigations begin!
263246
You said we don't have to agree, right?  Well, we seem to agree that Bush is deceitful and foolish, and this is something I have believed since a long time ago.  But I do no longer feel quite as threatened by Bush's tenure as I used to feel.  His first four years in office were atrocious, and it is only now that people are realizing it.  On the other hand, his second administration--save for the tragedy of the Alito nomination to the Supreme Court--has been and is likely to continue to be substantially better (not to say it will be good, ever!).   This second Bush administration is learning to navigate the difficult waters of international diplomacy, and since it is less powerful, it can do less harm.  So I'm not concerned with Bush.  I'm far more concerned with the Republican party, which is--in my humble opinion--orders of magnitude worse than Bush.
674279
Ok if you really want your answer, but I have to warn you, you prob won't like it because it's not sugarcoated and will offend many, but it's the truth.  First you mock a man who has the hardest job in the world.  Yea he has some things you can poke at but I'll bet money on you not being all that either.  What things can people make fun of you about?  That fact that it's juvenile hasn't even occurred to you, has it?  I'm glad to hear that you’re a conservative that's a plus for you.  As far as his not taking crap, oh I'm sorry you would rather have a president that let this country get walked all over and "take crap".  3000 Americans dead not enough for you?  As far as our respectable nation goes, we respect it, no other country does.  They hate us. (I’m sure that doesn’t go for every country but most do)  Other countries hate us because we are free, because we live better than they do, because we have the nicest house on the block. I could go on but that will take all day.  Most countries are just flat out jealous of us.  The same as a poor person would be jealous of a rich person.  We do act like the worlds police because we are.  Most UN troops, Americans.  We are the ones who stand up to right and wrong (even if it takes 12 years to do so).  If you really lover your country you would respect the office of the president and back who ever sits there.  I didn't like Bill but I only voiced what I thought he did wrong, I didn't make fun of obvious flaws in his character.  Hell I’d slept with Monica too if I had to look at Hillary everyday.  There that's my one pun for him or her depending on what way you look at it.  I'm actually glad you posted your question, it made me think of my own flaws that I might want to change and better myself, thank you.  And as far as him getting voted in twice,,,, Americans are as a whole very stupid,,, and I mean dumb,,, We have our freedom and we mock it.  Most people who vote don't even know what they are voting on, and even if they think they do they don't know what else is on the same issue that they are voting on.  Most Americans don't understand that a bill to fund schools could also have a part of it that funds some senators or counsel member’s pockets.  And it's really sad to say that most Americans think politicians don't lie or will actually do what they say they will.  About 1% might have morals and do what is good for the country and not just for them selves.  Hardly anyone checks out what type of person they are voting for they just vote for the party they consider themselves part of.  Or they vote on what name they recognize.  Or worse still they don't vote.  In my personal opinion Bush is doing what is right and just.  I don't believe he's a totally honest person by any means, but I’d done exactly the same thing as he is doing and defended the country from the cowards that murdered 3000 Americans on 9/11.  And why did they do it, because we don't worship the same God they do. \n\nThis is proof on how stupid Most people are.\n\nWe live in a country where someone who plays a game ex football, basketball, etc.... makes 100 times more than a person who is educating our future generations and will have a great impact on the way kids think.  Where the only way to actually make enough money in the working world to life is to further our education and put ourselves so far in debt doing it that all we end up doing with the extra money is paying it off.  Where we put non-violent offenders away for years and give a man who rapes a child a slap on the wrist!  That pisses me off right there.  The man should die for that.  Where if a male teacher sleeps with his teenage student and gets made out to be the worst person in the world and when a female teacher does she is bipolar and we need to feel sorry for her.  If she's bipolar how the hell did she get a teaching job to begin with?
256970
Amen to that, but don't forget about Dick Cheney, he wants to start another Cold War; what came out of his disturbed mouth yesterday, towards the Russian Government, was more of the same tired, failed strategy, to think they can bully other countries. Hello, this bunch of characters in the White House can't even get Americans to agree with their ideology.
466318
There is no reason to be any more concerned today than you were yesterday. The Democrats won the House. What did they really win? They won the right to make the president a lame duck. Mr. Bush can still veto any legislation they try to pass and the Democrats do not have a 2/3 Senate majority required to over ride a veto. The Democrats say they want change, so here's their chance. We will see in the coming days if Democrats really want change for all Americans and are willing to reach across the aisle, or if they just want power. Either way do not expect much to change in the next 2 years. If anything this election has almost guaranteed that nothing substantive will happen in that time.\n\nmrfoxhorn: I have to take exception with a few of your statements.\nI am middle class, I do not make 200K a year. I make more money than I did during the Clinton administration and I am paying less in taxes.\nBecause one man in the Republican party solicited a teenage boy, it does not make the entire Republican party gay. This is one the most ridiculous statements Democrats make.\nThe Republicans did not handcuff Mr. Clinton with Monica. Mr. Clinton created his own woes by lying about the affair under oath. Credibility and honesty from our leaders (all of them) may not matter to you, but it is very important to me.\nI do not blame Mr. Clinton for 9/11, I blame terrorists. What I blame Mr. Clinton for in regard to terrorism is his administrations direct efforts to hamper intelligence gathering and sharing. \nThe idea that the Democrats will build up the military stands in stark opposition to their actual record on military spending. How do you think Mr. Clinton was able to balance the budget? It wasn't by cutting social programs, but rather by dessimating the military and intelligence communities.\nDemocrats have won the midterm, you wanted change and now you have it. Pointing fingers at the other side for their failings isn't going to work anymore. Democrats now have to take responsibilty and start showing us what positive change they propose for America. I am willing to give them the benefit of the doubt in this area, but I honestly believe they will fail miserably unless they change their thinking and move forward rather than looking back.
184206
The biggest problem is that it will take my family's, family's, family, to even get close to balancing the debt of this Administration since they wont contribute to America. Selfishness and greed are not the agendas of the Democrat party's politics. Clinton cleaned up their mess from Ronald Regan/George Bush seniors years, in 5 years with reserves. They are just mad and scared they will have to contribute. Well I say if they don't want to then they can leave America and live in Iraq. Americas Democrat soldiers are also tired of cleaning up the Neo_Con's messes.
266985
A mess.  Our society would be alot better off if we tried to equalize the money a bit.  We are not making much headway doing it the way we are.  I would be willing to join a political party that thinks we should take care of our own country and it's people.  Global warming and the loss of fish, other animals and the state of our rainforests really has me worried.  And I am ashamed that we as a country have not learned to be above war.