I've just been reading several books about the Kennedy presidency, and it was characterized by robotically loyal minions in high places. Ditto to any White House you can think of--including Bill Clinton, with an Attorney General who primary purpose was to keep him out of trouble (pace Bobby) and a stable of pit bulls like Rahm Emanuel.

The unfortunate fact is, when the political system becomes envenomed by partisan hatred, a president more and more needs loyalty. Just name me a president who didn't keep advisors who were subpar because of their loyalty. Griffin Bell, anyone?

Our political system has been enmeshed in this problem for nearly 50 years, from Kennedy's blatent lies during the 1960 campaign to Johnson's anti-Goldwater spots to the inept spy tactics of Nikon's team and well into current politics. Consider the trashing of Robert Bork (the beginning of the current cycle), the attempted trashing of Clarence Thomas, the shutdown faceoff between Clinton and the Congress, and now, more recently, a do nothing Congress whose members fancy themselves reincarnations of the Salem Witch Trial judges.

The only solution is a return to civility in our public life, but, judging from the current positioning of the Democrat party, which positions seem to be against everything and for nothing, that seems unlikely in the short term. And no, I do not exclude the lunacies of the religious right from this condemnation.

There is one difference. The policies that Bush has implemented will hurt America for generations. I do not doubt that virtually all past Presidents put their 'like thinkers' in positions to further their political agenda.

The problem with Bush43 is that he has stepped on my Constitution. He has increased the national debt 40% (and climbing). The balance of trade is a disaster. All these decisions have helped his friends (ie Halliburton) but have distroyed the future for many Americans.

Bush43 took Clinton's military machine and turned it into silly puddy in five short years. The US has lost credibility and the high ground in world opinion. Torture is not accepted by the US. The US even outsourced torture to get better results.

Bush43 has no problem lying to the American people. Bush43 has no problem torching the wall between Church and State.

On and on.

Thats why I am angry. It is my opinion that a President should try to take care of all Americans, present and future. Bush43 is taking care of a few at the expense of many.

wdp

What president in the last 60 years has put someone into a position where people's lives were at stake with the credentials of someone like Michael Brown? The list of people who have been favored by the administration for covering up or furthering a secret agenda, while those who have tried to do a good job have been punished is pretty long and in no way similar to the behavior of Truman, Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson...Reagan, Bush or Clinton. This president and Nixon are unique in my memory of past presidents.

wdp and middleview, I couldn't have said it better myself. The Bush administration is unique in a negative sense. It may take a generation or more to undo what this administration has done.