The Bush Administration's Record of Failure

Updated November 6, 2004

How the Bush Administration has shredded the United States Constitution

Bush's Social Security Privatization Plan is Dangerous

Following September 11, the United States had the support and sympathy of virtually every nation on the planet. However, after sending only 10,000 troops to Afghanistan (there are more police officers in Manhattan, and hundreds of thousands were sent to Iraq) two months after the attacks in order to catch bin Laden, the Bush Administration proceeded to make a case against Iraq.  Elusive justifications for this war have included the following, in chronological order:  "Iraq has weapons of mass destruction";  "Iraq had 'weapons programs'";  "Iraq had the intent to develop weapons";  "Iraq had links with Al Qaeda";  "The war liberates the Iraqi people"; and finally, "Saddam Hussein was an evil dictator."  However, since there were no connections between Iraq and Al Qaeda, as revealed by the 9/11 Security Commission, and since Iraq had no weapons of mass destruction (as even stated by Bush Administration officials just two years prior in 2001), the United States has lost most of the sympathy and support it once had.  Furthermore, the actions of the Bush Administration have tarnished the reputation of this great nation.

During his State of the Union Address last year, President Bush stated that "America is committed to keeping the world's most dangerous weapons out of the hands of the world's most dangerous regimes."  However, President Bush has done little to pacify North Korea, a nation that actually does have weapons of mass destruction.  President Bush seems to believe that the Iraq War can be justified on the fact that Saddam Hussein, a human rights violator, was removed from power.  However, the lack of oil and promise of a difficult fight seems to have deterred the Bush Administration from invading Iran, North Korea, or China, nations that fall within a similar category.   Meanwhile, the terrorist attacks in Spain have proven false President Bush's constant affirmations that terrorist groups are on the run and can no longer function.  In addition, even though there is a genocide currently occurring in Sudan, the Bush Administration has not decided to invade that nation for humanitarian reasons.

Unfortunately, terrorism has only increased since the invasion of Iraq.  Since the invasion of Iraq was unprecedented, unjustified, and seen as an imperialistic, oil-driven move, terrorist camps are recruiting more successfully than ever before.  Unfortunately, the nations that actually harbor terrorists, such as Saudi Arabia (the nation where most of the September 11 hijackers came from), are ignored by the Bush Administration.  Finally, President Bush’s constant evocation of religion in his speeches in order to reduce everything to a black-and-white “good versus evil” scenario has enraged Islamic people all over the world.  Terrorist leaders rely on President Bush's outspoken religious zeal in order to recruit fighters for their Jihad.

The American public and the American Congress have been left without a clear justification for the war in Iraq.  Thousands of young men and women are fighting and dying for a purpose that President Bush has yet to clearly define.  After justifying the war on a lie, the Bush Administration must take responsibility for the injuries and deaths of American troops, American civilians working in Iraq, Iraqi troops, and innocent Iraqi civilians.  The only individuals benefiting from the war are those working for defense contracting and oil companies tied to the Bush Administration:  Ex-Hallibuton Workers Allege Waste (CNN.com).

Recently, the 9/11 Commission found that there were no significant connections between Iraq and Al Qaeda.  Furthermore, the Commission reported that that members of the Bush Administration actively searched for such connections following September 11.  The nonexistent connections between Iraq and Al Qaeda served as the Bush Administration's primary justification for sending over 100,000 American Troops into Iraq and spending over $144.4 billion:  9/11 Report: 'We Are Not Safe' (The Buffalo News).

Sources and Resources:
Bush Iraq Policy Faces Tough Questions on Capitol Hill (CNN.com)
Powell Says Iraq Evidence May Have Been Wrong (USAToday.com)
Bush May Be Wary of 9/11 Panel (TheState.com - South Carolina)
Bush Team Denies Misusing Anti-Terror Funds (TheState.com - South Carolina)
Democrats:  Bush Downplaying Iraq Costs (CNN.com)
The Way We Live Now: 7-18-04: Essay; Never Again, No Longer? (New York Times Magazine)

The War on Terrorism is extremely important.  There are terrorists who want to destroy the United States, and they will attempt to do so at any cost.  Money will be spent and lives will be lost.  However, the invasion of Iraq had little to do with the War on Terrorism.  Iraq never posed a significant threat to the United States, and its weapons capabilities were never confirmed.  During the beginning of President Bush's term, Bush Administration officials claimed that Iraq had made no progress in acquiring weapons of mass destruction.  Furthermore, it is documented that Iraq did not collaborate with Al Qaeda or Osama bin Laden.

Before September 11, 2001, President Bush ignored a memo that told him that Osama bin Laden was determined to hijack aircraft to attack inside the United States.  The Bush Administration has claimed that it was too vague:  The Silent President (The New York Times).  Al Qaeda was hardly a priority for the Bush Administration prior to September 11, even though bin Laden attacked the USS Coal and killed 17 Americans:  Capturing bin Laden:  Priority Before 9/11? (MSNBC.msn.com).  Attorney General John Ashcroft refused to comply with FBI requests for counterterrorism funding before and after the September 11 attacks.

Just a month after September 11, 2001, the Bush Administration significantly cut requested counterterrorism funds:  FBI's Counterterror Budget was Squeezed After Sept. 11 (The Boston Globe).

The invasion of Iraq has been a departure and a detraction from the War on Terrorism.  While bin Laden and top Al Qaeda officials are missing in Afghanistan, President Bush has ordered 125,000 troops into Iraq, where over $144.4 billion has been spent.  Meanwhile, only 11,000 troops are in Afghanistan searching for the actual terrorist threat against the United States. For the Bush Administration, the invasion of Iraq has taken a higher priority than preventing the September 11th attackers from again murdering innocent Americans.  Consequently, it is little surprise that the 9/11 Commission found that the United States is little safer than it was on September 11, 2001.

Sources and Resources:
U.S. Is Losing, CIA Author Warns (International Herald Tribune)

Since the size of the United States force in Afghanistan is so small, there have been many problems, including continued violence:  Aid Doctors Give Up on Afghanistan (CNN.com).

Unable to provide a credible justification for going to war and facing the loss of major allies around the world, the Bush Administration has begun politicizing the war in Iraq.  President Bush excuses the war with statements that the United States does not need the "permission" of other nations to defend itself.  While this is true, individuals and groups opposing the Bush Administration never suggested that the United States should give up its autonomy.  Instead, they have suggested using diplomacy and the United Nations.  Had President Bush exhausted diplomatic options and requested aid from the United Nations, his Administration would not have alienated the entire world with the preemptive invasion of Iraq.  In addition, cooperation with other nations would have led to a much stabler Iraq, unlike the one seen today:  Inside Iraq (CNN.com); War in Iraq (CNN.com); Global Impact (CNN.com); US Reaction (CNN.com)

President Bush fails to take seriously issues of national and international concern.  While American troops are fighting and dying every day to defend this nation, President Bush joked about his failed justifications for invading Iraq:  Bush's Iraq WMDs Joke Backfires (BBC News).  It is truly unfortunate that President Bush fails to recognize the sacrifice made by the citizens he ordered onto the battlefield.  It is inexcusable that President Bush has the insolence to laugh after sending American troops to die and forcing military families to make such huge sacrifices.  Over 900 American soldiers have died in Iraq.

Reactions to September 11 included the creation of the Department of Homeland Security (following the end of President Bush’s objections to the department’s creation).  The formation of the 9/11 Commission was also delayed by the objections of President Bush.  However, the influence of victims' families and other government officials eventually led the Bush Administration to change course on the issue.  Even while promising to “move mountains” to defend America, the Bush Administration sponsored a plan to slash security measures and allow Mexicans to cross the border with increased ease.  Hoping to court the Hispanic vote, the Bush Administration also touted a plan to provide easy amnesty to illegal immigrants who could prove employment.  Meanwhile, as documented in the articles below, thousands have rushed the borders, eating up jobs that could have been acquired by American citizens.  While President Bush stresses the need to create jobs for Americans, curb the economic crisis, and increase the security of our borders, his Administration's policies have given jobs to illegal immigrants and degraded security efforts. 

Sources and Resources:
Illegals Rise 15% Since Bush Plan
Bush Amnesty Sparks Surge In Border Crossings (FoxNews.com)
Illegal Aliens Rush U.S. Border (CBSNews.com)
Analysis:  Bush Responds to Political Heat (The Boston Globe)
Report:  U.S. Border Vulnerable (CNN.com)

President Bush has repeatedly used the threat of weapons of mass destruction as justification for invading Iraq.  Recently, however, the Bush Administration has adopted a policy that severely weakens a treaty that prevents the proliferation of nuclear weapons:  Nuclear Nightmare (The Buffalo News).

During the month of August 2003, an extensive power grid malfunction led to electric outages across much of the Northeastern United States.  However, over a year later, the Bush Administration and Congressional Republicans have prevented the passage of new electricity standards that would effectively prevent such power failures.  Although President Bush promised to make sweeping changes to the United States power grid, he has not made energy security a priority:  Cantwell:  New Electricity Laws Needed.

Recently, writers for the New York Times published a report illustrating how the $144.4 billion spent in Iraq could have been better used for security here in the United States.  During the past three years, the Bush Administration has only set aside $500 million for port security.  A very small percentage of cargo is actually inspected.  The Bush Administration has only set aside yearly budgets of $250 million  for screening devices at airports and less than $100 million for police officers.  Annually, only $200 million is spent for highway/railway security measures.  Considering the Madrid Train Bombings that killed 191 and the uncertain security of many of our airports, it is a shame that the Bush Administration has spent so little on keeping Americans safe at home.  When compared to the amount of taxpayer money used in Iraq, the amount used for screening devices at airports, highway/railway security, and police officers is only .38%!  On August 8, 2004, Michael Pan, Amanda Terkel, Robert Boorstin, P. J. Crowley, and Nigel Holmes published an chart enitled "Safety Second" in The New York Times.  The chart outlines how the $144.4 billion spent in Iraq could have been used for domestic security and international aid aimed at stopping terrorism at its roots.

The Bush Administration's plan for distributing homeland security funds also jeopardizes the safety of Americans.  Since there is an equal distribution of funds to all areas, regardless of population or security needs, farm communities in the American West receive the same amount of funding as cities such as New York and Washington, which are known terrorist targets.  Consequently, much of the money is wasted.  Small towns, finding a large surplus of funds leftover after improving security, use the money for other projects.  Not only is taxpayer money wasted, but large cities such as New York and Washington are denied sufficient funding for improving of security measures.

While past invasions were sometimes planned years in advance, the Bush Administration went into Iraq without a plan for dealing with the chaos that resulted from the overthrow of government authority.  Securing the Northern Oil Fields became a major priority.  However, while oil fields were secured, the rest of the nation saw uncontrolled looting and crime, resulting in extraordinary losses.  The difficult lives of many Iraqi civilians were made worse in the ensuing chaos.  After overthrowing all Iraqi government authority, the Bush Administration found itself without a plan for restoring the peace.  Homes, shops, offices, schools, museums, and infrastructure were looted and destroyed while American troops stood guarding the Iraqi Oil Ministry.  Not only did the Bush Administration underestimate the number of troops needed to invade, but Administration officials failed to develop measures to ensure the safety of the Iraqi people.   While Defense Secretary Rumsfeld demonstrated the extreme power of "precision-guided weaponry," many Iraqi families found their homes destroyed and family members killed.  In naming the campaign "Shock and Awe," the Bush Administration became more concerned with demonstrating American power than securing a free and peaceful Iraq.

Sources and Resources:
Pressure is Growing on Bush Over Iraq (The Salt Lake Tribune)
Iraq War Vet Says Leaders Must Own Up to Errors (CNN.com)
Kerry calls for 'new direction' in Iraq (CNN.com)
McCain: Iraq plan was 'inadequate' (CNN.com)

The prisoner abuse scandal has done nothing to “win over the hearts and minds” of the Iraqis, nor has it improved international support for the war effort.  The Bush Administration has repeatedly labeled those criticizing the war as “unpatriotic” and “un-American.”  Politicizing the war effort, the Bush Administration has sought to project the image that those who oppose the war also oppose the troops.  However, many opponents of the war have always supported American troops - they simply disagree with the justification for invading Iraq.    In order to quell anti-war sentiments while going after terrorists, the Bush Administration secured the passage of the Patriot Act.  However, the full power of this legislation is largely unrecognized and misunderstood.

Previously, many property searches and spying techniques required the consent of a judge, who would grant the powers to search and seize based on the evidence presented.  However, agencies of the Federal Government may now engage in many searching and spying techniques without requiring prior permission from a judge.  Consequently, there is great potential for abuses of power, as there is no longer a democratic method for determining the necessity of searches and observations of American citizens.  Bush Administration policy is not only limiting freedoms, but it is also deteriorating the democratic processes that protect American citizens and allow the Government to be held accountable for its actions.  Although these democratic processes allowed government agencies to acquire all of the information required for security and investigation, the Patriot Act eliminates many small checks that prevent abuses of power and restrictions on the rights of American citizens.

Sources and Resources:
What is the USA Patriot Act? (Greenparty.org)
Book Markers (The Buffalo News)
Iraqis Snap Up CDs of Abuse Images (CNN.com)

President Bush has still not provided American soldiers with the tools they need to protect themselves and fight the enemy:  Soldiers in Iraq Still Buying Their Own Body Armor (USAToday.com), Kerry slams Bush on Iraq; campaigns in Texas (CNN.com)  It is a shame that American troops and their families, already making the ultimate sacrifice, must also purchase body armor and other military equipment.  How can the Bush Administration order young Americans into battle without providing them with the equipment they need to protect themselves?  Although Congress passed huge funding increases for the conflict in Iraq, President Bush has continuously underestimated the amount of money needed and the number of troops required to pacify the situation.

Many times, in Afghanistan, the United States military invaded towns and arrested every male, regardless of age, guilty of crimes or not.  For over two years now, Afghan children living in the Guantanamo Bay prison in Cuba have not had access to family, legal aid, or attorneys.  "Gitmo," as the prison is commonly called, has proven very convenient.  Since it is outside the United States, the Bush Administration has used the prison to deny Constitutional rights to the prisoners held there. By referring to the prisoners as "enemy combatants" and not "prisoners of war," the Bush Administration has bypassed and ignored the human rights conventions of the Geneva Accords.  The Red Cross estimates that approximately 80% of the people imprisoned in Cuba are innocent of crime.  Along with the Iraqi prisoner abuse scandal, it is no surprise that, along with the rest of the world, many Iraqis view the Coalition as a hostile occupying force.  As President Bush said himself:  “I wouldn’t want to be occupied either.”  Although President Bush promised to "bring justice" to those who abused the prisoners, it is no surprise that much of the world does not believe him.  Three years ago, President Bush promised to "bring justice" to Osama bin Laden, the man who led the murder of thousands of innocent Americans.  Bin Laden has not yet been found.

Recently, the United States Supreme Court ruled against Bush Administration policy.  President Bush believed that he had the power to hold American citizens without charge or reason for as long as he desired, while denying them access to legal counsel and their families.  The Supreme Court, however, ruled that President Bush's policy was an unjust use of power.

Sources and Resources:
Supreme Court Cases a Test of the Bush Presidency's Use of Power (CNN.com)
A Mixed Verdict on the Terror War (CNN.com)
Gitmo Relatives Slam Governments (CNN.com)
Gitmo Detainees Return to France (CNN.com)

Increasing anti-United States terrorism to an even greater extent, President Bush backed Israeli Prime Minister Sharon’s plan to unilaterally withdraw from some of the occupied territories as a justification for holding onto more important ones. Reversing long-standing United States policy regarding the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict, President Bush's  endorsement of Prime Minister Sharon's plan was presented without negotiation to the Palestinians, who were enraged at the proposal.  Not only does this violate UN resolutions concerning the region, but it illustrates to the Arab World that the United States favors Israel.  Around the world, not just in the Middle East, many people believe that the move sidelines the peace process, while Palestinians fear that they will never have their own state.  Unfortunately for American citizens, President Bush's support of this plan has encouraged and increased terrorism against the United States, as was demonstrated by many Arabs' actions and demonstrations following President Bush's endorsement of the unilateral move.

Instead of actually examining the motives that drive terrorists, President Bush continually classifies them as evil people who "hate freedom."  However "evil" they might be, there are global issues driving them to attack the United States.  Poverty, violence, racism, and other social issues, typically exacerbated by American foreign policy, often lead to terrorism.  Instead of proposing "band-aid" fixes, the Bush Administration needs to launch a progressive offensive and attack the root source of terrorism.  It is essential to fix the economic and social problems that lead to violence. Only through this effort will true security be established.  However, the Bush Administration does not seem interested in eliminating the root sources of terrorism caused by American policy, including:  President Bush makes an unprecedented foreign policy move backing Israel's withdraw plan at the expense of Arab interests and the Middle East Peace Plan;  President Bush frequently uses his religion (references to the "Almighty" and "Christianity") as justifications for war and American foreign policy decisions;  the Bush Administration continues to exploit Iraqi resources and reconstruction efforts for the benefit of American contracting corporations.

Sources and Resources:
Gephardt: U.S. should focus on 'root causes' of terrorism (CNN.com)

It is often President Bush's own words that fuel anti-US sentiments.  While President Bush takes pride in his religious beliefs, he constantly fuses them into his politics.  When he makes statements suggesting that America has a God-given moral obligation to carry out certain foreign policy decisions, including the unilateral, unjustified invasion of another nation, President Bush gives Muslims the impression that America hates Islam.  Reducing all of the world's complexities into a simple "good versus evil" evaluation only fuels anti-US violence and helps terrorist organizations increase their numbers and support.

Sources and Resources:
Agreement Paves Way for Anti-War Billboard (CNN.com)

Not only have President Bush's actions infuriated terrorists, but they have also infuriated the allies of the United States.  When President Bush stated that "our closest allies have been unwavering," in last year's State of the Union address, he was repeating another political catch phrase.  Global respect for the United States, chiefly among its allies, has declined considerably since the conflict in Iraq began.  Although President Bush had the sympathy of virtually the entire world following September 11, 2001, he managed to squander all of it through very poor foreign policy decisions.

President Bush's enormous tax cuts have caused the budget deficit to soar to alarming levels.  This situation not only threatens the economy of the United States, but economies all over the world:  I.M.F. Report Says U.S. Deficits Threaten World Economy (NYTimes.com).  In addition, paying off the huge debts requires the Federal Government to slash helpful social programs and reduce the budgets of many agencies.  Dropping taxes, especially along the upper-income brackets, while waging expensive wars ($144.4 billion in Iraq), creates giant budget deficits that threaten to harm long-term American prosperity.  Recently, the Congressional Budget Office stated that the richest Americans receive higher benefits from President Bush's tax policies than the middle class:  Kerry Criticizes Bush Tax Cuts (CNN.com).

Although President Bush touted his "No Child Left Behind Act," he did little to fund it.  According to this law, schools that do not meet the required standards are sanctioned.  Instead of providing aid to schools that have the most difficulty educating American children, the legislation calls for those schools to be punished.  It is not surprising that President Bush cannot fund the act.  The Bush Administration has used the legislation primarily for advertisement, touting President Bush's education goals.  However, the passage of the act is meaningless due to its subsequent lack of funding.

Sources and Resources:
Kerry Promises More Education Funding (CNN.com)

While accusing opponents of his plan as living in the past, President Bush has continued to stress the necessity of developing a missile-defense system as a high priority (Bush Pushes Anti-Missile System).  However, it is President Bush who is living in the past.  As terrorists do not have missile technology, they will most likely ship and carry bombs into the United States, as port security is extremely vulnerable do to the Bush Administration's lack of funding in this area.

Instead of solving the energy problem that results from the depletion of oil, the Bush Administration would prefer to explore and drill Alaska’s National Wildlife Refuge.  Not only would the proposed drilling destroy the environment and demolish countless animal habitats, but it would allow the Bush Administration to put off the problem of fossil fuel depletion for later generations to deal with.  By subsidizing fossil fuel corporations, the Bush Administration and Congressional Republicans have artificially lowered the price of fossil fuels, in order to discourage clean, renewable energy.  Meanwhile, powerful families of the Bush Administration, including President Bush's, benefit from their oil companies’ profits. 

The Bush Administration’s policy of continuing our dependence on Middle Eastern oil undermines the energy security of the United States.  In addition to selling out to oil companies, Republican congressmen have sold out to logging companies who want access to America's national forests:  Bush Plan Drops Logging Ban for National Forests (CNN.com).  In order that the world remains habitable, millions of trees are required to recycle carbon dioxide into breathable oxygen.  By increasing fossil fuel and carbon dioxide emissions and decreasing the environment's ability to counteract the effects, the Bush Administration endangers the future of all life on earth.

The Kyoto agreement is an international attempt to reduce harmful pollution.  However, the Bush Administration removed the United States from the agreement.  In addition, the Bush Administration has crippled the Clean Air Act, which seeks to protect our increasingly fragile natural environment.  Congressional Republicans and President Bush often side with the special interests of large corporations that do not like to pay for emission-reducing technologies.

Sources and Resources:
Church Group Slams Bush on Clean Air Act (CNN.com)
Bush Reshapes Environmental Debate (CNN.com)
Global Warming is Hitting Kids Hard (Globe and Mail)
Scientists:  Bush Administration Distorts Research (CNN.com)
Bush Asks to Cut Decontamination Research (CNN.com)
Global warming could soon make Antarctica the only place to live, says chief British scientist (The New Zealand Herald)
Climate Change and a Global City:  An Assessment of the Metropolitan East Coast (Columbia.edu)
Catching Up to the Cost of Global Warming (The New York Times)
Global Warming, Our Nation's Capital at Risk (environmentaldefense.org)
An Abrupt Climate Change Scenario and Its Implications for United States National Security (Pentagon-commissioned report - environmentaldefense.org)
Study:  Global Warming Menaces California (CNN.com)

"This is an impressive crowd.  The haves and the have-mores.  Some people call you the elite.  I call you my base."  President Bush's statement sums up much of his policy.  His plan to let individuals invest their Social Security funds only serves to benefit corporations that will gain from the tremendous increase in investments.  Most American citizens do not have the knowledge or experience required for the sound investment of their Social Security funds.  The purpose of Social Security was to guarantee the sustenance of older Americans who can no longer work.  Allowing citizens to gamble away this money in the Stock Market undermines the purpose of Social Security.  While corporations will benefit from the additional investments, many citizens will undoubtedly be left without the funds they need to survive their retirement.  President Bush's plan primarily benefits the "haves and the have-mores."  Meanwhile, the Bush Administration accuses the Kerry and Edwards of being "outside the mainstream."

In the 2000 Presidential Election, many African-Americans in Florida were harassed and denied the right to vote when they were incorrectly labeled as "felons" in the voting documentation.  As a result, they were disenfranchised from the election.  Recently, President Bush refused to speak with the NAACP, becoming the first president in about 70 years to fail to address the chief civil rights organization.  Ironically, after refusing to speak to the NAACP for the fourth consecutive year, President Bush accused Democrats of ignoring African-Americans:  Bush Accuses Democratic Party of Ignoring Needs of Black Americans (The Buffalo News).

Sources and Resources:
Kerry Vows to be a Uniter in NAACP Address (CNN.com)
NAACP Chairman Condemns Bush Policies (USAToday.com)
Preaching to Their Choirs (The Buffalo News)
Sharpton to Bush:  Black Vote 'is Not for Sale' (CNN.com)

The International Space Station, and endeavors similar to it, constantly produce valuable research that results in new and innovative technologies that increase prosperity and general welfare.  In addition, a cooperative effort between sixteen different countries, the International Space Station not only holds important diplomatic value, but it allows nations to experience the strength and prosperity that results from cooperation.  It is unfortunate that President Bush decided to slash research funds for this project in favor of reaching Mars.  It is unfortunate that his Administration is favoring a new "space race" over cooperative efforts with other nations.  Furthermore, the timing for such a project is poor.  While engaged in expensive and far-reaching military endeavors, afflicted with an economic depression, and suffering from record-breaking deficits due to President Bush's economic policies, the United States should not begin an ultra-expensive and much-questioned attempt at reaching Mars.  The policies of the Bush Administration have already caused a tremendous budget deficit.  President Bush's plan to journey to Mars will only intensify current economic problems.

Sources and Resources:
Former Astronaut Glenn Criticizes Bush Space Plan (CNN.com)

When Vice President Cheney told a Democratic Congressman “what to go do with himself” on the Senate Floor, President Bush failed to offer any reproach.  Meanwhile, the Republic Party continues to emphasize that it is the party of “family values.”  Cheney said that his outburst had made him feel better.  The Democratic Congressman had made comments regarding what seemed to be Cheney’s higher allegiance to Halliburton than the American public.  Cheney was the former CEO of Halliburton, a company that has won many bids for construction in Iraq.  Perhaps the most horrifying example was President Bush's statement during his 2000 Presidential Campaign.  President Bush stated that he would not send troops if another Rwanda-type massacre occurred during his presidency.  Hundreds of thousands of people were murdered during that genocide.  Thus, it is easily apparent that the war in Iraq is much more about the interests of the Bush Administration than it is about the liberation of the Iraqi people.

Sources and Resources:
Rehnquist questioned on Cheney-Scalia trip (CNN.com)
GOP Morality Drive Hits Potholes (USAToday.com)
The Way We Live Now: 7-18-04: Essay; Never Again, No Longer? (New York Times Magazine)

The Bush Administration is creating an increasing credibility gap.  President Bush has only provided vague and shifting justifications for the war in Iraq, while ignoring the terrorist threats of Saudi Arabia and Afghanistan.  Campaigns in Afghanistan, including the one to find bin Laden and Al Qaeda, seem to have fallen off the Administration's list of priorities.  Furthermore, after editing health and environmental reports in favor of Republican policies, the Bush Administration may find that it is becoming increasingly less trusted by the American people:  A Politics-Free Zone in D.C.?  Never (The Buffalo News).

The Republican Party is holding this year's Republican National Convention in Manhattan.  Although a majority of the residents of New York State, and New York City in particular, support the Democrats, the Republican Party chose to hold the conference there anyway.  This will be the first time ever that the Republican party has chosen to hold its convention in New York City.  Consequently, it will allow the Bush Administration to take advantage of the exact location where one of the September 11 attacks took place, which the Administration considers to be the defining moment of Bush's presidency.  This is very similar to when the Bush Administration used video footage of the September 11 attacks in political advertisements.  As shown by his use of government agencies and taxpayer money to promote his campaign (Bush Blurs Line Between Politics and Job (The Detroit News), President Bush seems to have no qualms about using public money and national disaster to further his campaign.  Nor does he seem to have qualms about limiting the freedom of information to benefit his campaign, as the Pentagon would not allow photos of coffins coming back from Iraq to be published.  However, the Bush Administration has no problem selling September 11 photos of President Bush phoning Vice President Cheney from Air Force One to raise campaign funds.

Sources and Resources:
Some 9/11 Families Ask Bush to Yank Ads (CNN.com)
Student Letter Warns Against Cheney 'Diatribe' (CNN.com)

Although the Republican party claims to hold a moral and ethical advantage over the Democrats, they are supporting Pete Coors, owner of the beer corporation, who they recently nominated to run for the Senate from Colorado.  Coors's company, however, uses sex and the objectification of women to sell its products:  The Conservative Contradiction (The Buffalo News).

Finally, there is one extremely important example of how President Bush has failed the American people.  It has been three years since September 11.  The perpetrators are not yet caught.  Saudi Arabia, the nation from which most of the hijackers came, has not yet been forced to stop harboring terrorists.  Al Qaeda has not been "brought to justice," as President Bush likes to say so often.  While only 11,000 troops were sent to Afghanistan, to hunt down the actual people who murdered thousands of Americans, over ten times that number was sent to Iraq, a nation completely uninvolved with September 11.  However, by twisting and distorting the truth, the Bush Administration has led many Americans to believe that Iraq was responsible for September 11, when there were no actual links between Iraq and Al Qaeda.  The attack on Iraq, along with President Bush's black-and-white perspective on the Middle East, has increased terrorist efforts against the United States, making the world less safe.  Saudi Arabia, however, the nation where most of the hijackers originated, and a nation that harbors terrorists, has not yet been "brought to justice."  Instead, the Saudi Embassy in Washington receives more Secret Service protection than any other embassy, and Saudi Royals, including the bin Laden family, have been involved in business relations with members of the Bush Administration, including President Bush himself, for many years.  It is interesting that only a few days after September 11, 2001, the Bush Administration allowed many Saudi Nationals, including members of the bin Laden family, to fly out of the country without an abundance of investigation.  Meanwhile, the Bush Administration has imprisoned for years, without charge, Afghani people in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.   The Red Cross estimates that at least 80% of those people are innocent of crime.  In a time when Americans could not even fly, as virtually all commercial and private domestic flights had been grounded, the Bush Administration arranged special operations to protect Saudis and the bin Laden family:  Manifest Details bin Ladens' Flight in 9/11 Aftermath (The Buffalo News).

Unfortunately, it will take many, many years to restore the respect and dignity of this great nation.  Ignoring the United Nations and America's most powerful allies, striking unilaterally with powerful military force, and creating chaos in Iraq due to a lack of planning is doing nothing to make the world safer or decrease the amount of terrorism against the United States.  In actuality, many of the Bush Administration's foreign policy decisions have spurred an increase of terrorism against the United States.  Across the world, not just in the Middle East, such actions have caused anti-US sentiment to run high.  An increase in hatred against the United States only fuels organizations such as bin Laden's.  It is unlikely that bin Laden's Al Qaeda is having trouble running operations, since there are only about 11,000 American troops in Afghanistan.  There are at least 125,000 American troops in Iraq.

Copyright 2004.