Political Cortex: Brain Food for the Body Politic

I suppose it all started with the 2000 Elections. Al Gore won, Bush became President. The Supreme Court (mostly made up of judges selected by Reagan and Daddy Bush) declared the election count over. Democrats, liberals and progressives called foul, but those in charge of the party succumbed to their own rose-colored perspective.

As we simmered, the Bush Adminstration prepared to put forth their agenda: tax cuts, Social Security "reform" and missle defense. The tax cuts went over well with the masses (who doesn't like money?) but missle defense was seen as confusing considering that we were in peace-time and there wasn't a omnious, national threat. Other "policies" were hampered due to low poll numbers and the constantly shift of power in Congress.

Then came 9/11.

The confusion and anger and frustation that followed galvanized the American public behind a up-to-then increasingly unpopular president. With a mind-boggling 90% approval rating, Bush pushed for war...and the ability to control the American people. We chased bin Laden in Afghanistan, but we basically had to agree to the Patriot Act for that chase to commence. Now cops and agents can be used to spy on any groups that they deem to be "terrorist sympathizers."

Bush, seeing an opportunity to surpass his father, sided with Dick Cheney and Don Rumsfeld to mobilize support for invading Iraq. He ignored the U.N. weapon inspectors, he dismissed the advice of former intelligence agents and military officials, and he bombarded the Amercian public with thoughts of hate and revenge.

When a well-respected ambassador challeneged his reasons for invading Iraq, that person was unmercifully attacked.

The war went as desired, with few allies, few troops and no clear mission. Not long after, the President arrived on an aircraft carrier and gave a speech under a banner saying "Mission Accomplished."

Unfortunately, people in Iraq did not agree. Because the President's Secretary of Defense did not execute a proper post-war strategy, hospitals and schools when unrepaired and people went without food and medical supplies. Fear turned to frustration, which gave way to anger.

The people began to fight back. Bush labeled them insurgents, and declared himself a war hero. That mantra was used to help him win re-election.  

But then a strange thing happened: issues and traits once thought buried were brought to light.

Bush showed more concern with giving judges and lawyers he liked positions on the Supreme Court than helping the victims of Hurricane Katrina. He revealed that he has been spying on Americans in order to catch terrorists, but never bothered to follow the protocals for doing so. He has apporved deals that would have a geniune impact on national security without really doing his homework.

Recently, there is a story that the President has directly ignored or broke at least 750 statues, most having no connection with terrorism or national security, on the grounds that if he believes a law is unconstitutional, he does not have to follow it.

We have people impisoned for no known reason. The definition of "torture" is being redefined. Supreme Court Justices and the Attorney General alike agree that there is virtually no limits to the president's power.    

In short, we have a President who does only what he wants to do. The interests of the American people mean little to him. And with a war against Iran slowly becoming reality, I see conservatives pundits practically tripping over themselves to make the case for "term extensions" because of the "extenuating circumstances of war." Especially if the Republicans lose big in November.

I'd like to think that the worse-case scenario is that a Democratic President will be left to fix the Middle East while at home we will have to deal with 30 years of conservative judicial philosophy. But day after day, the idea that "he's not leaving" seems more like a forgone conclusion than a symptom of enduring divisive, corrupt president.