America’s Watchtower Bids President Bush Farewell

 I have been torn about writing this post, I have started it several times and then deleted it only to start once again. I wasn’t sure which direction to take this post. I have been rather critical of President Bush recently, mostly about illegal immigration, spending, and the bailout bill but I have decided to look at the positives as the president gets ready to leave office. Regular readers here know of my recent displeasure with the president so I feel as if this post should be about reflecting on what I consider his three greatest accomplishments.

First and foremost is the fact that President Bush has kept America safe since September 11th. He has implemented policies that were sorely missing before he took office that led to September 11th and we haven’t had a repeat since. He has fought the war on terror relentlessly and with great conviction even in the face of falling poll numbers. He put what he believed was right ahead of his popularity, something that President Clinton never did.

 Whether or not you agree with the war in Iraq, President Bush never wavered in hid duty to fight the war to it’s conclusion even at the sacrifice of his poll numbers. He believed and still believes in the cause and for that he should be admired.
 When the future of the war was being debated after the 2006 election and there were calls to end the war the president again didn’t bow to popular opinion. He authorized the surge which turned out to be the proper call.

 Secondly- judges. President Bush’s most long standing and influential accomplishment will be considered his Supreme Court appointments. Again facing huge Democrat opposition President Bush was able to get two great nominees to the Supreme Court confirmed- Justice Alito and Chief Justice Roberts.

With these two men conservatives are assured to have a conservative voice on the Supreme court for years to come.

 Thirdly-taxes. Contrary to Democrat spin and popular belief President Bush lowered taxes for EVERYBODY. He did not just give tax breaks to the rich as has been widely reported.If you pay taxes then you pay less taxes than you did before President Bush took office.

 In an age where style trumps substance and it is more important to say something well than to actually accomplish anything, it is here that the President fails the most. He has never been a great or even good speaker, since the American Idolization of politics this is what has done him the greatest harm. People are more swayed, and more easily fooled by a great linguist than a great leader.

 If he could have expressed himself in the manner of a Bill Clinton or even a Barack Obama he wouldn’t have fallen as far in the polls as he has. If he constantly paraded himself on television and spun the issues the way that President Clinton did he would  be more popular. But he didn’t, he let his actions speak for him and Americans don’t seem to respond to that.

  But last night during his farewell address he gave us perhaps his finest performance. He was gracious, thankful, and honest. All traits that we knew he had but so rarely were we shown. I just wish he had done that more often over the last eight years.

  Last night President Bush thanked the American people for giving him the opportunity to serve us, today it is my turn to say thank you.