We all know what we disagree with - in your opinion, what has President Bush done RIGHT while in office?

Question

I am neither Republican nor Democrat, so I pose this as a serious, bi-partisan question. I hear so much every single day about what this man has done wrong, that I was just wondering if anyone out there has an opinion to the contrary. (Serious respondents only, please. This is not meant to be a shooting gallery for Bush-haters.) Thank you!

Answer 1

President Bush has done more than any of his predecessors to try to reach out and include the opposition. He has repeatedly gotten his head handed to him for the effort.

Taking on the international terrorism organizations is a great thing. Plenty of people have all kinds of criticism but at least he took them on and disrupted their organizations. There is at least a hope for Iraqi citizens to one day be free to practice self determination. Unheard of in that part of the world.

The economy is roaring despite the war. He appointed a few more originalist supreme court justices. In many ways he has done a good job. He could have been better in the war on terror but you have to admit he has done more than anyone else ever has.

I have my own complaints with this president. Mostly that he was not conservative enough for my taste and has allowed the democrats to gain a foothold. But he will be recorded in history as the first American President to actually do something about terrorism. For that I am eternally grateful and hold him in high regard.

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Answer 2

His tax cuts were a resounding success. They softened the recession that hit just before he took office and got the economy going again.

His initial reasoning for going into Iraq, though based on flawed intelligence estimates, was sound. So, I think he was right to act the way he did. The aftermath is where the real screw ups began.

He was right to attempt to fix social security. I don't necessarily agree with what he proposed, but he is right that something needs to be done. It is unfortunate that the Dems were unwilling to even compromise on it.

He was right to oppose using human embryos for stem cell research. He isn't opposed to the research, just using human embryos. It may be a moot point now that stem cells can be found in amniotic fluid.

He will be right when he vetos the assinine war funding cut Congress is sending him.

He is right when he says we can't pull the rug out from under the Iraqis by leaving Iraq before our mission is complete.

Don't take everything you've heard that he did wrong as truth. Right or wrong depends largely on the ideology of the one passing judgement. If you heard this in the media, then (according to them) he can't do anything right. The site I've listed lists all his policies and initiatives. Keep in mind the site is managed by the Bush Administration and will mainly focus on the positives of the various policies, but it can give you an idea of what has been accomplished.

Answer 3

I think Planksheer makes a good point about "unity against our own," but I find it interesting that Bush will probably be one of the 10 worst Presidents in history, yet he'll be the only one who served 2 terms. It just goes to show how far off the charts the opposition is, too.

That said, Bush's positive contributions are his tax cuts (which ended the previous recession) and he attacked Afghanistan after Sept. 11th, rather than lobbing a few token cruise missiles or questioning if it was all our fault in the first place. But, that's it. His negatives far out-weigh the positives.

Answer 4

The tax cuts have been a tremendous boon. Unemployment rate is down (or employment rate is up, however you'd like to look at it). Budget deficit is decreasing and should be going away soon because of the receipts to the Treasury due to the tax cuts.
The overall efforts against Islamo-Fascism have been effective (no major attacks on US soil or interests in five plus years).
Government incentive for alternative fuels has become a reality. Ethanol fuel and hydrogen cells are coming to the fore. That's good for keeping money out of the hands of entities that want to kill us.

Answer 5

He's greatly improved the debate about illegal immigration, for one thing. I believe that he has the right idea.

I think that he's also been approximately correct about education. "No Child Left Behind" is a miserable set of rules, but unfortunately they seem to be necessary in far too many cases.

As crazy as he's been over Iraq, he's maintained effective relationships with most other nations, including Russia, China, and even Iran and North Korea, nudging things in desirable directions.

When he hasn't been pushed by his subordinates to be totally political, many of his appointments have been good.

Though a weak leader, he's maintained a level of honesty and integrity in the White House and amongst his staffers.

He's left business pretty much alone to grow, but he's also let Federal prosecutors do their work in enforcing the various laws like Sarbanes-Oxley. He hasn't messed around with the Internet.

He's dealt with the United Nations as I think they needed to be dealt with, which was firmly.

Answer 6

He has rebuilt the economy from a recession in a very short time, added jobs and increased the GDP all while reducing taxes. The debt that was incurred is shrinking. This fact has led to the highest rate of home ownership in history along with the lowest unemployment figures.

Answer 7

This is nonsense their was no recession when he took office! The economy was in good shape. He's just barely staying even with the jobs lost (though his policies) and new jobs(70% of the new jobs are low paying no benefit, service jobs).And unemployment is at the same rate as under the former administration. And one mortgage company already in bankruptcy and 2.2 million homes being repossessed the bottom falling out of the housing market.The debt was not incurred as a matter of fact their was a surplus when he took office. And as far as the debt he has raised it to highest level ever and is dangerously close to bankrupting our country. And if you want to get the facts on are debt (not shrinking but increasing everyday) look up articles by the U.S. comptrollers office and get the real facts.

Answer 8

Personally, I am not a fan of Bush, but in answer to your question, I believe that in the immediate aftermath of 9/11, he did a good job in uniting the country to rally around those who had experienced such great tragedy, along with the initial invasion of Afghanistan.

Answer 9

I think Bush has suceeded in uniting Americans in opposition to unconstitutional government, and an unaccountable imperial presidency. He is uniting Americans in opposition to a war of choice.

Answer 10

His reaction right after 9/11, targeting the Taliban.