Besides the Iraq War, what are some other reasons Bush is considered one of the "worst presidents ever"?

Question

Is Bush really that bad of a President, or has he just messed up in Iraq. I'm from one of the richest and most conservative counties in the country but I'm not a big bush fan. Because I've been sheltered a lot by my peers I don't really know where else Bush has screwed up. besides the Iraq War, what qualifies him as "one of the worst presidents ever."?

Again, I prefer that my beliefs to be just automatically scrutinized...I've heard people say Bush is one of the worst presidents ever. I don't want my political views scrutinized, I just want to know some reasons why he could be considered that. I don't associate with Michael Moore or Jane Fonda, that's just really really rude and arrogant. I'm asking an unbiased question so please no biased answers.

Answer 1

The "worst president ever" is probably a bit of a hyperbole but he is considered bad for a variety of reasons including but not limited to:

1. Illegal wiretapping.

2. The creation of "Homeland Security" after running on a platform to cut back government.

3. Allowing the EPA to lie about Manhattan air quality following 9/11.

4. Supporting the overreaching USA Patriot Act which has been used in cases that have nothing to do with terrorism.

5. Allowing secret prisons and torture in a nation that rebelled against Britain partially to get rid of torture and secret prisons.

6. Pandering to the religious right.

7. Calling for a hydrogen economy but then not promoting any legislation to create it.

8. Pretending like he's an idiot, fostering a climate of anti-intellectualism.

9. Tampering with scientific research to promote a particular social agenda.

10. Allowing people to believe there was a connection between Al Qaeda and Saddam Hussein.

11. Allowing members of his administration to soil the reputation of Iraq war critics.

12. Adding more signing statements to legislation than any other president -- essentially only enforcing some laws, some of the time, when he feels like it.

13. Lying to the public by saying Donald Rumsfeld would remain Secretary of Defense until the end of the term and then replacing him only days later.

14. As the head of his party, he has allowed neocons to become the dominate voice of the Republican party which was once the home of Abe Lincoln and progressives such as Teddy Roosevelt and Nelson Rockefeller.

Answer 2

Hi Arch:

Just for the record, please note the following:

1. Bush had nothing to do with the outcome of the 2000 election. The Supreme Court simply ruled that a recount must be conducted according to Florida law. That statute says that a recount in a statewide election must include ALL counties, not just those selected by the loser.

The Florida Supreme Court, full of liberals, wanted to let the
Gore campaign's selective recount go ahead, which would have been a violation of Florida law.

2. Why do so many liberals say Bush lied about the Iraqi intelligence issue? He had the very SAME information as members of congress, and many world leaders, did. Most of that information was obtained by the CIA, which was headed by George Tenet, a Clinton appointee.

During his time in office, Bush has given us plenty to complain about. There's no need to fabricate accusations to hammer the president. Politics has become too combative in recent years because we have too many politicians and too few statesmen and stateswomen.

Bush is really trying to ruin America with his immigration reform views, which he is working to get passed even though about 70% of American citizens oppose his views.

I guess Bush is more concerned about ensuring that big business has access to cheap labor. I like his BS statement that the immigrants (illegal and legal) are "doing the jobs that Americans aren't doing."

That is classic political BS. Many Americans in the construction trades make $20.00-plus per hour. Immigrants, particularly Illegal ones, take those jobs for $10.00-plus per hour. We need to recognize this and stop buying the BS that says illegal immigrants are coming here to pick fruits and vegetables. Less than 3% of them work in agriculture.

Illegal aliens are going to bankrupt us. They come here to get free medical care, free educations for their children and other benefits that are not available to most American citizens (who are the ones PAYING the taxes to support the illegals). Many of these illegals are tax evaders. If I don't pay my taxes, I will get a fine and probably a jail sentence. But all Bush wants from the illegals is a fine and the payment of back taxes (as though anyone can figure out how much they earned and how much they owe).

Hold on. Bush will be gone soon.

Answer 3

Good morning Dan....President Bush has deceived us "Americans" not only due to the Iraq war/conflict but also due to the lies and the false accusations that he has given throughout his presidency. I'm not too sure on the extent of how much he and his cabinet knew about the 9/11 tragedy and if he is partially responsible for that incident too. Too many unanswered questions. Also the diplomatic ways he had conducted himself with other countries and nations. We (the United States) had been known in the past for our great strength and virtues and since President Bush has been in reign the US has gotten a Bad name and is not on the popularity good list any longer. This is sad since a lot of countries "looked up" at the United States as a good nation. We have had better in the WH! Take care and God Bless!

Answer 4

One thing I will give Bush ...he believes in what he stands for and he sticks by it. The guy is a rock and it drives the Democrats crazy. Every since 911 he had a mission and he stuck by it. Maybe it was wrong , maybe he made a major mistake but the man is not wishy washy . That is important , I would rather have a guy beoieve in himself than somebody in the office changing their minds just to make an opinion poll look good.

Answer 5

I cannot see where he has accomplished a thing for his country, immigration is the worst ever, schools do not teach, forty six plus million uninsured, no consumer protection, very low wages considering the very high cost of living, absolutely no border control, does not want to say he believes the world is warming up because he is afraid it will hurt the economy ,,nothing being done for those that hire illegals, has allowed oil prices to run out of control, has done nothing to educate the country on saving the environment, done nothing over pollution controls..cannot choose the correct people for his cabinet....has blunder so much in the world that most of the world is really fed up with the country...bad mouths leaders of other country's when he should be meeting face to face....just to name a few....

Answer 6

Bush is out of touch with reality. He really believes that God himself talks to him and tells him what to do. He is as unreal as Joan of Arc was when she had the same kind of fantasies.

Until Ted Haggard was exposed as a total phony, Haggard and George Bush were always on the phone. Serious thinkers such as Henry Kissinger are alarmed by what is going on. The country and even the whole world are in danger so long as we have a fundie wacko in power.

Answer 7

Bush consided to be on of the Worst Pres ever.
I don't know I try not to judge anyone. I wonder if he was a Dem. how would be feel about him. If Clinton did the same thing as Bush did. Would you consider Clinton one of the worst... Clinton has made some major mistakes so has everyone else.
That is life.

Answer 8

Afghanistan isnt going to well.

Trying his darndest to legalize wiretaps.

Had the supreme court break the tenth amendment to grant the presidency which he apparently didnt win (will always be debateable).

Cannot keep the Justice Department in Order.

Held on to Rumsfield until after the elections - just to appear like he had it all together.

Chooses his VP former company to operate multiple wars - that seem to have no end in sight.

Has turned dozens of countries against the United States.

Let the Palestinian/Israel conflict rear its uggly face again

Squandered the Hurricane Katrina relief efforts...


DO I NEED TO KEEP GOING.

Answer 9

He's no better than Clinton was! They both lied their mouths shut. Bush might as well issue a coffin for the soldiers being sent, that's one thing the idiot can do. My question is why doesn't America accept the fact that we already have a female president!!! She's so busy trying to clean up her husband's crap that she doesn't have time to run for President!!!!!!! BUSH IS NOTHING BUT A 2 YEAR OLD IN A SUIT! IMPEACH HIS SORRY EXCUSE OF A PRESIDENT BEFORE HE DRAGS THIS COUNTRY DOWN WITH HIM!!!!!

Answer 10

From a Canadian's POV, George Bush has "foot-in-mouth disease" and digs himself a big hole in the ground every time he attempts to talk impromtu! In Canada, we can buy desk calendars where you rip off each day. It contains 365 "Bushisms." Such as:

"There's an old...saying in Tennessee...I know it's in Texas, probably in Tennessee, that says, 'Fool me once...(3 second pause)... Shame on...(4 second pause)...Shame on you....(6 second pause)...Fool me...Can't get fooled again.'"
- President Bush

"It's clearly a budget. It's got a lot of numbers in it."

"I have opinions of my own -- strong opinions -- but I don't always agree with them."

"Rarely is the question asked: Is our children learning?"

Nuff said? lol