these were some of the lofty goals GWB presented to America when running for president in 2000. In 2000, America was ready to be led in that direction until the events of 9/11.
Most people seem to agree that the invasion of Iraq was a mistake. But who led whom into that invasion?
Did Bush lead the American people into Iraq, or did the American people lead Bush in that direction?
After all, the invasion of Iraq was approved by a vast majority in congress, some of whom are presidential candidates today.
Consider this. If GWB had proposed invading Iraq in June of 2001, would the congress and the American public agreed with this war proposal? Not likely, I think.
So the question is:
Does the blame for Iraq lay solely on GWB, or does each American equally shoulder the burden of this war? Can Americans really be led in a direction they are unwilling to go?
2007-11-26 01:01:16 · 6 answers · asked by Overt Operative 6 in Politics & Government ➔ Politics
If a police officer tells me I can run a red light, and he will not arrest me if I feel that an emergency requires it, is it his fault if the cop on the other side of the intersection pulls me over for it?
2007-11-26 01:07:51 · answer #1 · answered by Boss H 7 · 2⤊ 2⤋
This is a very thoughtful question! As with most major world events, there is plenty of blame to go around.
I think GWB let his anger and frustration over 9/11 cloud his judgment. I think congress and the American people are guilty of this as well.
I think the UN is partly to blame in that it did not enforce the sanctions in place against Iraq from 1991 through 2003. If the inspections of the Iraqi WMD facilities had been conducted completely and on time, the major reason put forth for the invasion wold have been a non-issue. Instead UN officials stole from the Oil for Food program in Iraq.
Finally, I believe Saddam was also to blame. This is a bad guy who was more interested in his own interests than those of his people. His lack of cooperation with the international community created the escalation that led up to the war.
The most important thing here is that there is a lesson for several other entities in the world today. There is a lesson for the next president of the US. There is a need for major reform at the UN.
Finally, there is a lesson for countries like Iran that claim to have peaceful intentions but refuse to respect and work with the world community. History does repeat itself!
2007-11-26 03:02:27 · answer #2 · answered by mjmayer188 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Personally I believe Bush intended to invade Iraq from the beginning. I also believe this would have happened without 911 occurring. Now whether this was in the best interest of American security, or just avenging the shortcomings of his father are debatable.
Congress must also share blame. Many of them made numerous statements about the dangers posed by Iraq which mirror the Bush administration justifications before he was President. No matter how much they try to rewrite history, their public statements cannot be erased from the record.
As for leading the American people. C'mon now! We are an in the moment lot and as such are easily led by fiery rhetoric.
In regards to the lofty goals of the Bush administration when they took office, I am most disturbed by how quickly he abandoned Social Security Reform at the first sign of dissension. Careful examination will show that this what happened to the others you mentioned also with the exception of the Mission to Mars. That died because we were spending too much money making war to justify another large expenditure with very little practical benefit to the people.
2007-11-26 01:58:21 · answer #3 · answered by Bryan 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes. The United States of America is to be ruled by We The People. We The People are therefore responsible for any and all actions taken by Our Government. If We The People asked Our Government to go to War (by having our congress vote for it, or by allowing our congress to vote for it), we cannot blame anyone but We The People for it.
2007-11-26 01:18:07 · answer #4 · answered by iooioiioo 2 · 4⤊ 0⤋
If you want to go in the direction of blame then there is plenty to go around...I remember a 93% approval rate for our dear president back then...I will take my share of the blame...I will also take my share of the glory. No matter what ANYONE says on here, Americans are not the types to be led around by the nose except by choice...if they were then they would still be approving at near the same rate.
2007-11-26 01:13:13 · answer #5 · answered by Erinyes 6 · 5⤊ 1⤋
Bush screwed the goose and himself after 911. The people, bolstered with Bush and Bush-co went on a feeding frenzy. Bush could have stopped that, but he chose to go ahead with his nation building and wars and the rest is history and will be his legacy.
In order of importance.
health care reform
energy independence
improved education
and a world wide quest for the stars with every country involved.
Of course, that means stopping the military industrial machine in its tracks.
Peace
Jim
.
2007-11-26 01:12:04 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 4⤋