Hi QCP-ers! We’ve only got 41 days left of President Bush, and already I’m trying to imagine what life will be like without good ol’ 43. I was only 19 when Bush became president, and the 2000 election was probably the first election in which many of us were able to vote. Which also means that for almost all of us, our entire 20s have been spent under the reign of W.
So what will be different now that W is almost retired? Well, of course we’re all excited about Obama, optimism, change, hope, etc. On the other hand, there’s going to be a collective sigh of grief from all the humorists and comedians who will no longer have such an easy target. I know Jon Stewart is already mourning W’s departure.
On a more serious note, I have to say that now that Bush is leaving, I’m not quite so filled with rage at the sight of him. He seems more like a bumbling idiot than an evil mastermind. Yes, his policies are still doing damage around the world and creating chaos here at home, particularly with the financial meltdown. But there’s a ray of hope that wasn’t around a year ago, or even six weeks ago. It’s not just that Obama is a breath of fresh air, it’s the promise that we can actually improve our country, our standing in the world, and the lives of our citizens. Particularly on the left, there’s been so much depression for the last 8 years that the Democratic party was broken, that it couldn’t stand up to the right, and that the left would never win another presidential election.
And now, with the Obama transition moving along smoothly, with the appointment of a “team of rivals” that are competent, intelligent and well-known, it looks like the government will start doing its job. The symbolic changes alone are exciting. I heard Obama talking about his wish to hold poetry readings at the White House, along with bringing in prominent scientists to give talks at the White House. Finally, facts, culture and science will not be the enemies of the administration! And I’m also heartened to hear reports that Bush and his administration have been quite cooperative in the transition; it was embarrassing back in 2001 when the Clinton staffers trashed the White House and destroyed government property.
So, all you QCP-ers out there, what are your thoughts on the final days of the Bush Presidency? What are your hopes for the coming months and years? And how have your feelings about Obama changed since the election?
cindy
Genevieve
theshrew
Erin
qcpguestblogger
erin f.
3 comments
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December 15, 2008 at 8:20 pm
theshrew
My god that’s depressing Genevieve. I had never thought of it that way. Our entire quarter-century lives…under GW. Personally I am pissed off about three things: why he wants to drag this country down with him with all the anti-left (aka anti-environmental, anti-freedom, anti-privacy) Rules he’s pushed through; all the crappy pardons he’s going to give (I don’t think that should be in the President’s power); why he didn’t get another economic stimulus package through.
Okay the 3rd is mostly selfishly personal because I happen to get my paycheck from a retail job, but you just know Obama’s going to make one happen in February, and that simply isn’t when this country shops! If they’re going to claim that shopping can save the economy, then support peoples’ Christmas shopping! Honestly I wouldn’t be angry if I was sure that there would never be another economic stimulus package, ever, but I just have this sinking feeling that in order to bolster his support in Congress Obama’s going to get right behind it. In February. Oh well. If it’s another 600 bucks then at least I’ll be able to pay rent after I’ve lost my job. For half a month.
December 20, 2008 at 10:27 pm
erin f.
This week I spoke about the election and transition with an Italian friend who is living in Germany. It was interesting to hear his thoughts – I think he and many people he knows in Europe were dancing in the streets as much as people here were, but he said, “we would have been happy with Mary Poppins.” The general sentiment is “anyone but Bush.”
I remain very excited at the prospect of what a new administration might mean for positive changes in the health care and education systems, the state of the economy, foreign policy, and more, but now that the anticipation of the actual election has died down, it is easier to see the long road ahead – also that Obama isn’t perfect, and that “Obama” as an idea is different from the man. “Obama” as an idea includes a whole network of people who are going to be making decisions that I will not always agree with. My frustration this week is with the Obama team’s choice of Rick Warren to lead the inauguration prayer. They did not have to pick a vocal supporter of gay rights for this prominent ceremonial role, but they could have picked someone who has not spoken on the topic at all. Warren was a huge supporter of Prop 8 – the ugly stepchild of this election – and putting him at the forefront of a historic day that is supposed to signify change in America is a big slap in the face.
Back on the topic of Bush, while it is easy to think of him as obsolete, his administration is still trying to sell wilderness areas to oil tycoons in his last days of power… still making me feel depressed and helpless, even on the verge of a hopeful, better era.
Basically, I am optimistic about the transition. But I am worried about complacency – that a lot of people will think everything is going to be different right away, that the new government will fix the economy and save the environment, and that we regular folks can relax a little, now that we’ve done our democratic duty and voted. There is a lot of work to be done, a lot of advocacy needed – and we need to make sure that we are using our voices and letting our new leaders know how to work for us. I know I’m getting super soap-boxy here… but there you go. After the inauguration though, there is one person who I hope will remain forever complacent, if nothing else – and that is George W. Bush.
December 30, 2008 at 12:50 pm
cindy
i have thoroughly enjoyed reading what you and the commenters have said about this topic. and i am also to realize that most of my life as a voter has been ruled by a one george w. bush. eek!
my feelings for obama haven’t changed all that much… i voted for him. but that’s about it. his person, his character still remain somewhat elusive despite all the appointments he has made so far. his work is definitely cut out for him and as erin mentioned, i think many people have many high (and unrealistic) hopes for our president elect, which may lead to a lot disappointments as a result. but at the same time, it would be silly to think of obama as anything but a breath of fresh air compared to our current president.
i’m looking forward to january 20, 2009 and to see what our new president will be tackling. i know i am not alone. i’ll remain cautiously optimistic about this transition. i think good change is on the horizon, but it’ll take a lot of work and our jobs as voters are anything but over yet.