No matter what the season, historic disasters like the Iraq war, September 11th, Hurricane Katrina, the U.S. economic crisis that created Financial Chaos for Corporate and Individual Investors are probably the first things people will remember as the legacy of President Bush. There were positive aspects to his tenure as well, so lets start with the positives. That would seem fair as, Mr. George W. Bush did hold office as U.S. President for two consecutive terms.
Speaking of positives, President Bush recently concluded a historic nuclear co-operation agreement with India that changes the strategic balance of power in the Indian Ocean area and may lead to agreement between India and Pakistan to settle long term conflict over Kashmir.
Mr. Bush was instrumental in China being more open to world markets and thereby helped China become a major global economic power.
As U.S. President, Mr. Bush also had early success in establishing good working relations with then Russian President Vladimir Putin. Although when Russia later began intimidating its neighbors and invaded Georgia, this promising relationship ended.
Historians could credit Mr. Bush for U.S. involvement in these situations and may even add accolades pertaining to the Middle East situation, if U.S. Forces are withdrawn due to a stronger Iraq Democratic Government and agreement is reached to suspend work on their nuclear weapons program.
However, the legacy of President George W. Bush most likely will dwell on the negative aspects of his time in office and include:
His leadership following September 11th attack on the World Trade Center and Pentagon. Since becoming U.S. Commander in Chief, is the world much less safe than it was prior to his terms as President?
His leadership role and bureaucratic bungling following Hurricane Katrina.
His war in Iraq against the Taliban and Al-Qaeda in conjunction to weapons of mass destruction that never materialized.
The Financial Crisis both here and abroad that started during Mr. Bush’s last term of office, and subsequently left financial institutions and individual investors in a state of panic, chaos and ruin.
All other U.S. Presidents and Global leaders alike are human, and as such, have have had short comings. Mr. George W. Bush however, has left the U.S.A. in a state of bankruptcy with the greatest ever deficit and a 25 year high unemployment rate. When you add the Iraq war, Hurricane Katrina, scandals within the administration, a bungled multi-billion dollar bailout package and a history of disregard for civil liberties and international law, his legacy has probably been virtually destroyed for the remainder of his lifetime and perhaps beyond.
It’s rather ironic, when someone mentions the name George Bush, my personal thoughts immediately return to the television news broadcast showing Mr. Bush arrogantly smiling at the person throwing shoes at him. The President deftly ducked each of the two shoes thrown, and his smile seemed to say, Go ahead – Keeping Throwing, I’m way too fast for the likes of you.
…..Doug T
