It’s really like our parents acted when we were kids and hurt ourselves: when we went running to them with our injury they would say, “You’ll be fine.” Or some other comfort and guess what? They were right- we were fine and life went on. The reality is the same with our leaders: we do want someone to tell us everything will be fine, even if we don’t believe it all the time. We want someone who sounds like they have a plan or at least knows the outcome. How many of us would vote for a President who stood up and said, “Vote for me. I don’t know if we can solve this problem (pick a problem) but I swear to you I”ll do my best”? He wouldn’t get my vote.

But Bush’s actions are totally opposite of what he says. New Orleans is still a mess several years after it was flooded, the Clear Skies, Clean Forest Acts are more about protecting the right of corporate interests than protecting the environment and Bush started off fighting the terrorists where they were- in Afghanistan, but quickly turned his sights on a country that neither harbored terrorists nor posed a threat to the US. And the list goes on. Not to mention all the partisanship Bush has injected into politics, “You’re either with us or against us.” Bush has tried to create a reality where his fondest desires (the country is in great shape, the war is going well and I’m the best Prez ever, even if it takes future historians to acknowledge the fact) are actually first and foremost in the minds of the population and – if you repeat them often enough – are true because you believe.

Bush in college was a cheerleader and that is what he does best- projecting a positive image and keeping spirits up while the coach and team study the problems and come up with winning solutions. Unfortunately Bush believes the role of the Republicans is to cast him (as head cheerleader) in the best possible light and that means installing team players in his Admin. The real problems are not tackled by real men who can stand up to Bush and give him honest assessments of the problems. Bush only hears what he wants to hear, which is whatever assessment it will take to keep his good image up.

Of course this isn’t the way to run a government or a country (mush less a democracy) and so we see Bush’s approval ratings the lowest of any President (tied with Nixon’s).

In order to create a “good reality” Bush has to cast doubt on anything that puts him in a harsh light. And when questioned about it, he can say that he has a plan and present it in the most positive way- even if it is misleading.

I’ll be the first to say that when Bush stands up and says he’s going to fight the terrorists I’m right there with him. But when he starts taking actions that undermine the country’s constitution and are more about keeping himself/Reps. in power (or covering up his dirty deeds), and turning citizens against each other then he does not deserve to be leader of this country.

Bill Clinton recently said that he was against the war in Iraq back in 2002. Well that contradicts his statements at the time, but Clinton has created a new reality. Even though what Bill Clinton recently said there will now be some people who believe that he was against the war back then. So it’s not only Bush who does it- I believe that all politicians do it. However Bush, Cheney, Rove & Co. have taken it to new heights (or lows as the case may be) and use this reality building all the time and for their own benefit at the expense of the country.

the new President will have plenty of damage to repair

Liberals overdo this ridiculously but the fact is freely admitted and the 2006 election results and popular views of the 2008 elections reflect it.