Those of you who have been on the planet for awhile...I have a question

[La_Serpiente]

I absolutely hate Bush with a passion. Luckily me, I spent my teenage years during the Clinton era. I am only 19 and I was 7 when Bush I left office, so I really didn't know anything about politics.

Anyhow, out of all of the presidents that you have lived through, is Bush II really the worst one? I mean, when I studied history, Nixon sounded like a pretty bad dude. I don't think Bush personally could be as bad as Nixon was but his policies are terrible. What say you?

Who was the worst Republican president to walk the face of this earth? Bush and his cronies really remind me of the robber barons of the last century. And even if Bush II is not as bad as Nixon yet, he seems like he will surpass him soon.

Also, is this literally the scariest administration you have lived through? What makes it so bad?

[Mountainman]

1. Bush II is the worst president I have ever seen, I was born during Truman

Nixon was bad but not as bad as this. We are on the verge of losing the American dream for the majority of Americans.

[TahitiNut]

60. I was born during Roosevelt (FD, not Teddy), and BushJr* is the worst.

... by a nautical mile.

[RebelOne]

153. Me, too. Born during FD Roosevelt's term.

And I agree. There has never been a worse president than bush.

[MotorCityMan]

61. I agree; Bush II* is the worst, no question

I was born in 1964, when Johnson was president.

* just doesn't care about anyone other than his rich friends and it shows.

Nixon was pretty bad, but I can only base that on my parent's reactions during Watergate. They are both diehard liberals. I remember distinctly how my mother was REALLY upset during the Nixon's impeachment and she said to me, "This country started going to hell after they shot Kennedy." Didn't understand at the time, but I do now.

Bush the Elder I didn't like, but compared to his spawn, he had a great personality. Personality was ALL Ronnie had going for him.

[noiretextatique]

133. he is the worst...though raygun is a close second eom

[Lindsay]

154. Been on the planet since 1946.

I loathed Nixon. I loathed Reagan.

Der Shrubbenfuhrer scares the heck out of me. I am really and truly terrified of him and his evil minions.

Worst. Ever. Hands down.

[kitkatrose]

169. Hi! I really like your sigline. N/T

[bobja]

2. Bush is the worst

I was born in 1950 so I have seen a few, but he is by far the worst. I was just saying this to a friend recently

[mlawson]

8. Also born in 1950. The bush regime is by far the worst,

even more so than Nixon. This crowd has done NOTHING right, has lied more than Nixon and others put together. They are far more in league with the religious right than even Ronnie was.

There is just something about this bunch, that makes me almost look back at the Nixon years with relative nostalgia.

[drfemoe]

112. At least Nixon

didn't have a media black out on protestors, much less "free speech zones". I think the Kent State masacre was a big turning point in the war.
http://speccoll.library.kent.edu/4may70/

Born while Dwight Eisenhower was in office.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/history/presidents/index2.html

[kentuck]

3. Reagan was bad but this guy is the worst of my lifetime...

It's funny how many young people think Ronald Reagan was the greatest president of all time. They have been totally warped by what they have heard from radio and TV. They were not old enough to remember it for themselves so they trust what they are told by the right-wingers on talk radio and cable tv. It's a pity.

[maveric]

4. Nixon was bad, but he wasnt a war-mongering meglomaniac

like chimpy is. Nixon had intellegence, unlike the idiot chimp. Nixon's administration was scary but not of the magnitude of bu$h II.

[JohnOneillsMemory]

104. Nixon had a much higher body count. Almost 1 million in Cambodia.

The 'secret' carpet bombing of Cambodia killed hundreds of thousands. This makes Dubya's body count look amatuerish by comparison.
But Nixon did a few almost progressive things domestically (like start the EPA, OSHA) despite using Hoover and COINTELPRO to savage civil rights.

The current state of the co-opted media is much more dangerous. Atleast journalists were watchdogs in Nixon's day. The propaganda tactics are literally stupifying and the public is too numb and disengaged to experience outrage at the shredding of the Constitution. And the domestic surveillance equipment and air dominance in warfare is beyond civilian comprehension.

These things make the present potentially a full-blown fascist future for the 'Leader of the Free World.' And that is worse than Nixon's days of Mutually Assured Destruction with the Soviets.

I was born in 1961, marched against Vietnam War in'68, read about the Pentagon Papers and Kent State in '71, registered with Selective Service as a Conscientious Objecter in '79, watched the IranContra hearings in the '80's.

I came back from working a concert in Bulgaria to see Dubya making his acceptance speech at the Repub Convention on the tv sets at JFK airport and swore so loudly that people turned and stared at me. I knew we were oh-so-fucked as of that moment and wondered where to run and hide. Of course, there is no escaping and we must rescue this hijacked nation to save the planet.

[zanana]

159. "Nixon had a much higher body count"

Bush has only been president since 2001. Give him time.

[formactv]

5. Your greatest fears are realized.

Yes. He is the worst president, and this is the worst administration. Nixon had redeeming qualities. He was coherent and intelligent, and had some good ideas. He had some bad faults. But W is a criminal and a phony. I am 50 years old and I have never seen anything like this. I never imagined this country could fall apart like this.

[45th Med]

6. LBJ is up there......

He was just plain shifty.

Nixon was just plain crooked.

Truman was a real working-class American, I have nothing but respect for Truman. He made one of the biggest decisions a POTUS has ever had to make, but it took it's toll on him personally. He also had to deal with the Korean situation. We lost alot of good guys in Korea....

[tom_paine]

10. And he said, "The Buck Stops Here"

Could you imagine Chimpy McCokespoon* saying such a thing?

He couldn't say. He couldn't make the words come out properly, like the Fonz trying to say "I was wr..wuh...wruh..."

I agree...Harry Truman kicked ass!

[KoKo]

33. Truman said "The Buck Stops Here!" not LBJ....the posts looked like it was

LBJ reading the thread. I know you didn't mean it to look like that Tom Paine, but scanning the thread it did. I needed to clarify that for the post...:-)'s

[5thGenDemocrat]

15. Disagree about LBJ

Look up his accomplishments in the first two years after JFK's assassination. They are astonishing, more liberal even than those of Franklin Roosevelt. LBJ was, is and always will be my definition of a "liberal."
Vietnam was horrible -- but hardly the only entry in LBJ's ledger. I respect President Johnson, though I certainly wouldn't have agreed with his foreign policy.
John
I'd surely like to see LBJ pick Chimpy up by his fucking ears.

[KoKo]

47. Johnson: Pushed through Civil Rights Legislation, Medicare, Medicaid &

hugely increase the Government Student Loan Fund Program which increased the availablity of funds of kids who wanted to go to go to College, but didn't have the bucks, (it was big what he did and many folks including my hubby, took advantage of that program).

He did so much that was good, but much was left over from Kennedy, so it could have been just Dem loyalty to Kennedy's Programs in Sympathy. If Johnson had been Chimp he could have just abandoned all of Kennedy's programs.but he was a Dem succeeding a Dem.

Chimp wanted to get rid of everything Democrats have done including and since Franklyn Roosevelt and maybe even including Teddy Roosevelt. Bush wants us to go back before the country was founded like under "King George" that we fought the Amercian Revolution against.

[SayitAintSo]

134. With you on LBJ ... don't get that one...

Vietnam aside, his list of accomplishments were incredible (even if he DID hand over the south to the pukes with the voting rights act)

:shrug:

[janx]

171. Bush reminds me of LBJ.

Different parties, same dishonest philosophy.

[ComerPerro]

7. Well, I am 22

But I still just want to say that I think Bush is the biggest asshole I have ever seen.

[opihimoimoi]

Born in '41, FDRs Time. Shrub is the worst by 873634003835101912827.0 Mi.

He is HORRID. Threatens the Future of Mankind. Is Delusional.

Thinks its best this way. That this is what the Lord has in store for us and therefore, this is GOOD>>>> ??

[zeemike]

41. You don’t have to be old

To recognize an asshole when you see it.

[bobbieinok]

9. Bush II is the worst

Why??

He has control of the media. Nixon tried this with his attacks on the networks and Agnew as his attack dog: he called the press the 'nattering nabobs of negativism.'

One party controls all three branches.

I don't think any US administration has been so controlled by coporate greed since the 'robber baron' era of the 19th century.

And now nothing is really local. The damages are global.

(college graduation 1961)

[JitterbugPerfume]

21. I (barely) remember FDR

and I can say clearly the Bush administration scares me like no other --biggest reason.Premptive war He has been in office less than three years and already attacked two already devastated countries

[5thGenDemocrat]

11. Objectively

I've got to rate Nixon higher than Dopey. Nixon opened China and supported the right to vote for 18 year olds. Nixon had a first-rate political mind. Hunter Thompson once famously commented on RMN's superior, encyclopaedic knowledge of college football, as well.
The Chimp is a cretin. Nixon was no such thing.
John
Who served in the US Army under Nixon before I was old enough to vote against him.

[Ninga]

12. Yikes, I hate to answer this

but without a doubt, this president is the worst. I remember that Eisenhower was an even handed and moderate president, Nixon was dark and scary, but did well in China and in foreign relations, JFK was very moderate and spoke directly to the issues young people were interested in, LBJ was one of the architects for the Great Society programs, but escalated the Vietnam War, Carter has done more out of office, Reagan was a tall building with no lights on the top floor, he too had puppeters, Bush I was a wimp and typical GOP'er, Clinton brought stability and respect of forign nations, did some things through welfare and NAFTA that represented more the DLC, rather than mainstream folks.

[salinen]

22. the worst human ever

bush has so surpassed nixon at being psychopathically corrupt. but this time, all his lying and murder for profit and control will be ignored as the republicans own the media. this is totalitarianism in all it's shining glory. the missing element in nixon's day was the christian right wing who are the foundation for all that is evil.

[theorist]

84. Worse than Hitler, Lenin, or Stalin?

[OldSoldier]

156. I think Caligula may have been a little worse...

but Bush is about as bad as Hitler, Lenin and Stalin.

[in_cog_ni_to]

13. I was born in 1955

and Bush II is, without a doubt, the worse president ever! I hate him more than you do! :P

[bowens43]

14. bush the younger is absolutely the worst.

I never thought I would live to see a president as bad or as corrupt as Reagan. The idiot proved me wrong.

[Nay]

101. I am 51, and I too have never seen a worse prez than Bush*.

I hated Nixon, and was actually scared that I was going to get shot in the streets, but Bush * is ten times worse. I feel like my whole life (what's left of it) will be blighted by this moronic, evil, nazi bastard. And never mind what this weasel will do to my son's life. I am running around like a nut, just trying to figure out a way to shield the kid from the worst if * gets in again in 2004.

[Faygo Kid]

122. 52 here, and I agree - Bush is the worst

The worst president in American history. Hands down. Makes Reagan, Bush 1, Buchanan, Nixon, Pierce, etc. pale by comparison.

[Punkingal]

16. Born during Truman...

and, yes, Bush is the worst. But during Nixon's time, there were still Republicans with sense, so who knows how much worse Nixon could have been.

[KoKo]

Funny, but Yes, at one time, there were Repugs with Sense and REAL

values which spoke to America and Democracy, not to FAMILY VALUES. That was Gingrich had his forerunners..who sabotaged the Repugs and turned them into "Repugs."

[shirlden]

17. Been here since 1936

Have followed Politics since high school.
Ike, was the first I remember well, and though a decent man and not a true Republican, he really did'nt do anything as President. Very frustrating to me, because I could see all these problems and nothing was being done
Nixon...was sick and deranged. As a human he left a great deal to be desired, but he was not a bad President. Very moderate on social issues and a good diplomat and foreign policy person. Had he not been paranoid, he might have been one of our better President.
Ford....the only Republican I would have voted for.(I didn't)
Ray-gun.....I spent his 8 years in total frustration.......all the crapola that is causing trouble now, was started by him. The SEC lost its' balls, deregulation ran rampant, business mergers allowed that have created the lack of honesty, morality, and ethics we have now. Take a look backwards and you will see the beginning of the end was here.
Poppy Bush......clearly out of his element. A non-prez, a non-person. No qualifications for being Pres, just like his idiot offspring. Seemed to just bumble and muddle through, oblivious to everything around him.

Not a one of them was as immoral or as dishonest or had the ability to make me really afraid for my country as the one whom we dare not speak his name *.

That's my take....would like to hear from others.

[zeemike]

46. Born in 43

That is pretty much my take on it as well.
Except I would come right out and say that Raygun may have been worse than Nixon as far as the average working man is concerned.
And you did ot mention Kennedy as being the last one that was able to inspire young people and had he lived may have united the people and did great things.

[E_Zapata]

18. It;s the PUBLIC that makes this administration so intolerable.........

It's the people that I see during the day.....the things they say and believe......

There is an overwhelming trend toward a complete lack of conscience, personal responsibility for the welfare of one's neighbor, HATE.....abject HATE being expressed without so much as a wide eyed look from an observer.

It's the fact that there really IS a country that is completely on track with the whole evil cabal. Things are going swimmingly.....sure, a few economic woes...but for the most part..things haven't been better.

And that's what makes bush II the most intolerable president in history for me.

Now, during Reagan and bush I......I was incredulous at their agenda (cultural and economic and militarily) but I KNEW that we could un-do the damage. It was just a matter of waiting till we could get a dem in office. How did I know that? Because of the people in my community...I KNEW the fascist bullshit wasn't a feather in their hats.

And now? If bush II doesn't steal the election, there will be a sizeable segment of the population who will really FEEL that all has been lost! That scares me to death.

Who are we as a nation?


******you are only 19? Wow.....very wise for a 19 year old. I would have never guessed. I love your posts.

[davekriss]

73. "It's the PUBLIC that makes this administration so intolerable........."

While I think it's the *administration* radical right-wing agenda that makes itself intolerable (not the public), you raise a point that resonates with me.

It was not the Republithug riot preventing the recount in Miami, not the twisted illogic of December 12 2000, nor any of the myriad events leading up to the theft of the Presidential Election -- it was the quiet afterward. We just watched a coup d'etat and ... nothing.

I honestly expected riots in the streets, people storming the Whitehouse in the weeks afterward. But saw nothing. We let ourselves down. We failed to defend democracy.

Though we failed the second chance of 2002, 2004 is hugely important. It represents one more difficult opportunity to defend ourselves (how many more will we get?). I don't care if it's for Dean, Kucinich, Mosely-Braun: Volunteer! Work!! Contribute!!! The character of our childrens' lives depends on it.

(And before anyone asks, "where we're YOU in 2000?", I too like many am guilty of passively watching the spectacle unfold without action. We we're all shocked. Dumbfounded. Caught off guard. We have no excuse this time around.)

[E_Zapata]

80. I don't look at it like we were PASSIVE........

I was in SHOCK in re to the election coup d'etat. I had the same shock on 9/11.....I was paralyzed.

But this time.....you are right, in 2004.......I won't be standing by paralyzed. And I have a feeling that millions will be leading the call for democracy.

[LeahMira]

175. Yes, it's the hate...

It's the people that I see during the day.....the things they say and believe......

There is an overwhelming trend toward a complete lack of conscience, personal responsibility for the welfare of one's neighbor, HATE.....abject HATE being expressed without so much as a wide eyed look from an observer.

I read this question last night but wasn't sure just how to answer (or if I could or should answer) until I read this message from you, E_Zapata. You put into words what I couldn't quite say.

Back when Ronald Reagan was elected the first time I was teaching sixth grade. The morning after the election, one of the white students in my class came in to the room and rather triumphantly announced to one of my black students that he and all those (black students) should start learning to get along without their welfare money now because Ronald Reagan was President.

I guess that until then I had never realized the depth of the resentment that simmered just below the surface in this country, and how quickly and explosively it could come out given the least appearance of some sanction.

What has happened during this administration is that not only has this resentment come to the surface, but it's being encouraged. No one in any leadership position seems to be taking a public stand against it. Americans are admired if they hate terrorists, but they are also admired if they hate the poor, the unemployed, the disabled, or anyone who can be put in some category of "less than." That "with us or with the terrorists" attitude is being extended to "with us or with the 'leeches' and 'no-goods.'"

I'm afraid. I'm afraid because I know that we aren't but a few paychecks from disaster and heaven help us if one of us is sick or injured. I'm afraid because I'm not Christian and my faith does not teach that abortion or homosexuality are evil or that wealth is the ultimate good. I'm afraid because no one is standing up for the communists, and if no one stands up for the communists then by the time they come for me there will be nobody to stand up for me.

I'm 58, and I've never felt that way before. I blame Bush. He opened this Pandora's box, but this time I'm not sure that hope is at the bottom.

[paulk]

19. Bush is the worst I've ever seen.

I didn't think anyone could top Reagan - at least Reagan tried to hide his shenanigans. It's all right out in the open with Bush.

[ThomWV]

20. Regan/Bush I were Bad But This Idiot

As bad as Regan was, and Bush I too for that matter (I have no beef with Eisenhower or Ford, and Nixon was another matter alltogether) at least they could go out into the world and not be a personal embarassment to The United States of America. That is beyond the policies of this leach on society.

Just tonight BBC America showed tape of that gwaking moron at dinner with the Queen and I felt ashamed that my country would be represented a fuggin' buffoon.

Thom

God Bless Robert Byrd

[BeFree]

23. Nixon was bad

But he went up a notch when he resigned.

Now, if aWol was to do the same....

Nixon escalated the Vietnam war. But he did sign a lot of good environmental legislation. Nixon subverted democracy in many ways, but not as much as * has.

This administration takes the cake as the worst.

[msmcghee]

24. The first election I voted in was '64.

I voted for Barry Goldwater - but going through the whole Viet Nam thing and Watergate was my education and set me straight about politics and life in general.

IMHO - Nixon was a very small, petty and ugly person - probably worse than Bush in terms of downright hateful mean-ness. Probabaly because his mean-nesss was attached to a smart brain.

Bush shows his mean-ness occasionally -- like with Carla Tucker - but his is a small brain and therefore more innocent on that scale.

But Bush as president is far worse because Nixon was held in check by strict public expectations of what a president could and could not do - and get away with it. He resigned because of Watergate. Bush II has done a dozen things that are worse - and nobady really cares - present company excepted.

That's because the pukes - starting with Gingrich, with their outrageous brazenly partisan behaviour, have turned politics into a cesspool where only they are comfortable operating and actually thrive. And the public is no-longer upset at the most partisan dishonest behaviour from our elected officals. People just say - Oh those Republicans - what are you going to do?

I'm sure most dem pols have lost any notions of actually helping the country move forward and become better for it's citizens and are just going through the motions and trying to slow down the total destruction of our democracy. They're probably holding on for a while and hoping this nightmare ends some day - maybe next November. The pukes have destroyed whatever naive notions of doing good for the people and statesmanship that I believe attracted most dems to politics in the first place.

If Bush is elected I wouldn't be surprised if more than a few dems retired from politics. At least some of them must be thinking that life's too short to spend it despising and being hated by the people you work with every day - watching everything you worked for and thought was good about government being dismantled. And the worse part for them I'm sure is the willingness of at least half of Americans to just let it happen.

[davekriss]

78. Good Post

I agree msmcghee

[Lydia Leftcoast]

131. The Republicans are meaner now

I was talking with a Minnesota state elected official at a DFL event a couple of months ago, and he remarked that it used to be that yes, the Republicans were the opposition, but you could work with them. Now, he said, the Republicans were not content just with having the governorship and control of the state legislature: they wanted to make all the DFLers' lives miserable as well.

[TacticalPeek]

25. More blood under Nixon, but more destruction under aWol.

The problem with Shrub, is that there is no there there.

Hence, he is simply the Influencee-in-Chief, easily manipulated by the 'really smart people' (sic) in his inner circle. Therefore, people with dark and repulsive minds, who could themselves never dream of being elected to such responsibility, are in effect making Presidential decisions. Thus, he is the opposite of a leader, in the shoes of the leader with the greatest responsibilities on the planet.

And it shows.

:(

[Jacobin]

26. Born in1950

There is no president, during my lifetime, and probably before that, who is more dangerous, more dimwitted, more uninformed than George Fucking Bush*.

No one is even CLOSE.

There can simply be no comparison with ANY of them. Clearly incompetent, dangerous and led around by the nose by ideologues who have agendas which are not in the best interest of this country.

[Q]

27. Actually...Reagan was worse than Nixon...

...because he got away with much more serious crimes.

- I doubt we'll ever see a more corrupt and arrogant 'president' than Bush*. Hopefully, the American people won't allow another 2000 election fraud to happen again without a riot.

[spinbaby]

36. Reagan at least had a likable side

He always reminded me of a favorite uncle--the one who left his slippers in the mailbox and talks to his toast.

[carols]

28. The ugly product of bad genes, (inbred X10), and a messianc complex

Bush is worse than Nixon for all the reasons stated above. Nixon was smart - paranoid and angry, yes - but smart. And he did reach out to China.
Bush has not done a single commendable thing since he took office. He is dangerously stupid, convinced he is fulfilling Biblical prophecy, and surrounded by mendacious war criminals and a quivering, supine, pandering press. There's simply no comparison.

Carol
Laughing Tailors Society

[TacticalPeek]

29. More like a "David complex".

Is there a Nathan in the house?


:evilgrin: :evilgrin: :evilgrin:

[July]

34. You've summed it up well.

I thought I'd never get over Reagan's first election, and then he was elected again. I loathed Nixon. Bush is dumber than Reagan and more corrupt than Nixon, and on top of all that, he's surrounded by other greedy, arrogant bastards like himself. Definitely wins as Worst President Ever.

[alcuno]

30. I can't even remember thinking much about Reagan and Bush I

When I hear the little shrub or see him on television, my blood pressure goes way up. This administration is just awful.

What makes them so bad? An unmatched level of arrogance, pure and simple. Reagan and Bush I at least pretended to care about the American people, * appears to have utter contempt for us.

[KoKo]

31. Bush II is by far the worst! Worse than Nixon! Mostly because America ha

changed....and the Right Wing Religious flourished off the sucesses against Clinton (small as they were) but they got the MEDIA on their side and with the help of Mellon-Scaife...they had time to grow and flourish in their "Greenhouse of Evil Incubation."

I don't want to go on about it because I've been on DU awhile and discussed this earlier...and you can't say much over and over, even for a "new" audience such as you here on DU without feeling you are repeating yourself and have become "stale."

But, this Guy is the WORST PRESIDENT WE HAVE EVER HAD! He's DANGEROUS!

And, I've seen all since Kennedy. He's the worst. But, he's only the "End Game" of powers that have been in place since Eisenhower. So, it's just that he is the "LEGACY."

[Scott Lee]

32. I was born in 1960. Bush II makes Nixon look like a choirboy.

.

[pippin]

35. Thought Nixon was evil.

then came Ronald who was sinister in his seemingly affable way. But George W Bush is like nothing we could have ever imagined. History will definitely rank him as the absolute worse. Take it from some one who has been around for more decades than I would care to reveal. May your generation have something much, much better to look forward to than what we are having right now. The future belongs to people of your generation and you have to simply try your damnest to get rid of the likes of Bush if America is to survive as a real democracy.

[calimary]

37. I'm 50 and can remember back to JFK, somewhat. BY FAR, Duhbya is worst.

His most formidable accomplishment is to make Nixon actually look good. Holy smokes!!! He makes Reagan actually look smart. He makes his shallow dad look wise. Heavens!!

This is the biggest snakepit full of schemers, liars, corner-cutters, ponzi-schemers, bait-n-switchers, thieves, con-artists, pirates and other assorted robber barons I have ever seen in my entire lifetime! Dukakis once said "the fish rots from the top." NEVER was it more true. Yes, he's also stupid and a puppet, but none of those people would be around pulling strings and manipulating EVERYTHING - and selling out or scamming everything they aren't manipulating - if he hadn't been installed. He is the biggest blight on this country's history that I have EVER seen. He's brought out more of the worst in people than McCarthy and Gingrich combined. He's brought more snakes and foxes in to guard the henhouses than Reagan with his Robber-Barons-on-Parade. I have never had a president who's actually made me ashamed to be an American. And certainly even the worst of them was actually, legitimately, and incontrovertibly elected to the job.

It's JUST awful. I have NEVER, EVER seen our country stoop so low, or be so resolutely steered into a ditch. Dear God, but it's galling. Made even worse because of the collective Rip van Winkle syndrome most of this country has allowed itself to sink into. Nixon was up to no good, but it eventually caught up with him. Even Reagan didn't leave completely unsullied - witness Iran/Contra. But THESE reprehensible people - Dear Lord, I have NEVER in my life awakened every morning with my fists clenched and my stomach in a knot because of what I see being done to this country, its people, its reputation and alliances, its treasure, and its longterm security - all in the name of short-sighted, quick-kill (!) profits and power-mongering. Also, I believe this is the MOST ARROGANT and most ill-prepared so-called pResident we've had in our history.

Thinking about him for any length of time makes me want to run and take a shower.

[LibertyorDeath]

62. calimary thank you for that.

[jaded_old_cynic]

71. Great rant!

I couldn't have said it any better. You seem to have crystalized my thoughts eloquently, as i too feel the same. Even to the part about how you feel when you wake up in the morning. The very thought of that shallow, sanctimonious little troll fraidulently sitting in the peoples house makes me physically ill.

[BeachBuckeye]

38. Born during FDR's reign

I've been serious about politics since I was 14 years old but I have not seen anything quite like Jr. Bush. Nixon was quite a character, Reagan was just plain out of it but, this guy, tops them all. I honestly believe he is the face of evil and is surrounded by like-minded people. He is the most dangerous man who has lived on the planet since Kruschev. I hope that doesn't sound like I'm a wacko but, I really do believe it.

[Faygo Kid]

136. You're exactly right - Truman baby here

You're no whacko, except Kruschev (sp?) denounced Stalin. I would describe him as more reckless than evil. The Bushies are evil.

[Some Moran]

143. Easy on Mr. K

As creepy as he was, Destalinisation was one of the few things the USSR ever got right.

[Nlighten1]

39. Bush II is pure corporate evil.

Unadulterated power hungry criminals.

[G_j]

40. Shrub THE worst

I was bon in '51. Nixon was bad Reagan worse, but Bush II should rank as the worst in terms of damage done.

[srubick]

42. Bad leaders

It isn't that he alone is the worst. I have had very little regard for any of them, with the exception of Kennedy, who I am learning nightly--thanks to the History Channels' series---was trying to correct some of the problems that are still with us today.
The Bush administration is by far the worst because he has such a strangle hold over the repug majority in each house. The critical balance of power between the three branches of our government are in danger of becomeing obsolete. The Bush crowd has usurpted the legislative responsibility of the Legislature and are threatening the Judiciary with their appointees and edicts from Ashcroft.
It is not the man I would blame however, there will always be low lifes among us. It is our neglect of history and responsibily that has brought us to this point.
Where once we had true patriots from all political persuasions who would stand up and protest such events as the last election, we now have a population of ignorance beyond belief.
It is this ignorance of the masses that allow men, like we have in Washington now, to squirm into power.

[thebeaglehaslanded]

43. Been here since Roosevelt (Franklin, not Teddy!)

Bush is the worst in terms of crushing American freedoms and ignoring the Constitution. Reagan was criminal and had horrible advisors (many of whom are back at the helm), and may have been too stupid to know what was going on around him. Bush has the same problem. Between the two of them, America has been challenged with its greatest presidential threats.

[liberalmuse]

44. Oh hell yes. No contest.

I was born 5 months before Kennedy was shot. I have never, EVER seen anything like the Bush adminstration, except for maybe the Nixon administration, which is starting to resemble a girl scout troop compared to the despots in the White House. We were lucky it was cut down before it got out of hand. Such is not the case with the Bush administration. I venture to say that George W. Bush is hands down the worst president this country has ever had, and the most dangerously incompetent leader in the world today.

What makes the Bush administration so bad is that these men make their own rules and don't give a damn about democracy and what the American people think. They have overthrown the Republic. They will do what they will regardless--rape, steal, murder, lie, etc., and unlike the days of Nixon, there aren't enough decent men in Congress with balls enough to stop them. Bush has no shame, and I actually think he lives in some fantasy world where he believes his own lies, and can't even make the disctinction between of just how vastly opposite his words and actions are. There is no depth to which the Bush administration won't stoop in order to achieve their ends. They have no conscience. They spit on the sacred. Black Sabbath's song, 'War Pigs' describes them to a 'T'. I despise all of them with every ounce of my being.

[never cry wolf]

45. Born in 1954

First voted in 1972 for McGovern. There is not much I can add to the very wise posters above, WhistleAss is by far the worst and most dangerous pResident in my lifetime. Dangerous not only to our country but to the planet. It's a total sell-out to the elite, very rich and corporate interests. The worst part is he doesn't even realize it, that's his whole world. Everyone he knows loves what he is doing.

Actually, maybe that's not the worst part. It very well may be worse that his handlers are the ones telling him not only what to do but that everyone loves what he is doing and he floats along day to day impervious to reality and ignorant of the consequences.

[RichardRay]

48. As bad a Bush is, my dislike for Nixon remains more intense

I think Bush II is a bumbling, venal fool. I think Nixon was evil.

[msmcghee]

51. I just checked your profile.

Isn't Wilson near Jackson Hole, on the Hwy going to Idaho?

[RichardRay]

64. Where I live

Jackson Hole is the geologic place - a big valley south of Yellowstone with the Snake River running through it down to Alpine Canyon. Towns like Jackson, Wilson, Kelly, Moose, Moran and Hoback Junction are all in the valley called Jackson Hole.

Wilson is on Hiway 22 just before you go over Teton Pass into Idaho. I live a few miles south and several hundred feet above the valley floor.

[msmcghee]

88. Cool . . .

. . I thought I recognized that town. I spent a winter once in a cabin up above Moose. (About 1967 I think). Spent a few evenings in a pretty colorful bar in Wilson. I remember a local band had a banjo player in it by the name of Bill Briggs I think - who was a fairly well respected climber there.

I spent a lot of time on skis that winter - skinny and otherwise. Great memories.

[RichardRay]

165. The Stagecoach in Wilson

Every Sunday night - Bill is still there, and he still tries to yodel. He is an icon for skiing and a vanishing way of life. JH is full of young stud skiers and snowboarders (of all genders) - none of them try to cop a 'tude with Brigger.

[rasputin1952]

49. A quick rundown:...

Truman: decent man, took responsibility for every decision he made. A lot of people could find fault, but regardless, Truman was a man of dignity and honor. He would never consider selling out under any circumstances. If he said something, he meant it.

Eisenhower: a decent man as well. Bona Fide war hero, great organizer with unquestionable diplomatic skills. He was lazzaie faire as far as presidents go, letting many corporations and other groups pretty much do as they will. He had an iron will against communism, and was adept at getting things done. He cared about the infrastructure, and was instrumental in building the Interstate Highway system after seeing how well the autobahnn worked in Germany. He never let immense power get to him.

Kennedy: contrary to popular belief, he was a near great, not necessarily a great president. I think he may have been elevated to great if he had lived to fulfill a second term. While I admire Kennedy, it is the assassination that placed him near sainthood. His cabinet was probably one of the most progressive ever, but there were hurdles that needed to be overcome.

Johnson: Interesting individual. He tried desperately to move the infrastructure situation forward, and his dedication to Civil Rights is well known. But he was mired down in Vietnam and he became so occupied with the war, many a good program like the Great Society, were swallowed up in the war. Johnson was crude in many ways, but he undoubtably got things done.

Nixon: Far too paranoid to really make it as a president. He had a career of being second or third banana, and therefore thought that everyone was out to get him. Like most paranoids, Nixon kept close tabs on those he felt could do him harm, but it was the the illegal breakin at Watergate that brought him down. Of those that he trusted, some of them had scruples, and they brought him down. Nixon was an intelligent man, and in the begining, his political sense was impeccable. But it wasn't long before he started to see enemies in every shadow.

Ford: An inocuous man, and no one expected anything great from him, in fact, most people would have been dumbfounded if anything above mediocre came from the Ford years. Ford never let the idea that he was an Eagle Scout stray far from his mind. He is a decent man, prone to stumbling, but that made him seem more human that Nixon. Ford was, by all accounts a mediocre president at best.

Carter: Probably the most honest president we ever had. No matter what anyone says about Carter, one thing rings true, he never compromised on his principles. Everything he did, and every decision he made, was based on his principles. Carter is truly a humble man as well. He never told people that he graduated from a nuclear program as #1, while in the Navy. This program had a 94% washout rate, and it was a 4 year program crushed into less than two years. Carter was no idiot, he is exceptionally intelligent. Biggest fault Carter had was his apparent inability to delegate authority. Then again, this meant that if failure became apparent, he would accept full responsibility; there were no scapegoats in the Carter administration.

Reagan: An extremely poor president, and up until he was shot, he was ridiculed daily for his stances on hardcore RW ideology. He came up with the trees cause pollution in a speech, and was damn near laughed out of the pressroom. It seemed to me, as well as many others, that Reagan treated his presidency as a Hollywood script, (not surprising), and just figured in the end, the whole story would come out to a happy ending. Good guys always won in Hollywood, he was deluded enough to think life would mirror his film career. The signs of alzheimers were apparent long before his second term ended.

Bush I: Far to beholding to special interests and friends in high places. Guaranteed failure from the time he was inaugurated, he had no grasp of the American population. Being an elitist, he was baffled by people actually having to work two jobs to make ends meet.

Clinton: Fine mind, but allowed too many insidious scandals to hamper his presidency. If the GOP would not have sent the snapping dogs at Clintons heels, Clinton might have gone down as one of the greats. Hampered by scandal, it will take historians years to unravel the truth from the innuendo.

bushII: No redeeming graces whatsoever. I wonder if this man has a conscience at all. His soul is shriveled, and his intellectual capabilities are in serious question. I believe he is a sociopath, and he can be extremely dangerous, because no matter what he does, he will say that God had him do it. W has never been held accountable for anything he has done, and has failed at everything he has done. He has NOTHING to show as a success. Never before, has this nation seen a worse exaple of a president. His arrogance alone will be his destruction.

O8)

[msmcghee]

53. I must take exception . .

"Clinton: Fine mind, but allowed too many insidious scandals to hamper his presidency . . "

There was one scandal (Lewinsky). It was not associated in any way with national policy. All the damage and expense to the government (us taxpayers) was caused by the relentless repuke attack campaign that started before he took the oath of office and continues to this day.

All of the other (supposed) scandals were bullshit made up by the pukes - every one. You can hardly fault him for the vast right wing media machine that waged that war against him every day. Although you can give him credit for not only holding his own against them - but showing them up as the fools and liars they were on several occasions.

In most advanced nations a tryst with an aide would be laughable as a serious subject for political discussion.

I'm not totally happy with everything he did. But I hate to see anyone, especially liberals, say his administration was scandal-ridden. It was RW attack-ridden.

[rasputin1952]

76. I like Bill as much as the next guy...

and that it why I said 'insidious' scandals. The Whitewater fiasco was a scandal, as was the Jennifer Flowers and other assorted thiings. There is no douobt in my mind that all of this stuff was pushed by 'the vast RW conspiracy'.

The only thing that panned out, and I am sure the vast majority of Americans could not care less, was the Lewinsky affair. There were rumblings of murder, money alundering, and all kinds of junk, none of which had any merit; none the less, they were scandals. A scandal need no have proof behind it to be presented as such. Once there is proof of wrongdoing, scandal ceases to exist, and it becomes fact.

Which brings to mind, the Commandment that the RW seems to forget, although constantly fighting for them: "Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor". But of course, Biblical Laws never relate to the RW, only against their supposed enemies.

O8)

[msmcghee]

83. Right on.

:toast:

[lumpy]

87. Been around too long. I guess.

For the first time in my life I have lost so much faith in this nation. George W Bush is by far the worst president this nation has ever known. He is rather the reflection of what a large part of this country has become, decadent, and ignorant.
Rasputin, I agree with most of your analysis, good post.

[Faygo Kid]

124. Thoughtful analysis - obviously a history buff

Agree with nearly all of your analysis; would be nitpicking to criticize. Bush II, no redeeming qualities: You have that right.

[GreenArrow]

50. W, hands down.

The absolute nadir.

That includes LBJ-the present. Of course, I was too young to remeber anything about LBJ.

[DancingBear]

52. Without question, Bush II is the worst

I was born in '53, so I've been "of age" for Nixon, Johnson, Reagan, etc. This skunk is far and away the worst. Nixon was a closet racist, but brilliant in the field of foreign policy. Johnson was a child of segregation, hence his vision for The Great Society, and Reagan was an actor with a (misguided) sense of what America stood for. Bush has NO positive attributes to speak of, no intelligence, and I fear no conscience. The next cogent thought from his lips will be his first. It should be obvious to all that this simian is merely a puppet, but a puppet with an evil streak the size of Florida.

We should nickname this bastard "Chucky".

[salinen]

55. bush is the best

criminal we've ever had in the house. but we have been paying to much attention to our own politics. let's ask the rest of the world who they think is our worst president ever. oh, but i forgot. the rest of the world are jealous, so pay no attention to them.

[never cry wolf]

56. Damn, I like that!!!

pResident Chucky. That very well now be my favorite moniker for the great pretender!!

[azrak]

54. Honestly

Jimmy Carter's presidency just because he did nothing and the economy toasted as well as the world's opinion of us.

[Hell Hath No Fury]

59. You MUST be joking...

Please tell me that you are.

I have been around for both and to say that Jimmy Carter was a worse President than BUSH II is, frankly, a bit insane.

In case you haven't noticed, the economy is pretty much toast under Georgie and we are looking at deficits for a generation.

And better Carter who "did nothing" than a morally corrupt fundie who has lead us into two wars in three years and the danger of more to come.

[never cry wolf]

63. Carter also demanded human rights...

throughout the world. He was extremely compassionate towards the poor and downtrodden and still is. He was the first Pres to make a big deal out of human rights violations and I dare say that many worldwide organizations supporting human rights would not be around today without him.

He also instituted tax credits for energy conservation that made a big difference, believe it or not. As an architect, during that era while those laws were in effect, we had TONS of corporate clients suddenly aware of energy efficiency and eager to utilize those tax breaks, many of the building systems developed then are still in use today as they have been adopted as building codes.

on edit: spelun as usial

[salinen]

70. carter

made me proud to be an american for the first at last time in my life. and he continues to be a freedom fighter and man of the people. his former secretary of state has also been giving some wonderful speeches.

[never cry wolf]

81. I agree...

The economic problems were caused in a large part to the oil crisis when americans went from $.39/gal to over a buck for the first time (i spent the 78/79 school year in college in France and paid $3.50).

All of a sudden the cost of business went through the roof, all petroleum based products, cost of transposrt, cost of heating and electrical bills, etc. I also happen to believe that the corporate elite did nothing to help Carter because he was a roadblock to their greed.

His other main problem, of course, was the Iran hostage crisis. This also had it's seeds long before he came into office when the US inserted the Shah as dictator. The revolution was a backlash against that and out continued support of the Shah. IMHO: had Carter been setting foreign policy during that era there would never have been a Shah.

[Silverhair]

94. So you are blaming it on prevous administrations. That cuts

both ways. If we can defend Carter by blaming it on previous administrations, the Bush can blame 9-11 on Clinton by saying that the terrorists were already here and going to flight school before he assumed the office. It cuts both ways. If we get to blame the previous guys, so can they.

[Clark Can WIN]

105. Ah, but were it that simple...........

Of course it is not. Cause and effect does not pay heed to either party or any election.

Effect: 9/11/01 - Cause: Abject poverty in the middle east. Decades of shifty policy by the US (most notably under Raygun and Bush I) and the either deliberate or negligent mishandling of clear and urgent intelligence information by the Bush administration.

[Some Moran]

144. Pssst...I think he's a freeper...

lol

[VolcanoJen]

57. Such a great question, La_Serpiente!!!

I lived through, as a young adult, the Bush I vs. Dukakis campaign, as a Dukakis paid staffer. It was a very difficult time, indeed.

I ask my parents often... how much did you hate Nixon? Well, they hated Nixon an awful lot. Since there was a draft, I think that you saw more vocal opposition back then... but who knows? I was just a baby... and my elders tell me that they haven't seen presidential hatred this much since the Nixon days.

For my money, and in my lifetime, the 43th President is as bad as it gets.

[alphafemale]

58. The crap bush2 has managed to foist on us was imagined by nixon but

only achieved in his wettest dreams.

I never thought I wax nostalgic for a president "only" as bad as reagan. But that day has arrived.

[dflprincess]

65. I was born in 1953

about 5 months after Eisenhower took office. I don't have much of a memory of him but I remember Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon, Ford, Carter, Reagan, Bush I, Clinton, and Bush2. I never thought anyone could be worse that Reagan - but I was wrong.

My mom was born in 1924 and can add Hoover, FDR and Truman to her list. She concurs Bush is the worst.

[young_at_heart]

66. Born in 1939

so I can look back on a few and Bush Jr. takes the prize...by far. I thought Reagan was the worst up until now, but Bush is destroying America to bring "freedom" to the world.....scary!

[Silverhair]

67. 9% unemployment, 17% inflation rate, 20%+ Prime rate, Carter.

I am sorry, but the economic record is clear. Carter's economy was the worst of any modern President. And he was a disaster at foriegn policy. He was hopelessly naive. He did not understand that weakness invites aggression. He was duped. He was a nice guy, in a dark alleyway of slick, tough guys. I voted for him in 76 and was sorry I did it.

I know I will get flamed for this, and maybe even drummed out, but that economic record is the worst of any modern President. And we castigate Bush for a 6% unemployment rate?

[devinsgram]

72. Bush is the worst by far,

with Raygun a very close second. Born in 1946 and I've never been so afraid of the future.

[Silverhair]

93. I'm pretty hopefull for the future. We don't live under MAD...

anymore. There is no danger of a general European war. There has finally been an actual reduction in the number of missles the we & the russians have. Yes, Korea is a problem, but they only have a few nukes, which is far different for the thousands that were pointed at us. Our kids don't do "duck & cover" drills. Remember those? The super inflation of previous years in under control. The economy was so bad then that a new word had to be invented to describe it: stagflation.

Terrorism is a problem, but it is small potatoes next to the immediate prospect of TOTAL NUCLEAR WAR that we lived with back then. There were times when we came damn close, that nobody knows about. I was in the service and went to a nuclear weapons school. Believe me, there was some serious stuff that no reporter ever got a whiff of.

I'll take Al Qaeda over the cold war Soviets any day. Things are much better.

[davekriss]

102. So you really think the world is a safer place today, huh?

No kidding? Go figure! So, who are all those former Soviet nukes pointed at today then? Or did they just hit the "off" button? And is the Russia of today saner and more controlled than the Soviet Union in days gone by? Just how close to midnight is the nuclear clock now since we've got the world's attention with our "unilateral" policy of pre-emptive war? Think Putin doesn't daily worry over the military bases installed around the Caspian Basin since invading Afghanistan? Think China doesn't worry over the fact that PNAC lists them as one of the nations where we should effect regime change (in "Rebuilding America's Defenses", the apparant "blueprint" for Bush foreign policy)? This is "safer", huh?

Same old story (same as it ever was)... where the Terrible Other of "Communism" was used to justify so much in the past, the "War on Terror" is used today (which was first used by Bush Senior to justify the invasion of Panama). We open and protect markets for our corporate masters using gunpowder and bullets -- and stories that would make Goebbels proud. You leave so much open for debate, silverhair (but on this thread I leave it there).

***

On another note: Think W.I.N. Whip Inflation Now. Gerald Ford. That's the economy Carter inherited.

Now, if you want to critique Carter, let's bring up the fact that, for all his closeness to God, Carter escalated the violence perpetrated in our name in Central America (though it was cupcakes to what was to come under the Reagan and Bush I administrations).

[Some Moran]

145. China has nothing to fear from the PNACers....

They spit on China through their mouth, but the corporate interests controlling them ensures that all their shit will fall on Taiwan instead.

[Silverhair]

162. Many of those nukes have been dismantled.

Yes, that right. Under the new treaty, a lot of those missiles & warheads have been destroyed. The remaining missiles have been retargeted to a patch of the ocean so that an accidental launch won't start a war. Neither of us keeps a part of our nuke bomber force "in the air" so they won't get caught on the ground in the event of a surprise attack.

The other situations are improving. China is no longer evangelistic communist, feeling the need to export the revolution to the whole world. Now they are simply a routine dictatorship, and slowly moving to democracy. The first step to democracy is a stable private business enviornment. People can own property there now.

PNAC I'm not worried about. They are to the left what the TriLateral Commission is to the right. A boogey man.

As the level of trade a nation has increases, it becomes more difficult for that nation to make war with it's trading partners.

The level of international cooperation against terrorism is improving. As Al-Qaeda bombs different countries, they turn those countries against them.

Iraq? For all the historonics, it still isn't a pimple on the butt of Vietnam yet. Nor will it be. The dynamics are entirely different. That does not mean I support having invaded Iraq. It means that I know enough about warfare to know there is a vast difference between the two. If you want to talk about getting us into a really useless bloddy mess - talk about LBJ.

I would have put LBJ down for worst based on Vietnam alone, but he is balanced by his pushing through the Civil Rights Act.

Yes, things are much better. Do I credit Bush. No. Most of the things that have made everything better have been beyond his control. But I am distinctly not "more terrified" than I have ever been.

I remember when people were being urged to build home fallout shelters and have emergency stocks on hand. I remember being scared in those days.

I substitute teach in the public schools, 4th & 5th grades mainly. Since we are in "Tornado Alley" we have tornado drills for the kids, kind of similiar to the old "Duck & Cover" drills. The kids aren't nearly as scared for those drills as they understand tornados better than we understood nuclear war. I remember being being scared of nuclear war as a kid, and as an adult.

Yes, some terrorist group may get a nuke or two, and that will be terrible, but you won't see thousands of nukes going off in a general nuke war. And that I believe is a major improvement.

[young_at_heart]

82. Was the question only about the economy?

If memory serves, some of the blame for the economic woes then could be laid at the feet of a Rpublican congress. I am looking at the big picture and Bush seems hell-bent on changing the world. I read that he thinks God wants him to do this....pretty scary!

[Silverhair]

97. Both Senate & House were Democratic under Carter.

And also during the entire 60's & 70's.

[never cry wolf]

85. Um, er, see my post #81....n/t

[davekriss]

96. Carter the worst?

When you say Carter presided over the worst economy of modern Presidents, you are aware that the record for highest REAL interest rates rests with Reagan? Carter can only claim the record for the highest nominal rates. (Definitions: Nominal rate = real interest rate + rate of inflation.)

You are also aware then that the Reagan-Bush economy took our net lender nation and turned it into the largest debtor nation the world has ever seen? That along the way, after real interest rates rose to record levels, the rest of the world eagerly converted currencies to U.S. dollars and snapped up U.S. Treasury bonds and bills? That as a result our currency reached record levels against those of the rest of the world, making our goods seem expensive overseas but imported goods -- TV sets, video machines, cars -- seem inordinately cheap? And as a result we lost market share and even whole industries? This permanent restructuring of the basis for our middle class did not occur during the Carter years.

You are also aware, then, that it took the Baker Accord to reverse the overly strong dollar (so much for "free trade") but in so doing it sparked the greatest fire sale of U.S. hard assets we've ever seen? This too did not occur under Carter, but under Reagan-Bush.

The Carter Years were no economic picnic, but the claim that his was the worst economy under a modern President is, at the least, debatable.

And to further quibble with your facts: I thought inflation topped at 13.3% (admittedly under Carter). And note that unemployment reached 10.8% (IIRC) in the first years of the Reagan administration, the Paul Volker-induced recession having to be unnecessarily steep in order to counter the fiscal irresponsibility of the Reagan budgets.

(On edit: Changed "decline of the dollar" to "overly strong dollar" in paragraph 3. And while I'm here let me add that I agree with those that say GWB is the worst President our country has ever seen.)

[Lorien]

173. I felt a helluva lot safer under Carter

then Raygun or Bush 2, had my civil rights intact as well. We were well on our way to living in a cleaner, greener, better educated world. Economics alone do not an awful presidency make.

[Military Brat]

68. bush - "Evildoer of the Millenium"

bush** is in the process of decimating our already-fragile environment, and our beautiful blue planet will never recover from his assaults. For that reason, he receives the ignominous "Evildoer of the Millenium" award. It's hard to imagine anyone worse appearing within the next thousand years. God forbid.

[theorist]

69. Not to be rude, or anything...

But didn't some of you see this coming. The entirety of the 2000 campaign was a complete joke. The softballs that GW got from the media and the crucifixion of Gore had to make the McGovern/Watergate scandal seem virtuous. Then, the chimp has the audacity to claim that he was "victorious" in the election.

I'm only 21, and I'm just starting to learn the details of some of the presidents you all are mentioning. (I'd like to go beyond the superficiality of my high school US history course.)

Please respond. This is bothering me.

[JackRiddler]

74. born in 1965...

Well informed about U.S. history, especially from Kennedy on...

Bush 2 is definitely the worst, but - here is what most people here are incapable of seeing - Bush 2 is also a LOGICAL CULMINATION of what came before. From Kennedy through CLINTON (sorry), who paved the way for Bush 2 by never providing a true counterpoint to the Bush 1 policies, only a fake opposite.

Bush 2's policies are what America has been heading towards since the fall of Nixon and the crisis of the 1970s. Bush 2 has been put in there by the elites to accomplish a job, which he has largely accomplished; they will accept a Democratic successor if they feel that it's time for a softer touch.

And we are all suckers, but have little choice but to fight for the semi-cosmetic change anyway. It will make a huge and true difference not to have the Ashcroft theocracy that would be imposed in the second Bush term. Getting a Democrat will make a small difference in qualify of life for blacks, workers, gays, women - the majority.

But the U.S. will most likely continue to wage imperial wars to advance the interests of a tiny ruling elite. The reasons will change, but a Democratic president will be ready to hit the next country on the eternal war agenda. The reasons will seem more progressive to most of the people here.

And what can we do? I fight on, regardless.

[ScreamingMeemie]

77. The majority of the Democratic party saw this coming.

The debates were a sham. The vote was a sham. The election was a sham. We've had to put up with 3 years of heck on earth, the loss of good standing in the world....It bothers me too. To feel as if my vote didn't count, because this was going to happen anyway. It's a sick feeling.

[info being]

179. Of course the intelligent amoung us saw it coming

I remember feeling shocked that he could win...mostly dissapointed with the ingorance of my fellow citizens.

Yes, forget almost everything you learned in high school history. Its all propoganda of course.

[ScreamingMeemie]

75. The first president I have decent memories of is Nixon, and I

would say, by far, Bush takes home the prize for the worst.

[Imalittleteapot]

79. Never thought Nixon could be topped as the worst,

but bush has reached the summit.
1.bush
2.nixon
3.reagan

[vdeputy]

86. Born in 1946

Bush is the worst. Nixon was bad in many ways but he did do some things for the people, like OSHA and there were some other somewhat liberal policies. Reagan was pretty bad in the same way as Bush. He was very much for his rich cronies (they announced they would begin taxing unemployment right at thanksgiving, they sent the Sec of Ag to live on food stamps for a week to prove that if poor people just managed their money properly they could live fine, they declared catsup a vegetable for the purpose of cheapening free school lunches, firing all the air traffic controllers). But Bush is the WORST in every way - economic policies, the environment, energy, secretiveness of government, trying to privatize (read: end) social security and medicare, giving everything to the rich by taking from the poor, loss of civil liberties, sending "our" kids to an unnecessary war. Letting the lobbyists make the laws. I could go on......

[economic justice]

89. Bush II .... The WORST ever. I'm 40

[cmd]

90. Born in 43 - Bush* is worst hands down

I hate the man. I have always had at least a little respect for every other president. I detest Bush. He is bent on destroying every social program in this country. He has destroyed diplomacy. He is evil to the core.

[nostamj]

91. born in 1955

Bush, or, more properly, BushCo is by far the worst.

others have already listed the many many ways.

he may not be there in terms of 'body count' but, he's not finished waging his 'endless war'

and certainly no administration has corrupted the fundamental framework of the country like this one.

as bad as any previous administration/president was...

they weren't FASCIST.

[DrBB]

92. As one who danced on Nixon's grave

...metaphorically speaking, and who cast his first vote for George McGovern, I can say unequivocally that the Flying Chimp is the worst.

[jody]

95. AWOL is the most evil

:puke:

[kskiska]

98. Born in FDR's third term

* is absolutely the worst of the worst. It's hard to imagine, but before Reagan there was no religious right to speak of. Oh, those people existed, but not in the numbers you see today, and they were mostly laughed at as "holy rollers." Politics wasn't nearly as ugly as it is now. Once a candidate was elected, his party affiliation almost seemed to disappear and he became president of all the people and was respected as such by most people. Of course, I'm speaking from the perspective of New England, having grown up there.

[Ksec]

99. Im almost 50 and Nixon was a bastard

but Bush and his secrecy, war mongering and lying put him at the front of the line. But Nixon was a corrupt SOB , no doubt. I was in my teens when he was Pres and my politics were one of leave me the Hell alone and let me get high. . I was a hippy. Sounds funny when I say that, it seems like a different lifetime in those crazy days of flower power and 8 track tapes.

[Clark Can WIN]

100. Yes he is the worst. Ever

The reagun era was scarier in some respects because the stakes at that time were no less than M.utual A.ssured D.estruction, otherwise known as MAD.

Now it's frightning in another sense. Bush the second is destoying the country from within. I find that revolting and surreal and tragically sad.

I want not only my country but the IDEA of my country back. The nobility and the dignity and the brash, raw, grand idealism but this time with the kindness and wisdom of a little age.

That's why I support Clark.

[HoosierClarkie]

120. he's "liberating Iraqi people" and calling them terrorists?

Shrub can't even get propaganda right.

:toast: Clarks mere presence in this campaign has done so much for this country and the people in it. I feel liberated by him. We should call his campaign Operation American Freedom!

[TreasonousBastard]

103. Absolutely, positively, the worst.

Born during Truman's tenure, I have vague recollections of Ike, and became somewhat sentient during JFK's term.

Ike, of course, walked on water after leading the war in Europe. He was probably considered a so-so President and didn't accomplish all that much, but he was universally admired for his basic honesty and the country did well under him. Curiously, he was one of our few "peace Presidents" and did end Korea. He gave the famous "military industrial complex" speech that no one since has listened to. He also was President of Columbia University, which most people thought was a nice touch. He didn't think race or civil rights was much of a problem, and ignored McCarthy and the HUAC hearings. If he cared to get involved in these and a few other things, he might have nipped some real problems in the bud.

Nixon was personally a slime, and Ike said as much-- even while running with him as his VP. However, Nixon did have some significant accomplishments in his terms. The first serious environmental laws, for instance. He was a very complex slime. Personally, I thought he was talented and took the job seriously, but his character flaws got the best of him.

Ford was a caretaker-- a decent enough guy, but not enough time in office to do anything but get out those stupid WIN buttons.

I don't think much of Reagan, and he had few, if any, significant accomplishments but he didn't go nearly this far in destruction. A couple of skirmishes and adventures, but nothing like the shooting wars we've just seen. He never got the world to hate us to the extent Shrub has, and he was, on occasion, even willing to compromise and see the other point of view. He did, however, set some records for indictments. Seems damn near everyone in his cabinet was stealing something. Made Harding and Grant look good by comparison. His economics were as silly as Shrub's, but he never got the chance to really send us down the tubes.

Bush the First you know about.

Going back a little further...

Hoover, Coolidge, and Harding didn't accomplish much, but did give it their best shot. Harding was shooting blanks, but he did try. Hoover was sadly mistaken about a few things, but he was highly talented in many other ways, and FDR tapped him for service during the war. He also served well in other capacities. The Hoover Commission, for instance.

Then we can go way back to McKinley and the others who were a transition to what Republicans are today. Teddy Roosevelt was The Last Real Republican and kicked ass. He was a warmonger and a publicity hound, but if you're going to study just one President, make it him. Deanies around here will really love him. TR didn't take no crap from nobody, and got away with it.

Shrub can't stand in the shadow of even the worst of these. Not only is he unworthy of the office and incapable, he isn't even trying. He has no idea what the job is about. I figured Reagan was the worst of the lot until this guy showed up.

[Ksec]

114. Im amazed at the amount of people on DU that are my age!!

Here I thought I was one of the older people. 54 was my birth year and its really nice to see so many in my bracket.

[leesa]

106. Bush II has not done even ONE thing that is a positive for our country

Nixon actually did some good despite all the bad he did. Bush is a psychopath and many other Republicans appear to be as well. I believe they would do ANYTHING to win their prize of world domination even to the point of destroying the world if they can't have it.

[Solomon]

107. Ike Baby here. 1955. Until Bush II,

Ronald Reagan was the worse president I've ever seen. Bush II has far surpassed Ronnie in 1/4th of the time. I'm still suffering from Shock and Awe.

[ElsewheresDaughter]

108. also born in 1950 and bush jr is absolutely the worst...beyond description

[CWebster]

109. Nixon>Reagan>Bush

accelerating momentum.

[laruemtt]

110. born in '52 - w's the worst.

. :puke:

[stevedeshazer]

111. It ain't even close

Bush II is the worst of all my time in this world. I was born during the Eisenhower administration, and the first president I can clearly remember was Kennedy.

I despised Nixon for campaigning in 1968 on having some double-plus good "secret" plan to end the war. By the time I got out of high school, he was on the rocks already and the draft had ended, which I narrowly avoided.

I despised Reagan for trickle-down economics.

I despised Poppy Bush for his wars.

Nothing comes close to this boob. It's the first time that things have gotten so bad that I actually fear that the downward spiral is irreversible.

[Eloriel]

113. The question itself isn't even relevent. It's like asking

which is worse: a shotgun or a nuclear bomb?

ALL of the other Presidents that we've had (at least in the 20th Century, that I know of -- I was born in 1948) had SOME interest in doing something positive for the country and its people. Most of them had a lot of interest in that, even if they also did self-serving things occasionally, or even if they were misguided about what to do. There isn't the merest hint of that in Bush. Period.

There is not one thing he's ever done that doesn't in some way (usually either the major way, or a surreptitious but totally ugly way) benefit him and his crony capitalist friends first and foremost.

There is not one thing he's ever said that is based in truth.

He has done more damage to this country than can be fully corrected in probably 2 generations.

He has subverted democracy itself, and continues to do so -- on a wide scale.

There is not ONE redeeming factor anywhere about him or his administration. Not one.

Everything that comes out of this administration is developed from pure political calculus (i.e., Karl Rove). The man who was Bush' faith-based initiative guy in the White House, John DeIulio, said after he left that "there is no policy apparatus in the White House." None. It's all purely political.

What happened during the Nixon administration wouldn't even raise eyebrows now, and certainly wouldn't be covered in any of the mainstream press.

When you're nostalgic for either Nixon or Reagan, that's baaaaaad. Really bad. I'd take them both at the same time over Bush.

Bush is also a psychopath. He has no conscience; he doesn't care whether he's speaking the truth or lies (and as I said, it's all lies in one way or another anyway); and it's all for him and his class. That's all there is.

They are raping the country, looting the Treasury, destorying the middle class, consoidating power at a frightening pace, and driving us straight over the cliff to fascist totalitarianism.

This is Hitler (minus the Holocaust --so far, at least) on Valium. A "kinder, gentler" fascism, but fascism nonetheless.

There just isn't any comparison.

Eloriel

[economic justice]

121. Boom! Well said, E.

[never cry wolf]

130. As usual...

you are all over it E!!!

Could not have said it better myself. Everyone think hard now, think very hard and try to come up with one single thing this administration has done for the good of the populace that was not in the least self serving or provided a payoff to the elites, just one small thing.

You can't do it, can ya??

[July]

158. Thanks. Succinctly nailed all the reasons I'm discouraged.

The extent of the corruption and cynicism of this administration is just unbelievable.

And, I'm going to ask this for the third time at DU (haven't seen any informative replies yet): What has happened to DiIulio?

[roguevalley]

115. my earliest memory of a president is Eisenhower.

Bush II is the absolute worst one of all time, any time, anywhere.

My family's memories of presidents -thanks to old family members on
my mother's side- go back to Lincoln. They were great story tellers
and the family kept the stories alive.

No one who has ever lived, including the non-entities like Polk and
Fillmore and the corrupt dolts like Harding and Nixon has been as
bad as Bush.

You have to go back to the Peleponnesian War and the Hun invasion
of Western Europe to find someone as devastating to the Earth as
this man.

[Ksec]

116. Im amazed at the amount of people on DU that are my age!! (oops)

Im amazed at the amount of people on DU that are my age!!


Here I thought I was one of the older people. 54 was my birth year and its really nice to see so many in my bracket.

[Faygo Kid]

125. Whaddaya mean older? Just because I was born in '51. . .

and I can't read a thing without my glasses, and I look forward to the weekend's football games more than a romp in the hay, and gravity has taken its toll, and I can't remember where I put my car keys, and my daughter is pushing 30 - oh well, guess you're right.

[Ksec]

135. hehehe

yea me too. Where are my glasses anyway. Im gettin forgetful damnit. Oh well gotta go water the flowerbeds. Wheres my cane damnit...

[leftofthedial]

117. been on the planet since 1955

He's the worst.

Ever.

I thought no one could be worse than Nixon.

Then there was Reagan.

I thought no one could be worse than Reagan.

then there was George the First.

I thought no one could be worse than GHWB.

Now there is this piece of excremental puss.

Worst. Ever.

[maveric]

118. Born in 1956

Dubya is the worst by far. He actually beleives that he was chosen by god and that he has the blessing to do whatever he and the PNAC want.
This guy is DANGEROUS!!

I have never felt so uncomfortable about a prez/administration before.

I hope and pray that he doesnt get 4 more years in office. Just look at how much damage that he's done to this country and the world in less than 3 years Another term could increase that damage exponentially.

[mmonk]

119. GW hands down.

And I was born when Eisenhower was president.

[BootinUp]

123. Tie: Nixon - Bush II (n/t)

[Yupster]

126. Looks like the board's consensus on Bush is...

undecided :thumbsdown:

[NoPasaran]

127. Born in '56

Oh how I loathed Nixon. So evil. So dishonest. A man with so much blood on his hands. Destroyed by his own paranoia and the web of lies spun around it.

As enormous as Nixon's crimes were, W is racing like mad to surpass them. Nixon has a lead in bodycount, but Georgie's just getting started. In destroying our Republic, Nixon did a lot of damage but the "System Worked" (as we all congratulated ourselves at the time) and Tricky Dick was evacauted by helicopter from the White House lawn; Bush may already be unstoppable if I listen to my darkest fears.

At this moment, Nixon ahead on points; W batting.

[mmonk]

128. What bothers me now

is GW has the whole apparatus of government and the press.

[Rose Siding]

129. It has never been this bad

I couldn't have imagined that it could get this bad so fast.

This is an emergency, imo, so I can only laugh when I hear some of the candidates say that "anger" won't beat bush. Our anger, our reaction to anger and our hope for something better, will.

[neuvocat]

132. Yes.

My folks thought that of Nixon and then Reagan.

Bush is worse and more terrifying than both.

[Upfront]

137. Born In 1941

Bush*** is by far the worst President in my life time. I was there during water gate and know all about Nixon. Ronald R. was the 2nd worst for working people. Bush** is mind numbing bad for average Americans. If your rich he is your man. I say bring on class warfare but lets have a candidate with balls enough and brains enough to explain it to the American people. Dean can and will do that.

[FlaGranny]

138. The first political thing

I can remember is the election of Truman (vs Dewey). Yes, this is the worst administration in my memory. Nixon was bad, but with Nixon days and weeks did go by without anything outrageous happening. Eisenhower was not all that bad.

My ranking for worst to best (in my memory)
G.W.
Nixon
Reagan
G. Bush
Ford
Eisenhower

I have absolutely no doubt that this bush is the worst president ever. I'm conflicted about G. Bush and Reagan - couldn't decide which one to list first.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

166. Really? Eisenhower bad?

never heard a bad word about him before.

Anyway shrub is the worst.
The first President I was even conscious of was Nixon- and at least he was socially normal in terms of government programs. Reagan was bad too. Very dark time heralding these even worse times. Bush seems to be all the bad things about Nixon and Reagan all rolled into one big nightmare of a Presidency/admin.

[FlaGranny]

168. No Eisenhower not bad -

I listed all the republican presidents since I was born from worst to best. Eisenhower is "best."

[murielm99]

139. Yes, I loathed Nixon, but...

Nixon was a crook. He condoned a coverup, and was a right-wing monster. Remember, he got his start as a House Un-American activities guy. That was done basically to destroy the left in this country, at the time.

Reagan started the current policical polarization, by making "liberal" a dirty word.

I felt vindicated when Nixon resigned, but he only had to do it because of the tapes. The House had started articles of impeachment hearings, but I think only because of the tapes.

He thought he was above the law, that executive privilige excused anything. They did not know if he would call out the army to stop things when the Supreme Court demanded the tapes.

However, you have to notice how many people who worked for Nixon are currently working for Shrub? I think they have spent the last thirty years figuring out where Nixon went wrong, so that they can avoid the same mistakes this time. It is really scary.

And I do think Bush is the worst of them all. He stole the election. He lies. He gives everything to his special interest friends, and the rich. I really do hate him! Hate was never in my vocabulary before.

I was born in 1948, and I have always followed politics. It is a family thing. My dad is a retired railroader, and grassroots activist for the Democrats. I can remember handing out leaflets and canvassing before I was old enough to vote. But we never hated Republicans. My family respected Eisenhower.

I think they have caused this us against them mentality. They have polarized the country, with their nasty commentators on Fox, and with people like Rush. They started the hatred, and now we can only defend ourselves.

In the sixties, democracy was in the streets. If that fool Shrub steals the election in 2004, it will have to be in the streets again, and I will meet you there.

[1songbird]

140. I'm 32 and I remember Reagan who was pretty bad, but

Bush II is an absolute nightmare. He is by far the worst in my lifetime.

[doc03]

141. Born in 1948

Bush II is by far the worst. If his father wasn't President this guy
would be working at Radio Shack. When I see him I always think of the Movies "Being There" or "Forest Gump".

[FlaGranny]

161. No, he wouldn't.

You have to know a little about electronics to work at RadioShack. I can't say where he would end up working because it would be an insult to the people who hold those kinds of jobs.

[WilliamPitt]

142. Great, great thread.

[Digger]

146. Born in 1942

Bush II is worse by far, he makes Nixon look like Mr.Rogers.

Bush II and Reagan are pure evil.

[juajen]

147. Honestly, I know Nixon sounded really bad, but with

the exception of the shennanigans that were going on, I don't remember that much terrible legislation and scandels. Of course, the big one was BIG.

However, Bush II wins hands down. I have never been so frightened in all my life. I am 62 years old. My first presidential vote was for Goldwater. I was and still am a registered Republican.

However, after Goldwater, my epiphany began. I voted for Ike, then Kennedy. I thought and still feel that Johnson had something to do with JFK being assassinated, so I would not vote for him. After that I voted for Humphrey, Mondale and Carter, twice for Clinton and, of course, for Al Gore.

We certainly had our share of frightful events. My marriage was the week of the assassination. Kennedy was shot while my husband and I were getting our blood tests. We were married on the 29th of November, 1963. All of the stores in downtown B'ham were covered in black with portraits of Kennedy. For my bridal luncheon, the bandstand was covered in black and there was no frivolity. What a horrible time.

Additionally, there was all of the civil rights unrest. I watched MLK march in B'ham in the street outside my first floor office (the doors were locked) and, later on (I can't remember exactly when) I watched as he and his supporters were getting sprayed by firehoses on the orders of Bull Conner, and then of course the subsequent assassinations, MLK, Robert Kennedy, George Wallace. A close relative was one of the Alabama Highway Patrolman who guarded Lurleen Wallace, George's wife, who took over as Governor of Alabama after George was shot. It was a terrible time. I discovered then that this southern white girl was very sympathetic to the civil rights cause, but it was dangerous to say anything about that at that particular time. Then, the Vietnam war. I could go on forever.

However,as bad as all of that was, I still vote for Bush II. Scarey, really scarey.

[Spirochete]

148. Was born under Eisenhower admin

And * is by far the worst president we've had in my time. Nixon can't even begin to compare. * has not done one positive thing for this country in 3 years.

[depakid]

149. REAGAN WITHOUT QUESTION

and his far right extremists basically CREATED the America you live in today. When I was growing up, things that barely pass as news would have been considered MAJOR outrages.

History, no doubt, will remember Reagan as the president who exstinuished the last hope of an American Renaissance.

As far as bush Jr goes, you actually won't see HIS America for another 10 - 15 years. That's about how long it takes for major policies changes to bear their true sociopolitical returns.

[tom_paine]

151. Doesn't that make Bunnypants* the worst ever?

And I agree about your 10-15 years statement. Actually, I only hope we have that long...

When the Old American Repuiblic has finished...not these piddling baby-step but truly FINISHED TRANSITIONING from what it was Post-DubyaDubyaTwo as the (CIA foreign policy notwithstanding) defender of democracy and freedom to Imperial Amerika, which was what the Founding Fathers revolted from in the first place and much (hopefully not as brutally violent) as what we defeated in DubyaDubyaTwo..then we will see.

I agree completely. Of course, by then we will probably be contending with Emperor Ahnold or as I like to call him Emperor I'm-a-Bushevik-but-my-name-aint-Bush-so-stop-saying-we're-a-hereditary-Empire, and waiting in the wings...

Emperor George P. Caligula.

I agree, we aint seen nothing yet.

"The last vestiges

[many a good man]

150. Worst Ever Because He's Figured It Out

Nixon and Reagan made this Bush possible. Nixon at least had some redeeming qualities, but his tenure soured the whole nation on politics. The body politic was poisoned with cynicism to a degree from which it still has not recovered.

Reagan had no redeeming qualities but hooked the nation on appearance over substance. The actor got sky high approval ratings despite bombing in the polls on all the issues. He speaheaded a propaganda movement that has overtaken the major media and brainwashed half the people.

Bush II is the first to realize the possibilities inherent in the combination of a compliant media with a majority apathetic/unknowledgeable electorate. He knows he can get away with things that noone else would ever had dared to attempt in past ages. And he's getting away with it.

This makes him not only the worst ever but the most dangerous. 4 more years and this country may never recover.

For the record JFK was shot on my second birthday. It is my earliest life memory. Didn't really become politically aware until Watergate, but I'm sure the nightly body counts on Walter Cronkite had some effect...

[LauraT28]

152. 2000 Election Lived in West Palm Beach FL

This is the worst period of time that I can remember. I was born in 1970. Even through the Carter years my single mother could raise me on one income in a nice neighboorhood without bankrupting herself. Today in the same city and under the same circumstances that wouldn't be possible.

I lived in West Palm Beach in 2000 when the biggest election heist was pulled off with the help of Bush's big business buddies and his Governor brother Jeb-O. And now I'm living in Alaska, where Bush is willing to open up the Arctic Wildlife Refuge for a small supply of oil... if you've never been to Alaska (or any of the other places Bushy Bush is ruining) I suggest you check it out before it's gone!

Oh, did I mention that I've never had as much trouble finding a job in this economy as I did in September 2003? And almost everyone I know has gone through some sort of downsizing, or stint of unemployment within the past two years.

All politicians lie to some extent, but crap falls out of Bush II's mouth everytime he opens it, and that's if he can put the right words in order to form a coherent sentence. Have any other presidents had such a poor grasp on the ENGLISH LANGUAGE? He's killing me! :-O

[quaker bill]

155. Around since 1955

GW Bush* is the worst pResident I have known.

It is a fairly close race with Reagan though. When Reagan put first strike nukes (Pershing II's) on the border of then West Germany bringing the planet literally 7 minutes from thermonuclear war, I was sure it was as bad as it could get.

Then along came GW Bush*. As bad as Reagan was, he always seemed to have a sense that there was another political party with views opposed to his. He would, on admittedly rare occsions, listen to the other side. I also had a sense that while he was not going to change his plans often, he at least felt that the opposition could perhaps be loyal Americans (at least some of them). Reagan was at least occasionally competent at a few things.

We get none of this from Bush*. The man is a RW hack, complete sell out to corporate interests, and an unmitigated warmonger. He has to go.

I read alot of similar responses.

[Lost4words]

157. born in 1954, whistle ass is by far the worst, IMHO.

[rman]

160. what makes it so bad:

the "Bold Brazen Lies that are So Big and Outrageous, No One Will Challenge Him"

And the fact that they indeed do get away with it.

In this respect Nixon was an amateur compared to Bush.

This is unprecedented in western civilisation for at least a century.

[LWolf]

163. Bush II wins the worst president award. By miles.

eom

[NeonLX]

164. I'm an Eisenhower Baby

And yeah, I think Bush the Stupider is the worst president in my lifetime, by a LONG ways. Nixon was a piker compared to the evil we're dealing with now. My wife and I tell each other that the current Bush regime makes the Reagan years look like a kiddie carnival by comparison...

Our society in general seems to have become much more mean-spirited, venal and greedy than ever before. I've never been a complete pessimist but I'm quickly getting there...

[Onlooker]

167. Reagan Was the Worst!!!!!

Nixon was creepy, but had a fairly progessive foreign policy in that he was willing to work with the Soviets and open relations with China. His domestic policy mostly paid lip service to conservatives, but was fairly moderate by today's standards. He did not gut social programs. On the other hand, he was a bigot and a crook, but those terms can be applied to most any Republican.

Reagan used subtle racism to gut social programs. During the age of Reagan, the Republicans worked the news media to get stories about black welfare cheats on tv. At the time, it seemed that every week there was at least some story about a black welfare mother who drove a Cadillac or lied about the number of children she had or had children only to collect more welfare. Of course, the vast majority of people didn't want to be on welfare, and the number of welfare cheats was probably no greater than the number of business cheats. Reagan also redefined mental illness so that thousands of troubled people were released from institutions. If you live an urban area and see a lot of homeless people, you can give Reagan credit for that. Reagan also made America into a bully. Under him, we attacked little countries like Nicaragua and Grenada. He also did nothing for AIDS, gutted many social programs (e.g., Head Start), loosened up regulations on business (which ultimately has led to even the mutual fund scandals we're having today), and lied to Congress about the Iran-Contras. Reagan was absolutely horrible, in part because he was suffering from Alzheimer's disease and couldn't comprehend his own madness. He was also surrounded by a number of crazies, like Oliver North and Alexander Haig.

Bush II is very bad, but at least one can see a rationale for his behavior. He is feeding into the American desire for vengeance and sensationalism, and is capitalizing on our fear. The thing that's making him really bad is that we're in truly dangerous times, and he's not particularly bright. A president gets advice from several different quarters and from that advice must make the best decision. Bush is taking the wrong advice too often, and as result is alienating a large part of the world community, creating enormous debt for Americans, causing anxiety which leads to stock market declines, and has no economic plan to create new jobs. As bad as he is, he's not as bad as Reagan. Reagan was crueler on the domestic front than Bush.

Thanks for asking the question!

[NoKingGeorge]

170. The men behind the curtain are the key.

The people who collected a record amount of money to build the puppet are the worst. At least with Nixon you saw the man he had intelligence. This failed New-england fake cowboy is a diversion for the real power holders. cHenney is doing the bidding for some real powerful men. I think it is very important to not lose sight of the traitors behind the curtain.

[GoldenOldie]

174. Bush and the Pandora's Box

Been around since 1935 and was witness to some scary skirmishes between the Truman supporter's and the Dewey supporter's. There have been President's that I did not agree with but without a doubt this is the worst Presidency during my lifetime. I have always voted Independent, believing I was voting for the right man/woman for the job.

I believe that Reagan opened the door with his selection of Bush I who had the Bush Corporation already established to control our country and the world (PNAC). If idiot son George had not been selected by the Supreme's, little would have been known of PNAC. Georgie II, along with his handler's have succeeded in opening a Pandora's Box and we now have violence and hatred seething throughout the World. Every nutcase or group who feels that he/she has been discriminated or devalued is ripe to commit terrorist acts any place, any time, on any group, throughout the world. No place on earth can be considered a safe haven.

Neocon's (I cannot call them Republican's because their is no longer a GOP - conservative party), who believe that Georgie has been annointed by Jesus Christ himself, follow blindly, and swear their devotion to their King, no matter what happens to our democracy or the fate of the world.

Maybe I am on the closing chapter of my life, but I do so worry about my children and grandchildren and all those younger who will have to fight horrific problems that I never dreamed of.

The Bush dynasty has become America's worst nightmare.

[info being]

182. It makes me happy to learn that there are elderly

people out there who aren't brain-dead zombies supporting Bush.

My experience in the "real world" has shown me otherwise. I always thought that the elderly should care about the world their children / grandchildren are inhereting...but in reality this group is among the most selfish among us...offering little more than jingoism most the time.

[info being]

181. Bush is inconsequential

I totally agree that the story is the men behind the curtain.

Forget High School history and start asking questions about who controls this system and what their goals / intentions are.

Bush did his job and will probably be discarded...so long as his successor (Clark) will continue with the same agenda. However, if someone like Kucinich were to challenge...the men behind the curtains would do everything in their power to destroy him.

This is no democracy.

[bloom]

183. so long as his successor (Clark)....

That is my fear, also.

We are supposed to think he will do the right things because he says the right things... sounds like same old, same old, to me.

[CheshireCat]

172. Bush II is WORSE than Nixon

or any other president in my lifetime. I was borm when Eisenhower was in office.

Nixon was a crook and a nasty, petty man. During my college years, I protested him at every turn. I was overcome with hatred for him and what he wanted to do to our country. Never did I think that I would live to see the day that we had a president as dangerous and despicable as Tricky Dick.

Man, was I wrong. I'd take Nixon over Bush II any day. He makes Nixon look almost liberal. This is the scariest and most dangerous administration of all times, IMO.

I've studied American politics and history for years. W is the worst president of all times - NO CONTEST!

[demigoddess]

176. I was born when Harry Truman was pres,though i did not notice

Bush II is definitely the worst. The others, as paul krugman has said, tried to do what was best for the country but this one just does what will bring the republicans in power forever, darn the consequences, and that is bad for america and democracy. I cannot respect a party that has that as a goal. If you listened to Rush Limbaugh in the early 90's the republicans got mad at every democrat ever elected. They would talk about getting women out of the Senate and now they talk about taking away a woman's right to vote. they do not like blacks in the congress or in the voting booth. I rest my case.

[Logansquare]

177. It's Bush+rightwing media+rightwing congress+rightwing Supreme Court

It's an additive kind of badness. Nixon was evil, but the press didn't always give him a pass. There was no national hate radio. The loyal opposition in congress fought with gloves off. Americans read newspapers, good ones at that.

Bush=Nixon + the four horsemen of the Apocalypse.

[bloom]

178. What makes it so bad.... there is not enough balance

Actually - it's all bad.

All the nonsense about the Domino effect and the "fear" of the communists, Nixon and burgleries, Kent State, Iran-Contra....


What scares me is

* the PNAC, their ideas of world domination (their unilateralism) and not having the balance the USSR gave us- to counteract the evil that the US can do given the opportunity.

* the MEDIA (without the Fairness Doctrine) and no sense of reasonable reporting - to balance - to counteract the evil that some in the US can do given the opportunity.

* the sense that the Democrats (for the most part) are not doing enough to balance against the corporations - to counteract the evil that some in the US can do given the opportunity.


It's possible that NIXON, REAGAN, BUSH1 would have been as bad given the same circumstances (no cold war, a bought off media, control of the HOUSE & SENATE...).

I don't feel like it's all Bush* so much as it seems like there is more extremism, more entitlement, more acting outside the laws, more doing away with constitutional rights, more insanity - but BUSH* certainly encourages it.

I think Bush*, etc. has done more to give us less hope for the future than any other president.


:nuke: :nuke: :nuke: :nuke: :nuke: :nuke: :nuke: :nuke: :nuke: :nuke: :nuke: :nuke:




P.S. The failure of the electoral process (and the vast potential for future failures) makes it scarier, too.

[Screaming Lord Byron]

180. Bush is as bad as Thatcher. And that's saying something.

[trackfan]

184. Bush II is the worst

I really thought he would be a lot better than Reagan, but it turned out I was wrong. I didn't like Bush I, but he was no where near as bad as Reagan and Bush II. Ford and Nixon seem good by comparison.