George W. did NOT destroy everything in eight years. His reign was the culmination of decades of

[T Wolf]

power and wealth consolidation going back to Dick Nixon (with a 4-year Carter sabotage and an 8-year Clinton/DLC slight slowdown).

To expect President Obama to make any significant progress (sorry for the use of that discredited term) in his first term is unrealistic. He probably would only be able to possibly stop the worst of the rethug offenses by the end of a second term.

To criticize Obama for not stopping the wars nor improving healthcare nor changing the priorities (Wall Street) of economic policy is simply giving ammunition to the GOPers who would not support him even if he were to have chosen an entirely-republican cabinet.

Maybe, after eight years of a Democrat in charge, the rightward momentum of the nation can be slowed enough to accommodate some minimal re-adjustment back to the left - as long as he doesn't go too far. Remember that he has to work with a Congress that is going to delay and gut anything that goes against the wishes of their corporate sponsors.

So, be patient people. Harping on individual "decisions" at this point is counter-productive.

Maybe the key is that lesson from childhood - If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all.

[Captain Hilts]

1. FYI: Carter is the one that started de-regulation of industries. nt

[theoldman]

2. Our biggest problem is the national dept.

It started with Reagan, not Nixon or Carter.

[Bluenorthwest]

3. My parents taught me

To speak the truth, and if too cowardly to do so, to step aside and let others speak it. Nobody ever taught me to be silent about what I feel, quite the opposite in fact. I got taught American history:
"To announce that there should be no criticism of the President, or that we should stand by the President, right or wrong, is not only servile and unpatriotic, but it is morally treasonable to the American public."
Teddy Roosevelt said that. My Dad taught me that. And you are, who again? Which of Teddy's adjectives are you most proud to embody?

[enid602]

4. and yet . . .

And yet, it is hard to imagine any single leader having so much impact (albeit negative) on one country in only eight years. Bush transformed Justice, the CIA, the military (and military defense contracts pratices) and the Judiciary, among other aspects of our government.