I actually started paying attention to politics when Bush Sr. lost to Clinton -- that was like a slap in the face. Regan came along and I felt confident that the U.S. was strong and revered by the rest of the world. Most people actually had a sense of patriotism and pride in this country and respected the office of the Presidency and didn't think of apologizing for being an American....those were the days....
Bush Sr.'s losing wasn't so much a slap in the face, nor a surprise, but a wake-up call that weent ignored for another ten years+. Not only His New World Order remarks, but he was demonstrably out of touch with the ordinary American. His speeches seemed wooden. Lest we forget the entire Ruby Ridge incident happened under GWB, and the beginnings of the Waco/Branch Davidian siege/massacre were under his watch, too, culminating in an attack and siege on Feb 28 of Clinton's first year. That had to be in motion, paperwork, surveillance, etc., before Clinton was sworn in.
I had written seeking some sort of reply on a concept of a tariff that would establish a price floor for domestic crude oil, and come off as prices went up to that floor or above it. I had prepared a 10 page paper showing the devastating effects of the crash in oil prices, sent as well to my Senators and Congressman, showing the economic and social devastation of that crash. At the time I viewed it as (1) providing incentive to keep American drilling and completion operations going and thus improving our National Energy Security, as well as putting a multitude back to work. (2) providing revenue for paying on the national Debt, or for other purposes the Federal Government saw fit (Balancing the budget).
I got a very nice form letter reply which thanked me for my concern about Farm Policy. At least they read the zip code.
GHWB not only shot
himself in the foot, the result of that election was the elevation of the Arkansas Clinton crime syndicate to global players, something we can rue to this day. But that's where I soured on the Bushes, and still am.
