Think Rushmore

Wall Street Journal / Hoover Digest ^ | January 7, 2005 | THOMAS SOWELL

[animoveritas]

Now that President Bush has twice gotten himself to the White House, the question is whether he wants to try for Mount Rushmore. One of the luxuries of a second term is an opportunity to think about the long run, not simply for one's own "legacy," but for the future of the nation as a whole.

Even during his first term, George W. Bush's long-run strategic view, exemplified by the war on terrorism, contrasted sharply with former President Bill Clinton's preoccupation with short-run political tactics, though this contrast seemed to be little noticed in most of the media.

...

Too often Republicans have been willing to make backroom compromises with the Democrats, instead of going to the public, as Ronald Reagan did. With the Democrats becoming ever more obstructionist, it is long past time for Republicans to try Plan B.

This administration faces challenges and dangers that few, if any, have had to face in our history. But these challenges and dangers, at home and abroad, are also historic opportunities.

[animoveritas]

Commit to bettering the United States, and the politics will take care of themselves.

Commit to politics, and the United States will end up worse...(e.g. the Clinton years)

[Mudboy Slim]

"...these challenges and dangers, at home and abroad, are also historic opportunities."

Thomas Sowell ROCKS...MUD

[ClearCase_guy]

I remember Clinton "lamenting" that he was not president during time of war. You can't be a Great president, you see, unless a war breaks out during your time in office. So Clinton said he never got the chance to "step up" to such a challenge.

'Course, terrorists attacked us numerous times during his term, and he always looked for short-term political gain and therefore never gave a worthwhile response to those attacks. Bush got attacked and took control of events. That's the path to greatness.

Clinton had opportunities, but was too small a man to see them.

[Conspiracy Guy]

I see why you have that poster name.

[tomnbeverly]

This President has an opportunity to leave one of the greatest legacy's of all time. He may well end up on Rushmore. Maybe we should start soliciting for an artist.

[68skylark]

Maybe we should start soliciting for an artist.

I think we'd better wait until his term is over (and maybe an additional 50-100 years or so) to get a good perspective. He's shown a lot of promise, I agree. But it takes time to really evaluate a president.

(I'm just a little depressed today about reports that he's putting the UN in charge of tsunami relief. What kind of a decision is that?)

[68skylark]

The area in which many Americans feel most betrayed by both political parties has been in those parties' refusal to take control of our borders. Fear of the Hispanic vote is no doubt one factor and fear of media demonization is another.

I don't understand part of this sentence. It seems to me that legal Hispanic residents in the U.S. (i.e. Hispanics who vote) have as much to lose from illegal immigration as anyone, maybe more. So why would a crackdown on illegal immigration cost Hispanic votes for any politician?

[Antoninus]

I'll be a charter member of the "Bush on Rushmore" committee if he:

-> Appoints bona-fide Pro-Life, pro-Marriage judges to the Supreme Court and gets them through the Senate (no more Sandra Gay O'Connors, for heaven's sake!).

-> Proposes and gets passed a tax reform that simplifies the mess we have now. Flat tax, NRST, whatever.

-> Gets a federal marriage amendment past the Congress and to the states--where it will pass.

-> Somehow neuters Iran, Syria, and North Korea by 2008.

That would be enough for me. :-)