It has become a cliche to call the Bush administration a failed Presidency. The evidence for that — a war (or maybe two wars) that didn’t go so well, out-of-control budget deficits, an abysmal approval rating — seems pretty strong. But I would argue that looked at another way — starting from the position of what the administration was actually trying to accomplish — Bush can be viewed as one of the most successful presidents in American history. Perhaps only FDR and James Polk were as successful in advancing their agenda as Bush has been.
Domestically, Bush can be credited with the following fairly sweeping accomplishments:
- Extensive expansion of the power of the executive branch of government.
- Strong shift to the right in the Federal judiciary.
- Vast increases in the state security apparatus.
- Increased military expenditures.
- Skewing of the distribution of wealth toward the highest strata.
- Pre-emptive attack on any future social initiatives through the bankrupting of the Treasury by staggering deficits.
Internationally, granted, there is less of a sweeping record of success, but there are still some signficant developments:
- Weakening of the rule of international law
- Doctrine of pre-emptive war
- Establishing the prerogative of American military to act without approval of any international organization.
A new president may try to undo some of these achievements, but, especially in the domestic sphere, this will not really be possible. I don’t see how any major policy initiatives of a progressive bent can be attempted with the current budget deficit. The new president will be inheriting an economy either in or near a state of recession; tax increases, under the circumstances, will not be an option. The hands of the future administration will be tied from the start. And no current social programs or regulations are safe from being overturned by a strongly motivated right-wing judiciary.
It is almost needless to say, but none of these successes could have been possible without Democratic support or acquiescence.
Put up a tip jar! 🙂
The successes you list–from the point of view of the powers that be–are real and substantial. They amount to direct dictatorial control, in all but name. It is no accident that people are now comparing the US to the Roman Empire, that worked the same way. Nominally, those emperors were just supreme field commanders (that was what the word meant) only in fact did the Senate quickly learn to give way to the emperor’s every whim.
And you are right, as the US slides into depression and economic collapse, the old socially ameliorating liberal and progressive programs will not be possible. A positive focus will be a re-focus on to very basic things that a national government might do to help people stave off starvation and exposure in the midst of societal collapse.
While the national government will not be able to maintain education, retirement pensions, or a social safety-net, there are plenty of things it might do to help people help themselves. Freezing foreclosures might reduce the skyrocketing rise in homelessness; confiscating the fortunes of the rich (unlikely, I know) could provide some quick cash to cushion the worst. Over-writing zoning laws and property covenants that prevent people from gardening or using energy efficient methods to dry their clothes, or keep them from putting up solar energy collectors, would also be useful. Using its last remaining funds to upgrade rail service and mothball nuclear plants–two key tasks that must be done soon if at all–would be great gifts to the future without price.
When the dollar finally hyperinflates, the national government will either design a new social contract which is apparently fair, or it will collapse. Designing a new contract will be an important process (which probably won’t happen).
Meanwhile, even the powers that be seem ready to abandon Bush, because his USE of the pre-emptive executive and military powers he has claimed have not led to oil security, but its opposite.
Even the oil companies have reason to be unhappy. Profits are up, staggeringly high, but the hand-writing is on the wall: US oil companies are steadily losing access to the resource that is their business, as producing nations take control of their own oil. The US Army is broken, and as the US dollar collapses, there is neither an economic nor military method to take control of their oil back from them. This means the US has lost out for good.
Of course the rich can always flee the disaster, convert their dollars to euros before the dollar evaporates, and live out their lives as guests of the Sultan of Dubai. I doubt this will prove to be the life they planned for themselves.
I would add to your list a severe and drastic change in the emotional climate of our country and of the world:
Rampant despair, fear of the other, hatred of women and minorities. The response to these things will be the downfall of the bushies.
Somehow all that money won’t give them satisfaction.