Next Time, Let’s Start at The Top
August 20, 2009 What this country needs is a few good men. Or women. One such woman graces the cover of this months’ issue, and she’s proof that they’re out there.
But for every Blanche Lincoln, there’s a Nancy Pelosi. For every Saxby Chambliss, there’s a Barney Frank.
We do this to ourselves, you know. And the sad thing is, it starts at the top. Let’s look at just recent presidents:
Start with Richard Nixon, who made one of the greatest election blunders of all time. Nixon didn’t have to cheat. He could have spent the election cycle drinking piña coladas in Cancun and it wouldn’t have done George McGovern any good. After Watergate, Nixon resigned in disgrace, and was followed by …
… Chevy Chase … er, Gerald Ford, who couldn’t even beat …
… Jimmy Carter. Carter gave us 20%-plus interest rates. Thankfully a one-termer, he was routed by …
… The lone exception on the list ― Ronald Reagan. Reagan was the greatest president in my lifetime. That’s my opinion; you’re entitled to yours. During his two terms, the Soviet Bloc crumbled and the national pride Carter took from us came back. Then …
… George Bush The First inherited the office from Reagan, more so than elected to it. He seemed to enjoy it about as much as I enjoy wrestling water moccasins. Running a half-hearted campaign, he, too, was a one-termer, dismissed by …
… Bill Clinton. Even after Bubba’s sex, lies, cigars, stained blue dresses and impeachment, I admit he left us with a pretty good economy. If not for term limits, Bubba might still be serving. But there are and he was succeeded by …
… George Bush The Second. Not only was Bush a boob, but he was the boobs’ all-time go-to-guy. When Bush The Second took over, the Republicans had the White House and both Houses of Congress. If this was one of his “mission(s) accomplished,” how bad would a failure have to be for him to acknowledge it? But I voted for him twice, and given the alternatives, I would again. By the time Bush The Second was done, the best the Republicans could do was trot out John MCain who was trounced by the political neophyte …
… Barack Obama. Obama has made quite a name for himself with his oratory skills ― as long as there’s a teleprompter in his face. Right now, Obama enjoys a 61% approval rating, but some people are starting to see that the “Emperor Has No Clothes” (except maybe for his wife’s $540 tennis shoes.) The latest Gallup Poll shows that 48% disapprove of his handling of the economy. A little less than that ― 46% ― approve. Obama can’t maintain a 61% approval rating if his disapproval rating on the economy continues to rise. Bush’s recession/depression is about to become Obama’s.
So the next time an election cycle comes around, let’s find a few good men and women. But this time, let’s start at the top.
Beck and I now take a break and head for the field. The next issue of Cotton Grower will be in your hands in early September. We look forward to seeing you ― the many good men and women out there ― in the cotton patch.
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