Bush's broken promises

Little has been going right for President Bush lately, but few seem to have noticed his presidency is in real danger of drifting.\nFor instance, Bush once seemed to take campaign promises seriously but now seems to have forgotten that he stood for anything at all.\nCase in point. When asked during the campaign whether he would veto the McCain-Feingold campaign finance reform bill, Bush replied, "Yes, I would."\nLast week, Bush signed into law the very same McCain-Feingold bill he vowed to veto. Reaching Olympian heights of cynicism, the very same day he signed that bill banning soft money he raised $3 million dollars in soft money for the Republican Party. And then appointed one of the bill's chief critics, Michael Toner, to enforce it at the Federal Election Commission. \nAnother case in point. "I do not support import fees," wrote Bush in his memoir. "I'll work to end tariffs and break down barriers everywhere, entirely, so the whole world trades in freedom," candidate Bush said in 1999. \nAnd wouldn't you know it: Three weeks ago, Bush slapped tariffs up to 30 percent on imported steel. To add insult to his credibility's injury, two weeks ago he imposed tariffs averaging 29 percent on the lumber imports from Canada, America's neighbor and closest of friends. The European Union has already pledged retaliation, planning to tax American textiles, steel and food. David Broder, a respected columnist, wrote, "The steel tariff decision…looks more and more like one of the worst of the Bush presidency."\nBush criticized former-President Clinton for being too involved in the Middle East but now, realizing that no nation in the region will help him make war on Iraq unless he gets involved in the peace process, he has decided to play a more active role. Unfortunately, it looks like a case of too little too late.\nThe war on terrorism's continued success is in doubt. Afghanistan shows few signs of stabilizing. And al Qaeda's top-ranking members are still free. Even conservatives like George Will have said Bush's policy is "lapsing into incoherence" and that "[t]he war on terrorism is suddenly going terribly wrong."\nOn the domestic front, the economic stimulus bill Bush sought was eviscerated before it got to his desk. He still hasn't received Trade Promotion Authority (Fast-Track). The federal budget is in deficit. Bush's nominee for the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, Charles W. Pickering, wasn't even brought up for a vote for confirmation in the Senate.\n Thwarted domestically, inconsistent internationally and with his credibility damaged, Bush still enjoys a 75 percent approval rating.\nHas America become so blindly patriotic that we are unwilling to examine the shortcomings of George W. Bush? Will we fall victim to Trent Lott's and Tom DeLay's lies: That if your vision of America differs from that of George W. Bush you are a traitor who gives "aid and comfort to our enemies"?\n I hope not. Surely, the truer patriotism is not to stifle dissent, but to celebrate the courage of convictions. Sadly, the Democratic Party has lacked the gumption to stand up to Bush.\nBut one must recognize that America is headed in a perilous direction: Our friends and allies are turning against us, our credibility is suffering, we're domestically stagnant, our President is flip-flopping on issues right and left and no one is holding him accountable. It is time for us to be courageous and question where Bush is leading this country.