The $87 billion burger

As most of the public knows, the president recently made a national statement confessing the irresponsible decisions he has headed in the past couple of years. With legs precariously straddling a stool, he spoke frankly and intimately with the American people. He conveyed a sense of moral obligation to cleanse himself of the grievous past. A sincere apology, a plan to make reparations and a promise to better serve the American people, President Andrew F. Puzder, CEO of the Hardee's fast food chain, has a vision of hope, greater prosperity and a thicker, juicier burger. \nWouldn't it be outstanding if the president of this country could take responsibility for the mistakes he and his administration have made in the way that President Puzder has? \nLast Sunday, President Bush didn't apologize for sending half of the country's military to fight a war that had absolutely no connection to al Qaeda, or for instilling a fear based on lies that America was endangered because Iraq possessed the dreaded weapons of mass destruction. Last week, the only thing President Bush had the courage to express to Congress and the people it represents was that he needs another $87 billion on top of the $79 billion he requested in April to fix his messy foreign policy and inability to complete rehabilitation in Afghanistan and Iraq. \nToo conceited to make a concession, perhaps Bush could take some tips from Hardee's President Puzder when it comes to admitting mistakes to the public. \n"Trying to be all things to all people just does not work," explained Puzder, with regard to his restaurant's previously confusing menu of fried chicken, hamburgers, roast beef sandwiches and more. The company agreed it needed to have one mission: Make a quality burger. With its new priority, Hardee's streamlined its selections to just a few classic favorites but focused on producing something of satiable substance.\nIsn't that the same monumental problem this administration faces? Bush tried to be all things to all people. He tried to please the richest with a tax break. He tried to please private religious groups by funding them with government dollars. He tried to please his daddy by continuing the saga with Saddam. The items on this president's menu are so many, American money is wasted on quantity and not quality maneuvers. It should be even more unappetizing than eating a burger that smells like fried chicken or vice versa. \nAt least when Hardee's increased its burger price to $6, consumers knew where their money was spent. The luxury burger would consist of homemade ingredients, right down to the pickles, along with a pretentious, 2/3-pound brick of Angus beef. But when Bush jacked up his price an extra $87 billion for finishing his mission in Iraq, the only plan he gave to the American taxpayers was this: Destroy terrorists, call up the United Nations and quickly give the Iraqi government back to its people. Are the logistics and budget-breakdown to remain the "secret ingredients"?\nWith over 70 Hardee's locations in Kuwait, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Oman and Qatar, Thickburgers are spreading faster in the Middle East than democracy. \nNow that they're removed from the menu, Puzder donated a million of the leftover "skinny, little burger patties" to organizations like The Salvation Army and America's Second Harvest. He's trying to do his best to rectify his company's mistake, and it's a good thing. Unlike Hardee's, Bush isn't admitting to the devastating mistakes he has led -- the unnecessary war in Iraq that's costing billions of dollars and thousands of lives. For America's sake, Puzder should keep those flimsy patties coming. With a now $500 billion dent in the deficit caused by the less-responsible President Bush, there are sure to be extra mouths to feed.