Why we loved Clinton and we can't stand Bush [View All]

I miss Clinton. So much. I think the reason he always had such high approval numbers is that Clinton was the very persona of the way we (and the rest of the world)viewed our beloved America: intelligent, energetic, compassionate, a bit impulsive, youthful.. full of joy for the everyday pleasures of life: food, sex, laughter, music, reading, debating, traveling. He came from the heart of the country. He lived through a childhood many of us relate to: alcoholic father, strong mother. America was like that. Even people who didn't support his politics often looked at him fondly, because of these traits. And the world looked upon America as a bit of a young, healthy puppy. Big enough to be a danger but generally good-hearted and affable.

But Bush is everything we tried to escape in 1776. Bush is arrogant, cold, a product of a class system that most of the country disdains. He is the antithesis of intellectual. He has no curiosity. He denies himself pleasure. He has no spontaneity. Bush's America is a heartless place where the ends justify any means, including torture, unprovoked attack and using the blind obedience of religious cult members for political gain. And the rest of the world looks with alarm at this new America. The pup has grown up into a snarling dog.

Many of us have forgotten 9/11. The horror has faded. I believe that under Clinton it never would have faded. We would have done the right thing by the victims, found the answers, and the site would have half built by now and we would have moved on to celebrating out survival as a nation.

Under Bush, we want to forget about it because it means more and more vengeance, as he uses it..exploits the dead, in order to keep his bloated and sad vision of American alive.

Two men, two Americas.

Is it over yet?