Now that George W. is finally out of the White House, back home in Texas, and safely away from the nuclear codes, we can start to reflect on his presidency. While Bushie thinks that history will redeem him, his best bet may be to hope for James Buchanan-like obscurity. Slink away from the public eye, lay low, and watch while the next guy makes history. Maybe then 43′s sins will be forgotten.
George W. Bush had been president for 1/3 of my lifetime, throughout my youth and formative years. Maybe for this reason, I had never been interested in politics, nor confident in the leadership of my elected officials. This has changed with the election of Barack Obama. For the past two years, I, and many other young people like me, have been energized, mobilized, and hungry for change. November 4th showed us what we as individuals could do when brought together by a common goal.
Now with the inauguration honeymoon over, my greatest fear is that we slip back into a state of political apathy. With two wars, a sagging economy, crisis in the Middle East, and a tarnished global reputation, it’s easy to lose focus. But there is much work to be done, and we are still a part of the Obama presidency. As Michael Sandel relayed to Tom Friedman:
“In ordinary times, the energy and dynamism of American life reside in the economy and society, and people view government with suspicion or indifference. But in times of national crisis, Americans look to government to solve fundamental problems that affect them directly. These are the times when presidents can do big things. These moments are rare. But they offer the occasion for the kind of leadership that can recast the political landscape, and redefine the terms of political argument for a generation.
“These presidencies did more than enact new laws and programs. They rewrote the social contract, and redefined what it means to be a citizen. Obama’s moment, and his presidency, could be that consequential.”
In Obama’s inauguration speech, he said, “What is required of us now is a new era of responsibility.” We must shed the apathy and distrust of the past. And if history judges our presidents not only for what they do in office, but for how they leave our country, maybe our new generation will help George W. escape the “worst ever” lists, for the sole reason: “Well, he brought us Obama.”
