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Most of what Bush has done poorly will not come home to roost yet. Here are some of the things that will likely happen over time.
1. Further erosion of citizen rights. The Patriot act empowers the government to use secret courts, to issue secret warrants to do secret spying and if it was limited ot terrorism it might be justifiable but it is not.
2. The declining US dollar has impacted everyone in the US with higher petro chemical prices and higher imported goods prices. Much of this has been absorbed by manufacturers but it must eventually pass through. ( This would not be a bad thing if it really helped US exports)
The most immediate impact here on this board is less real income for European and Canadian webmasters and less travel to Europe for Americans.
3. War and debt. Whether you want to attribute the prior budget surpluses to Bush Sr or Clinton, Bush Jr has been the record spender and has turned surplus into record debt. This debt will need to be paid off and since it is owned by China, Japan and other creditor nations they have a lot of control over our future they did not have before.
Iraq was indeed mishandled and the military ignored. Even if you back the war, you must today realize that the costs in treasure and lives on all sides have been extreme and the outcome uncertain. We have not done any good for the Iraqi people or the US.
4. Environment. Again the results are long term but ignoring Kyoto and continuing to be the biggest consumer of energy in the word is not helping the planet. The polar ice cap is melting and whether you want to attribute it to petrochemical consumption or a natural process the US is doing nothing to prepare for the impending consequences.
5. Health and welfare. The US healthcare system is for those who can afford it and no progress was made. Bush did pass a large positive education bill but because it was/is underfunded the impact is negative. More testing more expense and no more revenue.
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