Election over, time to work!

[davetlv]

What i would say to Bush given half a chance.

Dear Mr President.

Congratulations on you re-election. Now that you are back in the White House i hope you take a few days to reflect on the things that you needs to do on the international stage. In case you needs a hand thinking i've jotted down a few notes for you.

1. The war on terror.
Clear and direct leadership is essential. Finish what you have started. Don't listen to the dissenting voices that say that the middle east has turned against the US, a bloody large number of them were always against you, and will always be against you. Smash the infrastructures that bring death and sorrow to far to many people around this planet. BUT, learn from the mistakes of my country, collateral damage is NEVER acceptable. Support the civillians whilst smashing the murdering bastards,

2. The EU.
Some Europeans will never like you. Many never have. F*ck them. Build bridges with the new Europe whilst reminding the old Europe that you have the balls to do what they don't. Don't refer to the US as the saviour of Europe (believe me they don't need a history lesson . . . .well not all of them anyway).

3. Israel/Palestine.
There is only one solution. Two states living side by side secure in their borders. If you wanna know how to do this check out recent editions of the West Wing, it might be fictional but their ideas deserve some merit, and lets face it we've tried everything else! Don't let the EU, UN or your own Christian right wing voices drag you away from this challenge.

4. The UN and the Security Council.
Not your best friends at the moment. You need to bring them back on side, and there is only one solution. Support Clinton for the next Secretary General. You might not like the man, but he'll be better for the US then any other candidate, and it gets him away from domestic politics.

5. Debt relief.
Follow the UK's lead, cancel all third world debt. If you want to encourage democracy around the globe this must be done from a position of strength. Countries who who still have to borrow to pay back debt whilst people starve will never become true democracies.

These a just a few thoughts, you have an huge challenge ahead of you. Good luck!

[acmatos]

Re: Election over, time to work!

I definitely agree with points 1-3. I might argue with you on 4 and 5 though. Clinton is a threat to national security when it comes to foreign affairs and, debt from foreign lenders is not really what prevents third world countries from becoming democracies. It's their shitty, corrupt "leaders" that steal all the money that is supposed to be spent on countries' infrastructure. However, if by debt you mean loans through the IMF/WorldBank, I agree that their fiscal policies are for the most part terrible for developing nations. I'm not so sure that this is necessarily Bush's problem or under his control though.

[timkell]

Yeah, I don't see Bush EVER supporting Clinton's appointment to UN. It would be really difficult for all involved.

If Kofi Annan ridicules some aspect of American foreign policy, it's much different than if Clinton does.

On the other side, if Clinton agrees with Bush all the time, other nations will think the US is simply enforcing it's own interests through the UN.

We have enough power in the UN already. Prob makes sense to have a secretary general from a less powerful nation.

[skahound]

What's funny was during Bush's acceptance speech he mentioned that he is now going to see to it that Social Security is fixed, Health Care for Seniors is fixed, etc. Well WTF have you been doing for 4 years? Same promises, different day. Oh well. No sense in crying about it, let's see what he can do with his 4 years. Hopefully the'll be as productive as Mr. Clinton's lame duck term.

[Mr. T]

hahaha if bush were to get his hand son this! hahahahaha....u wouldve probably been hired by him man! u just sorted out all his problems for him hahaha! hes such a dumb man its sad a nation soo large actually fell for it

[acmatos]

What's funny was during Bush's acceptance speech he mentioned that he is now going to see to it that Social Security is fixed, Health Care for Seniors is fixed, etc. Well WTF have you been doing for 4 years? Same promises, different day. Oh well. No sense in crying about it, let's see what he can do with his 4 years. Hopefully the'll be as productive as Mr. Clinton's lame duck term.

Last time I checked, we did suffer 3,000 human casualties on Sept. 11, 2001. Not to mention the destruction of two of the most important economic buildings in the country(and world). Nonetheless, the U.S. has not been hit again, the economy is strong and only getting stronger, and the majority of this country said that he deserves another 4 years. Even without getting specific, it seems pretty obvious to me that he must be doing something right, no?