The Worst President in History?

He is certainly not responsible for the laundry list of complaints you listed on the previous page. Perhaps you can do some research and find out what the President IS responsible for and NOT responsible for before blaming him for everything.

true, very true.

McG, Better yet, why don't YOU provide us a laundry list of what he's responsible for and not responsible for? That way, we won't have to guess what's right. heh.

You haven't answered my question. No research necessary, he is a foul-up and it is a matter of record.

And the legal profession is very much in favor of no "tort reform" so that their relatively worthless victims (all of us out here) continue to pay ever increasing health care costs, just so exorbitant sums of money can be paid to a small percentage of people perceived to have been wronged by the health care system.

It has now gotten to the point where physicians in higher risk specialties may pay several hundred thousand annually just for medical liability insurance. Bush is smart enough to recognize that this might just make medical services higher, and if reformed, it would at least be a positive step in the right direction. Congressmen are mostly lawyers, and the Democrats are no exception, plus the fact that trial lawyers are some of the biggest backers of Democrats, so little surprise to see them oppose reform.

To analyze this a bit closer, the high cost of medical liability has:
Added directly to the cost of medical services.
It has led to the common practice of doctors practicing defensive medicine, by ordering many highly probable unneeded tests.
It has driven some doctors away from some specialties, thus reducing the availability and competition of doctors in those specialties.
It has led to the early retirement of many doctors from their chosen profession and discouraged others from entering the profession, thus reducing availability and competition.

The main problem with the medical field is the lack of a healthy competitive market. Tort reform as proposed by Bush is just one of several points of his plan to make the field more competitive, thus making it more affordable. Unfortunately, many of these issues are lost in the fog of the war in Iraq.

Joe Notion wrote:

The invasion of Iraq was kneejerk reaction, plain and simple. It had very little to do with a grudge any dictator had for us. (If it had we would have invaded Libya.)

Do you have a link for that comment, Mr. Nation? I do, but I am sure you will not be able to comment on my link.

You see, Mr. Notion, a kneejerk reaction is one that is a reflex, occurring almost immediately.

You are egregriously mistaken.

If you know what happened in 2001, you are aware that on October 10th and 11th the House and the Senate OVERWHELMINGLY VOTED TO GRANT THE PRESIDENT FULL AUTHORITY TO ATTACK IRAQ. The vote in the House was 296 to 133 and the vote in the Senate was 77 to 23.

If you insist on describing the invasion of Iraq as a "kneejerk" reaction, you must then describe it as a knee jerk that included 296 House Members and 77 Senators.

I think you are very much uninformed!!!

The reigning authority on the Constitution, the redoubtable Debra LAW tells us that:

Conservatives want doctors to live within their means. They want doctors to spend their hard-earned buckets of money on yachts, BMWs, country club membership dues, and mansions rather than on medical malpractice insurance premiums. They also want insurance executives to live within their means. They want insurance executives to spend their hard-earned buckets of money on yachts, BMWs, country club membership dues, and mansions rather than pay out insurance proceeds to the families of injured, maimed, or dead patients. Thus, doctors should be allowed to injure, maim, and kill their patients without fear that their tortious conduct will put a dent in the accumulation of wealth in the medical and insurance industry.

end of quote

I am very much afraid that the above, I am very sorry to say is nothing but a hysterical and egregiously mistaken blurb which does not add to Ms. Debra L A W's fearsome reputation. Constitutional authorities, such as Ms. L A W must strive to be rigorously correct. Alas, she is wrong in almost every line she writes above---


In 1993, Derek Bok, the former President of Harvard and a well known scholar in his own right, wrote a book entitled "The Cost of Talent". In this book he wrote of the compensation received by Doctors and the monies "earned" by TRIAL LAWYERS.

It is clear that while Physicians receive fair amounts for their services, the trial lawyers in the USA and the "class action" cowboys, recieve atrociously large sums they do not earn.

How much do Physicans make--National Average--$135,000 a year--O/BGyn--324,000 per year average and Surgeons- $286,000 a year.

Certainly Debra L A W knows that because of the atrocious cases brought by TRIAL LAWYERS, manyu Doctors pay over $100,000 a YEAR IN MEDICAL MALPRACTICE INSURANCE. SOME PRESCRIBE UNNEEDED AND EXPENSIVE TESTS SO THAT THEY WILL NOT BE SUED.


And the trial lawyers? The Ambulance chasers?


Note below:

quote
The overwhelming majority of class actions, like the overwhelming majority of other lawsuits, are settled before trial.(11) When response rates and actual payouts are expected to be low, however, there is the potential for a substantial pool of unclaimed funds. This surplus can, in effect, be split between plaintiffs' lawyers, who are essentially free agents, and the defendants. Certain recurring features of modern class action settlements suggest that these "parties" may be tempted to craft a compromise that subordinates the interests of the class. Two examples of particular concern are (1) so-called "coupon" settlements, where class members receive discounts on future purchases from the defendants rather than cash and (2) settlements where class counsel get an inordinately large share of the recovery.

There may be situations in which the use of coupon compensation is appropriate - - for example, when the size of each class member's individual recovery is likely to be de minimis - - but even a cursory review of current class action practice suggests that this particular form of compensation is over-used. Defendants may be tempted to agree on coupon compensation because they are counting on a low redemption rate or because the coupons can actually generate additional sales. The net cost is minimal and a settlement has minimal deterrent effect. Class action attorneys may be tempted to settle for coupon compensation that ultimately is of limited value, or even no value to the class, provided that the coupons facially appear valuable enough to justify counsel's own substantial cash fees.

Two publicly reported examples - - admittedly extreme - - illustrate the anti-consumer potential of coupon settlements. In the Bank of Boston settlement, the bank was accused of over-collecting escrow money from homeowners and profiting from the float. The settlement gave up to $8.76 to each class member, and $8.5 million in fees to attorneys. The fees were paid by deducting money - - usually more than the amount of the award - - from class members' accounts, resulting in net losses for class members.(12) In the Charter Communications settlement, defendant cable company was accused of charging customers excessive late-payment fees. Under the settlement, attorneys got $5.5 million in fees. Customers got a new late-payment policy and a choice of various free services, but they also got larger cable bills. One class member complained: "please don't sue anyone else on my behalf. I can't afford any more of these brilliant legal victories."(13)

end of quote


8.5 Million in attorney fees!!!!!!!




The national average earnings for Doctors referenced above-

$135,000---

THE BEGINNING SALARIES FOR THE THOUSANDS OF LAWYERS WHO ARE HIRED EACH YEAR AS ASSOCIATES FOR LARGE LAW FIRMS------


$135,000( WITHOUT BONUS)


What's wrong with this picture????


Debra Law's post is confused. She should point out that those Yachts in the harbor do not belong to Doctors but actually to Ambulance Chasers.
$135,000 a year can't even buy a good rowboat!!!

Bush on rising healthcare premiums



Bush on uninsured Americans



Bush on America's energy policy



Bush on rising Gasoline prices



Bush covers rising tuition costs



Bush covers rising home prices

Well, that covers his responsibility and outlines his plans. It is up to the legislative branch to be able to put those plans into office... that is unless you believe the holey "king George" crap and believe he can simply wave his magic wand and make it all happen.

McGentrix- Thanks for the great links showing how egregioulsy mistaken Intrepid was in his posts. Your link showed that President Bush said:

Re. Medical Costs

Another way to save costs, to stop the rise of the cost of health care, is there for to be rational laws in dealing with doctors. Our legal system is out of control right now. There's just too much litigation. There's frivolous and junk lawsuits all over the country. It's like there's a giant lottery and the lawyers are the only winners. And we're driving good docs out of business. Make no mistake about it, a lot of good docs are stopping to practice medicine because their premiums are going up because of the junk and frivolous lawsuits. And so these lawsuits, which are -- people will settle just to get them out of the way -- raises costs.

Doctors, for fear of being sued, practice what's called defensive medicine. That raises the cost. As a matter of fact, the cost of premium increases and the cost of defensive medicine -- in other words, prescribing too much to cover yourself so if you get sued you can say, well, wait a minute, I did everything I could -- costs the federal government about $28 billion a year. Think about that -- $28 billion. That means it's costly to the taxpayer.
***********************************************************

28 Billion a year!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

McGentrix provides a good post on Energy to rebut Intrepid and to put the blame where it belongs:

Quote President Bush

But people got to understand our dependence on foreign oil didn't develop overnight, and it's not going to be fixed overnight. To solve the problem, our nation needs a comprehensive energy policy. (Applause.) That's why one of the first things I did when I came to office four years ago was to develop a new energy strategy for America. And in my first months in office, I sent Congress a plan to put our nation on the path to greater energy independence. For four years, that United States Congress has discussed and debated the plan -- with no result. So earlier this year, I sent a clear message to Congress: Get a good energy bill on my desk before the August recess. Now is the time for them to act.

The House has acted -- and I want to thank the leadership in the House. And the Senate's turn is now up. It's now their time to get something done. And they're beginning the debate on the energy bill this week. And my advice is they ought to keep this in mind: Summer is here, temperatures are rising, and tempers will really rise if Congress doesn't pass an energy bill. (Applause.)


End of Quote


The August Recess has come and the DEMOCRATS in the Senate( the House has acted) have not acted. Despite the blusterings of fakes like Ted(the lush) Kennedy and Chuck( I love the camera) Schumer not to forget Joe( the plagiarist) Biden,the Energy Bill is still stalled in the Senate!!!

Mr.McGentrix shows that Intrepid is way off with his comment on rising Education costs not being answered by the Bush Administration--


To make our economy stronger and more dynamic, we must prepare a rising generation to fill the jobs of the 21st century. Under the No Child Left Behind Act, standards are higher, test scores are on the rise, and we're closing the achievement gap for minority students. Now we must demand better results from our high schools, so every high school diploma is a ticket to success. We will help an additional 200,000 workers to get training for a better career, by reforming our job training system and strengthening America's community colleges. And we'll make it easier for Americans to afford a college education, by increasing the size of Pell Grants. (Applause.)


***********************************************************

Here I must add that it would be easy to rein in rising Costs of Education, especially higher education. If the government took over all of the schools, they could lower the costs by making drastic cuts in salaries and other costs. Of course, that would be a ridiculous and non-effective solution.

I do not think Mr. Intrepid knows a great deal about Economics.

When a "good" (oil, sugar,education) is scarce, the price goes up. The highest Tuition, Room and Board costs come from Colleges and Universities which are eagerly sought after!!!

Home Ownership? Intrepid does not know what he is talking about!!



STATEMENT FROM SECRETARY ALPHONSO JACKSON ON RECORD MINORITY HOMEOWNERSHIP
The Census Bureau released data today showing that minority homeownership hit an all-time high during the first quarter of 2005. The new quarterly record rate of 51.6 percent means that 15.7 million minority families now own their own homes.

There was also a new quarterly record for Hispanic homeownership. The rate of 49.7 percent means there are now 5.8 million Hispanic homeowners in the United States.

Overall homeownership was also at an all-time high in the first quarter, with 74.5 million American families now owning their own homes.

"These new numbers, combined with news that sales of previously-owned homes were near record levels last month, show that housing is still a leader as our economy continues to improve. The Bush Administration is committed to building on these accomplishments so that people from every walk of life can have the opportunity to become homeowners," said Housing and Urban Development Secretary Alphonso Jackson. "The President's housing initiatives are paving the way for more Americans, particularly minorities, to achieve that dream."

Two years ago, President Bush challenged the nation to create 5.5 million new minority homeowners by the end of this decade. To date, there has been a net increase of 2.3 million minority homeowners, which represents 43 percent of the 5.5 million goal.

HUD's 2006 budget proposes a program called Payment Incentives, which would allow borrowers with limited or weak credit histories to purchase homes by initially paying higher mortgage insurance premiums. These would gradually be reduced after a period of timely payments. In 2006, this program will help thousands of families buy a home of their own.

To stimulate the production of affordable homes in distressed communities where such housing is scare, the Administration is again proposing a tax credit of up to 50 percent of the cost of new construction or rehabilitation. This tax credit targets low-income households earning less than 80 percent of an area's median income.

The 2006 Budget also provides $200 million to fully fund the American Dream Downpayment Initiative (ADDI). T his Initiative helps first-time homebuyers with the biggest obstacles to homeownership - the downpayment and closing costs. Since President Bush signed this initiative into law, ADDI has helped more than 3,500 families to purchase their first home. More than half of these new homeowners were minorities.

HUD is the nation's housing agency committed to increasing homeownership, particularly among minorities; creating affordable housing opportunities for low-income Americans; and supporting the homeless, elderly, people with disabilities and people living with AIDS. The Department also promotes economic and community development as well as enforces the nation's fair housing laws. More information about HUD and its programs is available on the Internet at www.hud.gov and espanol.hud.gov.

Bernard, as the old saying goes, "figures don't lie, but liars will figure." Anybody with any sense can listen to the news everyday and recognize the use of chosen statistics to spin the best economic news, or they can use other statistics to make the economy look worse. Obviously, both sides of the political spectrum does it, and it depends on which expert the news service talks to and which numbers are used.

I have a few ideas on the subject, but through observation of the past 50 years or so, I think Americans are now living better than ever.

I posted some statistics. You posted some statistics. You don't like my statistics. You like your statistics. Not everybody will agree with your statistics. does this make GW any less of an idiot? Nope. No need for further statistics.

Yup, 150 pages and the rightwing nuts have created yet another tangent to run off on.

The gist of the thread,

"The Worst President in History"

has unquestionably been answered in the affirmative. He provides the proof daily, in heaping piles.

But it's nonsensical to even be asking the question. He isn't, nor has he ever been, presidential material.

In any sane country, he wouldn't have been nominated for dog catcher.

Animated political cartoon from the Houston Chronicle

You're talking about Clinton, right?

A clear indication of what I meant about sanity or more to the point, the lack thereof.

This pretty much says it all.

http://www.workingforchange.com/comic.cfm?itemid=21166

Your obvious problem, Mr. Intrepid, is your misuse of words. In your frentic rush to denigrate the President you forget some very important points which make your argument incredibly weak.

The American People, who you obviously sneer at since they elected President Bush and since, collectively, have the real wisdom, did the following:

1. Elected President Bush in 2000

2. Added GOP seats in the House and Senate( according to past History, the party in power is SUPPOSED to lose seats in an off year--This year they did not)

3. Re-elected President Bush in 2004

It is also obvious that your use of the pejorative, Idiot, shows that you are the Idiot since President Bush not only had a SAT verbal score HIGHER than Senator Bradley who was considered a presidential candidate at one time.

President Bush also attended and graduated from Yale and the Business School of Harvard with an MBA

President Bush also flew in the Air National Guard.



All three of the above cannot be accomplished by an "Idiot"


Now, Mr. Intrepid, you are perfectly entitled to criticize any of the President's policies- domestic and foreign.

I am perfectly entitled to criticize any of the policies of the previous president, William Jefferson Clinton.

But, I am very much afraid that name-calling is a child's game and will convince no one except the loonies on the left.

Do you have a problem with any of President Bush's policies?

State your criticisms!!!!

I have read, again and again, that the left wing does not like the fact that President Bush led us into the war with Iraq.

What the looney left will never tell you is that the House and Senate could have REFUSED to give President Bush the authority to send troops to Iraq. Instead they voted a HUGE BIPARTISAN vote to give President Bush the authority to send the troops to Iraq.

The Senate and the House of the US have never had a problem in VOTING for monies for the war in Iraq. The Senate and the House could have VOTED NOT TO FUND THE WAR SEVERAL TIMES.

They did not!!!!

Get off the tired name calling , Mr. Intrepid and provide some valid arguments!!!