h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Can you explain why you don't like George W. Bush?

~Aufilena

Hello there!

Thanks for getting in touch... Please understand that the notes I've made are in good humour.

However I do worry about George Jnr., he doesn't inspire much confidence for someone who carries so much power. I hold the opinion that he was placed into power by big business; and as such, he's not really the president of the great cosmopolitan democracy that is the United States, but that he is merely the president of a few Wall Street boardrooms and Texan oilfields.

I understand that in the current international climate, a person who states a dislike for anything constitutionally American will be regarded with suspicion. Please understand that I like America, I like Americans, and that I believe in and actively pursue democracy, equality and understanding.

I have no religious beliefs and would state my political persuasion as liberal.

Here in the UK, "Dubya" is regarded as something of a figure of fun. In the media and in satirical entertainment, he's portrayed as a childish, slow-witted buffoon. That portrayal, accurate or not, has certainly influenced my opinion of him. But I've also been influenced by some of the decicions he's made and inconsistencies in his international policy.

I hope that helps... Thanks again, sincerely, for showing an interest. I've noticed that you're in Connecticut, I drove through there with a couple of friends earlier this year... They took great delight in the fact that I couldn't get my head round pronouncing "Connecticut" properly!! We were driving down from where we were staying in Montreal, heading for a few days in Boston and New York. It was great!

Hope to hear from you soon... bye!

Thanks for your reply.

"I hold the opinion that he was placed into power by big business; and as such, he's not really the president of the great cosmopolitan democracy that is the United States, but that he is merely the president of a few Wall Street boardrooms and Texan oilfields."

How is it that one man could encompass all that is America? Besides, what is really wrong about big business? Liberals like to toss the word around as if it were a smelly sock or something. Big business is what makes America prosper. Look around at the countries who have no big business. Are they prospering? On the contrary, many unindustrialized countries are currently suffering under cruel, corrupt governments that care nothing for the welfare of innocent citizens.

Your "buffoon" image is popular here, too. It is popular because the uninformed populous likes to feel like they know more than the president, so they make fun of him because he's not the best speaker this country ever had. In my opinion, this is a pretty shallow dig. Some liberal Americans have pretty high opinions of themselves, and like to stroke their own egos by proclaiming what a terrible job the president is doing, while offering no solutions of their own.

Anyway, as you have probably guessed, I consider myself a conservative. I'm often discouraged by the hypocritical liberal perspective. (It seems to be "Everyone's opinion is correct...except for lousy republicans'.")

The reason I have found myself on the path of a conservative has something to do with the idea that, no matter how wonderful liberal philosophies usually sound, they do not work in real life. The conservative viewpoints are usually unpopular with the younger generation and with "intellectuals" because they often consider themselves to be humanitarians...and tend to believe that the liberal philosophy is most beneficial for the well-being of mankind. Conservatives are apparently only concerned with helping the rich get richer, never giving a thought for the common man. This is a sad misconception, and unfortunately those who like to keep this image up are also the buffons who enjoy blithering mockery of our president.

Hehe...so that's my rant. Sorry if I sound a bit riled. I'm really not so bad when I'm not talking about politics. I just get so frustrated sometimes with all the cliches out there...people will really believe anything if it suits them to do so.

*sigh*

*feels guilty now*

*goes off to read Dave Barry*

Thanks again for the reply...

~Aufilena.

Well... I suppose I should have realized you were spoiling for a fight!

"I hold the opinion that he was placed into power by big business; and as such, he's not really the president of the great cosmopolitan democracy that is the United States, but that he is merely the president of a few Wall Street boardrooms and Texan oilfields."

I don't have a problem with big business per se... I suppose I just have a problem with someone being bought into power as opposed to being voted in, particularly when it's such a powerful position.

One small point, though, regarding the globalization argument...

"Look around at the countries who have no big business. Are they prospering? On the contrary, many unindustrialized countries are currently suffering under cruel, corrupt governments that care nothing for the welfare of innocent citizens."

Often the countries without big business of their own are actually being exploited by Western big business, whether it's for natural resources or cheap labour.

Though I do, of course, agree with the point you imply that certain "cruel, corrupt governments" shouldn't be in power, and that the rest of the world, via the UN, or whatever, should make every effort to restore balance to those countries.

I'm not sure, however, that simply wading in with all our combined military power really is the correct way to the achieve this. History proves that such invasions don't tend to work, they usually have the opposite to the intended effect.

I suppose that having a dig at Bush for his "buffoon image" is pretty cheap. (It is funny, though! ) I think it's healthy to be able to laugh at our leaders, I doubt that there's much satirical political comedy allowed in Iraq or Zimbabwe.

You did say one thing I agree with, though... "Everyone's opinion is correct...except for lousy republicans"

My opinion of Conservativism is actually pretty much how you've described while dicussing "wonderful liberal philosophies". I grew up under the "reign" of Margaret Thatcher, and her regime has pretty much convinced me that Conservatives are indeed "...only concerned with helping the rich get richer". I don't begrudge that point of view, I believe that different political perspectives help to bring balance to society. However, it's not a view that I would subscribe to.

At the moment I don't own my own business, although someday I intend to... Perhaps when that day comes my viewpoint will change. Who knows?..

I do agree with you about people believing whever they want - although more commonly, and more disturbingly, people usually believe whatever is packaged up and sold in the most attractive way. How else would MacDonald's be so popular? It's not like their food tastes good!

May I just say that I respect your honesty and admire your integrity in sticking to what you personally believe in and not just jumping onto whichever socio-political bandwagon is "hip" or "cool" that particular week.

Who's Dave Barry?..