How exactly should one evaluate the Bush administration? After all, his re-election should be based upon his performance these past four years. Is he a horrendous failure of a President, or has he done a pretty good job? Let’s take a look.

On the domestic front, Bush passed two reckless tax cuts that favored a small portion of the population. I know most Colgate families were the beneficiaries of the Bush tax cut; however, my family didn’t really need another vacation to the Caribbean. Thanks to the tax cuts, millions of dollars in valuable social programs that affect less fortunate Americans were cut. The President of the United States should represent all Americans, not just those making over $200,000 a year.

Bush squandered a historic trillion-dollar surplus left over from the Clinton administration, and now we’re in debt as far as the eye can see. As a result of these deficits, many state governments have been forced to raise taxes because they’re no longer receiving the federal funds they need. George W. Bush is the only President in history to cut taxes during a war. What kind of message does this send to our troops? Our troops are risking the ultimate sacrifice for their country, and our commander in chief tells us to go shopping. Cutting taxes during an expensive war is not the answer.

As you know, the economy has not turned around. Administration officials say that we’ve been turning the corner for months, while no evidence of this exists. Folks, our economy is stagnant. The fact is that George W. Bush is the first president, since Herbert Hoover to lose jobs in an administration. That is a horrendous distinction considering Hoover presided over the Great Depression. Is this a positive record to run on? Certainly not. To top it off, gas prices are at an all-time high, and Bush isn’t doing anything about it. Instead of encouraging funding of alternate energy, he’s still hell bent on drilling in Alaska.

The Bush administration’s foreign policy is a horrific disaster. The Iraq War was wrong, end of story. Iraq never attacked us, they didn’t have weapons, and there was no conclusive evidence that they conspired with al-Qaeda. The 9/11 commission confirmed that Saddam Hussein and al-Qaeda had no relationship whatsoever.

As far as the actual execution of the war, the administration’s hubris blew me away. Dick Cheney said we’d be “greeted as liberators.” Well Dick, after 1,000 plus casualties, I’d say you were dead wrong. When Army Chief of Staff General Eric Shinseki stated that the United States would need several hundred thousand troops in Iraq, the administration retired him. Shinseki was right on the money; we need more troops, as many regions in Iraq are anarchical because they are too dangerous for US forces.

The greatest sin is that George W. Bush committed our brave young men and women to a war he didn’t know how to get out of. This is an abomination. These actions are not those of a responsible Commander-in-Chief.

Most Americans feel that our nation is headed in the wrong direction. The economy stinks, Iraq’s a disaster, good jobs are scarce, and health care premiums are higher than ever. However, President Bush isn’t answering any of the tough questions. Instead, he hides from his record. Well, the hiding will come to an end on November 2, when voters will decide whether or not to hold his administration accountable. Will Americans reject the incompetence of the Bush team, or will we be subjected to more of the same garbage for the next four years? Only time will tell.