Sir-
I write this as an open letter to you imploring you to take an open stand in reining in your son. Yes, he's a grown man and clearly intent on going his own way, but he's hurting this country.
We all care about our children and want to make life easy for them. Sometimes we err andmake things TOO easy. We allow our children to escape the consequences of their actions early in life and allow them to continue escaping consequences. That is a mistake.
You know what's happening. We've heard the whispered reports. Those that have served with you have made their displeasure known - comments widely interpreted as your views aired by proxy. But more is needed.
more.....
I can't say I always agreed with your actions as President but - ultimately - it seems you did what you believed was right and necessary. You acted out of concern for this country.
"No more taxes" got you elected but you saw the reality and did what was necessary - at great political cost to yourself. Your son has left this country with a record deficit and without the means to fund necessary and needed programs - among them reconstruction of an American City, New Orleans.
You removed Iraq from Kuwait - but did not remove Saddam Hussein from power. Frankly, I did not understand that decision at the time. Now, the wisdom of your decision is clear - wisdom your son seems to have ignored. Our Military is being destroyed in a meatgrinder that will never end. Surrounded by peopel who never served in our country's armed forces, these people are far too willing to let others die in its service. YOU know the cost of war. Does your son understand the REAL costs it brings?
We cannot "win" a war in Iraq when we have become the enemy. Your son ignored informed advice and embarked on this venture without adequate preparation. He let the VITAL fight in Afghanistan fade from view.
Your son has damaged our country's defenses far worse than any enemy. His actions have created MORE enemies for this country. He has still failed to deal with those we faced when he came to office.
The Republican Party has become a joke under your son. It is now an extremist and intolerant group - espousing an Imperial view of the US where might makes right. Extremist religious views are spouted - though for political reasons only. It is clear that the rhetoric is not supported by belief when one reads the private comments denigrating the religious fundamentalists that this party now panders to. The corruption personified by Jack Abramoff and K Street is appalling. How sad to see a real hero like Duke Cunningham sell his influence. Is that what he fought for? Is that what YOU fought for? Government to the highest bidder - the people be damned? Once wealth brough at least a sense of "noblisse oblige" with it - under your son, it seems that the LEAST in our society are thrown to the wolves while the wealthy become even wealthier - with no thought gien to the long term consequences.
In the past opposing views in this country could co-exist and debate issues on their merits. A Barry Goldwater could be friends with a Hubert Humphrey. Now, your son remains silent when even John McCain, a true hero and member of your own party is slandered by his supporters. (AND Your son has justified behavior that should horrify ANY American.)
So of course, he remains silent when Senator Kerry or Congressman Murtha is attacked. And we all know that strings were pulled to keep your son out of Vietnam, that he did not even complete his required National Guard service. Does this make you proud? Yes, we want to protect our children, but it is our DUTY to teach them as well. As parents we want to see our children know right from wrong. We want them to act ethically and morally.
Karl Rove may have helped your son with a career in politics, but is this someone you WANT as a friend or associate? This is someone who has built a career out of slander and innuendo. We all have read the reports. A judge in Kentucky dedicated to children, a GOOD man and the UNFOUNDED whispered campaign Rove ran that made this dedication seem evil and dirty.
It is clear that your son is doing great damage to our country. I could quote many of our Founding Fathers to support my points but I am sure you know them all. Clearly he is receiving horrendously bad advice from a too close "inner circle." They have isolated your son and refuse to let him hear any contrasting views. They may say they are "protecting" him but they are not. You know that. They are using him. And ultimately, it is your son - George W. Bush - who is President. "The Buck does Stop" at the White House. George W. Bush will be the one history holds accountable. A responsible parent stands up and intervenes when their child is in trouble - whatever their age. Are you going to remain silent? Are you going to sit idly by while great damage is done to this country under your son's Presidency?
If you remain silent, historians will look back and wonder why. Is THAT the legacy you wish to leave?