Wow... 8 years ago my Republican friends said "Don't worry man, trust us, things are going to be OK." They said the economy would be strong and they'd bring back ethics in government. George W. Bush was on record as opposing "Nation Building" and as being a guy who supported the troops. We already had a surplus and the cold war was over... Everyone was talking about how to spend the "Peace Dividend". Hard to believe that was only 8 years ago.
About 9 months into George W. Bush's term we were hit by the worst terrorist attack in our history. The country rallied behind him. The Republicans used the surge in fear and support to strengthen their control of Congress. They used their 100% control over our Government to cut taxes... Not much else. They were unwavering in their support for this President and his war. On their watch nobody put on the brakes until we had a crisis.
We lost an American city to a storm for the first time in our history. Incompetence of the highest order was on display and the American People reacted. It was a wake-up call. We'd made a huge mistake in choosing our leader. Most Republicans don't even support W. these days. His approval ratings are in the toilet and it looks like he's led his party from what they once claimed would be a "permanent majority" to being an irrelevant minority of mid-1970's proportions in only the last few years.
They've also been exposed as liars on their "support for the troops". Liars in so many other ways... And they've proven they don't intend to make amends for their incompetence. Picking Sarah Palin was proof enough of that.
And now they come to us with their hats in their hand, begging us for another chance. Saying Obama is risky and they know how to solve the problems we face. We'd be wise to laugh in their faces and send the lot of them packing. And it looks like that might just be what occurs. Not only is Obama positioned to win the Whitehouse but Congress may go so far into Dem control they may have a Filibuster-proof 60+ voting block in the Senate.
Folks, if there's anything we have George W. Bush to thank for, this may be it. For decades, since I was a young man listening to Jimmy Carter talk about it, we've not been able to accomplish two things... Alternative Fuels and National Health Care. With a bullet-proof Congress, who knows? We could accomplish both! This could be the real impact of the Supreme Court giving George W. Bush the Presidency 8 years ago. Who knew then that I might be thanking them for this in less than 10 years?
But this can only happen if you make it happen. It can only be this way if you want it to be. If you work hard, give money to your favorite candidates and call your friends and family in swings states. Talk to them in straight forward ways about the last 8 years. Use Reagan's famous "Are you better off" line and don't dig into the details that might cause them to get angry. Nobody I know who's been a Republican all their life wants to vote for a Democrat. None of them. But several have confided to me recently that they will this once. They don't like the party they have now. Many don't recognize it at all.
Now is not the time to gloat. Get out there and get it done!