Fascist. Imperialist. War-monger. Idiot. These are just a few of the nicer terms I have heard repeatedly here at Dartmouth to describe our President, George W. Bush, and the political base that supports him. While such terms are very much in vogue on our campus, they really have not been particularly convincing.
Indeed, while made with the pretense of intellectual insight, they reek of a baseless obtuseness that is appalling, if not saddening. After hearing our president's State of the Union address, I am fully convinced that this "war-monger" is the best thing for our country right now.
And believe me -- as a college freshman, as an American Jew, as a resident of the state of Florida, as a new participant in a rich intellectual community, but perhaps most importantly, as an American citizen concerned for the future of our nation -- I'm damn proud to say that!
Perhaps what scares many students on our campus, and, indeed, many in the international community, is that President Bush, as the leader of the most powerful nation on Earth, demands accountability. In other words, he expects people to rise to their own potential, both as citizens and as human beings.
Bush offers hope by declaring that the human condition is not beyond salvation. Rightfully, in the international arena, he expects Arab nations to democratize. He does not succumb to the banal assertion that either Arab culture or the Islamic religion precludes the flourishing of individual freedom and the right to a public sphere free of violence and intimidation. He is unabashedly honest with us that such freedom is necessary for the security of our own country. For, as we all know, the terrorists of Sept. 11, 2001 did not rise out of a vacuum. But, their beliefs and actions were the result of propaganda that is allowed to flourish in places without true public spheres. I believe that none of the Democratic candidates would have had the will or fortitude to pursue, as Bush has, a proactive foreign policy with campaigns such as Operation Iraqi Freedom for the realization of this paramount goal.
Mostly, I am impressed by the clarity of President Bush's thought. There is no ambiguity. And there are no qualifiers. There is a sense of purpose which pervades his speech. A directness which is rare in these days of obfuscating officials. Bush expects "third graders to read and do math at the third-grade level" with the help of teachers who are qualified to help students reach those basic standards. He also wishes to place responsibility on parents for the education of their children with the promotion of the voucher program.
Bush is saying to parents that if your kid's school is screwed up now, there is a quality school there to accept him or her without a massive financial burden on you. He places responsibility on parents to make that choice, while still requiring the government to help save that failing school. He has made and will continue to empower individuals, while streamlining bureaucracy to ensure the positive realization of those choices.
The math and science initiatives, which will bring qualified community professionals to teach upper-level math and science classes, are innovative policies that will only create increased opportunity. President Bush's daring and refreshingly new immigration policy will bring people "out of the shadow of American life" and give them the opportunity to work and provide for their children and families with dignity and respect.
Amazingly, President Bush, through his vision and programs, is returning to individuals control and choice over their own fortunes and futures. He does not wish to subsume them within failed systems. I hope Congress will act to ensure that this vision becomes reality.
Yes, policies like the Patriot Act are perhaps uncomfortable, given our country's pride in maintaining the sanctity of the private sphere. Yet, the act is within the legal bounds of the Constitution. And it is necessary, given that America is facing a hidden enemy that uses our free society to try and defeat us. Yes, I do not like to see troops spread across the globe and in harm's way. But thank God we have a president that uses them judiciously and affords them the proper respect. I am proud to be in support of George W. Bush in the 2004 campaign.
And I hope you'll join Dartmouth for Bush/Cheney to ensure that our country, and this union, remains strong.
