Bush's Acceptance Speech

I had an insight while watching Mr. Bush's acceptance speech the other night. I believe I have made an egregious error in the way I judged him previously. I have always held him up to the same sort of standard I would hold any president. A standard which is heavily weighted towards rational thought, facts, logistics, and rooted in reason. Bush is not this sort of leader at all. He is a religious leader, plain and simple. He is providing all of the mythology and religious fervor that have become so absent in our cynical materialistic society. In the eyes of his followers, he is like a prophet of old, or perhaps even Christ himself, sent among us here in these last days to lead his righteous peoples, against the wicked. He has come to cleanse the world of evil with a flaming sword, and to give us victory and a new world of peace and righteousness; one where he rules with the iron fist of a dictator of God.

The scary thing is that his followers seem to really think this way. In his speech he told everyone that he would increase spending for education, make sure that everyone had medical insurance, and continue the aggressive fight against terrorists. Meanwhile he has also promised to cut deficit spending in half. Everyone cheered, but as far as I can see, the numbers just don't add up. The only way to believe this nonsense is to see Bush as a miracle worker, and we are not talking conjurer's tricks with a few loaves of bread, and a couple fish here. We are talking major economic wizardry on a scale that makes Enron look like a child playing with pebbles. The reality is that all of these promises are empty. He talks big, but just like the tax cut he gave the top 1% of the nation (I believe he calls these people his base), his policies do not help the people who need it most, the bottom 99%. Unfortunately, and probably through no fault of their own, the ignorant hear and believe his words, feel a rush of religious fervor at the wholesome, heart felt sincerity he puts in his voice and follow him like the children of Hamelin. Despite the facts that terrorism was at a 21 year high in 2003, the economy is limping along like a lame horse, health insurance is a rare luxury, the blood of the nation's youth is being poured out in the desert, and God is punishing Florida for letting him steal their votes, it looks like Bush might be our next president. The wolves guarding the sheep I guess. How convenient for them.

So, what did the acceptance speech teach me? Well, a better understanding of how Bush plays the game for one, and a healthy fear of his potential power for another. I will continue to judge him by the numbers, but now I know that his words are what really counts to those who will vote for him.