The L.A. Times Sums Up Bush’s Legacy

America's decline...

Economy.. In 1965 the yen was 360 to1 US dollar now its about 100 to one.

Science..stem cell research

Politics..corruption political decisions before whats good for the country. Our President lies to us and we go to war killing 4000+ Americans and who knows how many others, and there is NO Outrage.

War.. preemptive war is "good"/ "legal" We have a class of Americans that are so afraid they will lose their lazy affluent way of life that they thing preemptive was is OK. Aggression. Rogue Nation.

Diplomacy.. = "war on..."

Congress... amazingly ineffectual. Scared into giving the financial billionaires billions of tax money and told don't ask where we spend it. Totally ineffectual in its oversight responsiblility.

The Constitution.. is a quaint document that impedes National Security.

The Military.. proposing to become an international mercenary force. Proposing to create a force to act inside the US. Amazingly named the DEFENSE department.

The Public...still believing the old saw about its rude to discuss politics. I would love to be a pol if no one could discuss my actions of lack thereof. Still unwilling to understand the idea of a loyal opposition. Love it or leave it still prevails. If your not with us your against us = my way or the highway.

Political parties... willing to do anything to either gain or keep in power.

The press.. after 9/11 lost it guts.

Bush and his fellows created Keith Olberman. The best thing that ever happened!!!

A question often asked about leaders is whether they created the history of their time or whether they were a product of that history. With Bush as with most leaders the answer is that it is a little bit of each. Bush would not have had the stage to act as he did had it not been for 9-11. While Bush most certainly had an influence on the course of events the outcomes of those events were hardly those that he and his administrationed had planned. Quite certainly Bush was not the master of events of his time, due to ineptness and a unique unwillingness to adapt to chaning situations Bush found himself as part of the floatsam of many of the currents he himself had set in motion.

As to Americanecon's comments below, it is not a question of who is overtaking us more so than who is it that is gaining on us. We are still quite a way out front. And I see nothing adverse about others on this globe sharing and prospering in all of the things we all are able to produce. I think it is beyond dispute that we have had a greatly disproportionate share of all this world has to offer. We may find a more peaceful world when all have food on a daily basis.

You fell for it, Attackman. The U.S. is not in relative decline. Richter's clueless ... really, who's overtaking us?