Grading Bush

George Lakoff's theory is interesting.

I'm going to use it to grade George W. Bush's Presidency:

Strong Defense-- B

There was a big movement to a smaller more flexible military, "the Rumsfled way." The jury is out on the effectiveness of this strategy. But give Bush's predecessor, we're giving a Harvard B here for just showing up and supporting the military.

Free Markets -- D

Steel Tarrifs nuf said

Lower Taxes -- A

Tax cuts have been enacted and the economy is out of the recession.

Smaller Government-- F

We now have an entire new government Agency (Homeland Security) which does nothing that couldn't have been done with the previous infrastructure. A good post 9-11 housecleaning and realignment of the CIA, FBI, NSA, FAA, and DOD would have been a better although politically unpopular move. In addition, the number of people on the government payroll has gone up thanks to the TSA (Ten people Standing Around).

Family Values -- A

If anything, the Bush administration has brought family values front and center with his overt display of the importance of religion. Laura and Barbara Bush's strong solid non-glory seeking first lady actions. In addition, his daughter's and niece's misadventures have let everyone know raising kids is no picnic even for the President. George and Laura, much like George and Barbara, lead by example in a way that prove that being a strong effective first lady doesn't mean you need a pseudo-cabinet post. It would have been much better if Hilary had chosen to be a strong woman during her husband's adminstration by continuing to work as an attorney.

Anybody else want to issue a report card.... Please do so in the comments section...