pocon1

I think Bush is a divider. for instance, the trip to Mars? is it really necessary? Many people don't think it is, and it has not captured the public's imagination, therefore it is not uniting. When Kennedy sent us to the moon, we were in the Cold War, and this was seen as a major victory. Al Qeada is not sending anyone to Mars.
One benefit from Bush is that he he help bring back some life into America's apathetic voters. I think the number of voters will be much higher, and regardless of whether you like him or not, more people participating is a good thing.
Also, about the prescription plan. It is not just designed to help the needy, which everyone supports. It is designed tp give money to everyone, including those who can otherwise afford it. That is the waste. Govt prescription plans are designed to help those who most need it. Bush was hunting for money from the very powerful and wealthy AARP, aho will organize votes for him.
A uniter is a person who joins together. Bush is not a uniter. For instance, he could have compromised on the Kyoto accords. I did not agree with the Kyoto accords as they were written, but compromises could have been made. He just walked away from them and did nothing to make the situation better. That is just one major example of how he divided people in the US and divided the US from much of the rest of the world.

lurkette

I'm not going to argue with you - it's one thing to question their opinion or their sources, it's another to call them (even obliquely) a liar and accuse them of "thumping their chest" when they try to defend their reasoning.

Consider this your final warning. If you all can't raise the level of discourse in here and stop acting like 5-year-olds who've had their feelings hurt, I'm gonna lock the thread.

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"If ten million people believe a foolish thing, it is still a foolish thing."

- Anatole France

onetime2

You're right, the Mars mission hasn't captured the public's attention yet but if you see the number of hits and the coverage of the current Mars exploration, it seems like it might. There are many reasons beyond terrorism to think a unifying goal would be helpful.

America is becoming increasingly diverse (meaning fewer and fewer commonalities among the citizens), the level of criticism towards America (the reasons why not withstanding) from the outside is growing (or being paid particular attention by the press), the recent tragedy within the US space program and a growing interest in space from China, Japan, and the EU in the face of that disaster all make me think that a renewed space program would do a lot to foster a sense of hope, pride, achievement, etc among citizens.

As far as the prescription plan, again, you are absolutely right. It's not just geared to the "needy" but I think there are good reasons why it shouldn't be. Healthcare expenses are growing. Corporations are cutting prescription/health benefits for retirees. In some cases a single prescription can be a big hurdle to a retiree. I pointed to MS as one example. There are others. Any disease which is chronic and not too widespread can fall into that category. The reason the MS treatment is so expensive is that there are relatively few people with the condition from whom to recoup the cost of drug development. Without the prospect of being paid for their efforts, drug companies will ignore the small niche markets like MS.

I won't go into my feelings on the Kyoto stuff, but agree that not signing it was divisive.

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Strive to be more curious than ignorant.

Zamunda

emotions aside astrocloud's post with the article contrasting judge appointments is very poignant... I was really pissed off about this a few months ago during the democratic filibuster of some of Bush's appointees... any way you cut it, the only way Bush has succeded in uniting anything is the way he has strongly united people against him... oh wait, that means he's dividing people from him.. never mind

bigbad

He has pretty well divided the world into Americans and their lackeys, and those who view America with disgust, with the majority in the latter, rather than the previous majority that was indifferent.