Gary N. Gray
A Presidential Recall ?
If the governor of California can be recalled, should we recall the President of the United States for similar reasons? Or is it just too late?
October 7, 2003 will go down in California's history. The State of California recalled Governor Gray Davis. The voters of California moved this state from a strong Democratic governor to a strong moderate Republican governor. The political governing body of California moved the state from the proverbial left wing to right center.
Maybe now Americans and America should recall President George W. Bush. His job performance is not as good as most Americans expected. If one were to use the level of job performance as criteria for recall, as the people of California required, President Bush would be a very nice target. Wouldn't our country be better off moving from the political confrontational right wing to the mellow left center?
The State of California had an enormous deficit and in economic distress; California lost thousands of jobs and thousands of residents; the United States of America is also in an economic distress state. Currently many companies are moving to foreign countries, thus causing many Americans to be unemployed. Aren't these similar conditions?
It is truly hard to believe that just only three years ago, we had billions of dollars of surplus, and now we have a $1.2 trillion deficit under the leadership of President George W. Bush. As Stuart Scott, commentator on ESPN Sports Center, would say, "WHAT HAPPENED?"
Problems like deficit spending, car taxes, police protection, public schools, and the need too balance a state budget were ignored by the governor of California. He did not listen to the residents of California, but marched to his own tune. Now he will have a very long vacation. But President Bush also marched to his own tune. He did not listen to the cries of Americans. Millions of Americans marched in protest to the Iraqi War. And millions of individuals the world over marched against this armed conflict, but the Bush administration chose to ignore the American people and attacked Saddam Hussein anyway. Americans will undoubtedly occupy the countries of Iraq and Afghanistan for many years to come.
The President tried to justify his attack with the fear of finding Weapons of Mass Destruction. He is still trying to justify this attack. It is now six months later and still the American military has not found weapons. American military personal are losing their lives everyday in the quest for that Holy Grail. Meanwhile the search for Osama and Saddam is on going, and Bush has requested $87 billion to fund the security forces in Iraq. That will mean more deficit spending.
Race relations could also be a crucial factor to consider in a state or national recall. Take a look at California's race relations; they have not improved in the last three years. Minorities have been the targets of many election disincentives. Governor Davis had cut or suspended many programs for ethnic minority students. There were many attempts to control and limit enrolment of minorities in state school campus. Inner city elementary and secondary schools are deteriorating right before our eyes. Teachers are leaving the state or just leaving the teaching profession because they cannot get a decent salary in California.
Likewise, in the State of America, race relations are not improving and racial tensions have been rising. Some of the causative factors are unemployment doubling in inner cities, the lack of funds for education, and the raising crime rate in these same cities. Also, the Patriot Act One and Act Two targets individuals of Middle Eastern origin. This is a brainchild of the Bush Administration, which creates racial divisiveness.
Is not Domestic Violence another issue to be considered in any recall? Since the economic downturn in State of California and America, Domestic Violence has reached an all-time high. Women no longer have safe havens in this country or in this state. Our state and our national leaders have failed to provide protection for our female population.
California answered its problem by recalling Governor Gray Davis; the question I ask is should we recall President George W. Bush? With the national elections only fourteen months away, we all wonder is it too late.
THE GRAYLINE []
