I Told Ya’ So

A CNN/Gallup Poll released today indicates that George W. Bush in now the most unpopular modern president in history. The modern presidency is considered by many political scientists to have begun in 1933 when FDR took office. Over this time span of 75 years, 12 presidents, including Bush have occupied the White House. Bush’s disapproval rating has now hit a staggering 70 percent, the first time, according to CNN, that any modern president has ever cracked the 70 percent line. Bush’s approval rating is at 28 percent, which is not the lowest, as both Harry Truman and Richard Nixon still take the cake in that regard, at 24 and 22 percent respectively. Truman use to hold the record for the highest disapproval rating at 67 percent, but luckily for him, Bush now has the honor of holding this unique position amongst American presidents.

For many Americans, these are probably pointless numbers from another pointless survey of 1000 people or so, but for an individual of my background and training, frankly, this is marvelous. This is the time when many Bush opponents, including myself get to say, “I told ya’ so!” Specifically, the brunt of Bush’s disapproval comes from the ongoing debacle in Iraq. I have the feeling that no matter how much “good” the president believes this war is doing for the country; history will not be as kind as he has been on himself. If I were authoring a history book 20 years from now, I would write that Iraq was a pointless debacle that in no way shape or form benefitted this country or its people. Whatever happened to the notion of “we the people?”

For some more perspective on this matter of approval and disapproval ratings, let’s review the approval ratings of the most recent presidents. When Bill Clinton left the White House in January 2001, his approval rating was at 65 percent, the highest of any modern president. When Ronald Reagan left office in January 1989, his approval rating was at 64 percent. Eisenhower left office with a 59 percent approval rating; Kennedy’s approval rating was at 63 percent in November 1963; and Bush Sr.’s approval rating was at 56 percent when he was defeated by the above mentioned Bill Clinton in November 1992. Americans have the tendency to grow tired of a president by the end of his second term (and are obviously fed up if he isn’t re-elected to a second term), as the above numbers indicate. But even those numbers hold a steady average of above at least 55 percent. Long story short, I believe this country made a huge mistake when THEY re-elected Bush in November 2004.

Who Likes Hydrocarbons?

Over the past few weeks the price of gasoline has again risen to what many would consider to be “astronomical” heights in the United States. The question on the minds of many Americans is why has gas prices risen to their current point? Some would use the basic economic supply and demand argument. For example, it is estimated that for every 4 barrels of oil that we use, we can only find one to replace it. Or put another way, the oil companies are charging a price that reflects the value of oil remaining in the ground, as oil is a non-renewable resource. But the problem to many in America is that oil companies are bringing in profits that have never been seen before in corporate history.

Conspiracy theories aside, it should be noted that the United States still has the lowest gas prices in the “industrialized” world. The average price for a gallon of regular gas is now somewhere in the range of $3.50. But if you compare what we currently pay to our western European friends, we have it rather easy. The lowest price in Western Europe can be found in Bulgaria, where they pay $6.12 a gallon. On the other hand, those residing in the Netherlands pay $9.39 a gallon. Granted, Western European governments have always been apt to charge a higher tax on fuel, hence the big difference between us and them. Our motor fuel tax is essentially meaningless in the grand scheme of it all, as different states have different rates and typically those funds procured are used to strictly for road repair and construction.

So, if you look at what we pay in the grand scheme of it all, we really should not have any room to complain. Many Europeans tend to drive smaller and more compact vehicles, hence the reason why we really do not hear too many complaints from across the pond. Many in the U.S. (depending on where one resides) tend to drive larger and less compact vehicles. I have no pity for those who chose to drive a massive SUV that burns gas like none other and complain about it. If one cannot afford it, buy something smaller and more economical, it is that plain and simple. Oil prices are going to continue to climb no matter what happens, i.e. I don’t believe that Congress is going to solve the problem anytime soon. I envision at least $4 a gallon by summer’s end, so be prepared.