Bush’s First Trip to Library May Prove Disastrous

Last night, President Bush took a gamble by embarking on his first planned trip to the White House Library, where he unveiled his “new” plan for Iraq to the American people. Albeit, this was not the Gambler’s first run-in with the library. Last week, Bush inadvertently stumbled upon the library and surprised the White House librarian. The Gambler attempted to save face by assuming his only poker face and asked the librarian if there were any remaining copies of the Cliffs’ Notes version of “The Iraq Study Group Report.” (Note: no copies were available, but Bush did check out the original text, which still resides on his bedside table, sandwiched between “Curious George Throws Kerosene into the Fire” and the most current “Maxim” magazine).

In last night's televised address, President Bush managed to capture the very same Bush-in-the-library look he had when confronted by the White House Librarian last week.

For all the flak President Bush has received for not reading, after last night’s address to the nation critics may be slow to criticize Bush’s reading habits (or lack thereof). Choosing to make a bad problem worse will only burn Bush’s legacy into the history books forever. The Commander in Chief (not to be confused with the “pet” name Bush uses for the First Lady when the two are in the same bed together) has decided to gamble on the Iraq War, committing another 21,500 troops to the effort. Although President Bush did admit to making a few mistakes, he still hasn’t been held accountable for his failed policies in Iraq.

Maybe the American people should hold Bush to the same accountability standards the federal government holds for teachers and public schools under the No Child Left Behind Act. This way we would have a clearer sense of Bush’s plan, which should include the following; clearly stated objectives, how he intends to implement his plan, what specific materials he will need to execute the plan (including costs), and how the plan will be evaluated to help show that progress has been achieved (e.g. benchmarks that address each one of his objectives).

Using this set of criteria, Bush’s plan fails before it even begins, since Bush has yet to clearly state specific objectives and outcomes of the War in Iraq. Sorry George, Democracy and Freedom cannot be accurately measured for progress (see America). Although the President did indicate that he would make it clear to the Iraqis that if they didn’t get their act together in an unspecified time, the plan he put on the table would no longer be open to the Iraqis.

Now it’s time for Congress to hold the Bush Administration accountable, using the very same repercussions used in the NCLB Act:

Step 1: If the Bush Administration fails to show improved progress and proficiency in the spread of Democracy after one year, they will be put on a “Watch" list. Congress will approve more spending on the Iraq War policy with the intent that the Administration will have a year to meet specific proficiency standards.

Step 2: If, after the one-year “Watch” period, the Bush Administration still fails to meet proficiency levels, they’ll be put on a “Warning” list.

Step 3: If the Bush Administration still shows no progress regarding the War in Iraq over the two-year period, it will be stripped of all Federal Funds and Congress will step in and take over administrative duties. In addition, any taxpayer who’s dissatisfied with the Iraq War will receive a voucher to apply their proportionate taxes on a program of their choice, preferably one that is showing progress.

Under these guidelines, the Bush Administration already surpassed Step 3 two years ago, so it’s time for Congress to step in and take over and shut down the Bush Administration, letting the taxpayers decide where their taxes should be re-appropriated (e.g. universal health care).

Until the President is held fully accountable for his actions, Political Fallout strongly recommends that George W. Bush should be permanently banned from the White House Library (after he returns the library's copy of the Curious George book of course).

We, the American People, cannot afford yet another disaster.