Thursday, September 02, 2004
The President's Speech
The domestic policy part was a big let down. Considering all the hype regarding the "Ownership Society" I felt that his commitment to ideas such as Health Savings Accounts and privatizing social security came across as a glancing interest. His other proposals to increase funding for community colleges, job training, blighted neighborhoods and health insurance for the poor signaled to me that four more years of Bush will mean more government spending and an increased federal deficit. There is no way to confuse him with a libertarian.
But when he returned to recalling 9/11 I have to admit that I lost it. Our family had a great New York City vacation in July 2001 and we stayed at the Embassy Suites Hotel that backs to the World Trade Center. We had to opportunity to get to know lower Manhattan. We returned to New York for a day that August to catch "The Producers" on our way to a Cape Cod vacation.
It took us until November to get back to our city. We went to ground zero on a freezing cold day. We bought hats, scarves, and gloves on the street in order to walk around. As you can image it was sad and strange and lonely where the trade towers used to be.
Then we went into Times Square. It was if nothing had changed. It was busy and crowded. It showed us that New York City was already on the rebound.
Bush's speech reminded me of that trip. Despite the tragedy there was hope in the air. We were attacked because of our belief in individual freedom and liberty and it was clear that those values were going to persevere over evil.
George Bush reminded me of those days and the endless possibilities for the future.
But when he returned to recalling 9/11 I have to admit that I lost it. Our family had a great New York City vacation in July 2001 and we stayed at the Embassy Suites Hotel that backs to the World Trade Center. We had to opportunity to get to know lower Manhattan. We returned to New York for a day that August to catch "The Producers" on our way to a Cape Cod vacation.
It took us until November to get back to our city. We went to ground zero on a freezing cold day. We bought hats, scarves, and gloves on the street in order to walk around. As you can image it was sad and strange and lonely where the trade towers used to be.
Then we went into Times Square. It was if nothing had changed. It was busy and crowded. It showed us that New York City was already on the rebound.
Bush's speech reminded me of that trip. Despite the tragedy there was hope in the air. We were attacked because of our belief in individual freedom and liberty and it was clear that those values were going to persevere over evil.
George Bush reminded me of those days and the endless possibilities for the future.