LetterstothePresident

Bush Will Be More Admired than Truman by History

Good Morning!

In these lazy hazy days of summer, when gas prices are keeping more Americans home, one gets a bit more reflective. Let me share a few short thoughts. As a lame duck president and Obama leading in the polls, Global Summit leaders are not going to be inclined to give you the support for greater sanctions in Africa or Iran.

I appreciate your call for a responsible, balanced energy independence plan and your call for action you can support immediately. It contrasts with the inaction by Democrats and supports the balanced plan championed by McCain. Keep calling for action. The polls indicate that only 9% of Americans are pleased with Congressional action. That is VERY LOW! That’s even lower than your numbers! Keep calling for action and your numbers will improve. Keep leading!

Let me end on a positive note. Like others, I feel that in the end, you will be admired as a great leader in difficult times. You will have led us through an extended period of economic growth that continues in spite of 9/11, a war in the Middle East, and dramatic global economic challenges. You have nominated great Supreme Court Justices—John Roberts and Samuel Alito. Your war on terror, though the media will never cover it, is a success. You finally adjusted tactics and got the right players on the bus. They say we are not respected, but conservative leaders are winning in elections around the globe. America is the most respected and valued ally by a wide margin. Yes, our enemies hate us, and they should.

Harry Truman had lower approval ratings when he left office, but he is admired today. My guess you will be even more admired…to the dismay of quite a few liberals.

The back seat drivers will keep ranting about your terrible administration. I’m proud of voting for you and look forward to the day you will be more uniformly admired for your leadership in this time of testing. I applaud your service. 

In Conservative Support,

Terry L. Paulson, PhD

Drill Now--Drill Here--Pay Less on the Way to a Winning Energy Plan

Good Morning!

Not much to say this month. I find the Monday morning quarterbacking by the Senator Jay Rockefeller’s biased Senate panel just parr for the course. They say you oversold the war and disregarded conflicting intelligence information.

As a leader, it is your job to assess the situation and sell the people on your actions. There is no evidence that you lied. Some intelligence may have been wrong, but you acted in good spirit. As I have told many “hate Bush” citizens, if you wanted to be popular, you would have limited action to Afghanistan. Instead, you felt compelled to act.

I wonder if they will apply the same criteria when years from now we look at the irresponsible over-selling of global warming. With thousands of scientists now questioning man’s role and the extent of the problem, they have no right to complain about your “selling” war.

Hussein may not have had a stockpile of weapons of mass destruction, but he certainly had the know-how to do so. Your intervention may very well have changed the landscape of the Middle East forever. Freedom has been given a chance. If McCain wins, we will see victory prevail.

Keep selling the importance of victory and progress in Iraq. Invest in winning the hearts and minds of the citizens we are trying to impact. After all, they are tiring of the terrorists killing their own. Support for suicide bombers has dropped dramatically. There is light at the end of the tunnel if we give them time to finish the tunnel!

Push for action on energy. Have Republicans introduce legislation to start developing nuclear power plants and for allowing drilling for oil in Alaska and in waters off our coast. The drill now message has traction. Be the president of action and change, and let Obama refuse to support it.

Put them on the defensive by reminding Americans of the times Democrats have said no to your energy plan. If they had supporting drilling over the last eight years, we would not be in the place we are. Support alternative energy AND progress in oil independence. We are being held captive by terrorist oil exporters and Democratic inaction. Keep their feet to the fire while you still have the power to do so!

In Conservative Support,

Terry L. Paulson, PhD

use Your Bully Pulpit to Fight the Good Fight for Our Shared Principles

Your legacy of a free and prosperous Middle East will turn on this election. If Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton win the presidency with a Democrat controlled Congress, they will do everything they can to distance themselves from the “Bush War.” Their desire to leave the battle before our mission is complete will cost lives and leave Iraq to a very precarious future. McCain is correct. If he can’t sell Americans on continuing to victory, he will lose. You must sell the progress and the need for resolve to see this through. Help McCain by sharing the craziness of Obama’s statement about leaving and returning if al Qaeda takes control. Point to the time and money it takes to move troops and to position resources to do the job. Give America some specifics about what this choice means. Yes, it costs us to keep troops there—it takes money and lives. But show them the cost of vascilating and having to return to do what we could do now. Keep painting the picture of progress by giving specifics.

Keep pressuring Congress to maintain the right to monitor incoming calls from known terrorists. Let them know that they will be responsible for any security problems because of their failure to act in renewing the act. Keep pressuring the Iraqi leaders to maintain progress. Let them know that the failure to show progress could result in a Democrat winning the presidency and a quick withdrawl of U.S. troops. Don’t let the Democrats have this issue on emotion alone. Everyone wants peace, but not at the price the Democratic retreat would have us pay!   

Hold the line with a threatened veto of any attempt to give over setting mortgage rates for the Americans facing foreclosure to the judicial system! Soon everyone will have reasons they can’t afford the rates they took on and the only winners will be the lawyers pleading their cases. The responsible Americans will again be asked to pay for everyone. This stupid “stimulus package,” which is nothing other than a wealth transfer scheme any socialist would love, has given the Democrats hope that they can get more.

Why are we facing a loss in November? Washington has trained Americans that government is the answer and that someone else will pay. They can emotionally respond to eloquent candidates who promise more entitlements because they think there is a Santa out there who will pay for it. You may have cut our tax rate, but you cut taxes even more for low income citizens. The end result is that even though our rate is lower, achieving Americans pay even more of the income tax bill than before you took office. You failed to explain that! I never heard you say it.

We now have so few people paying the bill that people think they can get everything they need—healthcare, pensions, mortgages, child care…and Santa’s list keeps growing. We can’t afford the entitlements we already have, and they are promising more. Will you please stand up for smaller government? You can’t keep spending and just assume that the money will be there. We’ll survive, but our grandkids will be paying the bill…or rebelling.

We have an uphill climb to November. Start using the bully pulpit to sell your policies and our guiding principles. We can’t afford to quit the fight so easily. Attack their emotion and attacks with facts. The winners get to define history, and, with the media’s help, they won’t have any trouble blaming everything bad on one person—President George W. Bush. You aren’t up for election, but our way of life is!

In Growing Conservative Frustration,

Terry L. Paulson, PhD
(Source: First sent by mail on March 1, 2008, my 180th consecutive monthly letter to the current president!)

Bush Needs to Drive an Agenda that Will Help in the 2008 Election

The primaries are little more than a month away. It is sad to see that in order to win, Republicans seem to feel a need to run away from your administration's record. In spite of the fact that I support many of your actions, your failure to take a stand on securing the border first before entertaining any talk of earned citizenship and guest workers, your failure to hold the line on costs when Republicans were in control of Congress, and your failure to continually sell the Iraq War have left the party in trouble. Fortunately, the Democrats seem committed to running against anything Bush, and they have not yet realized that you are not running. They are defined by what they are against, not by what they are for.

I remain optimistic because of the quality of our candidates, their leadership experience and their ability to communicate effectively. I think any of the front runners will do well against Obama or Clinton. The front runners are not tainted by coming out of Washington. They can effectively support some of your policies without supporting you. We are on the right side of the issue on the war against terrorism, the economy, taxes and immigration. I think we will win the day, but it will take work.

You can help by pushing for continued progress in Iraq. The surge has worked. It's time for the Iraqi government to do their part in showing progress. Over 50% of Americans are now seeing the progress whether the Democrats admit it or not. Keep it up.

As to your Israeli-Palestinian Peace initiative, it was wise to bring them together and to put the emphasis on a deadline for an agreement before 2008. But there is serious doubt that the Arabs will give anything in return for Israel's concessions. You've been to Israel. You realize how vulnerable giving up the Golan Heights would be. You've seen how giving back Gaza has only resulted in more rocket attacks. Don't pressure Israel to sell it's soul for a peace document that means nothing. Every president wants to leave a legacy by bringing peace to the Middle East, but Israel is the only party that is expected to give up land that they won because they were attacked. They didn't take the land; the Arabs lost it through their aggressive actions. Israel's existence is too important to risk. Move carefully in the coming months.

In Conservative Support,

Terry L. Paulson, PhD

Running Against Bush Won't Carry the Day--Keep the Focus on Winning in Iraq

The primaries are little more than a month away. It is sad to see that in order to win, Republicans seem to feel a need to run away from your administration's record. In spite of the fact that I support many of your actions, your failure to take a stand on securing the border first before entertaining any talk of earned citizenship and guest workers, your failure to hold the line on costs when Republicans were in control of Congress, and your failure to continually sell the Iraq War have left the party in trouble. Fortunately, the Democrats seem committed to running against anything Bush, and they have not yet realized that you are not running. They are defined by what they are against, not by what they are for.

I remain optimistic because of the quality of our candidates, their leadership experience and their ability to communicate effectively. I think any of the front runners will do well against Obama or Clinton. The front runners are not tainted by coming out of Washington. They can effectively support some of your policies without supporting you. We are on the right side of the issue on the war against terrorism, the economy, taxes and immigration. I think we will win the day, but it will take work.

You can help by pushing for continued progress in Iraq. The surge has worked. It's time for the Iraqi government to do their part in showing progress. Over 50% of Americans are now seeing the progress whether the Democrats admit it or not. Keep it up.

As to your Israeli-Palestinian Peace initiative, it was wise to bring them together and to put the emphasis on a deadline for an agreement before 2008. But there is serious doubt that the Arabs will give anything in return for Israel's concessions. You've been to Israel. You realize how vulnerable giving up the Golan Heights would be. You've seen how giving back Gaza has only resulted in more rocket attacks. Don't pressure Israel to sell it's soul for a peace document that means nothing. Every president wants to leave a legacy by bringing peace to the Middle East, but Israel is the only party that is expected to give up land that they won because they were attacked. They didn't take the land; the Arabs lost it through their aggressive actions. Israel's existence is too important to risk. Move carefully in the coming months.

Balance on Global Warming Fear and Progress in Iraq #170

Good Morning!

I'm stuck in Minneapolis with this series of storms dumping more and more snow on top of us. I thought global warming was making it warmer; tell that to the business travelers stuck here waiting for the flights to resume. With their great snow plows and series of skyways between the buildings and hotels in Minneapolis, I feel like what it is like to be in an ant colony. You can stay warm as you walk between the buildings and watch the snow plows clear the roads below. Those people from Minnesota can really move snow!

I loved one of the articles in USA Today, "Baghdad sees day with little bloodshed." They reported, "The relative lull in violence came in the third week of a US-Iraqi plan to improve security in Baghdad…. Roadside bombs was down 20% since the security initiative began in mid-February and sectarian murders were at their lowest levels in a year." Authorities anticipate by this summer that they will see the true results. Oh how upsetting success would be to all those Democrats who have said we can't win. Keep your focus on challenging and helping the Iraqi government to step up to the task. They know that they have to take a stand or lose American support if Democrats take control. It is in their court; keep the pressure and support coming! Your popularity in the polls ain't where you want it to be…or where it should be, but you are doing what is right. Keep it up. Your resolve and flexibility to do what it takes will work! Now get out there and keep Americans informed of progress!

I know you are working overtime to try to diplomaticly deal with North Korea, Iran, Syria and the Palestinians. Talking to them is one thing, but negotiating with terrorist regimes should not be done. Trust must be earned, not just assumed. If verification is not rock solid, signing agreements is useless. Don't give these people a dime without verification. If Hamas does not recognize Israel, do not normalize relations. Clinton felt pressure to leave a legacy and pushed prematurely for peace. Don't fall into that trap. Never sell out Israel, our one democratic ally in the Middle East.
 
Finally, you'll see my column on one-sided science supported by the global warming alarmists. It will be tempting to give in to their pressure. Make sure you demand balanced inquiry on this issue. If you must fund research, fund both the prosecution and the defense! This is too complex of a problem to allow only alarmists to "inform" the public. The answers they propose to impose on our economy will hurt the poor and working Americans hardest. I can afford to buy a hybrid car and put solar power on my roof-they can't. The jobs lost to these extremists on the basis of research that is at best well-intentioned but unimpressive will hit developing economies the poor hardest! Don't give them the support they crave.

It's good to see that most Republicans still support the job you are doing! I'm glad you are there. I also think that Gulianni will be the likely candidate. He's a leader, a proven administrator, and strong on the military. I'd love to see Secretary Rice take the Vice President position on the ticket. I sure hope you could drop a note to her to encourage her to consider such a role if asked. I don't think the Democrats will have any ticket that could match that pair. Thanks for what you have done for us as President. I believe history will prove you far more right than wrong.

In Conservative Support,


Terry L. Paulson, PhD

Time for Presidential Fireside Chats and Republican Backbone #169

Good Morning!

I awoke this morning watching you speaking to the Democratic Retreat. I support reaching out in a non-partisan effort as long as you don't become Democrat-Light! After the recent mid-term losses, Republicans are scrambling out of fear instead of finding their backbone. Win or lose on an issue, it's their job to take principled stands for those they represent.

The Republican failure to support you strongly on your revised plan for Iraq concerns me. They seem to think that Americans don't want to win in Iraq. They're wrong. Our soldiers want to win; Americans want a free and functioning Iraq. All wars are frustrating, but it takes resolve to win. The cost of losing is just too high. The pending non-binding resolution won't cut off funds and won't stop your plan, but it shows how far Democrats will go to make a political point prior to the 2008 election.

I have no doubt that you will stand firm, but your message continues to be translated through a liberal media. I've told you repeatedly, and others have given a similar message. The only way you can drive this war now is to take it directly to the American people every two weeks. You need to provide regular fireside chats. The importance of the Iraq War as a major front in the war on terrorism and your poor polls demand such a strong action. It will give you a chance to share meaningful adjustments and any progress. Even better, you will be able to confront all problems without waiting for media translations. Your resolve is appreciated; your failure to communicate to the people directly is a constant frustration.

On the positive side, your call for action by the Iraqi government is being heard. They must realize that their failure to make progress, make room for Sunni interests, secure Baghdad, and share the oil wealth will only prolong the civil discord and insurgent attacks. The Democrat resolution and the impending 2008 election may be all the motivation they now need. Nothing sets the stage for change like the fear of the civil war an American widthdrawl would mean. In short, drive for a major offensive now and start communicating directly to the electorate; that might just be enough to get some of those weak-willed Republicans to come back and support you!

As always, my other major concern is immigration reform. The Democrats want to move now because they feel you will support their plan. Your failure to stand for a balanced plan is one of my major disappointments in your leadership! If the Democrats pass reform that fails to build a real wall and makes citizenship easy, you must veto that bill. If you do not, you can kiss the 2008 election goodbye! The base will be busy pulling their hair out instead of sending money to Washington. You must know that living in LA is frightening; a bad bill would lose California to the Democrats for decades if not forever! Don't let that happen! If Republicans lose big in 2008, the victors will be setting the stage for your place in history. Their actions will mean defeat, and they will blame you. Since most historians are Democrats, they will probably agree.

On a positive note, your domestic push for changes in healthcare, social security, medicare before they become the crisis they will be is right on! In this political climate, I don't expect progress in Congress but continuing to point out the need for change is the first step in generating meaningful action.

In Conservative Support,


Terry L. Paulson, PhD