Acorn

Around this time in every presidency, the thoughts of both pundits and administration officials alike turn to what sort of a legacy will be left behind after the last bit of confetti falls and the last wave to the camera is captured. After all is said and done, what will be remembered? In Abraham Lincoln�s case, he is remembered as the proprietor of African-American equality. The great equalizer, as it were. When one brings up the days of Franklin D. Roosevelt, thoughts are likely to turn to recovering from the Great Depression or establishing any number of lasting social benefits. On the other hand, what do you comes to mind when I say the name Gerald Ford, or even Warren G. Harding? Not much, actually. Outside his �poker cabinet� President Harding does not seem to have accomplished anything that has survived to become common knowledge today.

What will the Bush administration come to be known for in the coming decades? The President who won both terms by the skin of his teeth? I certainly hope not. I genuinely hope that any administration that the American people send to Washington for two full terms accomplishes something more than just mere survival.

It seems to me that to be remembered in the world of American politics one needs to accomplish something either truly great or truly unfortunate. Perhaps both�eh hmm�Mr. Clinton. I am not positing that President Bush should do something akin to ending slavery or even, dare I say, balance the budget. But George W. Bush has three years left in the most influential position on the face of the earth. Hypothetically, Bush has the opportunity to affect more positive change in one day than any of us will have in our entire lifetimes. That is saying something.

Let�s face it, there is a seemingly infinite list of bonehead mistakes that the Bush administration is � and probably will be� known for. The crashing spy plane in China, countless mis-pronunciations, the vice president shooting a 78-year-old guy in the face with a shotgun � all these instances could carry this administration off into the sunset with history on their shoulders. But that can�t be it.

I think that the decision the president has made to emphasize ending the United States� dependency on foreign oil can be the positive legacy that he wants. Recent wars have been fought largely over this disappearing resource. Over 90% of America�s energy is supplied in some form or another by fossil fuels. If President Bush can diversify the sources of energy this country can draw from, not only will he have done a great service towards our larger global environment and eradicated a possible cause of future war, but he will also secure a lasting positive legacy for his eight years in Washington.

Broadening our energy sources to include more solar, wind, hydro, and other renewable resources will, in the long run, benefit both the political and environmental landscapes. The former by way of lessening dependency on foreign energy supplies and possibly averting future wars, and the latter by way of drastic reduction of carbon dioxide emissions and returning the globe to a normal temperature. It is in America�s national interest to both avoid wars and super hurricanes when possible. No one wants to see another Hurricane Katrina or Rita, especially whoever is president at the time.

And so I give credit where it is due. Congratulations President Bush on a step in the right and necessary direction.

Article Tools