W’s time in office is drawing to a close. Some, no doubt, will point to the record-low approval ratings as evidence he was a poor president.

But let’s look on the positive side of this cavalier’s legacy. While Bush II does hold record-low approval marks, he actually holds the distinction as the highest rated president in U.S. history as well. Indeed, in the days following the 2001 terrorist attacks, well over 90 percent of the shocked, mourning U.S. population voiced their approval for 43. Of course, the “liberal media” prefers to dwell on the more dismal recent ratings, as low as 19 percent approval.

What do you people want? Your civil liberties, a healthy national economy and no war?!

I, however, see Bush’s blatant disregard for pleasing the majority of the American people as a sign of courage, independence, strong will and a steadfast resolve to resist peer pressure, simply following the crowd and doing what is “popular.” Maybe that’s the true definition of a leader: someone willing to stand on his own and be a decider.

The American people don’t want a president who does what they say anyway. They want a president they can complain about and blame for their problems.

Perhaps we could make the position of U.S. president a little more attractive. Currently, there are very few even qualified to take the reigns of the executive branch who have not already found a way to make the $400,000 salary on their own. And W is the first president to to enjoy that salary; until this century the president made $200,000. But I say raise it to $2 million.

True, to most of the multi-millionaires who run for president the raise wouldn’t make much of a difference. But surely some talented executives running private companies making $1 million a year would consider running for president if they didn’t have to take a pay cut.

Any edge in attracting talented motivated people to the most powerful job in the world should clearly be utilized.

Peace,

Bracken Mayo, Editor in Chief