Bush: 'I Went Against My Free-Market Instincts'

"The Bush Institute is described as an independent and non-partisan organization that will strive to achieve progress in four areas: education, global health, human freedom and economic growth."___he knows nothing about any of those things, he had best stick to drinking and snorting coke.

In spite of the continuing Bush-bashing that people like to do (never mind Dem ineffectiveness for 3 yrs.), it is likely that history will be kinder to Dubya, than the public currently is.

For some reason I have absolutely no doubt that deciding to sign the bail-outs was a MUCH tougher decision for him than deciding to start two wars.

Bush slept thru derivatives. After we just learned that a completely unregulated derivatives market about took us down I can't imagine him saying this.

And one assumes his "Presidential Library" will be called the Cheney-Rove-Rumsfeld Library. (I mean, since they were the ones telling him what to do.)

The worst President we've ever had - who ruined our reputation in the world, who (by getting us into a war with a country that hid no WMDs and had nothing to do with 9/11) screwed up the war in Afghanistan, the man who drove our economy to near ruin, and who divided our citizens as never before - wants us to listen to another of his excuses/opinions? Horrors!

Its kind of Pathetic to listen to Bush advise against Big Govt. - When he doubled the size of Govt. and tripled the National debt in 8 years- Took the highest surplus in History and squandered it on two Unnecessary wars for Corporate profit-- But then again he did give tax breaks to the upper 3% -- Thanks George for leaving the country the worst financial crises since the Great Depression-- And your decisions that left hundreds of Innocent Iraqi's dead and wounded. Mission Accomplished--- Now go back to Crawford in denial!!!

After the way he ran the country into the ground for eight years I am shocked that Bush has the gall to even show his face let alone criticize the Obama administration.

The Bush years mark the celebration of mediocrity and the embracing of ignorance, arrogance, greed and incivility.

I spent most of the Bush years being appalled and aghast at everything they did. George however did do a couple of things that partially redeemed him - a smooth and helpful transition on the way out, and keeping out of the media for Obama's first year. Cheney on the other hand has no redeeming qualities.

The former President has lost touch with reality. Does he think I have lost my memory? He is backing away from the bailout but he was the one on TV pushing for the bailout!

Yeah right-- as if he had any say in the matter.

Unfortunately, George Bush has no idea as to whether a "free market" would solve this problem. It is just a guess. Most professional economists agree that intervention was necessary. So he made the right decision. What did Republicans really want to do? Destroy the economy.

I'm dying laughing here because HE admitted that HE signed the Wall Street bailout and the auto industry bailout. Something that Obmama-haters just love to forget (and pretend that Obama was responsible for instead).

I always laugh when I hear the term " war monger" applied to Bush. How long did he wait for approval from the UN, senate, congress and virtually the whole free world to go in? Something Libs either choose to forget or they just parrot their Lib venues. Bush, however did disappoint me in that I thought I was voting for a conservative But when he put the likes of Kennedy in charge of various aspects of education, I knew I voted for a bit of a woos. However, what we have now is considerably worse.

Sometimes I come on here and can't even believe what I read. Brian, Cassandra, Really? Is it even worth going over these things again? It is apparent that by now you have locked your thoughts in and can't be told otherwise. Let's try anyway.

"who ruined our reputation in the world, who (by getting us into a war with a country that hid no WMDs and had nothing to do with 9/11) screwed up the war in Afghanistan, the man who drove our economy to near ruin, and who divided our citizens as never before"

Gee I thought that both dems and repubs voted for those wars, I guess I could be wrong, and was it not both dems and repubs that pushed legislation like the CRA and dereg?

"When he doubled the size of Govt. and tripled the National debt in 8 years- Took the highest surplus in History and squandered it on two Unnecessary wars for Corporate profit-- But then again he did give tax breaks to the upper 3%"

Well you must really be angry about the spending now then huh? Barry makes Bush look like he was spending an allowance. Oh yes and the big bad corporate war.... I don't even know what to say to that one. About that big bad evil tax cut, you may want to look it up becasue when it expires guess who else will have a tax increase? That's right YOU. But you probably never looked that up though and if you did you are probably part of the bottom 40% of this horrible, healthcareless, evil, greedy, does no good country that pays NO taxes right?

Uh...no. I remember a bunch (140 or so) of the country's top economists signing a letter stating that they did not support the bailout and that it was unwise to intervene. This number included nobel prize winners and professors at major universities. The only people who thought it would work were directly connected to the industry.

How long did Bush take for approval from the UN? Oh Puuulease.. He decided to invade Iraq in January 01. The top secret plans were released proving this. As for President Obama.. your wonderful 'conservative' war mongering president left an unholy mess for Dems to clean up again.

And, on a side note, I'm pretty sure all of George W. Bush's "free-market instincts" begin and end with "call Daddy, have him save me."

It is so easy to blame one person for the down hill spiral the US has taken a part of these past decades (not just 8 years). There are very difficult decisions that need to be made by the president, thats why we have one. The public is not always informed of every bit of information. Get over hating ex President Bush, he is finished. I'm sure you'll be saying very similar things about current "hope holding" President Obama in a few years. It's a much tougher job than you're giving credit for.

The free market instincts of Reaganomics is the problem. It has been eating away at the economic viability of our society since the 80's with off-shoring, hostile corporate takeovers and raping of companies. It has encouraged state and local governments to rebate excess taxes revenues rather than build up funds for economic downturns, it has force companies to run on debt to keep out raiders, and it has encouraged an environment of high speculation and financial manipulation to please stock analysts with quarterly profit short term lack of vision. It has also fostered high corporate salaries, benefits, and bonuses and force high salaries all the way doen the system to be competitive while regular workers are being paid less and less to do more and more work.
That isn't free amrket it is free-for-all market and it allows giant corporations to drive out and bury small business entirely. It is not business friendly, it is multi-national monopoly friendly.

Why does GWB feel the need to make a "public policy institute?" I don't remember any great public policy arising from his presidency. Maybe he should just occupy his time and money with chopping wood or clearing trails or something.

The House and the Senate run this country...and without a doubt for three years now the DEMS have run us into the ground. It's getting worse now and we must stop the bleeding. It is time for us as a nation to wake up and realize WE have the ability to grow our economy through private enterprise not huge waste in GOV spending.

My 8 year old son could have come up with better domestic and foreign policy than this goof from Texas. Bush hit the trifecta...greatest terrorist attack on US soil, worst response to greatest natural catastrophie in US history (Katrina), and worst foreign policy disaster since 1812(Iraq). All on this man's watch. Thank you. Mr. President...and Goodbye!

Basically, with Bush, the presidency became a license to torture, kill and steal, and NEVER be prosecuted for it.

Basically for the past 3 terms, including Obama's we have been 'electing' the equivalent of Caligula or Henry VIII.

Moral of the story is, if you're a drunken, corrupt sod you should aspire to 'the highest office in the land'... because for the term of your presidency, and ever after you will be immune to prosecution.

I can't wait until the George Walker Bush Presidential Library is completed. I hear there will only be three books in this library though. The Bible, My Pet Goat, and some book George hasn't finished coloring yet.
Stay tuned.......