The government you deserve

Last Friday's [12 January] New York Times' Letters of the Editor was devoted solely to George Bush's national address as he called for an increase -- for an undefined temporary period --- of some 21,500 more American troops (soldiers). While, I certainly agree with many of the criticisms made of the President and his Administration policies, I find it strange the volume of of the outcry. Has his recent pronouncements represented a large change from those during his first term? Has he gone back on campaign promises/commitments made either during 2000 or 2004? Has the administration changed its approach to governing, and then reversed itself, that is disturbing the American people? What's changed, that now people are upset with the Bush government and its policies in general, and the war in Iraq in particular?

Comments from the letters like:

The president, in his speech to the nation on Wednesday, said, ''For the safety of our people, America must succeed in Iraq.''
If the safety of the American people had been considered in advance by a competent president, we would have never mounted the unnecessary invasion of Iraq. [J. Knowles, CA]

America is well aware that Mr. Bush's strategy for war in Iraq was fundamentally flawed from Day 1. This new plan is no exception.
The newly elected Congress and Senate must find a way to stop him. [M. Haskett, TX]

More than 20,000 additional troops are being put in harm's way on the say-so of one man. Isn't that more characteristic of a dictatorship than a democracy?
Why isn't Congress mounting a more vigorous effort to block money for this ruinous war?
Our senators and representatives cannot allow George W. Bush to try to salvage his failed presidency over the maimed and dead bodies of our men and women in uniform. [G.G. Weiss, NY]

One letter hit the nail on the head:

The fact that America re-elected this self-absorbed, limited politician puts the blame not just on him but also on the American people. There is no glory in ''staying the course'' so that President Bush can prove he was right.

Which leaves me with a few quotes to end:

Democracy is a device that ensures we shall be governed no better than we deserve."George Bernard Shaw (1856 - 1950)

"Every country has the government it deserves"-Joseph de Maistre (1753 - 1821) Written on August 15, 1811

In a Democracy, the people get the government they deserve - Alexis de Tocqueville