Monday, October 03, 2005
THE AMERICAN COLLAPSE: THE FIRST BUSH (1989-1992)
The George H. Bush years, 1989 to 1992, were essentially an extension of the Reagan years. He had been the VP under Reagan, and essentially continued the policies. Three events marked this administration. The first was the Fall of Communism. The second was the War in Iraq. The third was the economic and social downturn that led to his defeat in 1992.
In November 1989, the Berlin Wall came down. It was symbolic that the Cold War was essentially over. Capitalism, Democracy and the USA had won. The USSR could no longer compete with US military technology and the economic ability to produce those weapons. They had been outspent. They could no longer afford to support the anemic economies of their satellites.
This would lead to a discussion over following years of how to spend the "peace dividend" since the large spending on military would no longer be needed. This would prove to be a pre-mature discussion.
The end of the USSR and its empire of influence was widely cheered. However problems were created. Russia itself would have political and economic instability and be ruled mafia style by the old ruling party in a peverted criminal capitalism. Former Soviet republics rebelled and war followed. Former sattellites alos found ethnic conflict and violence once the biggest tyrant was removed. Prosperous West Germany strained under the weight of millions who were poor and had the welfare mentality and poor work ethic created by Communism. And finally, the weapons of the former USSR were not well accounted for. This included nuclear materials as well as biological agents.
In 1990, Iraq invaded Kuwait and threatened Saudi Arabia. The UN forces, led by the US and including Moslem/Arab allies, easily pushed Iraq out. There was great rejoicing and clear victory. Bush enjoyed great popularity at that time, 1991.
But the tide of public opinion would change. A minor recession pushed up unemployment. Bush was percieved as uncaring and out-of-touch with the common working person. He was seen as a leader of the old white boy power gang.
There were social problems as well. Many citizens, especially minorities felt left out of the prosperity and political process. this came to ahead when four LAPD officers were aquitted in the beating of Black motorist Rodney King. Riots followed in American cities.
Many were again unemployed. Bush was perceived as uncaring and out of touch. He told the citizens to stay the course and the economy would improve. He was right, but the people were impatient.
In November 1989, the Berlin Wall came down. It was symbolic that the Cold War was essentially over. Capitalism, Democracy and the USA had won. The USSR could no longer compete with US military technology and the economic ability to produce those weapons. They had been outspent. They could no longer afford to support the anemic economies of their satellites.
This would lead to a discussion over following years of how to spend the "peace dividend" since the large spending on military would no longer be needed. This would prove to be a pre-mature discussion.
The end of the USSR and its empire of influence was widely cheered. However problems were created. Russia itself would have political and economic instability and be ruled mafia style by the old ruling party in a peverted criminal capitalism. Former Soviet republics rebelled and war followed. Former sattellites alos found ethnic conflict and violence once the biggest tyrant was removed. Prosperous West Germany strained under the weight of millions who were poor and had the welfare mentality and poor work ethic created by Communism. And finally, the weapons of the former USSR were not well accounted for. This included nuclear materials as well as biological agents.
In 1990, Iraq invaded Kuwait and threatened Saudi Arabia. The UN forces, led by the US and including Moslem/Arab allies, easily pushed Iraq out. There was great rejoicing and clear victory. Bush enjoyed great popularity at that time, 1991.
But the tide of public opinion would change. A minor recession pushed up unemployment. Bush was percieved as uncaring and out-of-touch with the common working person. He was seen as a leader of the old white boy power gang.
There were social problems as well. Many citizens, especially minorities felt left out of the prosperity and political process. this came to ahead when four LAPD officers were aquitted in the beating of Black motorist Rodney King. Riots followed in American cities.
Many were again unemployed. Bush was perceived as uncaring and out of touch. He told the citizens to stay the course and the economy would improve. He was right, but the people were impatient.
