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George W. Bush and Providence
Written by Barbara Stock
Sunday, September 05, 2004


For several months, I have been expressing my feelings about why John F. Kerry should not be elected leader of the free world. As I watched the final night of the Republican Convention and listened to President Bush give his acceptance speech, I decided that I should make clear why I believe that George Bush is the man that divine providence always seems to give America when the country needs a good leader the most.

Before there was a United States, George Washington, who would become our first president, led a ragtag army of farmers, shopkeepers, and blacksmiths. They had little food, no real uniforms, and few weapons. They were grossly outnumbered and outgunned but the desire to be free would not be denied.

When a young America faced its greatest challenge, a gangly, homely man from Illinois stepped up and took the oath to defend the constitution. Lincoln was clearly hated by half the country but he stood tall and strong in the face of the most horrendous war this country would ever know. Because of Abraham Lincoln's courage and absolute belief that what he was doing was right, America remained united and strong after the conflagration of the Civil War.

The depression of the 1930’s plunged Americans into despair. Once again, a man came forward. This time, he was not a poor man born in the hills of Kentucky, but man of wealth and position. Roosevelt’s wealth did not spare him the scourge of polio. Franklin D. Roosevelt needed help to stand and he wore braces on his legs but he was the man that Americans elected to lead them out of the depression and then to victory in World War II.

Truman reluctantly accepted the vice presidency but did so to serve his country. President Truman had to make the painful decision to take the world into the atomic age to bring an end to the second war that had torn the civilized world apart and cost the lives of millions. ''Give 'em hell, Harry'' got that nickname by not mincing words. Truman was the first to publicly recognize communism as a grave danger to America.

The 2000 election was a turbulent one. Never in recent memory has an election been so contentious. The bitterness from the Democrat Party has remained so strong that it seems to have corrupted the very soul of the party. Those on the far left have lost sight of what is truly important. The American people expect their president to keep them safe from enemies both foreign and domestic.

The Preamble of the Constitution of the United States puts forth the primary responsibility of the government: We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect Union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

The president must provide for the common defense (our military forces), promote general welfare (maintain a safe environment so that Americans can live their lives peacefully), and secure the blessings of liberty not just for today, but for the generations to come. The president does not take an oath to provide jobs, or cars, or even health care. Any American president’s main responsibility--the one stressed by our forefathers--is to keep the citizens of America safe from enemies who would steal our liberty and lives.

Yes, the economy is important. The unemployment numbers are important. Health care for the poor is important, but will any of that matter if the enemy is blowing up our buses and trains or slaughtering our children in their schools? Will it matter how many miles an SUV gets to a gallon of gasoline if suicide bombers start blowing themselves up in our malls and office buildings? Will any of it matter if the terrorists detonate a nuclear device in one of our cities? This enemy has no soul, no pity, and will give no quarter. This enemy fights by no set rules. This enemy wears no uniform and has no borders. Babies are an easier target than a soldier. A pregnant woman is nothing more to them than two for the price of one bullet.

George Bush is the man who recognized the enemy for what it really was: the greatest threat to the lives and liberty of Americans since the end of World War II. This is a threat that the Democrats do not seem to understand. More concerned with regaining their power, Democrats put the future of America at great risk. Narrow-minded and foolish, the far left, now in full control of the party, seems to believe that this enemy can be ''contained'' or ''reasoned with.'' If America just stops attacking the enemy, the killing will end. But ask a grieving Russian mother if you can ''reason'' with a terrorist.

Since the 1970's, America had only reacted using pinprick strikes to punish terrorists for attack after attack. The enemy laughed and grew in number and stature. The terrorists have been at war with America for 30 years, we just didn’t recognize it for what it was. Even after the grotesque attack on our country nearly three years ago, after the initial shock wore off, many felt that America should just ''take it'' and do nothing. Many felt that we deserved the attack. George W. Bush was not one of them, and one day history will show that divine providence stepped up for America once again. Bush recognized the enemy and took the war to him.

During the 1990's, John Kerry stated in the Senate that America had no enemies and money spent on intelligence and the military was money wasted. Attacks on Americans were increasing all around the world. The enemy was growing bolder. Terrorists laid their plans for the attack of September 11, 2001. Bin Laden openly declared war on the United States. And as the storm clouds of war gathered, John Kerry felt that we had no enemies. John Kerry was so very wrong. Even now, as 3000 Americans lie in their graves, Kerry continues to say he will react only when attacked. Kerry has still not noticed that America has already been attacked--repeatedly.

From George Bush to our youngest soldier, our course is obvious: provide for the common defense and secure the blessings of liberty for ourselves and our posterity. History shows us this has never been accomplished quickly or easily or without loss of life.

George W. Bush warned Americans this war would be a long and hard struggle but one that we cannot turn away from or wish away. Oh, if it could only be that simple. Our economy, our way of life, everything we are will all be lost if the terrorists gain even the smallest foothold on our soil. It cannot be allowed. For me, the answer is a simple one. George Bush understands this and John Kerry does not. The rest will take care of itself as it always has.