Originally published in the Grand Rapids Business Journal, September 13, 2005.

Again one of those busy weeks, so here is my single thought:

We blame too much on the President of the United States. As powerful as the position is, President Bush’s decisions really have a relatively small direct impact on the lives of Americans. Between separation of powers, the size of the country, and an American public that can be very fickle (Term limits! Term limits! We want term limits! We... What? We got 'em? Oh. We don't want term limits.), the President's control is quite limited. Except in times of crisis.

And this is where I believe President Bush is an abject failure. It's clear that he has done very little to prepare our nation for the future. Four years ago after 9/11, he had a golden opportunity to ask us to make some sacrifices and raise the gasoline tax. This money could have directly funded homeland security, reduced the deficit, got us headed toward alternative energy sources and serious conservation, AND reduced the money flow to the likes of Saudi Arabia, Iran, and other oil-soaked evildoers. Instead we got what some have described as "We're at war; let's party!" Tax cuts, breathtaking spending, and cheap oil at all costs.

And I'm afraid we're getting more of the same. Instead of using the Katrina disaster as a positive lesson toward smarter energy and environmental policies, he's already squandering the opportunity with mad spinning and those pitiful tours of the affected areas.

For a guy who fancies himself a Franklin Roosevelt or Winston Churchill, I think history is more likely to put him near or behind Jimmy Carter. And he might consider contacting Mr. Carter to get some advice on how to burnish an image after tarnishing a presidency.