In the article “So Little Time, So Much Damage,” published in the New York Times on 4th November 2008, the author describes George W. Bush’s efforts to change regulations and to leave an imprint of his power before he will leave the White House.
In the first part of the article the author speaks about a curtail of civil rights by Bush and his White House staff, e.g. through changed guidelines for the F.B.I. and the Department of Homeland Security. The main points include the widened scope of activities regarding observations of people and legal groups and the decreasing influence of officials who have to ensure that civil rights are maintained and protected. A further aspect of the text deals with the White House’s environmental policy. Great efforts are made to find exceptions of existing regulations to provide companies and the industry with more power to accomplish their claims. This includes the disdain of endangered species, less restrictions on air pollution, the positioning of power plants and the dumping of toxic waste. The last main topic mentions the abortion rights. Recent changes of the law are limiting women’s chances to get professional counsel and also an abortion. These changes will be enforced by Bush’s recently appointed judges for a long time after he had left the White House. In the end the author describes harmful regulations on taxes for banks and the closure of the prison in Guantánamo Bay which Bush failed to accomplish. The good news: The important deadline for Bush to initiate further changes is the 20th December 2008.
George W. Bush’s last weeks’ policy probably has caused many damages. It remains to the new President to restore democratic rules.
(275 words)
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