Bush pushed the same buttons he has been pushing, which proves that A) the Democrats haven't figured out that the blue collar workers they used to have in their camp, are now self employed, and they have a whole different set of economic problems, primarily taxes and regulations. B) That promising tax cuts while you encourage the economy in ways which create stealth taxes, like higher energy costs, still doesn't have any political baggage. And since neither party has the will to repeal the AMT, he can still blow that horn. C) Ridiculous energy boondoggles, like the ethanol program, have no political fallout. Embrace a policy which triples the cost of corn, who gets hurt, not Kelloggs, but maybe a few poor Mexicans? The stock market only finally overcame the highs which it made the day he was inaugurated. In all good stead it will be lower than that number when he leaves, unless he leaves more quickly than most think.

The legacy of George Bush is more significant than we can imagine. While the office of the Presidency loses relevance, (who commands greater world wide attention, the loser of the 2004 election, Al Gore, or the man who sits in the White House?), we tend to assign a more regal purpose to the office holder; pomp and circumstance, a repository of values, and the value of old traditions.

There is of course no reason a Democrat cannot be part of the new Aristocracy, amd being part of established political family gives one instant recognition. If only Bill hadn't been a commoner, which probably caused Heritage more consternation than all his sexual dalliances, and minor financial gaffs.. Royalty has its privilege. Hence the past gaffes of George Bush seems almost circumspect.

Considering which Democratic candidate should be the new American King, (or Queen) requires a simple visualization. Does Hillary resemble the Queen Mom? Can you picture Obama depicted in the tombs of the pyramids? Is Edwards too smooth, merely a Prince? Kucinich a Jester? Richardson a merry old soul? Who best espouses value and tradition? Who has the solemn demeanor to conduct the office?

Or will some unknown draw the sword from the stone, and save the kingdom, America? When it comes down to royal posturing, the Republicans have the advantage, however Democrats could take a clue. Al Gore has a certain arrogance, a hint of superiority, and he never expresses his personal feelings, when he emotes publically. Nothing plays better in the royal drama, than a King retaining his rightful throne. After eight years of Bush, America may finally be ready for an figurehead, subject only to review in the tabloids, and appointed for life. Laugh you must, but ignoring this change in electoral attitudes will cost some one candidate dearly. Who will it be?

Didn't this happen in Rome? In that time agriculture was becoming specialized, and the change drove the independents off the land, and the cities became filled with 'rootless parasites'. To control this problem in our society there are all sorts of hi-tech Big Brother gadgets to keep urban miscreants in line. Europe has a massive underclass of Middle Eastern immigrants, which will make any efforts to control the problem seem like the 1930's.

Europe may become the last refuge of democracy and freedom, in the world, after the Bush tenure and the me-too Democrats take power, or not, doesn't matter. Europe is between Putin and Bush, and the followers of Bush, tough place to be, and perhaps there will be a lot more lawlessness, but that implies some degree of freedom to express yourself and move around. If I had to live someplace for the next hundred years I would go move to Europe.

There is nothing new under the sun, including the oft repeated warnings coming from inside the belly of the beast. Here's something new, maybe Main Street is dragging down Wall Street. The wealth indicator of the average American is in full swoon. What do we do when there are no more jobs? Do we give the people money to spend, and call it economic growth? There are numerous reasons why Americans have some advantages, they are better educated, and they have a sense of fairness. Go anywhere else in the world and try to match those two qualities and you might be surprised at how hard it is.

So is it Main Streets fault, not completely, Wall Street used to rely on the investment cash from individuals, now they suck up to the pension fund trough, the worker never sees the money, and if his retirement fund loses value he has to make additional contributions, involuntarily of course. CalPers, the most prestigious state retirement fund announced today it was selling stock, to buy higher yielding investments, more risk not less. Does the rank and file give a shit? Not likely. They will. They will.

Movies are the literary salvation, which is not to make light of the accomplishments of the authors who have come and gone since Gutenberg. If anyone bothered to read McLuhan anymore, they would get it in spades. The ebook is like an electronic buggywhip. The iphone is a leash, which keeps you constantly in touch with your master. Most technology should be avoided, especially high definition television, which destroys the iconic quality and depth involvement of early television. Personally I blame high def TV for the war in Iraq, and the red state blue state conflict which is principally the divide between cable tv, (rural america) and internet connectivity, the coastal urban areas.

Its certain that ebooks will change the way people read, it's just not certain yet how. And of course the ebooks may soon merge with graphic novels, which makes more sense.

This comic strip is barely scratching the possiblities, but at least it addresses the issues.