George W. Bush’s administration is coming to an end this coming January. Eight years will soon have passed and a new man will take the reins in Washington, D.C. I would like to take some time to reflect and share my evaluation of his presidency.

It is hard to believe that eight years could go by so fast. It seems just yesterday I was watching the 2000 election night coverage, and then weeks later, still watching the coverage of the endless ballot recounts in Florida, not knowing who our president would be. The moral rejuvenation ushered in by George Bush was vivid and seems as if it were just a short time ago.

When I think about the amount of time in different terms, I realize how long ago that election really was. The fact that most Lee freshmen were ten years old and in fifth grade when President Bush was elected makes the last eight years seem as long as ever.

Think about how life was back then. There was not this threat of terrorism as we know it today; the biggest national event before that time was the Columbine High School shootings. Middle school loomed on the horizon and Furbies were all the rage. If recalling those days is difficult, remember this: most of us had yet to reach puberty! We were mere children in every sense! That’s how long ago the 2000 election really was.

America’s overall substance has changed drastically over this period of time. Attaining a greater sense of morality and building education reform are obvious changes. The priority placed on the threat of terrorism alone is a sufficient example of our new outlook on the world.

In his first year as president, Bush was tested with an unprecedented act of terrorism. How he reacted would set the tone for his presidency. In the months after 9/11, Americans gained a greater sense of patriotism and were ready to do whatever necessary to protect our country. But as the time went on, that patriotic feeling dwindled.

Hindsight was used to judge the steps he took in keeping us from harm. Some of President Bush’s actions did not live up to their full potential and criticisms of his honest attempts to better our country have been prevalent in everyday news. There undoubtedly has been a negative shadow cast over the Bush administration.

There are many things that George Bush has done to better our country during his tenure. As a Christian myself, I value the emphasis he has put on morality. His first action as president was to establish a White House office of faith-based organization initiatives. The economy has run quite smoothly up until the recent credit problems, a new respect has been gained from foreign nations, and new forms of energy are being produced.

I do not mean to imply that everything the president has done has turned out entirely perfect; every presidency has failures, but I do not agree with those who give President Bush a bad reputation for what he has accomplished. Take away 9/11 and everything that event has caused, and look at what he has worked to do for Americans. By those standards, I give George W. Bush resounding approval of his eight courageous years of leadership of our great country.