President Bush example essay topic

Bush and Cheney: Propaganda In A Over-Confident Way What does the word propaganda really mean? For most of us we assume that it is a word for negativity use. Just to assure those that think of propaganda as a negative word. Propaganda does have a positive objective if used correctly.

The word propaganda is defined in a few different ways, But in the most general usage, it varies from bad to good persuasion of our minds. It is used during election time to our daily lives on television to our newspaper stands. According to Donna Cross's essay, "Propaganda: How Not to Be Bamboozled", there are thirteen different types of propaganda; this paper will discuss six varieties. George W. Bush and Dick Cheney used primarily every sort of propaganda to influence the citizens; therefore, our national society needs to develop awareness in the propaganda used by such politicians so that they can make wise decisions intelligently. One of the thirteen propaganda divisions is glittering generalities. "This propaganda method involves correlating a person or idea with words of positive meaning and feelings (Cross 527-28)".

President Bush states, "our national courage has been clear [... ] by confronting problems instead of passing them on to future generations" (Address, par. 21). Instead, one needs to examine what is Bush's strategy really about? Do the citizens think that Bush will just turn around and listen to them instead of following his strategy? Does Bush have a kind heart to affiliate such caring feelings for the American people?

During the speech that the Vice President gave on February 15, 2001 he stated, "It is not for us to wait on events but to act. And we will act on principle. We are going to stand for responsible [... ]. They see a future when the world is at peace, promoting the values of the human rights and freedom all around the world. That statement certainly attempts to struggle with one's emotions.

What specifically are these words striving to reveal to the American people anyway? Is he mentioning them only to obtain future support? What does principle or responsibility really mean? Surely these words sound outstanding, but one needs to ask, if I take out the glittering words what is the value of the idea itself? Getting caught up in the words and feelings illustrated by them happens easily, making the actual intent behind them disfigured. Only if the American people would take the responsibility and take a part in their own communities.

Another type is stroking which occurs when the politician diverts the people's attention by complimenting them (Cross 528-29). President Bush seeks to do just that when he remarked, "Both the governor and vice president are striving to play the part of approval of the citizens in order to secure supporters". People need to keep in mind the fact that, even if Bush and Cheney possess many comparisons to common people, it is their ideas and proposals that really count. Bush uses this tactic when he declared, "We will reform Social Security [... ] to recover the momentum of our economy and reward the effort and enterprise of the working Americans (Address, par. 23). One needs to overcome the flattering words and get right to the meaning behind them.

After all, the compliments will not produce a prominent president. Yet another type is transfer (guilt or glory by association). Glory by association involves the politician affiliating his or her idea or self with good feelings or respected and honored people. Guilt by association consists of the opposite, when a politician attempts to associate another with negative feeling or people who are looked down on (Cross 529-30).

An obvious example of this is when Bush stated", We have a place, all of us, in a long story -- a story we continue, but [... ] the story of a power that went into the world to protect but not possess, to defend but not to conquer". (Address, par. 5). Bush uses this strong statement in an attempt to arouse the public's attention from the current issue at hand.

Although it is easy for one to give into this propaganda type, one needs to ask if Bush is saying he will protect our country in the issue's being discussed? Here is another type, faulty cause and effect, is a propagandist idea of cause-effect relationship to light which isn't factual (Cross 531-32). Cheney states, "The last time Americans received major tax relief was 1981. Since then, taxes [have] been inching their way back up [... ] If you can reach back in time to raise taxes, you can reach back in time to reduce them as well, and that's what we aim to do".

This is a very brilliant idea only if they can reach back into time and lower the taxes. Does the past have anything to do with lowering the taxes? They do seem to rise higher over time, but does our history have any support in raising or lowering our taxes? "He seemed more at ease, in spite of the monumental event", Sawyer said (Fort Worth, par.

11). Now if this is to be truthful based on if the president wasn't so emotional when giving his speech, I feel that it is a cause of a lack in experience in public speaking. A fear of a big embarrassment to his father and the state of Texas. Boller and Sawyer agree that, because Bush does not have a reputation for being a good public speaker, the address was well received (Fort Worth, par.

15). Another look at this faulty cause and effect is what a Noonan has to say, "Mr. Bush's eyes filled with tears as he took the oath of office -- quite possibly a historical first -- and people have discussed why. Family redemption, old losses now avenged. Maybe.

But I suspect they were the tears of a 54-year-old man who hadn't amounted to much in his first 40 years -- poor student, average athlete, indifferent businessman, all of this in contrast to his father's early and easy excellence. He had struggled to find himself and his purpose; amazing and fantastic things had happened, and he had gone on to make himself a president, "called to do great things" (Wall Street, par. 7). Still the logic of this effect on Bush's past surely has nothing to do with his speech to the American people, nor does his age.

If President Bush is so emotional about how to lead and change our nation for the better, he needs to prove that he can do so without taking our freedom away from the people and make the changes within the White House. Still another type is called two-extremes fallacy (false dilemma), involves the belief that the voters accept only the extreme choices, not considering anything in between. "There are usually more than just two, yes or no, choices" (Cross 533-34). Bush uses this type by stating", [... ] The ambitions of some Americans are limited by failing schools and hidden prejudice and the circumstances to their birth.

[... ] (Address, par. 11). Also Cheney stated, [... ] In the economy, we see indications of a slowdown. In the federal budget, we see a substantial surplus, [...

] (Conference, par. 8). Now, as if the American people are under educated, we do see improvements in the schools nation wide. But, as for the problems with prejudice it is the ignorance of the white skin that is linked to our history of bringing the colored skin to the land of the free. But then if you look very carefully we did take the land from the Indians to begin with when we settled the land. As for the Vice President, we see that it may look like our country is slowing down but we are strong and we have the knowledge and technology to achieve a high goal to keep the money strong and our nation free.

Don't let the government tell us about the federal budget, we are well aware that the money is in the bank. One of the last ones too be used is called card stacking, can be difficult to detect because the voter needs to possess a great deal of knowledge about the topic. This propaganda type involves the use of only the facts which support what they are attempting to present and ignoring the facts which oppose their views (Cross 534-35). Bush and Cheney used this type in their speeches, Bush claimed " [... ] If we do not turn the hearts of children toward knowledge and character, we will lose their gifts and undermine their idealism. [...

] (Address, par. 18). Within his statement, we can tell if the whole truth needs to be told or more of the facts needs to be presented on how we can lead our children to more knowledge. As the Vice President states, "The president's tax cut is pro-growth and America needs it now.

It lets overcharged taxpayers keep more of their own money, giving our economy the boost it needs. [... ]" (Conference, par. 12). To take a closer look at what is being told, to the American people is that by giving back more tax returns and decreasing the taxes nation wide, our economy will grow over a period of time. So, from all of this we can see that the American people need more facts to be able to support the new elected President and Vice President's agenda.

When we look at propaganda we can see or hear whether or not it is positive or negative just by how it sounds or by the way it is wrote. It is not just used for the politicians but used in large business firms, news reporters, churches, and even can be used on an individual advantage. As we look at what President Bush is trying to express to the American people, we see that he portrayed his emotions when talking about common virtues and values. In another report we see that he has some compassion for the American people which is a form of humanity. It is very critical for every person to be able to understand and recognize the different types of propaganda to make better and wise decisions in there lives. We all do make negative and positive decisions every day.

As for the Vice President Cheney's speech, he does need to be more influenced by the president more and speak to the American people just as much as the president. Work Cited Cross, Donna W. "Propaganda: How Not to Be Bamboozled". Language Awareness: Readings for College Writers. Virginia Clark et al. 8th edition. Boston, Massachusetts, 1979.525-35.

Jackson, Bechetta. "Bush's inaugural address called emotional and effective President kept it short and centered on common virtues, two experts say". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Fort Worth, Texas.

Jan. 22, 2001. Pro Quest. Noonan, Peggy. At The Inauguration: The Return of Civility. Print Media Edition.

Brussels, Europe. Jan. 23, 2001. Pro Quest. President George W. Bush's Inaugural Address. Jan. 20, 2001 web release/2001/print/20010120. html.

The Vice President Delivers Remarks at the Conservative Political Action Committee Conference. Feb. 15, 2001 web.