In 1787 at the age of 81, Benjamin Franklin commented, "I agree to this Constitution with all its faults, if they are such: because I think a General Government necessary for us, and this is no Form of Government but what may be a Blessing to the People if well-administered; and I believe farther that this is likely to be well administered for a Course of Years and can only end in Despotism as other Forms have done before it, when the People shall become so corrupted as to need Despotic Government, being incapable of any other."

Mr Bush's lapse in service during his Texas Air National Guard Enlistment in 1972-3.
Mr Bush was selected for a 6 year, part-time enlistment in the Texas Air National Guard in 1968 despite a poor pilot apptitude score and a 500 person waiting list. His initial request in May of 1972 to serve in an Alabama unit so he could work on a political campaign was denied. He left for Alabama despite this (without pay of course) and missed his August 1972 annual flight physical, making him inactive to serve. In Sept 1972 he requested and received permission to perform his fall duty in Montgomery. He returned to his Houston division after the election.

The commander of the Montgomery unit, the 187th, William Turnipseed, noted in the Boston Globe in 2000, "Had he reported in, I would have had some recall, and I do not. I had been in Texas, done my flight training there. If we had had a first lieutenant from Texas, I would have remembered."

Washington Post, 4 Feb 2004: "Bush's aides did not release new information to clear up questions about a one-year gap in the public record of Bush's service in the Texas Air National Guard during the Vietnam War. Bush and his aides have said he reported to an Alabama unit during the period, from May 1972 to May 1973. No paper record has surfaced that documents Bush's attendance. "

WhiteHouse Press confernece, 10 Feb 2004:
Q Scott, two questions, one on the documents, one on the issue. There seems to be a discrepancy now in the President's record that I wondered if you could help me with. These documents that you're holding up show that the President showed up for duty in October and November of '72, January, April and May of '73. But the President's officer effectiveness report, filed by his commanders, Lieutenants Colonel Killean and Harris, both now deceased, for the period 01 May '72 to 30 April, '73, says he has not been observed at this unit, where he was supposed to show up and earning these points on these days. How do you square --
As Governor,made Texas the most polluted state in the Union and replaced Los Angeles with Houston as the most smog-ridden city in America.
Also set the record for the most executions by any Governor in American history.
Set the record for most campaign fundraising trips by a U.S. president and has spent more money on polls and focus groups than any president in U.S. history. Finally, set the record for fewest number of press conferences than any president since the advent of television.