As the 2000 elections drew near, my family eagerly awaited the chance to cast our ballots for George W. Bush. Being from Texas, we felt a kindred spirit in Mr. Bush and believed his leadership could lead us out of what we felt were two wasted terms of presidential leadership under President Clinton.

Mr. Bush promised a return to conservatism, harkening back to the glory days of President Reagan. A new tone, thats what was promised, and in this, President Bush has not disappointed. Unfortunately, a new tone is about all weve gotten.

Since 2001, President Bush has again and again reached out to the political left. Under the guise of the new tone, President Bush has passed education legislation that has been arguably the biggest waste of taxpayer dollars and one of the biggest failures in public education. Thats not surprising to conservatives, considering who designed the No Child Left Behind program. What was surprising was how quickly it was approved by the Bush Administration.

Since 2001, little has been done to staunch the flow of illegal immigrants from Mexico, and their subsequent de-valuing of jobs typically held by blue-collar-working Americans. In fact, nothing new has been offered by President Bush or Condi Rice who publicly denounced the rights of Americans to bear arms in protection of their borders (referring to the Minute Men Patriots).

Lets see, what else? Since 2001, there has been no traction towards building up Americas energy independence. Healthcare reform, while off to a good start, has petered out. There has been no new action on the environment, unless one counts inaction. The war on terrorism, while seemingly working stateside, is far from being won and has resulted in longer lines at the airport, more debt relief required from the taxpayers coffers to bail out failed airlines, and gas prices at near-record levels.

Theres more, but the trend is obvious. What really broke the camels back for me was this weeks announcement that FEMA is going to reimburse charities and faith-based organizations for their contributions to hurricane Katrina relief. My family donated $300 to relief efforts, and two thirds of that was matched by our employers. Now we find out that the tax money weve had taken from us is going to be given to some of these same organizations.

A novel idea might be to give the money back to the people who donated it. Im outraged that Ive been double-dipped. If there is taxpayer money laying around enough to fund charities, then there are clearly tax cuts that can be made somewhere. American relief efforts around the globe rely on the good-hearted people of this country. Having the government use what is forcibly taken from them via taxes for charity relief is not only misguided, but a slap in the face.

Its hard to say, but Im through with President Bush. Ive tried to stick with him through one anti-conservative activity after another. I dont agree with the Democrats, and their possible 2008 candidates scare the hell out of me, but Im not thrilled with the way the Republican party is headed either. I can no longer in good conscience support this administration. Perhaps the most telling aspect of my disgust is the fact that Ive even shut off my daily dose of Rush Limbaugh, opting instead to listen to soothing music rather than to Rushs attempts at justifying the Bush Administrations latest deed.

I thank President Bush for the economy, but perhaps I should thank President Clinton for tanking it. Without President Clinton, I wouldnt have gone back and finished college when the technology market dried up. Now my family is living comfortably again; although like many, were unsure of the future of the healthcare industry, which my wife labors in.

President Bush, inaction is sometimes worse than the wrong action. At least if you had tried to reform welfare, immigration, taxes, etc. people would have looked back and said that you tried. But you didnt try. You talked a good talk (though not eloquently), but your walk has been sadly lacking.

I never thought Id be ashamed of my elected President, but I am. I bid my support for President Bush adieu, and from my point of view, good riddance.