Comparison: Bush vs. Kennedy

I was doing a little reading recently, and I noticed something interesting. The presidency of George W. Bush and the presidency of John F. Kennedy were extremely similar (except for the assassination, of course). The weird thing is, most people (especially Democrats) love JFK and look at him as a great role model. However, the same people who love JFK spent the past eight years calling for Bush's head on a platter. I'm not trying to be pro-Bush or anti-JFK or anything, I just thought I would point out the striking similarities:

• Kennedy was born into a wealthy, politically connected family.
• Bush was born into a wealthy, politically connected family.

• Kennedy increased the size of the US military.
• Bush increased the size of the US military.

• The minimum wage increased under Kennedy.
• The minimum wage increased under Bush.

• In 1963, Kennedy proposed income tax cuts to help revive the economy. The tax cuts were passed in 1964.
• In 2003, Bush proposed and passed tax cuts to help reverse the post-9/11 economic downturn.

• In 1961, Kennedy got the USA into a very unpopular war (Vietnam).
• In 2003, Bush got the USA into a very unpopular war (Iraq).

• In the fight against communism in Latin America, Kennedy backed the School of the Americas, whose training manuals included techniques of torture.
• In the fight against terrorism, Bush permitted waterboarding of terrorist prisoners at Guantanamo Bay, an act which many consider to be torture.

• Although it was voted down by Congress, Kennedy proposed the Medical Health Bill for the Aged (eventually known as Medicare).
• The Bush administration pushed through legislation to help the elderly get cheaper prescription drugs under Medicare.

• In 1963, Kennedy backed a coup against the Iraq government to oppose the spread of communism.
• In 2003, Bush backed an overthrow of the Iraq government to oppose the spread of terrorism.

• The Kennedy administration agreed to let the FBI wiretap private individuals, generally suspected communists.
• The Bush administration agreed to let the FBI wiretap private individuals, generally suspected terrorists.

So...yeah. This information sparks numerous questions. If more Americans knew all this, would they start hating JFK? Or would they start being nicer to Bush? Maybe nothing would change, since most people seem to idolize JFK without knowing a thing about his policies. Anyway, I just thought this stuff was very interesting. I hope this will inspire people to look at history a little differently and think for themselves, rather than being told what to think by Hollywood and the media.