President Bush has seen his approval ratings plummet into Jimmy Carter territory, and if he’s not careful he could stumble into the basement with Richard Nixon. The latest numbers show that only 32 percent of Americans approve of the job Bush is doing. Compare that with the end-of-term approval ratings for other recent presidents: Nixon 24 percent, Ford 53 percent, Carter 34 percent, Reagan 64 percent, Bush (the Elder) 56 percent and Clinton 65 percent.

What I’m wondering is should Bush really care how popular he is? OK, maybe he has some reason to care between now and November. I’m sure he doesn’t relish the idea of finishing out his term in the company of a hostile Democratic Congress (a semi-hostile Republican Congress is bad enough).

But looking ahead to his final two years in office, our collective disdain for Bush could provide him with a great opportunity to get real with America, to force us to face unpleasant realities we’d rather avoid. If he did stop paying attention to his poll numbers, here’s how Bush’s State of the Union message in early 2007 might sound:

“Ladies and gentlemen, the state of our union isn’t bad, but let’s face it – it could be a lot better. I’ve made plenty of mistakes in the last six years, and some of them have been whoppers. I know a lot of you can’t stand the sight of me, and I really can’t blame you if you feel that way.

“But what’s past is past and I’ve still got two years to kill. Since I’m about as popular as Jane Fonda at a VFW convention, I’ve decided to stop trying to make you folks happy. You don’t have to like me, but by golly you will listen to me, and I’ve got a few things to say.

“First, let’s talk about Iraq. Like you, I have my doubts at this point as to whether or not the whole thing was a good idea, but the fact is we invaded that country and overthrew the government. It’s our responsibility now, and it will still be that way long after I ride off into the sunset. We’re going to be there for a long time, it’s going to cost a lot more money, and it’ll take as long as it takes. I wish I could tell you more, but I’d be lying if I said I knew more than that, and I’m not trying to win friends here.

“Now let’s talk about our financial situation. It stinks. Every year we’re spending way more than we take in, and when you baby boomers start to soak up your golden-year entitlements, the house of cards is going fall down on us. We can’t go on like this.

“I’m sorry to tell you folks this, but if I have my way you’re about to become entitled to a whole lot less. I’m going to propose that we raise the retirement age to at least 70, maybe higher. And when you do retire, Social Security and Medicare will be means-based and not a simple entitlement.

“Is that fair? Heck no! A lot of folks are going to get hosed, and that’s a shame. But a bigger shame would be to put our children and grandchildren in a huge financial hole or to continually raise taxes to make up the coming shortfalls, so our options are pretty limited.

“Well, I had some more things to say, but frankly it’s getting late and I’m tired, so you can all read the rest of my speech on the Internet tomorrow. You can expect a lot more painful honesty from me for the next two years and I look forward to seeing my approval rating slip into single digits. At least I’ll be able to sleep at night.

“God Bless you all, especially the precious few of you who still show me love. Bush out!”

– Bill Ferguson is a columnist for the Macon (Ga.) Telegraph. His e-mail address is fergcolumn@hotmail.com