Decider or Dictator - What's the Difference?

We have wondered about the distinction between Decider and Dictator ever since George Bush announced to the world that he had appointed himself as The Decider.

At first it appeared that perhaps he might have meant that The Decider would be a gentler, kinder ruler than dictators habitually have been. The Decider might be someone who could guide America confidentially and decisively through the night with the light that he alone could see.

But now as he seems to prepare an attack against Iran, and denies that such a thought ever even crossed his mind, the memories of his earlier attack against Iraq begin to echo louder with each of his disclaimers. Troops deploy, naval task forces assemble, threats are uttered, ominous words rumble, and George Bush remains imperturbable. All this is chillingly similar to his 2003 preemptive military invasion of Iraq. Then we catch the distinction.

A dictator is one who tells you what he is going to do, and what YOU are going to do. The Decider decides what he is going to do but he doesn't tell you. You have to figure it out after he has done it.

Cool, eh? Well, that means that we, while not appointed or designated as official "Deciders", ourselves, nonetheless, we have some decisions of our own that will very shortly have to be made.

© John Womack, 2007. All rights reserved.