Should we trust George W. Bush?

World Net Daily ^ | 8/29/02 | Harry Browne

[feelin_poorly]

Shortly after 9-11, TV talk-show host Sean Hannity said, "Thank God, we have an honest man in the White House!"

And when you think about it, a great deal of what you might believe about the so-called War on Terrorism is based on statements from George W. Bush. You have only his word, or that of someone in his administration:

• that Iraq, which George Bush is dying to invade, still has "weapons of mass destruction" that threaten Americans directly;

• that Osama bin Laden masterminded the 9-11 attacks (the infamous videotape demonstrated his joy at the success of the attacks, not his participation);

• that the people being imprisoned as terrorists really are terrorists – even though they've received no public trial (whether you believe terrorists deserve to be protected by the Bill of Rights is irrelevant. You don't even know that they are terrorists until they receive a fair trial under the Bill of Rights);

• that the Bush administration won't misuse the private information it's acquiring through its massive violations of civil liberties.

Since America is endangered by the "you're either with me or against me" tactics of the Bush administration, it becomes vital to know whether we can trust the man in charge of our government.

The record

So does George Bush's record inspire confidence in his honesty?

Unfortunately, this is the same man who has referred to trillions of dollars in budget surpluses – even though the federal government hasn't had a budget surplus since 1956. (The appearance of any "surpluses" was created by taking excess receipts from Social Security and applying them to the general budget, even as the politicians swore they were protecting Social Security.)

Mr. Bush even has the chutzpah to refer with a straight face (well not exactly a straight face, he loves to smirk) to corporate executives "cooking the books." He neglects to mention that many of the corporate bookkeeping methods the politicians are so incensed about today were motivated by rules imposed by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

And George Bush is the same man who in 2000 said he believed in "limited government." Most people assumed he meant a government limited by the Constitution. In fact, he took an oath in which he swore to uphold the Constitution.

But he's violated virtually every one of the first 10 Amendments – especially the Ninth and 10th Amendments, which are meant to impose precise limits on his power.

• He's willing to give your tax money to foreign dictators who claim they "need" it (meaning they've gone too deeply in debt by spending money on palaces and other forms of self-aggrandizement);

• He wants to escalate the spending of your tax money on farm subsidies, health care, welfare, government schools, the War on Drugs, propaganda and other programs – none of which are authorized in the Constitution;

• He believes we should trust him and his minions when they tell us the unnamed people they've locked up are not entitled to the protections of the Fourth and Fifth Amendments.

• He claims he can attack Iraq without a congressional declaration of war – even though the Constitution clearly gives such authority exclusively to Congress.

So his belief in "limited government" apparently means government limited to what he wants to do.

George Bush is the same man who in one breath tries to ingratiate himself with you by saying, "It's your money, not the politicians' money" – but in the next breath, he says he's entitled to one third of "your money."

George Bush is the same man who said he has learned more about political philosophy from Jesus of Nazareth than from anyone else. But he's proven by his actions that he doesn't really believe such things as "Blessed are the peacemakers." And "the meek" who Jesus said would inherit the earth are in Mr. Bush's eyes really just "collateral damage" in his plans to tell the world how it must live.

Is honesty important?

In these and in so many other ways, George Bush has proven that he's not an honest man – and that we shouldn't trust him with the safety of America.

In fact, Thomas Jefferson understood that we shouldn't put our trust in any politician. He said we should bind them down from mischief "by the chains of the Constitution." And a truly honest man wouldn't even ask you to trust him.

Contrary to what you might have thought, this isn't an article about George Bush. It's an article about you. Are you going to demean yourself by putting your faith in a man who has done so much to demonstrate the folly of such faith?

Are you going to let politicians stampede you into throwing away the Bill of Rights, based on "evidence" you never see, reassured by politicians who have proven that the truth is secondary to their own ambitions?

Don't you have enough respect for your own mind to make your own decisions, refuse to accept conclusions without evidence, and be something better than a cheerleader for a politician or a political party?

[tpaine]

To: VaBthang4
Wow, Va. Impressive credentials. Thank you once again for your service to our country.
1537 posted on 8/31/02 12:39 PM Pacific by rintense

---

Impressive credentials? - Sure.

Impressive conclusions on fighting terrorists? - No.
Violating constitutional principles to fight is not an answer. Such methods would only lead to civil insurrection, -- which is one of the terrorists goals.

[tpaine]

You are advocating 'subordinating' rights in order to save them. - tpaine

_________________________________

And they don't even see it. They're so puffed up in mindless "patriotism" and Republican flag waving they've forgotten what freedom and rights really are. - JA

_______________________________

Nonsense. I exult in my freedom everyday. I am exulting in it now. Festooned with liberals and feckless scared-of-their-own-shadow wussie libertarians this nation may be, but it is still the grandest, most glorious, most free nation on earth! Watching you and tpaine as you roll on the floor in wretched agony and claw at your illusory chains is like watching a particularly campy Star Trek episode. The overacting makes comedy of the most dour drama. 1539 - curry -

Good grief!
- Wussies! Wretched agony! Claw! Campy!
-- Yep, -- I think we can see who's playing the drama queen here Kevin baby...

[rintense]

Watching you and tpaine as you roll on the floor in wretched agony and claw at your illusory chains is like watching a particularly campy Star Trek episode. The overacting makes comedy of the most dour drama.

I think I'm in love... ;)

[VaBthang4]

You back?

...so what School (Military) did you attend?

[VaBthang4]

"Festooned with liberals and feckless scared-of-their-own-shadow wussie libertarians"

LOL...

[wimpycat]

Amen, brother!

[tpaine]

You hype an "ultimate threat" to this country as a reason to "evaluate priorities", which, in your opinion means:

"all else is subordinate to that defense, including your opinions, feelings and if needs be your unhindered rights.

You then rub salt in the constitutions wounds by claiming:

"If you do not agree then I find difficulty in you identifying yourself as either Conservative or American."

You are advocating 'subordinating' rights in order to save them.
- This is not rational american conservatism on your part. - Be ashamed of your own "adolescent, knee-jerk outburst".
_______________________________

Now, seeing your petty little anti-libertarian giggles with kevin, -- I'm starting to wonder about your adult claims also. -- Say it isn't so, tell us you only sound like a teenage wannabe patriot.

[VaBthang4]

Tedious...

You know, you coulda just given a link to the first post and asked for a request....otherwise it just looks like a desperate attempt at attention.

Oh and yeah...when you've accomplished more for our country than mere typing ...let us all know.

[tpaine]

Called your bluff didn't I?

Go back to school kid.

[tpaine]

...so what School (Military) did you attend?
_________________________________

Turnabouts fair. -- Tell us your tale, Vabang.
-- And remember dithf. - Things military can be checked.

[Texasforever]

[VaBthang4]

Yes TP, you're the Man!
~grin~
MCRD Parris Island, MCT, SOI, MCSF School NORVALANT anything else? Now run along and check that out....dork.

[VaBthang4]

Another good one.

[tpaine]

A clenched tooth ~phony~grin~.

Carry on. -- You're dismissed.

[justshe]

Is this a game we ALL can play?

I see your tedious...and raise you an odious.

[tpaine]

Is this a game we ALL can play?

I see your tedious...and raise you an odious.
_________________________________

Sorry, I always quit playing the dozens game when I smell rotting fish.
-- See ya all, gotta go kill doves in the morning.

[Texasforever]

See ya all, gotta go kill doves in the morning.

Don't put your eye out.

[VaBthang4]

LOL...

What a preachy Putz. ;o)

[VaBthang4]

~wink~

[zip]

100 Trillion more times than ANY liberal's level of honesty. That enough for you?

At least 100 trillion. Geeeesh, the rats are out in force tonight, aren't they?

I don't know how any of these anti America types can actually believe this tripe.

Thank you for your comments.