Posted on 08/29/2002 1:00:30 PM PDT by 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:
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.
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?
You obviously completely ignored that part. Maybe I didn't make it clear enough that I was talking about YOU, you fruitloop!
Bushbots never seem to get the message. He does not have to be trusted. No politician should be trusted. It is the duty of the citizen to guard and protect Constitutional rights from those who wield power.
I voted for GWB. I will vote for him come next election. He is the best that the Republicans can offer. He is infinitely superior to any possible Democrat offering. He is, simply put, the lesser of two evils.
People who are knowledgeable in Constitutional matters know that both parties are hell-bent on the destruction of the Bill of Rights. Nobody, with the exception of those like Harry Browne, are making any effort whatsoever to preserve Constitutional rule. If you had read the Founding Documents, you would be as alarmed as I. Alas, you are but another sheep.
The US endured the Cold War, a period of time when the major powers sat with their fingers of the button of nuclear annihilation, without the panic caused by a single low-yield attack of "911". Now a fairly insignificant event has caused Americans to line up to exchange their blood-won freedoms for security ... the type of security that plays out in American airports.
This Republic is being systematically "put to sleep" by cowards who won't even read the material upon which the Nation is founded.
No politician should be trusted. We should support Bush. We should follow his lead in as much as his lead does not result in the deformation of our way of life that is based on Constitutional rule. Bush must be made aware that he must lead in a manner that ensures continued Constitutional rule ... with all of the Rights fully intact. It is possible to meet the challenges of today with the Bill of Rights fully intact. It worked well through times of greater adversity.
At least he'll go out in honor with a pair of balls.
...maybe...
....jealous ??
The only evidence you have of increased security from the Bush administration is the farce that passes for airport security. There has been no effort to close down the border over which a small nuke can be passed, either. Yet, you willing allow the government to diminish your rights in exchange for nothing whatsoever.
The planners of the attack were Saudi. Most of the "solders" were Saudi. The US retaliates against Afghanistan, and you are content that you are being protected.
Baa.
Don't want to see the forest for smokin' the leaves...
Put that Rapier Wit away....you might poke your eye out.....
Oh - and I don't remember asking about your favorite durgs, either.
Those Who Don't Learn from History, are doomed to Repeat It...
Those Who Refuse to learn - should Sit Down, Shut Up and Listen to those that Have Learned.
Numbnutz Jr.
If by that twisted bit-o-humor you meant to tell me that I was Smarter than KentuckyWoman is.....gee, THANKS !!
But, She is a Great Deal Smarter than I
"Sick Puppy"...Me ?? ...remote possibility, at least to a degree...you've heard about the differences between puppies and Republicans, haven't you?
After 6 six weeks the Puppies open their eyes.
Tennessee Transvestite?
Yuch - -- - I was born and raised in The Heart of Dixie. Not too fond of anything 'Tennessean'. Heck, I have a difficult time drinking Orange Juice. What you do in your spare time is your business.
...anyone, other than me, not surprised about responses to everyone else while, all the time, leaving this one alone ? ? ? ?
You, of all people, have no room to criticize anyone about their mentalities. Have you had a good long look in the mirror Freddie?
It's a free country .. you want to throw your vote away and get another Clinton if office .. Fine .. But I don't EVER want to hear you complain
I live in Tennessee - and - That State didn't give Spotted Al anything but an ulcer.
Yes - I did vote for Bush Jr. in this last run for the oval office. That vote went in the Red Collum for the only reason of keeping Al "I Invented Air" Gore.
What's worse - if he were able to run again...I'll bet my last two cents that Klinton would win it - again. (Even without my votes).
But you've still not answered my question - and probably aren't going to attempt it, either.
Oh I know, alright. I also know the differences between a Republic and an empire.
Who would have ever thought that the poetry of Robert Louis Stevenson would upset Ethel's husband so much ??????
Don't bother Max, you're trying to have a battle of wits with an unarmed person. "she's" just another rabid pro-Bush administration, no matter what they do who couldn't fight her way of a nursery rhyme using logic.
Stay well!
The depth and profundity of the questions raised by the Bushbots certainly give me pause in my questioning of our President's policies!
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