[NittanyLion]

Good analysis. You're exactly right on this, of course. The GOP has passed tax cuts that will expire shortly after a potential second term; now they've done the same with a huge new entitlement program. Whether by design or out of necessity, they've created an environment where 8-10 years down the road the government will have some impossible decisions to make. They've delivered in the short-term, but any right-thinking conservative has to know we'll be left holding the bag in just a few years.

If limited government is the correct philosophy, why is it the GOP is so afraid of trying it?

[Reagan Man]

It would appear that the powers that be don't want this subject to appear in breaking news. I thought that Free Republic was "working to roll back decades of governmental largesse". If this new Medicare PDP isn't government largesse, I don't know what is.

>>>If limited government is the correct philosophy, why is it the GOP is so afraid of trying it?

I don't know. Conservatism will never triumph over liberalism, if the GOP doesn't stand up and fight these additions to the ever growing size and scope of the federal bureaucracy.

[F16Fighter]

"If limited government is the correct philosophy, why is it the GOP is so afraid of trying it?"

I guess we all know the answer: Because "limited government" limits buying voter constituencies with goodies in the next election.

Unfortunately, the GOP feels it has no other option than to slide over to fiscal Socialism to retain power rather than to hold the line.

Question: Is fiscal pandering the only way to stop 40 years of radical social liberalism? May be...