Posted on 01/18/2004 2:56:34 PM PST by putupon
Here we are on the outset of 2004, and the hope that President Bush would wrap up his first term with a conservative agenda is rapidly fading. From the beginning of his administration with the No Child Left Behind Act, the Patriot Act, and later with the Homeland Security bureaucracy and the farm bill, President Bush has abandoned his conservative base.
Many conservatives were convinced that it was all a part of a grand political strategy and that when the Republicans took the Senate, all would be different. Unfortunately, nothing changed, except that more liberal legislation has been passed.
I've followed the recent history of President Bush's and the GOP's conservative-in-name-only movement. To their credit, conservative judicial nominees have been outstanding, and their dedication to fight for the nominees has been notable. Additionally, with the exception of the Middle East situation, the president's foreign policy has been great.
Still, the principles broken by those who claim the title "conservative" is too much to bear, not just for me, but for conservative activists around the country. The way President Bush has failed to implement conservative ideas in public policy calls no longer for just a warning, but action.
Warnings from this column have been written several times through the past year. Not that I really thought they would make an ounce of difference in politics, but I was expressing my frustration and the frustration of those who share my beliefs.
It seems to be common sense that you don't trade the constituency that got you elected for blood-sucking leaches in Washington. Instead of rewarding conservatives with a sensible education policy, our president rewards Ted Kennedy, a man who vehemently hates the GOP.
The frustrated warnings are not just fluff; the potential for a conservative exodus from the Bush 2004 campaign is not just a potential, but is becoming a reality.
Spending in Congress is going crazy, and the president seems like he couldn't care less. A Washington Times article reports that leaders of six national conservative organizations, including the Heritage Foundation, American Conservative Union and Citizens Against Government Waste, are speaking out against the administration.
"The Republican Congress is spending at twice the rate as under Bill Clinton, and President Bush has yet to issue a single veto," Paul M. Weyrich, national chairman of Coalitions for America, was quoted in the Washington Times report. "I complained about profligate spending during the Clinton years but never thought I'd have to do so with a Republican in the White House and Republicans controlling the Congress."
Christine Iverson, spokeswoman for Republican National Chairman Ed Gillespie, defended President Bush, saying the administration proposed a much lower increase than in Bill Clinton's budget. Still, it's obvious that Bush hasn't done anything at all to stop the huge increases.
In reality, there should be no need for an RNC spokeswoman to attempt to contrast one of the most liberal Democratic administrations in history and a Republican administration.
Another problem for the Bush campaign is this insane immigration idea. I was hoping the administration would give us a glimmer of conservatism this year, but they give us an amnesty program instead.
Moreover, talk is surfacing that this proposal is hurting donations to the re-election campaign. Yet, I'm sure it won't be noticed, considering the Bush account is filled much higher with cash than even the leaders on the Democratic side.
The campaign slogan for Bush and Cheney 2004 should be: "Throwing your liberty away slower than everybody else!" That's the idea, right? Every criticism of President Bush early in his term was responded with, "Would you rather Al Gore be in office?" No, I don't want Al Gore in office.
Now, any criticism is responded with, "Would you rather Howard Dean be in office?" No, I sure wouldn't want Howard Dean or the ridiculous John Kerry in office.
Because of the GOP reneging on conservative principles, the inability for a third-party candidate to win and a Bush campaign based upon mediocrity, cynicism is going to be on the mind of many this next election cycle. And, while the administration stares into the sky, hoping to spend billions on sending men to Mars, many conservatives will be wondering why they should bother showing up this coming November.
I see where World Nut Daily has provided a well-documented case example, too, where the Patriot Act has infringed upon someone's 'rights' ...
</sarcasm>
There is an alternative. That's to write in Congressman Ron Paul for the New Hampshire Republican Primary. Ron Paul is anti-spending and anti-illegal-immigration. A low turnout for Bush and fifty thousand write-ins for Paul would certainly have Karl Rove invited into the Oval Office for a talkin'-to.
Kyle Williams is in need of a civics lesson; as in Congress writes the law and the executive branch carries it out ...
Okay, everything he says may be true, but I have problems with a 15 year old (a kid who won't be able to vote for another 3 years), openly criticizing those in authority over him.
My son is 15, and there are certain situations where he is not allowed to criticize others, even though he may be right.
His grandma lives with us and is really liberal and "off the wall" in her statements sometimes, but he is not allowed to criticize her or tell her she's wrong. He needs to show respect, listen, keep his mouth shut, and let us carry on the political dialogue with his grandma. It's just not his place to correct her
If he wants to have political discussions with his peers, that's okay. But to enter into political dialogue and criticize an adult, IMHO, is not a wise position for a 15 year old to be placed in.
Ron Paul - is he the guy always getting 'talked up' by Alex Jones?
WND has 15 year olds writing for them now?
Sheesh ...
Kyle Williams is 12 years old, and there are people on this site who view him as some kind of sage.
This column proves he can read LewserRockwell.com. Nothing more.
If you're Libertarian.
Kyle Williams apes Lew Rockwell. To some here, that makes him a genius.
From adults.
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