So you think George W. Bush is not a conservative?

SOTU transcript ^ | 1/22/04

[Wolfstar]

ED. NOTE: On Tuesday evening, January 20, 2004, the President of the United States gave one of the most conservative State of the Union addresses in at least a generation. For a SOTU speech, it had a remarkably short spending wish list. Instead, it had passages such as those excerpted below — none of which would have been spoken by a Democrat or liberal (i.e., Leftist), or even a "RINO." Check it out:

[BEGIN EXCERPTS: Bold/underscore emphasis by Wolfstar]

Our greatest responsibility is the active defense of the American people. Twenty-eight months have passed since September 11th, 2001 — over two years without an attack on American soil. And it is tempting to believe that the danger is behind us. That hope is understandable, comforting — and false.

[SNIP]

The once all-powerful ruler of Iraq was found in a hole, and now sits in a prison cell. Of the top 55 officials of the former regime, we have captured or killed 45. Our forces are on the offensive, leading over 1,600 patrols a day and conducting an average of 180 raids a week. We are dealing with these thugs in Iraq, just as surely as we dealt with Saddam Hussein's evil regime.

Because of American leadership and resolve, the world is changing for the better. Last month, the leader of Libya voluntarily pledged to disclose and dismantle all of his regime's weapons of mass destruction programs, including a uranium enrichment project for nuclear weapons.

[SNIP]

Nine months of intense negotiations involving the United States and Great Britain succeeded with Libya, while 12 years of diplomacy with Iraq did not. And one reason is clear: For diplomacy to be effective, words must be credible, and no one can now doubt the word of America.

Many of our troops are listening tonight. And I want you and your families to know: America is proud of you. And my administration, and this Congress, will give you the resources you need to fight and win the war on terror.

I know that some people question if America is really in a war at all. They view terrorism more as a crime, a problem to be solved mainly with law enforcement and indictments. After the World Trade Center was first attacked in 1993, some of the guilty were indicted and tried and convicted, and sent to prison. But the matter was not settled. The terrorists were still training and plotting in other nations, and drawing up more ambitious plans. After the chaos and carnage of September the 11th, it is not enough to serve our enemies with legal papers. The terrorists and their supporters declared war on the United States, and war is what they got.

[SNIP]

Some critics have said our duties in Iraq must be internationalized. This particular criticism is hard to explain to our partners in Britain, Australia, Japan, South Korea, the Philippines, Thailand, Italy, Spain, Poland, Denmark, Hungary, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Romania, the Netherlands — (applause) — Norway, El Salvador, and the 17 other countries that have committed troops to Iraq. As we debate at home, we must never ignore the vital contributions of our international partners, or dismiss their sacrifices.

From the beginning, America has sought international support for our operations in Afghanistan and Iraq, and we have gained much support. There is a difference, however, between leading a coalition of many nations, and submitting to the objections of a few. America will never seek a permission slip to defend the security of our country.

We also hear doubts that democracy is a realistic goal for the greater Middle East, where freedom is rare. Yet it is mistaken, and condescending, to assume that whole cultures and great religions are incompatible with liberty and self-government. I believe that God has planted in every human heart the desire to live in freedom. And even when that desire is crushed by tyranny for decades, it will rise again.

[SNIP]

In the last three years, adversity has also revealed the fundamental strengths of the American economy. We have come through recession, and terrorist attack, and corporate scandals, and the uncertainties of war. And because you acted to stimulate our economy with tax relief, this economy is strong, and growing stronger.

You have doubled the child tax credit from $500 to $1,000, reduced the marriage penalty, begun to phase out the death tax, reduced taxes on capital gains and stock dividends, cut taxes on small businesses, and you have lowered taxes for every American who pays income taxes.

Americans took those dollars and put them to work, driving this economy forward. The pace of economic growth in the third quarter of 2003 was the fastest in nearly 20 years; new home construction, the highest in almost 20 years; home ownership rates, the highest ever. Manufacturing activity is increasing. Inflation is low. Interest rates are low. Exports are growing. Productivity is high, and jobs are on the rise.

These numbers confirm that the American people are using their money far better than government would have — and you were right to return it.

[SNIP]

We're requiring higher standards [in schools]. We are regularly testing every child on the fundamentals. We are reporting results to parents, and making sure they have better options when schools are not performing.

[SNIP]

We must continue to pursue an aggressive, pro-growth economic agenda. Congress has some unfinished business on the issue of taxes. The tax reductions you passed are set to expire. Unless you act — (applause) — unless you act — unless you act, the unfair tax on marriage will go back up. Unless you act, millions of families will be charged $300 more in federal taxes for every child. Unless you act, small businesses will pay higher taxes. Unless you act, the death tax will eventually come back to life. Unless you act, Americans face a tax increase. What Congress has given, the Congress should not take away. For the sake of job growth, the tax cuts you passed should be permanent.

Our agenda for jobs and growth must help small business owners and employees with relief from needless federal regulation, and protect them from junk and frivolous lawsuits.

Consumers and businesses need reliable supplies of energy to make our economy run — so I urge you to pass legislation to modernize our electricity system, promote conservation, and make America less dependent on foreign sources of energy.

My administration is promoting free and fair trade to open up new markets for America's entrepreneurs and manufacturers and farmers — to create jobs for American workers. Younger workers should have the opportunity to build a nest egg by saving part of their Social Security taxes in a personal retirement account. We should make the Social Security system a source of ownership for the American people.

[SNIP]

In two weeks, I will send you a budget that funds the war, protects the homeland, and meets important domestic needs, while limiting the growth in discretionary spending to less than 4 percent. This will require that Congress focus on priorities, cut wasteful spending, and be wise with the people's money. By doing so, we can cut the deficit in half over the next five years.

Tonight, I also ask you to reform our immigration laws so they reflect our values and benefit our economy.

[SNIP]

I oppose amnesty, because it would encourage further illegal immigration, and unfairly reward those who break our laws. My temporary worker program will preserve the citizenship path for those who respect the law, while bringing millions of hardworking men and women out from the shadows of American life.

[ED. NOTE: The precedent for guest worker programs goes back at least to the Eisenhower administration.]

[SNIP]

In January of 2006, seniors can get prescription drug coverage under Medicare. For a monthly premium of about $35, most seniors who do not have that coverage today can expect to see their drug bills cut roughly in half. Under this reform, senior citizens will be able to keep their Medicare just as it is, or they can choose a Medicare plan that fits them best — just as you, as members of Congress, can choose an insurance plan that meets your needs. And starting this year, millions of Americans will be able to save money tax-free for their medical expenses in a health savings account.

[SNIP]

On the critical issue of health care, our goal is to ensure that Americans can choose and afford private health care coverage that best fits their individual needs.

[SNIP]

Small businesses should be able to band together and negotiate for lower insurance rates, so they can cover more workers with health insurance. I urge you to pass association health plans. I ask you to give lower-income Americans a refundable tax credit that would allow millions to buy their own basic health insurance.

[SNIP]

To protect the doctor-patient relationship, and keep good doctors doing good work, we must eliminate wasteful and frivolous medical lawsuits. And tonight I propose that individuals who buy catastrophic health care coverage, as part of our new health savings accounts, be allowed to deduct 100 percent of the premiums from their taxes.

A government-run health care system is the wrong prescription. By keeping costs under control, expanding access, and helping more Americans afford coverage, we will preserve the system of private medicine that makes America's health care the best in the world.

[SNIP]

One of the worst decisions our children can make is to gamble their lives and futures on drugs. Our government is helping parents confront this problem with aggressive education, treatment, and law enforcement. Drug use in high school has declined by 11 percent over the last two years. Four hundred thousand fewer young people are using illegal drugs than in the year 2001.

[SNIP]

A strong America must also value the institution of marriage. I believe we should respect individuals as we take a principled stand for one of the most fundamental, enduring institutions of our civilization. Congress has already taken a stand on this issue by passing the Defense of Marriage Act, signed in 1996 by President Clinton. That statute protects marriage under federal law as a union of a man and a woman, and declares that one state may not redefine marriage for other states.

Activist judges, however, have begun redefining marriage by court order, without regard for the will of the people and their elected representatives. On an issue of such great consequence, the people's voice must be heard. If judges insist on forcing their arbitrary will upon the people, the only alternative left to the people would be the constitutional process. Our nation must defend the sanctity of marriage.

[SNIP]

It's also important to strengthen our communities by unleashing the compassion of America's religious institutions. Religious charities of every creed are doing some of the most vital work in our country — mentoring children, feeding the hungry, taking the hand of the lonely. Yet government has often denied social service grants and contracts to these groups, just because they have a cross or a Star of David or a crescent on the wall. By executive order, I have opened billions of dollars in grant money to competition that includes faith-based charities. Tonight I ask you to codify this into law, so people of faith can know that the law will never discriminate against them again.

[SNIP]

The momentum of freedom in our world is unmistakable — and it is not carried forward by our power alone. We can trust in that greater power who guides the unfolding of the years. And in all that is to come, we can know that His purposes are just and true.

[END EXCERPTS]

[thoughtomator]

He can certainly encourage the state legislature to impeach. Plus, there's an even bigger problem at the federal level that needs to be addressed.

[Bikers4Bush]

Read the post you replied to and try again.

[Checkers]

Great post!

Great President!

[Poohbah]

This is "Free Republic" remember? Maybe you would be more comfortable starting your own website - might I suggest some titles: "Communist Dictatorship", "Thought Police Central", "Beserkly University"... Maybe you could try that line on Jim Robinson or the Admin Moderator. Go ahead...e-mail them and see if you can shut someone up because you don't like what they have to say.

Jim Robinson did exactly that in 2000. He banished a large number of Brigadiers for advocating just what you propose.

[skip2myloo]

I would rather we impeach the five justices who upheld CFR.

[George W. Bush]

The Dems in the Senate, plus Lincoln Chaffee, Olympia Snowe, and Chuck Hagel, represent a non-conservative majority. Re-elect Bush, and put about 6 more Republicans (primarily from the open Southern seats) in the Senate, and let's see what happens in the next four years.

Please don't list Hagel in the same breath with those others.

Nebraska, despite being an all-Red state, has its little tradition of producing prairie radicals and cranks independent thinkers. Hagel fits the pattern. You might feel better if you realize that the Dims hate Hagel's junior senator, Ben Nelson, just as much as you apparently hate Hagel. Personally, I blame George Norris and William Jennings Bryant. My dad and grandfather did too.

Hagel used to be reliably rightwing when he associated more with Helms. But every now and then, when the rest of the current GOP stumbles into idiocy, he takes the proper stand on an important policy question. But even a blind squirrel occasionally finds an acorn...

[RiflemanSharpe]

As I have said before it does not matter. I live in TX. If Bush is in danger of losing this state he has lost half the south, all the northeast and the dems have made inroads in the west. If Bush absolutely needs every possible vote in TX he has already lost the election.

[Wolfstar]

The biggest obstacle to getting more conservative bills to the President's desk is the United States Senate. The Dems and Republican moderates outnumber the conservatives by a comfortable margin. We've got a long way to go before that situation will change, if it ever does. You're right that electing more conservative representatives would help, because the House is the place where conservatives can have a very real impact on national policy.

[Southack]

"Now, back to our debate about fiscal conservatism, you seemed to avoid the fact that being a true fiscal conservative is the real litmus test."

With all due respect, I didn't avoid your "true fiscal conservative" litmus test. In fact, I pointed out that liberal, radical pro-abortion Presidential candidates such as former Governor Howard Dean would score higher on your "true fiscal conservative" test than would those conservatives among us who would sign legislative bans on abortion, sign tax cuts into law, withdraw from the U.S. - CCCP ABM treaty, kill the Kyoto Global Warming nonsense, diss the International Criminal Court, cut rubbish regulations like co2 &logging firebreak restrictions, etc.

In other words, what you are asking for, i.e. fiscal conservatism, is something that could be found just as easily in a liberal pro-abortion, anti-defense candidate as in a pro-life, pro-defense President.

So your key litmus test has nothing to do with Conservatism per se...

[looscnnn]

The gay guys that took Texas' sodomy law to the USSC.

[Ophiucus]

What other president went to Mexico and addressed the crowd with "fellow citizens of the world"?

You get globalist from that? A polite greeting - a variant that every president uses.

With your reasoning, JFK was stating his desire to bring back the Third Reich or Nixon was a Chinese agent or even worse, Reagan was working to establish the Workers Paradise!

[RiflemanSharpe]

Go third party, like myself you can not hurt Bush. But we may wake him up.

[Howlin]

If he uses an executive order to institute the illegal proposal (as a senators aid said he is planning to do)

Utter rubbish.

[George W. Bush]

Nice try. No cigar.

[Bikers4Bush]

It's only upsetting in that it doesn't belong here and does more to divide conservatives than honest disagreements about policy.

Believe me, once I log off today I won't give it a second thought.

[Doctor Stochastic]

Bush promised to run based on Education and Health issues. It seems that he kept his promise.

[riri]

He banished a large number of Brigadiers for advocating just what you propose

Actually there where and are only seven of them. They just have a variety of screen names and accounts as their disposal in an organized attempt to smear the omnipotent leader.

[Southack]

"Religious Freedom is already being assaulted by courts (while the spineless jellyfish of a GOP sits on their hands!). Ever hear of the Constitution - the exclusions clause (Art. 3, sec. 2). Congress has the authority and power to limit the courts jurisdiction on a number of issues - yet they don't do it. Why?"

Congress and its actions/inactions might be just a wee bit beyond what one can reasonable expect in scope from our President...

[Mo1]

The gay guys that took Texas' sodomy law to the USSC.

So you are saying that Bush was is favor of them?

[skip2myloo]

When I say Congress, I use the generic term meaning the whole of Congress which includes BOTH houses.