Stay the Course (Why should we vote for Bush again? Good editorial.)

World Magazine ^ | 1/26/04 | Marvin Olasky

[SquirrelKing]

Stay the Course

For all of the Bush administration's faults, it's good to have a president who knows about a set of rules "bigger than government rules"

JOIN THE CLUB." THAT'S WHAT PRESIDENT-ELECT Bush said in December 2000, when I told him I was journalist first, Bush supporter second, and would probably be criticizing some of his decisions early and often. That's the way it has worked out, and it's easy to enumerate complaints. No vetoes of pork-barrel spending. No nationwide vouchers or tax credits to begin creating parental choice in education. Missed opportunities during the first year of the faith-based initiative. Etcetera.

This magazine and now www.worldmagblog.com have criticized the Bush administration and will keep trying to tell the truth, regardless of partisan considerations. But, as we keep in mind two speeches President Bush has given this month, and the beliefs underlying those talks, let's remember that we're better off now than we were four years ago (when Bill Clinton was in office) or than we will be a year from now, if millions of Christian conservatives stay home in November.

Much could be said about our war against terrorism, but I'll concentrate here on domestic policy and the way President Bush in the State of the Union address on Jan. 20 reemphasized his commitment to compassionate conservatism. He was right to ask Congress to act "so people of faith can know that the law will never discriminate against them again." The faith-based initiative's emphasis on grants has been frustrating—tax credits and vouchers would work better both practically and politically—but as long as we have big government Mr. Bush is right to fight against red-lining religion.

The other speech wasn't heard by many outside of the New Orleans church in which it was given, but President Bush's remarks at Union Bethel AME on Jan. 15 went much deeper than the nationally televised address that should be called the State of the Onion, because every president spends so much time slicing and dicing (the infamous "laundry list" of items) that many viewers begin to cry.

The church speech laid out a bottom-up political philosophy that is the opposite of the top-down approach demanded by Democrats and relished by liberal Republicans. President Bush spoke, sometimes reaching for words, of problems beyond the ability of government: "Intractable problems, problems that seem impossible to solve can be solved.... Miracles are possible in our society, one person at a time. But it requires a willingness to understand the origin of miracles. Miracles happen as a result of the love of the Almighty."

He stated well the problem for religious groups: "Government policy says, on the one hand, perhaps you can help; on the other hand, you can't practice your faith. Faith-based programs are only effective because they do practice faith. It's important for our government to understand that. Government oftentimes will say, yes, you can participate, but you've got to ... conform to our rules. The problem is, faith-based programs only conform to one set of rules, and it's bigger than government rules."

[ilovew]

If you are going to whine about the president's decisions then your point appears much more clear if you can spell correctly. Since you cannot and you refuse to, it merely makes you look like the silly childish person you have proved yourself to be. As far as K-mart, immigration problems existed long before George W. Bush took office and will continue to exist regardless of who is in office.

[The Toll]

How can my spelling make me look childish in contrast to you expressing your undying fanatical devotion to your one true king. You actually said you Adore him and (NOTHING) he could do would change that. That is not only childish but dangerous and uneducated.

[ilovew]

Actually, (*sarcasm on*) precious darling (*sarcasm off*), if your recheck my post, you will note that I said ALMOST nothing. If he ever did something that I am completely against morally, I would certainly not consider voting for him. However, you are merely a waste of my time and I am quite bored with this discussion.

[The Toll]

Actaully I am quite precious.

[kitkat]

***
Here we go again, another 1000 + posts thread with every single malcontent here on FR to vent their hatred for Bush. and transform this thread into an immigration thread***

You are absolutely right, Mike. It's not only the malcotents on FR, it's the TROLLS from Democrat Underground, etc. They HATE Bush because deep down they know Bush is right. And the are SCARED of the truth.

[BigSkyFreeper]

Thanks for the ping Howlin! :)

[BigSkyFreeper]

Why threaten? Just do it. Your vote of non-confidence won't be need you in November.

[The Toll]

You guys just can't wait for this to get sweept under the rug. Well guess what? It's not going away and it will cost the President this election unless he reverses himself. Rush Linbaugh skewered the President all day it was beautiful. This will not fade.

[The Toll]

Linbaugh = Limbaugh

[BigSkyFreeper]

You can spend time in a urine drenched K-Mart. GWB would probably agree with me and we'd decline the offer. Besides, I shop in Wal-Mart, a chain of stores that strongly contributes to the Republican party, you've probably heard of them, and probably hate them with a passion too. That's ok, to each their own. If you want to do business with a store that highlights corruption (Martha Stewart) and loves the French, by all means, shop at K-Mart.

[The Toll]

No threat, for now he has lost my vote but I will not be banished from my party. From now on any attempt at cheerleading for this President will be met with howls. That is until he reverses himself.

[The Toll]

I'm sure he would decline the offer. He has no concern for how actual American neighborhoods are waisting away, he is only concerned for the poor downtroddin oppressed illegals. That's because he's got "compassion" don'cha know.

[woerm]

that's what I call him,

too his face as well
he keeps up with the CFR/AWB reauthorizion etc I'll start calling his face George de Dunce instead

even if there's no other choice for voting next November I don't have to sit here like a brass monkey,

I can sure complain to my misrepresentives and question all their conduct relevant to what they say vs what they do.

[BigSkyFreeper]

I can tell it just grates your cookies that finally a president is actually trying to do something about the immigration problem, a problem that's been largely ignored for 40 years.

[BigSkyFreeper]

Since when was a municipal problem supposed to be a federal problem? If your backyard was wasting away, you'd call Washington? LOL Some logic.

[The Toll]

Your right, "presto" they're legal is something to be proud of. Sorry, he messed up and he needs to admit it. This whole thing is like a prosecuter who knows he put an innocent man behind bars and refuses to admit it. It is pathetic arrogance and it will not be forgotten.

[BigSkyFreeper]

Howl away fool.

[BigSkyFreeper]

And you have a problem with that? They already pay taxes, they might as well be citizens.

[The Toll]

Illegal's are a federal matter. Your logic is flawed not mine.

[BigSkyFreeper]

You're the one talking about neighborhoods wasting away, not me.