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."

[The Toll]

Wow, your right! I quess I really did make a difference.

[SquirrelKing]

When is the time for Bush supporters to voice their opinions about what our policies should be?

Any time. All the time. But be mindful of who is listening. The toddler-minded media and Kennedy-kissing lefties are ready to use your words.

In public I show support and an undivided front, but my senator and congressman hear from me too.

[MissAmericanPie]

"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."

This is highly debatable at this point in the Bush administration. And if this is the only reason the author can pull out of his hat, to vote for Bush again, Bush is in trubs.

No Child left behind, the Farm Bill, as bad as they are cannot compare to the worry all Americans should concentrate on the FTAA treaty, and amnesty. Will demonrats attempt to get them through? Sure. Are they as likely to get them through as Bush, I don't think so.

[The Toll]

I have no response to your logic. My Kmart comment is from searing red anger that I get when I think about how the Fed in total, not just the president, refuses to clean up this mess.

[cibco]

Have you seen the Dems proposal on immigration? They want to grant citizenship. You're gonna have problems with any of what has been put forth. Fight it through your Senators and Reps.

[woerm]

>>quote
Oh, and by the way I have one word, JUDGES. No three words, SUPREME COURT JUDGES.

one word:
bullshit

check the record, a MAJORITY of the SCOTUS is reptile appointed, and they could not find 4 that would even listen to arguement on Silveira

then turned around and ok'd CFR trashing the primary civil right we *had*

I don't know the answer, but the only way to fix this issue, if it can be fixed is get a conservative constitutionaly informed majority in both houses of congress and start impeaching the tyrants.

appointing 'conservative' judges has not proven to work at all

I still can't figure out what constitution the are reading it sure isn't mine.

George the Duce may appoint less liberal judges but the current track record of 'conservative justice' is pretty sorry.

r

[MeekOneGOP]

Worth the read!

I agree.
Full text in post #4.

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

Please let me know if you want ON or OFF my General Interest ping list!. . .don't be shy.

[kevao]

The toddler-minded media and Kennedy-kissing lefties are ready to use your words.

The Dems don't need our words. They won't hesitate to fabricate anything about Bush. Nothing we do or say here will make it worse. Believe me, they will go after Bush with something more powerful than, "Did you know many Republicans are against Bush's immigration proposal?"

I don't understand the rampant fear on FR that somehow our Republican Party cannot withstand a healthy debate of the issues, and that openly debating these issues will doom our chances of winning in November.

I would respectfully suggest that those Freepers who wish to stifle debate, those fascistic shut-your-mouth-and-fall-into-line folks, might feel more at home in the Democrat Party.

[The Toll]

Sure your right about how the fight will pan out but Bush is "our" guy and his immigration plan is pure PC garbage and everybody knows it. After everything else this pathetic Democrat style pandering is the last straw for a large number of people. He must not comtinue to ignore this rift he has caused.

[Kevin Curry]

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.

These are the whimpy, whiny excuses of a first-class enabler--like the wife who rationalizes and excuses her philandering, drunken husband's affairs by telling herself, "But he brings home a paycheck and doesn't beat me half as much as my first husband did."

We should start demanding accountability from Bush and let him know without doubt that we will stay home if he doesn't alter course. By meekly falling into line we merely encourage more crap like the CFR, amnesty-on-the-intstallment plan, senior Medicare prescription boondoggle, and NEA endowment insults.

At the same time we should work doubly hard to shore up our strength in Congress with good conservative candidates. A conservative Republican Congress will gridlock any Democrat president into terminal fecklessness.

[AmericanInTokyo]

Bump for consideration, debate.

[Kevin Curry]

Oh, and by the way I have one word, JUDGES. No three words, SUPREME COURT JUDGES.

Bush has had four years. What has he got done? Pickering's recess appointment will expire, BTW.

A Democrat president can expect even stiffer opposition from a Republican-controlled Senate.

[OldFriend]

Knuckling under for the security of our country. For the security of the civilized world. For despots to worry and wonder if this President might target them next.

Does your family not reside in this real world?

[hoosiermama]

Thanks for the ping good article.

My rant on the imigration, boarders, illegals is: There has been a problem for years. It's getting worse because it has been ignored for years.....like the elephant in a room. Finally someone (W) points out the problem and starts a dialogue about it and certain people (D) want to shoot the messanger. We need to discuss the issues and look at several solutions.(BUT THIS THREAD IS NOT THE PLACE)...Heaven knows we didn't get in this mess in four years and we certainly are not going to clean it up in four weeks. Let's encourage the discussion in one central location of FR. It's own "backroom".

BTW Some of my ancestors were illegals back in the 1700s and 1800s does that mean I have to leave too!;^) Where does it stop?

[OldFriend]

As if we learned nothing from the first WTC bombing that went unanswered, embassy bombings that went unanswered, the USS Cole bombing that went unanswered, some might add the downing of TWA 800, and then of course, the refusal to take OBL into custody....resulting in the loss of thousands of innocent people on that terrible morning in September.

The Bush detractors seem to recognize none of this.

[cibco]

The President proposes legislation, not dictates it. It is up to Congress to slice, dice and put together a bill to vote on.

Bush just put a proposal out in the open and you see how it got everyone's attention. Before this, immigration was a concern of only a few. Now it is in the spotlight more...

[hobson]

Ping!

[The Toll]

They reside in whats left of it. Thats what this is all about.

[hoosiermama]

BINGO! That's exactly what has happened! "W" has got out attention. The LEGISLATURES better do something positive about it.....HE can't. You get an "A in government 101!

[Southflanknorthpawsis]

Absolutely!!!! Thanks for posting this.