GOP slams Bush policies at retreat

The Washington Times ^ | 2/6/04 | By Ralph Z. Hallow and James G. Lakely

[ovrtaxt]

Growing frustration over President Bush's immigration plan and lack of fiscal discipline came to a head behind closed doors at last weekend's Republican retreat in Philadelphia.

House lawmakers, stunned by the intensity of their constituents' displeasure at some of Mr. Bush's key domestic policies, gave his political strategist Karl Rove an earful behind closed doors.

[Miss Marple]

If your "oh my" comment is meant as an aspersion, all I can say is "too bad."

[sully777]

Ohh...
Oh my?

[Ches]

"They like to be entertained and charmed."

Of great frustration to me is the propensity of even the politically astute to lapse into lazy, band aid politics, refusing to look at the disease while attacking the symptoms. This behavior, I fear, is becoming a form of entertainment of some hiding behind their keyboards.

This is a great arena for the exchange of ideas. It also has the potential of providing a forum for those who get their jollies engaging in verbal one-upsmanship and other games. Granted, not one amongst us is perfect.

I appreciate your civil tone.

[Miss Marple]

If you cannot answer my question, please stop posting to me.

[gatorbait]

appreciate your civil tone.

As do I, yours.

You may agree with me on this or not, but I think a great deal of what's been recently proffered has reflected the sad political realitys of that lost marshmallow class out there. Does anyone NOT believe Medicare ,and Social Security for that matter, are major MIDDLE CLASS entitlement programs , shilled all these years to desensitize the spirit. I am of the opinion tha ttrue conservative ideas are indeed the best course.When they get enacted ,they work .The hardest part is to sell them, because they are not easy to do,thought and responsibility are required. Leftism is easy, much easier than effort.

Any thoughts,Ches?

[sully777]

Wait...still looking up asperations. Wait, no you said "aspersions".

Asperse: from the Latin "ad spargere" = to sprinkle. To sprinkle you--oh my? No no!

To slander (see slander) = the utterance of a falsehood that damages another's reputation.

Aspersion: A damaging or disparaging remark; to slander

Oh my?

[gatorbait]

realitys =realities.. I know, hit spell checker before posting.

[Miss Marple]

Well, I gave you a chance to explain your position. Apparently you choose to cloak yourself in confusing comments. I have no time for that.

Good evening.

[sully777]

Thank you for your time and good evening.

[Ches]

"The hardest part is to sell them, because they are not easy to do, thought and responsibility are required."

As a father of two men now in their mid-twenties, I know just how hard selling responsibility is. (Now we're doomed!) The late teen years were particularly difficult. They couldn't find jobs that were like video games and even though they had the benefit of two conservative parents, their perspective was bent through the prism of the social establishments. I have cringed more than once when my son has stated something to the effect that "if I'm going to pay this much in tax I sure as heck expect to get something for it." The desensitization you refer to, coupled with the demoralization of looking at a puny take home check only encourages them to huddle closer to the trough. I can only hope that in this case, that as conservative parents we can provide them with an alternative viewpoint. Ultimately the decision is theirs. This monster called socialism is swallowing our society and turning our children into future marshmallows.

[gatorbait]

I've got 2 teen girls ..Pray for me.

[Poohbah]

A natural-born coalition builder, yessir.

As I said, I'm not interested in building a coalition of the unwilling--and your side of the aisle has been unwilling since 1992.

If the price of gaining your vote is losing two less-than-pure-conservative votes, then the price you're asking is far too high--because it's a net loss of one vote.

You're bent on playing king of the fort while there's an election going on around you.

I'm selling a Yugo. My asking price is $500,000 and is non-negotiable. Now, are you going to plunk down the cash, or are you "bent on playing king of the fort while there's a car sale going on around you?"

[Ches]

You have our prayers, as do all parents of teens. We also have a daughter at home about to enter her teen years.

[sauropod]

Not a bad summary.

[gatorbait]

Thank you,sauropod.I appreciate the comment and compliment.

[Pelham]

What will it take for me to vote for Bush in 04?

When he'd deported the 11 millionth illegal. I expect him to enforce the law, not subvert it.

[applemac_g4]

"I am a committed and loyal Republican. Those who threaten voting third party, or for John Kerry, will not meet with my approval. I am quite up front with my position. If you don't like it, too bad."

-----

Actually, I find your candor refreshing. It's much better this way than having to deal with RINO party loyalists who cloak their anti-american agenda with terms like "conservative" and "patriot".

If the price of my vote is too high, so be it. Kerry is leading Bush in the polls 50%-45%. It's high time that Republicans who take stands contrary to the party platform are punished at the polls.

[Miss Marple]

Well, I will accept you back-handed compliment, although I suppose it is difficult for you to think that I might consider myself a patriot, too.

As far as conservative...I am as conservative as anyone when it comes to my personal opinions. I just am willing to compromise and accept less than perfect in order to gain and retain office, because I know that the democrats will be far mure destructive.

[WOSG]

"to the all too willing to pile on press."

hmmm. This is the press at its best.

Trying to create a climate of internal dissention and tension in the Republican party. It's called "DIVIDE AND CONQUER". Some willing dupes buy into it and let the press carry the message of dissention.

Loose cannons like Chuck Hegel are perfect examples. The press loves to have him out there critiquing the president.

I dont want our Republican Party to become a circular firing squad again and the Socialist Democrats to become a majority again. Dont people REMEMBER????!?? In 1993, we gave the Democrats free hand at Govt Here is what the Democrats did and tried to do:

- Raise taxes
- Add useless spending as a payoff to cities
- Add Gun regulations
- Socailize health care system
- social experimentation in the military (gays in services, women in combat roles)
- foreign policy feebleness (Somalia 1993 mini-quagmire)

ALL IN 18 MONTHS.

Now let us stand for Conservatives in the party... "At least he is trying to change things in stead of watching it commit suicide. Which is what is happening under the hear no evil...see no evil crowd. Stop fooling yourself and demand a change." ... yes, we should demand a change for the better from OUR PARTY. But dont think for a minute that improving the democrats' chances in office is in any way shape or form a smart thing to do.

Those who harm the Republican party today HARM THE CONSERVATIVE CAUSE.