"What do the numbers say about those tax cuts that are either irresponsibly large or laughably small, depending on which Democrat is attacking them? Personal tax payments have declined 19 percent since 2001, and disposable income has thus increased 11 percent. In 2004, U.S. households are expected to receive $300 billion more in income-tax refunds than in 2003 (yes, the budget deficit has gone up, but it is economically inconsequential, and Democrats don't have any serious plans for reducing it anyway). The numbers provide some perspective on Bush's biggest political liability: lagging job growth. Since reaching a high of 6.3 percent in June 2003, the unemployment rate has dipped to 5.6 percent, lower than the average unemployment rate of the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s.
The numbers even like George Bush more than Bill Clinton. According to J. Edward Carter's calculation, during the first three years of the Bush administration compared with the first three years of the Clinton administration, the inflation rate is lower (1.9 percent versus 2.6 percent), the unemployment rate is lower (5.5 percent versus 6.2 percent), annual productivity growth is higher (4.1 percent versus .5 percent), and the increase in nonfarm real compensation per hour is higher (+0.8 percent versus -0.3 percent).
Bush should introduce the American public to these numbers. They are among the best friends he has."
Gotta get this message out to the Masses...MUD
I can tell from the majority posts on this thread that it's fashionable to castigate such a position; however, eight months from the election, I would argue that this is a very respectable stance for conservative Republicans to take. Dubyuh's spending IS outta control and needs to be reined in...do we really believe he'll do it if all the pressure comes from those who are urging him to adopt the DemonRATS' big-spending proclivities? Heck no, Rove's already on record as saying conservatives have nowhere to go, all but saying "Screw us and all we hold dear!!" Threatening to sit out in November or vote Constitution Party will hopefully give Bush the political backbone to get spending under control, and he's already begun talking about cutting or eliminating 128 Federal programs and curtailing Discretionary Domestic spending to 1%. If he follows thru on this, I'll venture a lot of the disgruntled conservatives will return to the fold.
A similar issue is Dubyuh's proposed Non-amnesty Amnesty fer Illegals...I believe it is a principled conservative's duty to argue against such misguided policy!! Threatening to sit out--or vote third party--in November is a very respectable position, IMHO. And while I totally respect the BushOrBusters who dominate FReeperdom these days, I must admit that I grow tired with those who relentlessly criticize folks who are Conservatives first, and Republicans second. A more productive response--once again, IMHO--would be to help Dubyuh by getting to the crux of alienated Bush supporter's problems with Dubyuh and attempt overcome their hesitance to support Dubyuh again. Name-calling and derision simply solidifies their resolve to sit out what promises to be a very important election next November.
FReegards...MUD