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
Thanks. I think if you look at my posts there, I have been pretty restrained.I am certainly hoping for a Bush victory this year, and I hope a LOT of folks here on FR join me in voting for him. I am voting straight ticket GOP, btw.
There is only one good Democrat - one that has been voted OUT OF POWER.
If Kerry is elected ?? Well, I can't see any Conservative agendas coming out of THAT White House.
I don't have a problem with folks debating questionable actions or policies. If you notice, I don't go on the Immigration threads very often. When I do, I usually just bump the threads. My comments are quite reserved on those threads.
I would like to see less spending, I sent e-mails to Dubya and Cheney urging Bush to NOT sign CFR. (Hmm? Seems like there's something else, but can't think of it).
Just my 2 cents ...
That may be true...I personally have voted in every Presidential election since I've been eligible, and will no doubt vote this coming November as well. That said, I am seriously considering voting for the Constitution Party candidate, but would like nothing more than to see Dubyuh to put more emphasis on the "Conservative" portion of his "Compassionate Conservativism" so I can proudly vote fer him.
"And for anyone who thinks 'sitting this one out' will send a message to Rove, Bush, etc., think again. Do you honestly believe that?"
The message is already being sent, my FRiend...by registering its willingness to stay home or vote 3rd Party, the Principled Conservative Wing of the Republican Party is letting Dubyuh and his advisors know that we will not support DemonRAT-Lite when it comes to fiscal conservatism (or Illegal Immigration, depending on the voter). I believe this is an important message for President Bush to hear, and it would do Dubyuh--and the Country--good to adjust his policy priorities accordingly.
"Look back at history. Hell, look back at the past 12 years. Has Bush managed to undo everything Clinton has done? No. Did Reagan undo everything Carter did? No. For every two steps forward a liberal takes, it takes a Republican at least one step backward to undo what has been done, quite often at the expense of conservatism."
I'm not here to bash Bush, but this Administration has allowed Domestic Discretionary Spending to grow at 8% per year (compared to Clinton's 3% per year). I'm gullible enough to accept that much of this spending binge is a result of Homeland Security and a staggering economy, but it can be argued that Bush isn't even trying to undo what Clinton did.
"So go ahead, sit this one out."
Like I said, my FRiend, I don't sit out elections.
"You might as well sit every one out from this point on, because if Kerry is elected, you will NEVER see the kind of conservatism again that you see today in Bush today."
I disagree...I honestly believe Bush's brand of cultural conservatism is a winning hand in today's America. If a charismatic leader will partner that with a heartfelt belief oand pursuit of fiscal conservatism, I believe the combination would be unbeatable!!
"Kerry would put our country on the fast road to hell. Now you might be saying, 'well Bush has us on the slow road to socialism. If we're going down that road, I'd rather do it and get it over with.' Well you know what? I'd rather take my chances trying to stop a slow moving train than trying to stop a train in the express lane."
Admittedly, the last thing I want to do is anything that will result in making Kerry the Commander-in-Chief halfway thru the War on Terrorism. That said, as a Virginian whose State has carried the GOP banner in every presidential election since 1964, I have some flexibility in supporting a 3rd Party candidate.
"PS: For anyone who thinks that any politician, regardless of party, will do or say everything they want, get back to the real world."
Of course I don't expect Dubyuh to be perfect...not even my favorite POTUS ever--Reagan--did everything exactly as I would. Still, a sincere commitment to a Constitutionally-limited Federal Guv'ment is a core issue with me and many others. Even Dubyuh professes to be for limited government...now all we need is for him to follow up his words with the appropriate actions. I refuse to believe that is too much of a fantasy to entertain.
FReegards...MUD