[Betaille]

"And if today's Republicans truly want to make their mark in service to our founding precepts, they'll reject liberalism-lite and return to the Goldwater standard."

I think he's missing a major point here. Conservatism today isn't necessarily more "liberal" than Goldwater conservatism. Goldwater conservatism had a somewhat more libertarian bent, whereas today social conservatism plays a bigger role in the movement. What really scares me is that we seem to have lost all concept of "shrinking government". We have a Republican House, Senate, and Presidency for the first time in over 50 years and govt. spending is still rising. If we can't cut down govt. now, I don't know when we'll have a chance.

[atlanta67]

Some facts on spending.

Bush did indeed increase spending at a very alarming rate in his first term.

So far in his second his proposed spending is less tha nthe forecast rate of inflation. This includes the military

[backtothestreets]

The growth in government spending reminds me of the statement by President Calvin Coolidge, "After all, the chief business of the American people is business". Forgotten from this speech was another statement, "Of course the accumulation of wealth cannot be justified as the chief end of existence".

This speech, "The Press Under a Free Government" addressed the relationship of the press in a free society. I wonder how President Coolidge would comment on such subjects as the size of government, government spending, government deficits and illegal immigration, all of which benefit some interests today. He held some principles in higher regard than the accumulation of wealth.