Posted on 08/01/2005 1:40:41 AM PDT by Happy2BMe
Republican: GOP Revolution Dying on Washington D.C. Vine
For decades conservative Republicans dreamed of controlling the White House and Congress. The rallying cry was “If only we had the power, we could revolutionize this country and end the era of big government.” Well, in January 2001, it finally happened and the GOP took control of Congress and the White House. Since that time, it has held total control, except for a 17-month period in 2001-02. Yet, not only has Washington D.C. not been revolutionized, but spending has skyrocketed, deficits have ballooned and government has never been bigger.
What happened? It seems that Republicans in Congress only act like Republicans when Democrats are in charge. When the GOP has control, they change from Dr. Jekyll to Mr. Hyde and become the monsters they battled against.
Since 2001, Republicans have passed the pork barrel laden farm bill,
an all too expensive education bill, approved a massive new government bureaucracy, the Department of Homeland Security and added an unnecessary Medicare prescription benefit, which according to economist Stephen Moore is “the most financially irresponsible legislation of the last 30 years. “ The party of fiscal discipline is gone and Republicans have become addicted to the big government disease. In treating drug addicts, counselors always look for an important first step, the admission of a problem. Unfortunately, Republicans don’t see big government as a problem anymore, but just a way to buy votes from constituents also addicted to big government. Yet, this addiction is a true problem because as cogently observed by commentator Cal Thomas, “Government programs are the only sign of eternal life on earth! ”
In the last week, two more monstrosities were passed by the Republican controlled Congress, the energy bill and the transportation bill. Both bills are loaded with pork, include too many unnecessary projects and provide obscene perks for influential special interest groups. For example, in the $286.4 billion transportation bill, there is $230 million allocated for a bridge in Alaska to connect an island of 50 people to the mainland. It has been aptly called the “Bridge to Nowhere.” The energy bill authorizes spending of $66 billion and includes $14.5 billion in tax breaks. It doubles the domestic mandate for ethanol production to 7.5 billion gallons by 2012, giving corporate welfare to farmers and little benefit to consumers.
Our federal budget deficit is $333 billion, down from $412 billion last year, but truly “misleading” according to Senator Jim DeMint (R-SC), who believes that “Congress is raiding Social Security to mask the true size of the deficit.” What true deficit reduction has occurred had been due solely to increased tax revenues and not fiscal restraint.
Not only is there no fiscal discipline, there is no conservative agenda. Despite the President’s talk, there is no social security reform on the horizon and no real tax reform being seriously debated. Despite having control of Congress and the White House, Republicans are not pursuing a real conservative agenda, only more big government. For example, a true conservative agenda on the pressing issues of immigration reform, the real threats to the English language, or the multi-faceted culture war does not have the support of the GOP leadership in Congress or the White House and is in no danger of being passed. Republicans seem more interested in providing voters the security of big government than in effective border security.
But, isn’t the country doing so well due to visionary GOP policies? Maybe according to Republican lapdogs on talk radio and Fox News, but real America outside of the beltway knows better. Real wages declined in 2004 and the first quarter of 2005. Today, there are 22,000 fewer private sector jobs today than in March of 2001, when the recession started. Our stock market is stagnant, while gasoline prices keep rising and consumer debt and bankruptcies are skyrocketing. Our trade deficit just keeps going higher, and coupled with large budget deficits and purposely weak U.S. treasury policies, the dollar will continue to get pummeled in currency exchanges.
Today, the politically correct crowd rules the day and the Republicans do not have the will or in the inclination to do anything about it. A party that used to be defined by the mantra of smaller government and more individual freedom is basically indistinguishable from the Democrats on fiscal matters. With philosophical differences between the parties on domestic issues gone, is it any surprise that a new Gallup poll shows Americans becoming “more favorable to the Democratic Party.” Voters will realize that if both parties stand for big government, they might as well support the real thing as opposed to the sick and confused imitation.
In Washington D. C. today, bringing home the bacon is the main goal, not advancing individual freedom or a conservative agenda. This is not what I signed up for as a Reagan Republican. If politics today is all about power, not ideology or principled differences, count me out. So, if the Republicans are not going to govern any differently than the Democrats, what’s the use?
In Washington D. C. today, bringing home the bacon is the main goal, not advancing individual freedom or a conservative agenda. This is not what I signed up for as a Reagan Republican. If politics today is all about power, not ideology or principled differences, count me out.So, if the Republicans are not going to govern any differently than the Democrats, what’s the use?
Haven't supported those worthless Big Stupid Government Republican bastards since '91 and the 'Rats since, well, never.
Screw both Big Stupid Government parties.
If you can't beat 'em, outspend 'em
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Republicans are not pursuing a real conservative agenda, only more big government. For example, a true conservative agenda on the pressing issues of immigration reform, the real threats to the English language, or the multi-faceted culture war does not have the support of the GOP leadership in Congress or the White House and is in no danger of being passed.Republicans seem more interested in providing voters the security of big government than in effective border security.
I'm frankly more concerned about the expansion of our government and that ever present threat to our constitutional freedoms than "cultural" issues.
Big government Republican Ping!
And how many times have you voted for a Republican President to lead this nation according to traditional conservative Republican values, sir?
However, there was an even larger concern on the minds of the Majority who voted President George W. Bush into his second term of office.
Anybody want to bring that one up?
Alex... What is the war on terror?
When everything comes down to getting reelected then you get what you deserve.
I am an advocate of term limits which I believe would solve most of these problems.
The President had the momentum and lost it. At this juncture the only thing good that can happen from now until 2008 is we get two more Supreme Court appointments, because the issues I wanted addressed won't be.
That was my point when someone recently suggested the govt should act as a nanny in the Holloway case and have committee's etc etc getting the govt involved yet once again. I am so tired of so-called conservatives wanting to spend, spend, spend and get involved in every area of our lives. Hello we are Republicans and conservatives, remember what that meant at one time??
Think of it this way... The Democrats put a lot of holes in the roof. In order to fix up the house, we have to spend a lot of money to patch the holes, maintain enough popularity to stay in power long enough to fix all the leaks, and defend the house from terrorists.
Not a set of tasks that lends itself to home repair.
Most of the spending is defense. Most have forgotten the reason, but 9/11 did happen. Deficits were the result but tax cuts have cut into them.
Plus, most forget that the balance of power was tenuous during Bush's first term so the dems had to be countered. Spending did go up, but what if there were dems in charge? Just check their spending bills. All in all, you can bitch and moan as much as you wish, but the real world of politics always trumps idealism, even with RR in charge. You will be happy with some outcomes and unhappy with others.
Whine, whine.
Why not just vote Hillary and Howard Dean in and destroy the republican party.
I hate to say this, 'cuz I despise Hillary & the loud-mouthed Dean...but maybe electing Hillary & Dean is exactly what needs to be done in order to get conservatives w/in the GOP to take their party back. Of course it'll be a very bitter pill to swallow, but the GOP needs to be shaken up SOMEHOW. Its leadership is nothing but a big government one-world mirror image of the Dims.
Not only do we have to content with a corrupt media, America hating liberals and assorted insane commentators, we have to deal with the likes of McCain and his band of cohorts who seek to thwart the President at every turn.
Frankly, I count my blessings every single day that we have this man in office.
The alternative is terrifying.
We'll see lots who refuse to admit", the admission of a problem" on this thread.
Really, if Bush is so bad, why not have some nads and vote your conscience, but STOP your incessant bitchin'!
Hillary!!!....Hillary!!Hillary!!Hillary!!
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