Posted on 02/01/2006 9:51:00 PM PST by Coastal
WASHINGTON -- While jumping up on cue to cheer during the speech and delivering rave reviews afterward in the Capitol's Statuary Hall, conservative members of Congress were deeply disappointed by George W. Bush Tuesday night. It was not merely that the president abandoned past domestic goals. He appeared to be moving toward bigger government.
The consensus on the Right was that President Bush's fifth State of the Union Address was his worst. Republican congressmen agreed privately that he was most effective at the beginning with his familiar message of why U.S. forces cannot abandon Iraq. The problem for these lawmakers was the rest of the 51-minute presentation, which was filled with unpleasant surprises.
(Excerpt) Read more at nationalledger.com ...
I'm supportive of his foreign policy, Alito, and assorted other initiatives. I detest his domesntic big government programs, was livid at Miers, and am similarly livid at his pick of Julie Myers for head of ICE and associated foot dragging on enforcement of existing immigration law.
But he's 100 times better than Kerry or Gore.
Criticism delivered as a matter of civic duty.
Pat Buchanan, Tucker Carlson, and Joe Scarborough.
Honestly, other than blowing up the 'terrists', I didn't hear much that any conservative would approve of -- other than making the tax cuts permanent and a few other tidbits. Other than that it is just more government programs, more catering to the Lowest Common Denominators of Society and giving money away to lost causes (AIDS Africa, etc). Now if anyone on FR will offer counter-points, I'd love to read them.
I'd like to hear a President challenge his citizenry, like J F Kennedy did in the early 1960s.
Imagine a President having the courage to look into the camera and speak directly to the American people and say things like:
"My fellow Americans, our nation's tax code punishes achievers and is a drain on our economy to the tune of over $400 billion. I challenge you to write to your Senators and Congressman/woman demanding tax code change to make it easier for you to pay your taxes."
"My fellow Americans, Social Security and Medicare are in dire straights. I challenge you to write your Senators and Congressman/woman demanding that these systems be overhauled and that you may opt out of the system if you choose. Raising the tax isn't an option. Raising the tax simply takes money out of your pocket and gives it to someone else while depriving you of your opportunity to enjoy your own wealth; whether you spend it on nice dinners, paying down your credit card debt, hiring more employees at your personal/small business or investing in stocks and bonds."
"My fellow Americans, I challenge you to write to your Senators and Congressman/woman and demand that they reduce federal spending. The federal government gets money from only one source, you, the citizen. The only way to stop this out of control government spending is for you the citizen to demand that your Senators and Congressman/woman make efforts to reduce federal spending by 5% year over year until the federal budget is less than $1.75 trillion and we begin to reduce the national debt."
"My fellow Americans, in this global economy, we face the prospects of cheaper labor from countries where the cost of living and labor is far cheaper than here in the United States. These countries also do not have the piles and piles of complex regulations and restrictions that make it harder for businesses to operate - which in turn provides you with job opportunities. I challenge you to write to your Senators and Congressman/woman demanding the removal of these barriers to doing business and providing you with jobs.
Things like that...ya know?
He's caused quite a bit of trouble too.
He should have been sent to the pasture to graze a long time ago.
I thought it was his best yet.
He was relaxed and on his game.
And the message was a good one.
I just wish that he had resisted the urge to smirk a couple of times.
Maybe it was when he looked at Alito in his SCOTUS robes.
I think Conservatives were upset that Bush made Mrs Alito cry too
Right.
Bump.
That's the way I see it. Fair speech at best. A hackneyed effort.
All the Bush cheerleaders enjoyed it, I'm sure. Fred Barnes is so infatuated with GWBush, he's downright giddy these days.
"Criticism ... a matter of civic duty."
Exactly.
He certainly has done and yes, yes, YES...he's reached the point age of retirement and should.
I know.
I think "The Donner Party Conservatives" just stay upset all the damn time.
Ah, it's so ironic to see "conservatives" on a conservative forum defending a socialist domestic agenda. What a great day!
It must kill you that people actually LIKE something, rather than spending 24/7/365 trashing EVERYTHING.
But just think, then YOU have something to do!
LOL
NO surprise there. You're ALWAYS negative.
It's hard to decide who hopes Bush fails more, the liberals or our very own Unappeasables.
Don't worry, I won't try to ride it...
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