Posted on 06/04/2006 2:24:14 PM PDT by nuconvert
Bush is the Next Reagan
Jun 4, 2006
Slater Bakhtavar - Persian Journal
The same people who heavily criticized former President Reagan for his tough stance against Communism and for his aggressive push for democracy in Eastern Europe are now attacking President Bush for his tough stance against fundamentalism and his aggressive push for democracy in the Middle East.
-They argued then that Communism would never fall - it did They argue now that Islamic Fundamentalism will never fall - it will
-They argued then that the Soviet Union is too strong - it wasn't
They argue now that the insurgency is too strong - it isn't
-They argued that Reagans vision of democracy in East Europe would never work - it did
They argue now that Bushs vision of democracy for the mid-east would never work - it will
They argued then that Reagans evil empire speech was a failure - it wasn't
They argue now that Bushs axis of evil speech is a failure - it won't be
-They argued then that former soviet bloc countries wouldn't embrace democracy - they did
They argue now that middle east countries would never embrace democracy - they will
-They argued then that Eastern Europeans nations would never be our allies - they are
They argue now that middle eastern countries will never be our allies - they will be
-They argued then that people without God could never embrace democracy - they did
They argue now that Muslims will never embrace democracy - they will
-They argued then that President Reagan was unrealistic - he wasn't
They argue now that President Bush is unrealistic - he'll prove he isn't
-They argued then democracy isn't universal to former Communists - it was
They argue now democracy isn't universal to Middle Easterners - it will be
-They argued then that funding of pro-democracy groups in Eastern European countries won't work - it did
They argue now that funding of pro-democracy groups won't work in the Middle East - it will
The same exact critcism was directed at Reagan. The future will be the judge of President Bush and my guess is that he will be judged as the Great Liberator of the Middle East.
Reagan campaigned on cutting government and failed BIG time.
Bush, at least, didn't make that the cornerstone of his campaign, so his 'failure' is a matter of political realism and not failed promises.
(I'm not saying that I agree..........just stating the case that Reagan did not shrink government at all).
Fascinating list of comparisons. I'd never thought about it that way -- and I wonder if it wasn't intentional on Bush's part. I think, IIRC, that he (or maybe his supporters) has characterized him as a politician in the mold of Reagan. SO it would stand to reason that his philosophy that drives his foreign policy decisions strikes a similar pose as compared to Reagan's.
Sue... I'm a confused by this now as I was when Reagan was Pres.
But He also had the Powerful Tip O'Neil to deal with.
Ok, Two out of three branches don't make law.
The House Democrats FEARED REAGAN.
Nobody Fears Bush.
Reagan went directly to the people and thats why the Democrats Feared him.
And by the way, it was Reagan who helped sweep in a GOP Senate in 1980.
They rode his coat-tails and if he had a greater majority than Bush, it was because of reagan himself.
A better comparison is to Truman. Truman defined the strategy of the Cold War and Bush has defined the strategy of the GWOT.
"LOL! I didn't 'attack' you!"
If I misinterpreted your statement as implying my criticism of GWB is somehow unfair or unwarranted, and by extension, that I was unreasonable, then I apologize. I remain open to any specific arguments against my opinion.
"the way to win the fight for conservatism is to restructure and reform government to accomplish conservative goals."
I take the Reagan view. The best way to be conservative is to BE conservative. GWB will never be seen by history as being particularly conservative.
So what did I miss?
Interesting historical point, Deb, about the Senate being firmly Republican during Reagan's administration. He didn't have to deal with the filibuster issue blocking reasonable legislation and judicial appointments.
And those conservative Democrats in the House are all Republicans now or their heirs.
And after more consideration, it occurs to me (with a gasp) that Bush's amnesty efforts are reminiscent of Reagan's amnesty. Ugh; I hope not.
Newt got "BORKED" by RINOS in 95'...
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Post No. 89 is an accurate quote of President BUSH's Freedom Promise Letter read aloud to 1,000's of Freedom-loving Vietnamese-Americans in April 2003.
On September 2nd, 2004 President BUSH accurately called our new 21st Century...
...The LIBERTY Century.
This all tends to drive the world's Freedom-Haters a little bit NUTS, as they call for Presient BUSH's Impeachment.
All geared towards having the Democrats take over the U.S. Congress this year =
"ALOHA" to America's War on Terrorism outside its borders, and aother kind of "ALOHA" inside our borders.
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". . . cutting Gov is the right thing to do... Bush has failed there"
Please provide us with an example of a CUT in government growth and spending during the Reagan era!
FYI: Reagan still holds the record for the highest deficit as percentage of GDP . . . Additionally, his talk of eliminating federal departments, e.g., the Department of Education, lasted exactly ONE year!
Back to homelessness? I admire the Pres... But could care less about that. He can stand on th GWOT and Judges and taxes
I never heard of the 60 votes to pass anything before President Bush either...
"Have you checked into Russian politics lately???
Things are NOT so rosy...or democratic....
Does that make Reagan a failure?? "
Reagan didn't fight for Russian democracy, he fought against communism, so by that measure, no, he most assuredly was not, and is not a failure.
He tried, but I admit Gov grew under Reagan.
Sure you aren't hoping for that? The GOP is doing a fine job flushing itself down the tube on its own, the Pres isn't to blame for all the GOP's current problems by a loooong shot.
And what sort of a comment is "U feel me"??
Very odd post. *sniff*
In Reagan's time people still respected the Office of the President, and the media wouldn't have had the nerve to deny the President air time, like it routinely does now.
Thanks for the pings
When all is said and done, Bush will have played a better game...........and that's where it counts.
Amen to that!
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