Posted on 12/11/2007 4:20:07 PM PST by pissant
Most of the leading Republicans running for president show some support for Bushs ideology, but no other candidate so completely embodies it.
As governor of Arkansas, Huckabee dramatically increased state spending. During his two-term tenure, spending increased by more than 65 percent -- at three times the rate of inflation.
The number of government workers increased by 20 percent, and the states debt services increased by nearly $1 billion. Huckabee financed his spending binge with higher taxes. Under his leadership, the average Arkansans tax burden increased 47 percent, according to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, including increases in the states gas, sales, income, and cigarette taxes. He raised taxes on everything from groceries to nursing home beds.
Huckabee answers these complaints by pointing out that he "cut taxes 94 times" while governor. True. But most of those tax cuts were tiny, like exempting residential lawn care from the sales tax. Some cuts reduced overall state revenues by as little as $15,000. On net, Huckabee increased state taxes by more than $500 million. In fact, Huckabee increased taxes in the state by more than Bill Clinton did.
On its annual governors report card, Cato gave Huckabee an "F" for fiscal policy during his final term, and an overall two-term grade of "D." Only four governors had worse scores, and 15 Democratic governors got higher grades, including well-known liberals like Ted Kulongoski of Oregon, Rod Blagojevich of Illinois, and Ed Rendell of Pennsylvania.
But Huckabee doesnt just embrace big government in the form of big taxes. He truly appears to believe that if something is a good idea it should be a federal government program.
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
free trade nonsense? Free trade is the basics of free market economics. (btw, I think this is a great article on the huckster)
Free trade is non -existent. If we are putting our manufacturer’s at a disadvantage, which we most certainly are, via idiotic arrangements we agreed to through the WTO, than it is not only not free, it is a usurpation of our sovereignty. It is the worst of all scenarios.
GWB tried to partially level the playing field by offering tax rebates to our exporters, only to have the WTO rule them illegal and the wusses that we are, they were rescinded.
Thanks for this thread and
bump to the top
And don't forget Dumond case revisited - A reminder of Huckabee's role in his freedom
BTTT
Tanner’s book the “Leviathan on the Right” was good. Bottom line is Huck should be running as a Democrat.
Being pro-life and believing in Jesus as your Lord and Savior is wonderful. It doesn’t make you a conservative. Heck, he’s to the left of every blue dog Democrat in Congress.
As far as evangelicals leaving the party, I predict that most of them will still support the GOP ticket regardless unless Rudy is on it, so Huckabee doesn't own these votes.
ping for an important read
They are in the pickle they are in because they have moved away from Reaganism. That is why I support the one guy who is a tried and true Reaganite. Thompson comes next, but his record is sketchier, as I have pointed out.
Mitt talks a good game most of the time, but his global warming nonsense today is yet another example of his misplaced do-goodism.
Wait till someone filches some of his old sermons and publishes them...what we've learned so far will be like the gentle rain from heaven in comparison.
BTTT
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