[GOPJ]

The problem isn't the cost. These programs would still be wrong even if Bill Gates wrote a check to cover them each month. They're wrong because they deform the relationship between the citizen and the state. Even if there were no financial consequences, the moral and even spiritual consequences would still be fatal.

PING!

[sickoflibs]

RE :”Even if there were no financial consequences, the moral and even spiritual consequences would still be fatal.’

I agree with this 100%,it corrupts the soul. But “How to convince voters of this?” is the problem. Obama realized many Republican voters were not conservative/libertarians that believed this, instead they voted Republican because they saw democrats taking ‘their’ money and giving it to others(those other racial groups, the poor, deadbeat Dad's kids.) . Elected Republicans like GWB and others in turn gave them more programs for ‘their’ hard earned tax money. Obama and democrats co-opted this with “Republicans give to the rich, we will take care of you”.

I will add that trying to convince voters that the federal government rebuilding Iraq is good for national security , but rebuilding their schools etc is bad for the reasons above will always lead to Democrats winning elections. That is why few Republicans opposed spending under GWB.