I see no reason NOT to blame Bush and Cheney for where we are. They betrayed the small government ideals the CONSERVATIVE party should stand for, consistently during their time in office. The GOP needs to get back to getting Govt out of our lives, but then again, I’m not one of these neo (new) conservatives.
It is easy to be taken in by the posturing of politicians and project our own values onto them. That's what their image makers count on.
Sorry but you are NOT "thinking carefully" enough.