[billbears]

However, the Bush administration is fast dispelling such a misconceived notion. It is creating a behemoth federal system not even attempted by past Democratic administrations. Examples of this thirst for federal power by the Bush administration are manifold.

So true. If Democrats tried what Bush is doing, there would be protests at every corner. As it is, the nation is told it's for 'Homeland Security' and except for a few accept the changes willingly and with open arms

[MedicalMess]

it very clear that Republicans are capable of even trumping Democrats in their thirst for federal power.

Doubt that... BARF ALERT.

[sinkspur]

In a manner reminiscent of Bill Clinton's misuse of federal power, the Bush White House has apparently hired a Clinton law firm, Williams & Connolly, to investigate the personal life of Judicial Watch founder, Larry Klayman.

So says the paranoid nutbag Klayman. If you choose to believe Judicial Watch's goofy press releases, then you'll believe anything.

[Mark Felton]

The Republicans no more represent "conservatism" (constitutional, limited government) than Democrats represent liberalism (Thomas Jefferson style liberty-oriented government).

Both parties view government as a means to control the people.

The preponderance of evidence must be judged at face value. Their laws and budgets tell the truth of the matter, not their speeches and marketing blitzes.

[cynicom]

Bush and Ashcroft have done more in two years to destroy our rights than Clinton and his gang did in eight.

[inquest]

This is over the top. I'm well on record here on FR as being adamantly opposed to just about everything Bush, Ashcroft, & Co. have been doing to the Constitution, which is quite a bit. But it still doesn't come close to what liberals have done to it, let alone exceed what they've done. We still need to speak loudly and clearly against these transgressions, but there's no need to lose our heads over this. This kind of hyperbole does not help the cause.

[hoosierskypilot]

We are at war! Let's see how these sniveling wimps react after the next attack, which will probably be an assault force by terrorists already living here, invited by slick willy and his whores.

[dfwgator]

Inevitably the question will boil down to who gets to run your life. With the Republicans it will be the Federal Government, with the Democrats it will be the UN. Name your poison.

[Ohioan]

I am not ready yet, to make the underlying judgment as to what is going on. My inclination, even as Jefferson suggested in the Declaration, is to give every benefit of every doubt to those who once appeared to be Conservatives.

But if the evidence eventually demonstrates that those who once appeared to be Conservatives are in fact seeking to aggrandize personal power, at the expense of the Constitutional system, then the answer is that they are no longer Conservatives, if they ever were. Certain Eastern journalists, notwithstanding, the word Conservative means and always will mean to Conserve something vital. And the Conservatism of any of us may be judged by how willing we are to conserve, and how willing to abandon, whatever our reasons.

William Flax Return Of The Gods Web Site