George F. Will:President Bush has turned conservatism on its head, infuriating many supporters

The Union Leader, Manchester, NH ^ | July 24, 2003 | George F. Will

[RJCogburn]

THIS IS THE is the summer of conservatives? discontent. Conservatism has been disoriented by events in the last several weeks. Cumulatively, foreign and domestic developments constitute an identity crisis of conservatism, which is being recast ? and perhaps rendered incoherent.

George W. Bush may be the most conservative person to serve as President since Calvin Coolidge. Yet his Presidency is coinciding with, and is in some instances initiating or ratifying, developments disconcerting to four factions within conservatism. The faction that focuses on foreign policy has four core principles: Preserve U.S. sovereignty and freedom of action by marginalizing the United Nations. Reserve military interventions for reasons of U.S. national security, not altruism. Avoid peacekeeping operations that compromise the military?s war-fighting proficiencies. Beware of the political hubris inherent in the intensely unconservative project of ?nation-building.?

[VRWC_minion]

This redistribution of the wealth Via Medicare Drug Coverage is plain sick.

I agree with you but unfortunately its a given that it will be enacted eventually. Something like 70% of the people want it to be. That's representative govt'.

[MrLeRoy]

Are you claiming that's a result of his big spending?

Could be or it could be that his lack of vetoing didn't give the demos a hammer to hit him with.

Then why should I vote for a guy who's buying votes with my money?

But what the hey you probably didin't vote for Bush anyway.

You never tire of being wrong, do you?

[VRWC_minion]

How? More federal control?

Next up, vouchers. You canot get more local than that.

Let the me-too Republicans conduct their alleged "long term strategy" with their own money.

Its already going to be spent, that the reality. The only question is on what. I prefer it be spent on strategies that return control to the individual.

[Protagoras]

Hatred of Democrats obsures any rational thought process it seems.

"Vote for what you don't want as long as the people say they are Republicans" seems to be the order of the day with many here.

This I can tell you from my personal observation; many, many here are now openly questioning what has been going on. If this place is questioning,,he has a problem.

[MrLeRoy]

This redistribution of the wealth Via Medicare Drug Coverage is plain sick.

I agree with you but unfortunately its a given that it will be enacted eventually. Something like 70% of the people want it to be.

There's something called the "bully puplit"---Reagan used to good effect. If I wanted a poll-watcher, I'd have voted for Klintoon.

[MrLeRoy]

How? More federal control?

Next up, vouchers.

You'll understand if I don't hold my breath waiting.

[VRWC_minion]

If I wanted a poll-watcher, I'd have voted for Klintoon.

Personally I want representative govt.

[Dane]

that Rove has led the Administration into a politically untenable

Sorry I don't see Rove as an enemy as you do. He has won elections, how many have you won.

As for your doom and gloom, there is a poll with very fair and non-leading questions on FR which shows Bush's support at 85%.

That is very good considering that FR isn't exactly a moderate sight and it just tells me that the Bush bashers are very vocal, but there "vocalness" is only an inch deep.

[Area51]

To: Area51

This redistribution of the wealth Via Medicare Drug Coverage is plain sick.

I agree with you but unfortunately its a given that it will be enacted eventually. Something like 70% of the people want it to be. That's representative govt'.


181 posted on 07/24/2003 8:35 AM PDT by VRWC_minion (Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and most are right)
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No it is NOT. It is mob rule.

There is a huge difference between Democracy and A Representative Republic. Unfortunately the baffoons we elect to public office failed their civics classes.

The Founders specificly designed it that way. To keep from the Majority the ability to overrun the minority.
Now we have many in this country Demanding just that.

Think about it for a minute. Where would minorites be today under mob rule versus the process this country went thru in the 60s? Gays? Women in the workplace? The list is endless.

[MrLeRoy]

If I wanted a poll-watcher, I'd have voted for Klintoon.

Personally I want representative govt.

So you DO want an unprincipled poll-watcher? Then, by your own account, Dubya is your man.

[MrLeRoy]

He has won elections

With my money, the same way Klintoon won elections. Great.

[VRWC_minion]

So, in your definition anything that the majority of people want (the same majority who voted in their reps) is mob rule when you are in the minority ?

[Area51]

Quit with the spin.

[austinTparty]

Maybe it's a Texas thing; bigger this, bigger that, bigger handouts.

Them's fightin' words.

This administration has been responsible for a huge expansion in the size of government. True conservatives ought to be more than seriously concerned about that. Never give your own president any powers that you don't want the opposition to have... Government exists to secure our rights, not to fund pork barrel studies, hand out free pills, give you warm fuzzies or pat you on the head when you're good or wag its finger at you when you're bad. Sheesh.

[VRWC_minion]

So you DO want an unprincipled poll-watcher?

No, I want a representative that will vote the way those who put him their want him too.

The only alternative is dictator.

[VRWC_minion]

Quit with the spin.Your words, not mine.

[Area51]

And before you rant on now this. Medicare Perscription drug Coverage RAPES my childs financal future.

And NO ONE ask them whether they wanted to pay for 50 years for a benefit their Rich Uncle gets.

Hell no! Just stick it to em. YOu ought to be proud to support such Fascism.

[MrLeRoy]

So you DO want an unprincipled poll-watcher?

No, I want a representative that will vote the way those who put him their want him too.

You say potato, I say potahto. I didn't vote for an 18% increase in discretionary nondefense spending, and I'm not inclined to re-elect a candidate who gave me one.

[Ronaldus Magnus]

In case it hasn't been posted, a link to the same full article on a site that does not require registration:

George Will: Temperatures on the rise

[Consort]

And FWIW no, I did not vote for Perot. I cast mine for a lieing, chickenshit NWO RINO. Papa Bush.

You did the right thing. Never apologize for doing the right thing. Yes, it's the voters fault that Clinton got elected. Bush didn't vote for him, so don't blame him. Blame the voters for what they did or didn't do. A Bush second term would have avoided 370+ Liberal judges being appointed and 2 Liberal SCOTUS justices, Clinton's real tax increase, Hillary in power, the scandals, nuclear secrets to China, wag te dog, etc.... Bush bashing is a loser.