The GOP's New Deal: Big tent, big government, big mistake

The American Conservative ^ | July 28, 2003 | Timothy P. Carney

[Sir Gawain]

Socialism is an inevitability.

"A thousand years hence (for I must indulge a few thoughts), perhaps in less, America may be what Europe now is. The innocence of her character, that won the hearts of all nations in her favor, may sound like a romance and her inimitable virtue as if it had never been. The ruin of that liberty which thousands bled for or struggled to obtain may just furnish materials for a village tale or extort a sigh from rustic sensibility, whilst the fashionable of that day, enveloped in dissipation, shall deride the principle and deny the fact.

"When we contemplate the fall of empires and the extinction of the nations of the Ancient World, we see but little to excite our regret than the mouldering ruins of pompous palaces, magnificent museums, lofty pyramids and walls and towers of the most costly workmanship; but when the empire of America shall fall, the subject for contemplative sorrow will be infinitely greater than crumbling brass and marble can inspire. It will not then be said, here stood a temple of vast antiquity; here rose a babel of invisible height; or there a palace of sumptuous extravagance; but here, Ah, painful thought! the noblest work of human wisdom, the grandest scene of human glory, the fair cause of Freedom rose and fell." -- Thomas Paine

[ex-snook]

"If you got seventy-five or eighty percent of what you were asking for, I say, you take it and fight for the rest later, and that's what I told these radical conservatives who never got used to it. "

I think Conservatives would settle for 75% today . However, today it is the Democrats, not Conservatives, who are doing the asking and getting 75%. Even wars around the world in the Wilson, Roosevelt, Truman, Johnson, Clinton tradition has become a 'conservative' position. Whoda thunk it?

[michigander]

"We can't socialize the doctors without socializing the patients." - A Time for Choosing

[rwfromkansas]

If you objectively look at his record, it is comparable to Bush on the political spectrum. Bush is as conservative, or more so, than Reagan.

But, there was no FR then so his lefty actions were not broadcast all over the world like today.

[rwfromkansas]

lol

[rwfromkansas]

Right, a Rino would support a medicare proposal which would require it to compete with private insurance in a few years, the first step toward privatization. Check out the House plan, idiot.

Yep, Bush is a Rino.

/sarcasm

[Moonman62]

Reagan was exceptional, and for the most part, a Republican outsider. People like Nixon, Ford, Kissinger, and the Bushes are the traditional Republicans.

[rwfromkansas]

Yep, spending most of his time at a meeting with the soviets pushing for the abolition of nuclear weapons sure was moving to the right.

/sarcasm

Reagan was great, but you people need to take your romantic blinders off and realize your vision of him is fiction, not reality.

Bush has 4 more years in a second term to start pushing some real reforms once assured the public won't run away scared from voting for him in 2004. Instead of eating our own, let's give him a chance.

[rwfromkansas]

Because, I am sure you know, there is no chance of getting an Alan Keyes in office.

All the conservatives could vote for him and he still would lose.

[stig]

Don't blame Bush. Blame conservatives for supporting him in the primaries

Get a grip folks. The money spent on education is a drop in the bucket; it's not even worth getting upset about. So lets take on the other two biggies everyone complains about.

AIDS MONEY FOR AFRICA
We are going to give foreign aid to african countries no matter what. It's what we do for foreign policy. So why not label the program in a way that takes the wind out of the left's sails.

PRESCRIPTION DRUG BENEFIT for SENIORS
This should read big business bail out. Some of the Fortune 100 have a pension time bomb ticking away. They made a deal with former employees they are going to find increasingly difficult to keep. The pension and health benefits for their retired employees could be the next S&L crisis. So rather than let it rear its ugly head you shift the liability. First by taking over health benefits. Then if that doesn't help to shore up corporate America's bottom line we will probably have to guarentee the pensions of the most troubled companies.

Do I like the fact that Bush has to do this, no. But do I blame him? No! I blame the leftist media in this country who will take Bush down in a NY minute if he really told the whole story. Until the media is ready to treat this stuff fairly, I'm 100% behind Bush warts and all!

[joesnuffy]

this should save us all a lot of money in the long run
One party system- no need to vote
SCOTUS to make laws ...get rid of both the House and Senate
I think the new America is gonna be great

[putupon]

Bush is as conservative, or more so, than Reagan

Campaign Finance Reform
15 Billion for Aids in Africa
Socialized Medications
Redistribution of Wealth via tax rebates for non-taxpayers.

I admit I wasn't as politically aware @ the time. Please give me some specifics of Reagan's policies which were that liberal.

[Tauzero]

bump to that

[rwfromkansas]

pushing for nuclear weapons abolishment, not going all the way on the abortion issue, etc.

[billbears]

Richard Burr news ping

In the name of “Compassionate Conservatism,” the Bush administration is now pressing the Republican-controlled Congress to create the largest new government program in 40 years—a prescription-drug entitlement that will cost an estimated $400 billion over five years. This is only the latest of President George W. Bush’s massive additions to the federal government, and the costs will be political as well as fiscal.

I think from now on it should be written compassionate 'conservatism' because it may be compassionate but it sure as heck isn't conservative!!

Burr repelled an overture by White House Chief of Staff Andy Card, and Karl Rove couldn’t win DeMint over to the House bill. So both men cast “no” votes, positioning themselves to the right of DeLay and allowing their Democratic opponents to attack them for hating seniors.

Good grief, I'll throw a vote in for Burr if he's willing to stand up to the administration. Mind you he may be the only Republican I vote for in '04....

[Howlin]

We know, Bill. Thanks for your help!

[Constitution Day]

Excellent news! I am solidly behind Burr.

[billbears]

40 billion here, 10 billion there, 15 billion in Africa, 400 billion (in reality probably 800 billion) for healthcare. You know after a while these billions start adding up into trillions. I do not remember a President in my lifetime that wanted to spend money like this

[Ff--150]

You know after a while these billions start adding up into trillions

Ten to fifteen years quite a few of the baby-boomers start drawing Social Security, Medicare, and have to withdraw from their 401(k)s and IRAs upon reaching 70 1/2 years of age.

With the working class not growing to meet the demands of those aging baby-boomers, and millions forced to withdraw from the stock markets really crippling Wall Street...kinda sounds like a crisis is on the horizon?