[TBP]

This is why I am no longer comfortable in the Republican Party. It is as much a Big Government party as the Dimmycraps and conservative principles and limited government are much more important to me than any party label.

[Sangamon Kid]

Unfortunately, many members of the statist goon squad will surely find their way to this thread and box yours ears but good. How dare you question "Conservatism according to George"!!

[My2Cents]

The Republican Party is still the predominant conservative party in American politics. George W. Bush, at best, is nominally conservative. And he's conservative in his values, not necessarily in his political ideology.

Why should conservatives vote Republican? Consider the alternative (and there's only one).

[Commander8]

I'm a registered Republican, but my partisan affiliation means as much to me as marriage vows do to Gary Condit. I vote third party more often than not.

[jlogajan]

I don't think it is allowed on this forum to suggest we shouldn't drink the GOP KoolAid.

[Alberta's Child]

The issue has nothing to do with GOP vs. Democrat. The real solution to the problem of big government is to have divided government, regardless of party affiliation.

[Ken522]

When I was a kid the big news was that this date came in late April, then early May - now it's the last of July??! Whisky-Tango-Foxtrot, Over!!

[Edit35]

I have always thought that conservatism, contrary to the popular belief, does not really mean the government must spend less.

Conservatism is really about social issues and attitudes, and the way we as a society live our lives.

If the GOP, under Bush, spends more money than the year before, but spends it on non-frivolous programs such as new roads, bridges, the country's defense, oil exploration, etc., then that is OK.

But when the government, usually under the Dems, tries to spend more and more on frivolous things like quota programs, the EEOC, abortion awareness programs, midnight basketball, self esteem classes, etc. --- then people should get upset.

Spending money is not wrong. It is WHAT that money is spent on which makes one a conservative or liberal.

DS

[spacewarp]

I would recommend that you take a look at a new political party that has formed, the American Patriot Party. I have joined, after firmly refusing to join a political party for the last 15 years. They are right where I want to be. As a matter of fact, once they get to a point where they have a state party, I may even try to run for office here in North Carolina under their banner. I'll stump from Murphy to Manteo if that's what it takes.

Paul

[goldstategop]

I support big government to protect this country from its external enemies but I think a good case can be made we're spending more on our domestic side than the country needs. Of course a lot of this spending has more to do with election-year politics than with conservative principle.

[Capitalism2003]

Bush is leading us down the bath to back door socialism.