Of each of your critiques of George W, tell me what you would do if you were sitting in the Oval Office, and exactly how you would get your proposals enacted.
I'm not being facetious here, I'd really be interested in your answer(s).
In modern day history, we have had only two conservative presidents, Ronald Reagan & George W.
And President Reagan had his conservative critics too, who said he was kowtowing to the democrats at times. Many said that President Reagan should've taken an 'all or nothing' stance regarding his proposals to Congress, yet The Gipper wisely compromised at times, knowing he'd come back later & get the rest of what he wanted.
Here's an oft-heard statement: "George W's tax cut is too small".
Well, I know that, Rush Limbaugh knows that, Tom DeLay knows that, all conservatives know that, & George W knows that!
He's been in office one year, do we really want to rake him over the coals because he 'failed' to have a 10% flat tax bill passed? To outlaw abortion? To start drilling in the ANWR? etc., etc.
I heard our President state in his SOTU address that we will, if necessary take pre-emptive action against the enemies of freedom, (Iraq, Iran, N. Korea), & he also called for tax cuts to be made permanent.
Among other things, I'd say that after only one year he's doin' pretty good!
We have a President in office with exemplary high approval ratings from the people of this country. Because he hasn't scored 100% on a conservative litmus test after one year are we going to once again shoot ourselves in the damn foot & return the White House back to the liberals?
Or can we, for once, stop the internecine bickering and stand with our guy for seven more years?
I'm aware of the fact that GWB can't turn the entire monster.gov around by himself, even Reagan had to cut deals with the Rats.
The point is he has no desire to. Most of the big government initiatives in the original post were not the result of wheeling and dealing with Dems so that he can accomplish goals like destroying the Soviet Union, or dismantling an oppresive tax system.
Almost all of these things were initiated by HIS OWN ADMINISTRATION, without having his hand forced in any way whatsoever. Without getting anything in return.
These big government ideas were his and his alone. The responsibility lies squarely with him and nobody else.
Who is we? I have nothing whatsoever to do with you or any group you represent.
I want SMALLER government, and I want the process to start now. I don't expect it to be completed anytime soon. But I want it to START NOW. Advocating larger government is going in the wrong direction.
I am being realistic, but people like you are not.
Also, he could adopt the same policy for legislation that he, himself proposes. If it's not Constitutional, it gets scrapped.
That would be a start in the right direction.