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"We're working to roll back decades of governmental largesse, to root out political fraud and corruption, and to champion causes which further conservatism in America. Above is the Free Republic mission statement. After his first year, would anyone say that GWB has worked towards this end?"

Yes, I would.

President Bush completed the first top-to-bottom review of our military just prior to 9/11. This review pointed out waste, wrong directions for future expenditures, and that our most pressing security threats were asymmetric attacks from nations and trans-national groups.

President Bush put together the first Energy Plan that our nation has had in place in decades. Part of getting rid of waste in government is managing with a comprehensive plan in the first place, rather than shooting from the hip in some sort of Clintonian, hyper-reactionary style.

President Bush enforced the Supreme Court's Beck decision that had been illegally unemplemented by the Clinton Administration. That decision permits workers to reclaim all funds used by their unions for political purposes for which they disagree. If you want to get rid of waste and corruption in society, one of the things that you have to do is give workers more control over their money rather than letting fat-cat union bosses have those funds.

President Bush repealed Clinton's OSHA ergonomic rules that were about to destroy 90% of American home-based businesses. That rolled back government - no matter how you want to view it.

President Bush cancelled Clinton's CO2 regulations that were driving up electricty prices and causing shortages in several states. Again, that reduced the influence of government.

As for reducing government, President Bush signed into law the largest dollar-value tax cut in world history. Frankly, I rest a little easier at night knowing that refund checks went to citizens rather than into Tommy Dashcle's pockets.

Also, the federal budget is set to automatically increase funding for most major programs each year. Until conservatives can dig up so much popular support that those automatic spending increases are stopped, every President is going to preside over a budget that is the largest in history and obviously bigger than the last year's budget and bigger than the last President's budgets. It is disingenuous to somehow imply that the current President is automatically responsible for those automatic budget increases, and it will be an ENORMOUS achievement to finally get them out of our budget one day.

Also, the federal budget is set to automatically increase funding for most major programs each year. Until conservatives can dig up so much popular support that those automatic spending increases are stopped, every President is going to preside over a budget that is the largest in history and obviously bigger than the last year's budget and bigger than the last President's budgets. It is disingenuous to somehow imply that the current President is automatically responsible for those automatic budget increases, and it will be an ENORMOUS achievement to finally get them out of our budget one day.

You're EXACTLY right. And did you notice? Not a single person responded to your thread. Stop confusing them with facts already!!! :)

"President Bush put together the first Energy Plan that our nation has had in place in decades."

We don't need an energy plan. Or a department of energy. Or at least that's what conservatives used to say.

"Part of getting rid of waste in government is managing with a comprehensive plan"

Part of restoring liberty is renouncing government management.

I'm with Southack on defending GW in this case. Let's not forget the political realities here. Thanks to the defecting Jeffords(because GW was TOO conservative), we have an unapologetic, obstructionist Senate. They have not been scared off because they have a political base that is equal to ours.

Thanks to the war and some "centrist" political maneuvering, GW has accomplished conservative goals and is currently making the Dims pay. Yes, amnesty would have been a bad idea, but, conveniently, the President was given credit for promoting it even though it never came to fruition. hmmmmm. Food stamps, well maybe that is a bit much for my tastes, but face it, if this Party fails to make inroads with hispanics we will be on the outside looking in PERMANENTLY!

I'm curious as to what the disenchanted here believe we could have accomplished without bargaining. Also, how big has this centrist stance enhanced our chances of gaining seats in the House AND Senate? I like our chances.

..."Also, the federal budget is set to automatically increase funding for most major programs each year"....

I think not.......the spineless jellyfish have to vote to appropriate the $$$$ every single year, as well as going in for legislation for emergency spending bills.

..." Until conservatives can dig up so much popular support that those automatic spending increases are stopped, every President is going to preside over a budget that is the largest in history and obviously bigger than the last year's budget and bigger than the last President's budgets"....

Explain how Senator Pete Domenici, R-NM can go on tv bragging they even spent more for education than the Pervert asked for. It takes spine in politicians---they have all regreted having the Balanced Budget Act pass and routinely year in and year out do everything in their power to meet the hoops and loops to up the ante, er the budget! There isn't this great arm-twistsing going on....that's a pipe dream! They are all following their instincts to 'buy votes, buy votes'.

Do you also buy into the GOP Incrementalism Plan?

Yes, I would. . . . . .

I followed a lot of the dialog stemming from your post there. Excellent comments and defense of it. I could learn a lot from you I think. Thanks.

Kind sir, after several days & countless words-would you be offended if someone pleads for brevity? My fav high school English teacher wrote large, in her red pen, across one of my efforts, "VERBOSE". I was crushed but think she had a point.