Posted on 06/05/2002 1:20:54 PM PDT by Stand Watch Listen
Let me just say up front that I am not addressing you if you voted for George W. Bush in 2000 and regret it. The same goes for those of you who voted for Bush and insist on holding his feet to the fire on the important issues. If, however, you cast your vote for Bush, still believe he is the only hope for America and intend to support every move he makes without so much as a raised eyebrow, this is for you.
It has been nearly a year-and-a-half since George W. Bush, the savior of conservatism, descended from on high to begin his earthly reign in Washington, D.C. Republicans assured us that he would restore integrity to the White House and would be a marked improvement over the promiscuous Bill Clinton. Well, in all honesty, that could have been accomplished by electing a neutered chimp to the office of president.
During the 2000 presidential campaign, George W. Bush the man proved to be a nice break from Bill Clinton and Al Gore. Unlike Gore, Bush had a more likable...well, he actually had a personality. He also possessed the unique ability to address the American people without the smug and condescending vibe Clinton exuded. However, when it came to policy, George W. Bush the candidate failed to demonstrate that he would govern any differently than his Democrat counterparts.
Still, throughout the campaign, there was a loyal group of Bush supporters who would take offense at even the slightest implication that their candidate was anything but a staunch conservative. Even now, they continue to stand by their man, and I find this to be rather perplexing.
Perhaps those who have pledged their undying allegiance to President Bush could answer a few questions for me, in no particular order of course:
• How would you have reacted if Bill Clinton had signed the Patriot Act into law and given the government sweeping new surveillance powers?
• Would you have criticized a Democrat president for signing a $26 billion education-spending bill?
• Did you feel betrayed when Bush signed Campaign Finance Reform into law?
• What do you think about Bush's position on granting amnesty to hundreds of thousands of illegal immigrants?
• Would you have tolerated a Democrat proposal for federally funded faith-based initiatives?
• What would your reaction have been if a Democrat had said, "No one should have to pay more than a third of their income to the federal government"?
• What do you think about the president's granting of Permanent Most Favored Nation status to China?
• What's the difference between Bush and the Democrats on the issue of farm subsidies?
• How would you react if a Democrat president sent a $2.13 trillion budget to Congress?
• Would you have stood for a Democrat saying "No!" to arming airline pilots?
• What would your reaction have been if a Democrat had pushed for the federalization of airport security?
• Are you willing to stand by and let the Bush administration cater to the environmentalists on the global warming issue?
• What do you think about Bush's call for a Patient's Bill of Rights?
• What one thing has Bush done that sets him apart from the Democrats?
• It's been a year-and-a-half since Bush took office. When do we start to see a decrease in the size and scope of government? For that matter, when do we start to see even a remote indication that this administration will think about doing anything to try to limit the federal government?
This list is by no means exhaustive, but I would really be interested in some answers. Perhaps it would help shed some light on the mindset of modern compassionate conservatives.
The fact that a Republican president is governing like a Democrat isn't surprising. What's amazing to me is that there are a few select Bush supporters out there who cannot—or will not—utter one word of criticism against their president for any reason. In their minds this man is the epitome of conservatism, and to question his actions would be to question their own beliefs and cause them to wonder why they supported him in the first place.
The way I see it there can only be two explanations for this: 1) these people really and truly believe in what Bush is doing, or 2) they do not wish to face up to the real reason they voted for him — he was simply a slightly more palatable choice than Al Gore.
For your information, bashing is sure a heck of lot different than an honest disagreement. Have you read where I said I didn't like the Education bill? That was a bill supported by Bush! Have a honest disagreement and stop the personal insults -- try facts for a change! Now do you comprehend the difference?
LOL! I was thinking the same thing! In fact, I'm suprised I haven't been flamed yet for mentioning his name. But then the night is young. I'm sure someone will get around to it. In fact, I think I'll go get into my asbestos underwear now...
Over on This thread Was a discussion of whether or not the AG should enforce unconstituional laws. Post 17 was, imo, excellent.
My input was that even Army privates are expected to know which orders are illegal and are OBLIGATED to disobey those orders. Can we expect less from the President?
Common sense would indicate so. :-)
"Separation of powers requires that he not enforce laws which he thinks are unconstitutional. The legislature passes laws. If the executives and judiciary enforced and tried ALL of them, all the time, no matter what, then they have no power, it all rests in the legislature. Suppose the legislature passes Jim Crow laws, or the Jews have to get on cattle cars. Only those who can say that "I was was only following orders" is a valid defense can make a case that the police and AG MUST enforce all laws, no matter what.
Once a law is passed, the executive may or may not enforce, the judiciary may or may not try, and the jury may or may not convict, and having convicted, may or may not sentence. Only the jailer has the duty to do what he is ordered to do - that's the separation of powers."
Thank you.
Sad to say I am beginning to believe that more and more! I am tired of beating my head against a brick wall trying to drum up support for the 2002 elections when all a lot of folks want to do is bash Pres Bush and Republicans! I, too, am a proud Republican!
LOL .. I have to admit I just shook my head when I read that one
That is a good one! Almost made me laugh, it did. Where did you study history, Propaganda U? If I steal a dollar from you and then give back a quarter, am I a thief?
"GWB killed federal funding of foreign "family planning" activities."--
True, but where do the "Stem Cells" come from?
| Bush OKs Stem Cell Funding By Kristen Philipkoski |
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 Print this •  E-mail it1:40 p.m. Aug. 9, 2001 PDT President Bush will allow the government, with certain restrictions, to fund embryonic stem cell research, a decision that could help scientists find cures to several ailments, but could cost the President votes among conservatives. |
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Frankly, I haven't seen very many ardent Bush supporters that accepted a differing point of view with any grace. From my perspective, any criticism is responded to with sharp insults like anti-American, America hater, marxist, commie, whiner, etc. Of course there is no objective support for any of those charges.
Part of the problem is that many people convinced themselves that Bush was a Conservative despite the warnings to the contrary. Now it's gotten to the point where Conservatives like Rush are Hannity are unwlecome because they are pointing out their disagreements with Bush policies. They haven't changed, and neither has Bush, he just is't the Conservative people thought he was and wanted him to be.
The bigger challenge is what, if anything, can be done.
What a ridiculous statement to make. Sounds like cheap ad slogan. The funny thing is, given your relentless shilling for Bush, I seriously doubt you would know what “conservative” is if it came up and bit you on the nose. For the most part, the conservative issues you listed that Bush enacted is a pathetic laundry list of trivial, arcane policy decisions that, on balance, are relatively unimportant.
Let's see how Bush has fared on Conservative issues that MATTER.
Conservative Presidents DON’T:
Sign an unconstitutional cynically named campaign finance reform bill that limits free speech, especially after promising not to do so.
Sign a budget-busting, pork-laden farm bill.
Sign a multi-billion dollar Ted Kennedy-NEA “approved” education bill that excludes vouchers.
Approve a federal budget that grows government well in excess of the growth in the economy.
Agree with the environmental wackos that mankind is causing global warming.
Leave our borders unprotected as hundreds of thousand of illegal aliens invade America every year and terrorists that wish to harm America are on the loose.
Pursue amnesty for illegal aliens that rewards them for breaking our laws and makes it easier for terrorists to get green cards.
Ban law enforcement officials from racial profiling in airports—even if a person looks “suspicious”
Refuse to enforce our nation’s immigration laws.
Appoint an Open Borders Libertarian (Ziglar) who admits he doesn’t like the idea of enforcing our nation's immigration laws.
Let Mexican Politicos like Fox openly mettle in our domestic affairs with impunity.
Refuse to round up and deport over 100,000 Muslim immigrants that have been served deportation notices.
Trample on privacy rights by signing a miss-named Patriot Act while still allowing immigration at the SAME RATES from the very nations that brought us 9/11.
Scouts Out! Cavalry Ho!
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