A Few Questions For Die-Hard Bush Supporters

Toogood Reports ^ | June 5, 2002 | Lee R. Shelton IV

[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.

[ArneFufkin]

I thought so too, but Sabertooth showed me something last Saturday that indicated 245i provided amnesty for legals who were "processed" and overstayed their visas, AND for those "non-processed" resident foreign nationals who wished to be processed.

[Sabertooth]

Someone has to get pissed and endure the institutional static - and that someone is you guys living down in the SW and your neighbors.

Ah, no doubt... but that generates its own static, which many on FR who don't have to deal with the problem find uncomfortable.

I think you oversimplify when you say "It's the local liberals, not George W. Bush, that causes these problems." The problem is caused by many politicians in both parties at all levels, the President included. He's the nation's Chief Law Enforcement officer, and no one put a gun to his head and made him appoint the lackluster James Ziglar as head of the INS, to give just one example.

The Feds have jurisdiction over Illegals, and have been remiss in pursuing it.

And the Bush Administration's periodic flirtations with Amnesties don't help either.

[ArneFufkin]

That woman is STILL considered some kind of delightful dandy in liberal circles. She is a high demand speaker at Universities and women's forums. One speech at the Democrat Convention lasts a lifetime I guess. Her and Mario.

[LurkerNoMore!]

There is more on it regarding Ineligibility. It has been awhile since I've worked on this, but I still have it in my "old" computer. (A few weeks ago I moved up from Win 95 to Win XP. What a difference!)

[ArneFufkin]

You know my take ... I think if the State and County welfare machines are fixed, the Mexicans who can't work or produce will go home. The ones who stay ... they pay their own freight, and let's get them legal work visas and on the radar.

[Sabertooth]

The link didn't work for me... was it to the INS Act?

The first link is busted but the second still works. It's to the INS website with guidlines for who qualifies under Section 245(i).

If you really wanna have fun, run a Google Search on "Section 245(i)"

Among the news stories, you'll find sites from pro-Illegal groups advising Illegals how to take advantage of it.

I don't have the language handy, but here's the nutshell about Section 245 of the Immigration and Naturalization Code... There are a number of subsections under it, of which 245(i) is but one. Legitimate "bureaucratic snafu" and "red tape" immigrants who're having INS paperwork problems fall under other subsections. No one really has a beef about that.

245(i) is all about Illegals. It's a little Amnesty that is a remnant of the Clinton Legacy.

[Sabertooth]

I thought so too, but Sabertooth showed me something last Saturday that indicated 245i provided amnesty for legals who were "processed" and overstayed their visas, AND for those "non-processed" resident foreign nationals who wished to be processed.

You left out the most significant group: Illegals who entered unlawfully.

Basically, under 245(i), any border-jumper with a family member who's a legal resident of the United States can qualify for this Amnesty if they come up with a grand.

That's less than coyotes charge.

[LurkerNoMore!]

Good Lord! There are almost 4000 matches on Google. *lol*

Thanks for the info... I'll be up awhile :-)

[LurkerNoMore!]

Please tell me you don't really need me at the FR Booth at 7 am..... (rumor Seeking The Truth told me)

[Sabertooth]

Thanks for the info... I'll be up awhile :-)

I'll await your report.

[LurkerNoMore!]

Concerning #927... It isn't that simple; you're leaving out the restrictions. I'll flag ya with what I have later, 'k? 4:21 am, and I have run out of gas.

I have to admit I'm pretty astonished at the organized 'lessons' of how to qualify available on the Google search.... Looks like some are making alot of money on these scams.

[Diddle E. Squat]

You're good.

[RaceBannon]

Then say it out loud here:

Wanting Bush to pursue the crimes of the Clinton Administration, to find out how bad our country was destroyed militarily/economically/espionage wise, is wrong and we need to back Bush at all costs.

All dissent is futile! You will be assimilated!

[ArneFufkin]

716! Wooo hooo!

Nice job patriciaruth. You had the right combo of cold blooded verbal assassin and snarly beyatching hellcat!

The Bush accomplishment list ... that's an extra credit effort the value of which can only be computed as "you gogirl to the nth".

I'm sure Stand Watch and Listen is burning oil for his stunning reposte!

It's like Deuling Banjos where he starts da da da dada... you respond da da da dada... .... .... .... you're waiting ....... he's gone, you play "Free Bird".

[ArneFufkin]

You guys really like the Gulag and Police State imagery, don't you?

You don't live in a police state Race. You can drive your vehicle this morning without any fear you'll encounter a check point or an armed agent. Nobody's breaking down doors ANYWHERE in this country. Nobody is monitoring our activities. We can't find the AmeriCorps volunteers. You're a free man in America, the most prosperous, secure, healthy and powerful civilization ... EVER!

"All dissent is futile." Try some intelligent dissent for a change, you might have more luck.

[ArneFufkin]

Looks like some are making alot of money on these scams.

Absent money, scams aren't worth the effort.

[ArneFufkin]

A 63 year old blonde Samoan

Yeah, yeah ... another blonde Samoan. OK Casting, I thought I made it clear that I want you to find me a giant featured, thick, polynesian looking Samoan with dark nappy hair!!!!

[NMC EXP]

All the rights are derived from the living document itself, along with the Bill of Rights, i.e., the first ten amendments to The Constitution.

Define "living"

Regards

J.R.

[Luis Gonzalez]

Hey! Missed your arrival. Couldn't stay up any longer.

[Destructor]

How can anyone regret voting for George W. Bush when the alternative was Al Gore?!? Think about it- President Gore.