Well, this explains it all, doesn't it. Come back when you grow up, kid!
Posted on 11/29/2003 6:16:23 PM PST by Republican Challenger
I am a nationally published journalist who has been drafted to challenge George W. Bush in the Republican Presidential primaries, beginning in New Hampshire on January 27. My aim is to prompt legitimate debate and genuine new ideas, but I start with a question:
HAS GEORGE W. BUSH BETRAYED TRADITIONAL GOP VALUES?
He has failed in his promise to control spending. Nondefense spending has skyrocketed under Bush. The Congressional Budget Office reported that for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2003, nondefense spending rose 7% – nearly double the 4% discretionary spending caps Bush promised to enforce (Source: Washington Times). Since Bush took office, nondefense spending has leapt 13% -- 21% if spending on the war on terrorism is included. “My impression of Bush,” says Chris Edwards, director of fiscal policy at the libertarian Cato Institute, “is that I’ve never seen him give a speech in which he says government is too big and we need to cut costs.”
He has failed in his promise to keep America strong. Under Bush, U.S. foreign policy and international esteem have reached historic lows. After spending hundreds of billions of dollars since 9/11, the Bush administration has failed to catch Osama bin Laden, failed to find Saddam Hussein, failed to defeat Al Qaeda, and failed to stabilize Iraq after an invasion that his own Pentagon policy adviser, Richard Perle, now admits was “illegal.” As a result, the geopolitical balance of power has been jolted, traditional allies have been severely alienated, and as a result, the European Union – led by Great Britain – is now conducting secret talks about the formation of an EU military force outside NATO.
He has failed in his promise to be a “compassionate conservative.” Perhaps never before has a U.S. President so divided the country, according to a recent Time cover story. Despite Bush’s promise to be “a uniter, not a divider,” he has turned Republican against Democrat, rich against poor, Christian against Muslim. He has eroded our civil liberties and Constitutional rights in the name of “national security” and aided and abetted a corporate elite class in the theft of the Republican Party and the two-century-old values that made it the Party of Lincoln. “Corporations have been enthroned,” Lincoln said presciently before he died. “…An era of corruption in high places will follow, and the money power will endeavor to prolong its reign by working on the prejudices of the people…until wealth is aggregated in a few hands…and the Republic is destroyed.” Under Bush, Lincoln’s ominous – and accurate – prediction might find its final manifestation unless he and the “neo-con” corporate juggernaut are stopped.
DO YOU AGREE? Please let me know your thoughts. There will be more to come from me, including a detailed platform and agenda for ending the corporate reign in this country, shrinking the federal bureaucracy, and restoring Constitutional freedoms to pre-9/11 levels. Thank you for your consideration. I look forward to your comments and questions.
Oh yes! And fun too!
I'd really like an answer. For your convenience, here it is again:
To: Republican Challenger
My primary issues are: 1) ending the corporate stranglehold on government and politics, 2) an end to war profiteering by former government officials and Washington insiders, and 3) major media reform.
Just for kicks, how would you propose to do those things? Would you need cooperation from Congress, and if so, how would you go about getting it?
172 posted on 11/29/2003 10:47 PM EST by Amelia ("We have met the enemy and he is us." -- Pogo)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 148 | View Replies | Report Abuse ]
Yeah. Bush did all that. When he was born, centuries ago, he got the Muslims and Christians fighting. Then, a few centruries later, he started the whole class warfare thing... But, his turning the republicans against democrats plan in recent years was his true genius.
Tell me - why would I vote for someone who can't even get the basics straight?
It's already illegal for corporations to donate to political committees.
I will outlaw political action committees (PACs).
I disagree 100%. PACS are issue orientated organizations. I use PAC endorsements and donations to influence who I vote and don't vote for.
I will make it illegal for any corporation or business entity to in any way influence the vote of any employee or induce involuntary involvement in any political or social cause.
I think that's already illegal.
I will end war profiteering by former government officials and Washington insiders.
How?
I will make the awarding of all U.S. defense and aerospace contracts a public process that includes full disclosure by all participants in a vigorous competitive process.
Good luck. I agree with you actually on this one after the Ed McNamara no bid contracts in Wayne County Michigan. It won't happen though. There's been a spoils system going back past Andrew Jackson.
I will require that all U.S. defense contractors adhere to a strict new policy of financial transparency, monitored on behalf of the American people by new Congressional subcommittees in both the House and Senate, which release public reports audited by the Government Accounting Office (GAO).
Specifics?
I will hold corporations accountable for their actions, including full prosecution of white-collar criminals.
Much of that has to do with plea bargains and judges.
I will introduce new measures to hold corporations accountable to their public charter. Corporations that violate the interests of the public will be either be sued, in the name of the American people, by the Department of Justice – or face revocation of their charter by voter referendum.
What's defined as the 'public interest?
I will strengthen existing regulatory agencies such as the Securities & Exchange Commission and Federal Communications Commission and create new government initiatives to protect consumer rights..
"Consumer rights" to me means big payoffs for the trial lawyers lobby.
I will reform the media by reinstating the FCC Fairness Doctrine, mandating that “fair and balanced reporting” be a daily reality on the public airwaves, not a trademarked slogan for an Australian-born media empire.
The Fairness Doctrince is fascist as are those who support it. It is anti-freedom and anti First Amendment. You lost any chance of my vote right there.
I will create a new “local hour” of required community broadcasting by all network affiliates and independent TV stations, to replace the present “strip” syndication hour of 7-8 p.m., Monday through Friday.
More free speech regulation by government thugs.
I will require the media to better serve its public responsibility by regularly airing first-rate programming analyzing and covering difficult social issues.
What the hell is 'first rate programming'? I personally think first rate programming is a shoot em up or a Sports game.
I will create a Citizens Media Oversight Board, nationally and locally, to represent the interests of the public in the making and management of all media policy. The board will consist of journalists, news and media executives, media historians, and an equal number of citizen representatives from the full spectrum of U.S. society.
A waste of tax money.
I will make the FCC charter renewal process for TV and radio stations more directly accountable to the communities they serve.
Riiiight.
I will create new voter registration drives designed to dramatically increase voter participation in all elections as a basic civic duty, and encourage more citizens to run for office.
People will vote if they have a reason to. If they don't have a reason to vote, they shouldn't be voting, and I do not want them to vote.
I will create a new program for the public financing of national elections so that campaigns can be conducted free of corporate or institutional influence or financing. I will encourage all states and localities to do the same.
Why the hell should taxpayers pay for all elections? They shouldn't. My money should not go to help John Kerry's campaign.
I will shift the financing of the U.S. government from the middle class to the corporations and wealthy individuals whose taxes have been cut too far.
Which will put the middle class out of work.
I will create a new “billionaire tax” so the very wealthiest Americans pay their fair share toward the general good of society.
Fairness...how communist. And supporting the general good of society can start by eliminated the PAYROLL tax completely.
I will ease and simplify the tax burden of the middle class and increase the “floor” for minimum taxation to bring more struggling families above the poverty line.
Again..eliminate the PAYROLL tax.
I will simplify and standardize the U.S. tax code for maximum ease of compliance and efficiency.
Specifics?
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Bottom line is this. You are against the first amendment, and you are a tax lover, so you are unworthy of my vote.
Well, this explains it all, doesn't it. Come back when you grow up, kid!
Bush lied to the American people about Iraq's Weapons of Mass Destruction, and about Iraq's connection to Al Qaeda and to the September 11 attack.
You are the liar here Buchanan. A damned liar at that and probably one who hasn't a clue as to "Iraqs connection to Al Qaeda".
Care to debate the issue.
Bingo. I bet when you get right down to it, he's probably pro-gun control too...
Where would your authority to do that come from? Not the Constitution that's for sure. Does it matter?
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