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Maybe Bush is Right On
Intellectual Conservative ^ | 30 January 2004 | Raymond Green

Posted on 01/31/2004 6:27:08 PM PST by softengine

Much has been said about the Bush administration’s handling of sensitive issues to conservatives like illegal immigration and entitlement spending. The criticism is both broad and intense, coming from traditional allies and longtime foes. Though the criticism coming from opponents is severely hypocritical, it scars no less.

Conservatives are consistent in their disparagement of excessive government spending and amnesty programs for illegal immigrants. This, however, leaves no one to thoroughly explain Bush’s policy strategy because his adversaries stringently attack for the sake of power regardless of policy. Though I don’t personally condone the liberal approach of the current administration’s handling of these specific policies, I do understand the strategy involved.

As conservatives, we must force ourselves to look at the big picture. Our country faces a crippling moral dilemma; the tort system cost our economy an estimated $233 billion in 2003; we desperately need a national energy policy; we need to continue reducing the overwhelming tax burden in our country; our intelligence gathering methods must be vastly overhauled and improved; it is critical that the defense of this country continue to be improved and grow; and we must continue to fight the war on terrorism as we currently are or we will find ourselves in the same war on our soil in coming years. This is a minor explanation of what the macro picture currently looks like.

We can safely assume atheists will continue to embrace – and even encourage – the degradation of morality and religion in this country; trial attorneys will never propose tort reform; environmentalists will not support any realistic energy policy; those dependent on government subsidies will fight any tax cut; and liberal anti-military, anti-intelligence, anti-war, special interests-appeasing politicians will put our country at great risk if left in charge of such issues. These people are Democrats and for this reason alone it is critical that Republicans maintain control of Congress and the White House. Fortunately, this isn’t where supporting the Bush administration ends.

President Bush and company have trademarked setting traps for Democrats. He trapped Democrats into supporting the war by initiating the debate just before elections and trapped Democrats into making the capture of Saddam Hussein an issue. He trapped Democrats into opposing an entitlement to seniors and he, not Howard Dean, forced the Democrats further to the left. Bush has taken Democrats’ issues from them and set the stage for an election based primarily on national security – not a Democrat strong suit.

So we come to Bush’s base supporters. Needless to say, we are not happy – but we must be smart. I pose the following questions to ponder: (1) Will excessive government spending and entitlement programs ever be reformed with Democrats in office and (2) Does politics end when Bush’s term ends? The answer to both is obviously no. The end goal is to place Republicans in Congress strategically to outlast Bush. Bush has been accused by allies of repeating his father’s mistakes. I strongly caution against trying to use a slight majority in Congress to overhaul our country in one term – we’ve seen what that brings before.

Our country faces a number of critical issues we must address in coming years. The easiest to fix is (a) excessive government spending and (b) illegal immigration – if, and only if, Republicans are in office. Excessive government spending can be weaned down over time with a Republican majority in Congress (and it will in due time). Illegal immigration can be solved with technology, a slight bump in spending, and a determined Republican president. Neither, however, can be fixed unless steps are taken to regain a firm control of Congress and overall politics.

Do I agree with amnesty or excessive spending? No; quite the contrary. But I disagree with – and to a great extent, fear – the radical agenda of the left. It will, and has already begun to, destroy this country. It is critical we take control and if a bump to the National Endowment for the Arts silences a few artists, amnesty shuts a few radical Hispanic groups up, and a prescription entitlement makes a few seniors happy, so be it. These policies may not make an overwhelming difference in polls or make many people vote for Bush who wouldn’t have otherwise, but they change the image of Republicans and set the stage for a long-term Republican takeover.

Right or wrong, that is the Bush strategy. Choosing not to vote for him on these specifics simply counts as a vote for his opponents. He may be taking his voter base for granted; however, he may just be assuming we’re smart enough to figure out what is going on. Politics will outlast President Bush; he simply hopes it is politics dominated by Republicans who can eventually take on the issues we are forced to swallow at present.


TOPICS: Editorial; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: conservatives; election; electionpresident; gwb2004; republican
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To: All
Compromise.

Such an adjustment of conflicting interests as gives each adversary the satisfaction of thinking he has got what he ought not to have, and is deprived of nothing except what was justly his due.

Ambrose Bierce
181 posted on 01/31/2004 10:13:49 PM PST by loveitor..
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To: Tamsey
Have it your way. I have seen what you posted.
182 posted on 01/31/2004 10:14:13 PM PST by sauropod (Better to have a bottle in front of me than a frontal lobotomy!)
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To: spetznaz
Let's imagine that it was Clinton who instituted the amnesty program, or the patriot act, or even the (in my opinion rightly deserved) war in Iraq. Were it Clinton people would automatically have circled in for the kill ....an instantaneous reflex action.

The most significant difference between Dubya & Clinton -- and the reason I despise Clinton so -- is that he was caught in lies to the American people almost from the moment he took his oath of office. Bush has yet to be caught in a lie.

I would not have trusted any security policy Clinton advocated or any war in which he embarked on -- although as much as I was against Kosovo I never said a derogatory thing about it once it started.

This isn't because Clinton was a Dem. It was because he was a sociopathic liar.

183 posted on 01/31/2004 10:15:19 PM PST by Tribune7 (Vote Toomey April 27)
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To: hoosiermama
I thought it was kind of mild compared to what EVERYONE ELSE INCLUDING YOU were posting.

Go back and read what you wrote. It was insulting.

184 posted on 01/31/2004 10:15:28 PM PST by sauropod (Better to have a bottle in front of me than a frontal lobotomy!)
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To: sauropod
To whom?
185 posted on 01/31/2004 10:16:11 PM PST by hoosiermama (prayers for all)
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To: Tamsey
PS. I am more than willing to have a "mature discussion" with just about anybody about W.s policies.

I just don't want to join a clique that insists that he walks on water.

That's so high school.

186 posted on 01/31/2004 10:17:02 PM PST by sauropod (Better to have a bottle in front of me than a frontal lobotomy!)
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To: MissAmericanPie
Politics will outlast President Bush; he simply hopes it is politics dominated by Republicans who can eventually take on the issues we are forced to swallow at present.

Temporary pain(ouch) for our long term gain.You swerved right into it :- ) Night .

187 posted on 01/31/2004 10:17:18 PM PST by gatorbait (Yesterday, today and tomorrow......The United States Army)
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To: hoosiermama
To me for one.
188 posted on 01/31/2004 10:17:51 PM PST by sauropod (Better to have a bottle in front of me than a frontal lobotomy!)
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To: sauropod
I just don't want to join a clique that insists that he walks on water.

I have it on good authority that he JOGS on water.

189 posted on 01/31/2004 10:18:38 PM PST by gatorbait (Yesterday, today and tomorrow......The United States Army)
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To: sauropod
Hey Cutsie Pie!!!
How the hell are ye???
190 posted on 01/31/2004 10:19:22 PM PST by Happygal (Le gách dea ghuí)
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To: gatorbait
We agree to disagree. Good night good Sir!
191 posted on 01/31/2004 10:19:53 PM PST by sauropod (Better to have a bottle in front of me than a frontal lobotomy!)
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To: gatorbait
You do? Do ye?
192 posted on 01/31/2004 10:20:00 PM PST by Happygal (Le gách dea ghuí)
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To: Happygal
Cute as a button!!! How the hell are YOU?????

Good to see ya!

193 posted on 01/31/2004 10:20:35 PM PST by sauropod (Better to have a bottle in front of me than a frontal lobotomy!)
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To: Happygal
Who was that guy y'all had up Edinburgh way that was on the take from Saddam? George somebody...
194 posted on 01/31/2004 10:21:38 PM PST by sauropod (Better to have a bottle in front of me than a frontal lobotomy!)
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To: sauropod; Happygal
Galloway. That was his name. Galloway.

I was going to say that reading this thread makes me think of Galloway ;-).

195 posted on 01/31/2004 10:22:45 PM PST by sauropod (Better to have a bottle in front of me than a frontal lobotomy!)
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To: sauropod
I'm doin' great, and haven't been next, nigh or near Edinburgh! Thank feck! *L*

196 posted on 01/31/2004 10:23:42 PM PST by Happygal (Le gách dea ghuí)
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To: sauropod
Sir I do not believe I posted to you this evening until I made the suggestion that you not call names back to others who have called names.....It is the same advice I'd give to anyone to keep these threads in discussion civil.

Then you call me a name.
197 posted on 01/31/2004 10:24:56 PM PST by hoosiermama (prayers for all)
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To: hoosiermama
No. You insulted people IN GENERAL that didn't tow the line.

Sorry, you are not being let off the hook. Go back and read your posts. They are insulting. As are a number of other posts by a number of other posters in this thread.

I'm all for keeping discussions civil. Let's start with this one.

198 posted on 01/31/2004 10:28:17 PM PST by sauropod (Better to have a bottle in front of me than a frontal lobotomy!)
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To: ilovew
September is the sunset of the AWB. President Bush right now is 2/5 with me and still has my vote as of today...maybe

If he waffles on letting this ban be renewed or passes another one he will be back in Texas come November.

This will be a very crucial decision for him and he seems to be climbing on the proverbial fence to sit.
199 posted on 01/31/2004 10:29:20 PM PST by ezo4
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To: softengine
I still have a faint hope that this is Bush's long-term plan.... However, the half-a-trillion dollar Medicare boondoggle, more money for the NEA (of all things!), and the overall lack of any kind of restraint on spending has moved me from the "ardent" supporter camp to the "lukewarm."
200 posted on 01/31/2004 10:34:15 PM PST by Antoninus (In hoc signo, vinces †)
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