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Conservatives Need to Get Real
The Intellectual Conservative ^ | 02 February 2004 | Scott Shore

Posted on 02/11/2004 11:00:20 AM PST by Lando Lincoln

While President Bush may not be a conservative’s perfect president, the alternative should shake any discontents to active support of the President.

As a conservative, I agree with most of the criticism that has been leveled at President Bush amongst Republicans and conservatives. While I support the President’s foreign and defense policies, I think that the Administration has tried to do the impossible—preempt the Left on their own issues. Republicans were not put on this earth to increase the size of government, create massive new programs like Medicare, spend billions of dollars on AIDS in Africa, fund the UN renovation, expand the Federal role in education or pursue a reckless policy of granting amnesty to illegal foreigners working in the US. None of these initiatives by the President will, in the end, take votes from the Democratic core base. Democrats are much better and far more willing to outspend any Republican program that expands the Welfare State. The strong suit of Republicans is limited government, lower taxes, individual responsibility and strong national defense. Karl Rove may be right that some of the President’s big government initiatives may neutralize some independents. In any case, conservatives could have hoped for much more in a Washington where Republicans control both the White House and Congress.

Having said all that, I intend to do whatever I can to reelect President Bush. The reason is simple. The alternative is unthinkable. A tax increase by rolling back the President’s much needed tax relief will not go to reduce the deficit but to fund massive new social programs, especially some form of universal national health care system. The stimulus of tax relief will be gone and the deadweight of new taxes and government program will lead to a much larger deficit. Moreover, the hue and cry over the deficit is only logical if the deficit grows as a percentage of GDP over a period of years. Economic recovery can shrink the deficit in a relatively short time -- provided there is no new spending. A Democrat will give us the worst of both worlds -- higher taxes and higher spending.

A Democratic economic policy is also lethal to the American middle class and small business. The repeal of most taxes to the “wealthy” proposed by the Democrats are really to two-income families that are just getting by and are clearly the backbone of the middle-class and small business owners who pay income tax; their business is not a corporation but a family business that is a sole proprietorship. An increase in dividend taxation or capital gains will put the financial markets in a tailspin and further retard the growth of new or expanded business activity.

Universal health care has an interesting twist that few seem to be discussing. If people are concerned about possible invasions of privacy because of the Patriot Act, imagine the access to private information available to Big Brother when he gets his hands on your medical records. Once the government is subsidizing our health, how long will it take before certain health lifestyles or diets become a matter of government concern over its citizens? Should we expect a universal health care system to deliver the same value as our compulsory educational system? In fact, the Democrats are likely to create an even greater rift between the Haves and Have-Nots in healthcare by allowing only the wealthiest Americans to pay for private services. Besides this, universal health will either bankrupt the economy since the demand for healthcare is virtually without limit or it will require the government to ration healthcare. Do we really want the delivery of healthcare to become a matter of political bargaining? Imagine the hypocrisy of those who are adamant that the relationship between a doctor and patient is sacrosanct when it comes to abortion, but would make almost all medical procedures a matter of public policy mandates in the future. Imagine your worst nightmare of an HMO and then increase that exponentially and you begin to get the real meaning of Universal Health Care. As for the eventual bill for this service, look to the past at all other federal entitlement programs. To make matters worse, no Democrat is going to support Medical Practice Tort Reform which is contributing to the skyrocketed growth of healthcare costs.

How will Democrats deal with other issues of free market choice for individuals? No Democrat supports any level of privatization of Social Security for retirement. There is no support for school vouchers or alternatives to the monopoly of the public school system. Finally there is no support for private Health Savings Accounts among the Democrats. While Republicans will at least look for market-based solutions to public policy issues, the unions and bureaucratic constituencies of the Democrats virtually insures no such innovation.

On the matter of illegal immigration, the Democrats are more likely to pass a liberal new amnesty program than any GOP administration. The reason is that the Hispanic community seems to be “in play” and this is one constituency the Democrats really need to lock up in order to strengthen their position on the West Coast and in the Southwest.

One can only imagine the kind of social activist judges and Supreme Court justices that would be appointed by the Democratic nominee. The Federal Judiciary will begin to resemble the lunacy of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco. Can any responsible citizen sit home and allow the judiciary to lunge to the Left? This alone should energize conservatives. The dismantling of all religious tradition or symbolism in public life is likely to continue with a Democratic President and a liberal judiciary.

The final issue is one of national security. Certainly no one can believe that a Democratic administration will strengthen our intelligence and defense capabilities. It was under Democratic administrations that the CIA and other intelligence agencies became decimated and hand-tied. The Democrats have almost unanimously voted against nearly all major new weapons systems. At a time when we are in fact living in a Third World War, we can not go from a Churchill to a Chamberlain. It is disingenuous for the Democrats to glob onto intelligence deficiencies when they are largely the culprit for lack of human intelligence or material resources in the important area of espionage. In fighting a terrorist enemy, preemption is the natural policy and that requires intelligence first and foremost.

While President Bush may not be a conservative’s perfect president, the alternative should shake any discontents to active support of the President. Moreover, in the area of determining the security threat to the West and taking action, the President may go down as one of our greatest leaders. For the sake of the hope of more prudent domestic policy, judicial restraint and national security, there is really no choice. As for much of the domestic agenda, can we afford to sacrifice the good for the perfect?

Scott Shore is a political commentator and management consultant in Providence, Rhode Island.


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Editorial; News/Current Events; Philosophy; Politics/Elections; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: bush; conservatives; gop; gwb2004; leftwing; liberals; rightwing; vichycons
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To: DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet
We keep having to break it down for you, for some reason. There are only two possible outcomes in November: President George W. Bush, or President John F. Kerry. If President Bush continues moving Left, he will be at fault for a democratic President.

It is not the responsibility of the people to represent the will of the President.
It is the responsibility of the President to represent the will of the People.

No Borders No Vote
781 posted on 02/12/2004 10:32:42 PM PST by TomasUSMC (from tomasUSMC FIGHT FOR THE LAND OF THE FREE AND HOME OF THE BRAVE)
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To: reformedliberal
Some say We have a President and a Congress to elect and we can do it w/o the 5%. Well that wasn't true in the last election was it? Much less than 5 percent would have decided it either way. Matter-of-fact, had the Green party not run, Gore would have won easily.

782 posted on 02/12/2004 10:39:25 PM PST by TomasUSMC (from tomasUSMC FIGHT FOR THE LAND OF THE FREE AND HOME OF THE BRAVE)
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To: TomasUSMC
Nope. YOU will be at fault. If you think there's no difference between Bush and Kerry, then you have some research to do.
783 posted on 02/12/2004 10:41:01 PM PST by DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet ("Lashing out" at Democrats since 1990.)
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To: Darlin'
Some people ask, What exactly did Gov George W Bush promise you during his campaign that he hasn't done, tried to do or has in the works ?

Its the "has in the works" that bothers me. But its true and correct. He didn't say he was a conservative, he said he was a Compassionate conservative. I want him to become a Conservative. So..

No Border - No Vote.
784 posted on 02/12/2004 10:45:02 PM PST by TomasUSMC (from tomasUSMC FIGHT FOR THE LAND OF THE FREE AND HOME OF THE BRAVE)
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To: reformedliberal
The UN without the US is just un.
785 posted on 02/12/2004 10:48:22 PM PST by TomasUSMC (from tomasUSMC FIGHT FOR THE LAND OF THE FREE AND HOME OF THE BRAVE)
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To: reformedliberal
Some people say they do not recall the destruction of the NEA as a Bush platform plank in 2000. They say that is just another projection of the kooks. Of course additional funding for the NEA was not a promise either.

With our troops being shot at dozen of times a day in Iraq, I would have thought the first lady would have maybe wanted money to go to ....lets say - body armor.
786 posted on 02/12/2004 10:57:54 PM PST by TomasUSMC (from tomasUSMC FIGHT FOR THE LAND OF THE FREE AND HOME OF THE BRAVE)
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To: My2Cents
Illegals need to be identified and deported, and to not round them all up and kick them out of the country would bring disaster to our national sovereignty. We are talking 12 million here. And this massive pardon will encourage another 12 million. Incredible, that during a War, the President of any country would strive to maintain his borders undefended.

No Borders - No Votes
787 posted on 02/12/2004 11:04:16 PM PST by TomasUSMC (from tomasUSMC FIGHT FOR THE LAND OF THE FREE AND HOME OF THE BRAVE)
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To: Mo1
Just do a Google image search on "OWK"

Interesting stuff there

HAH!...All I can say is, "Just damn"

788 posted on 02/12/2004 11:09:02 PM PST by BigSkyFreeper (The South isn't Bush's backyard; The South is Bush's front yard)
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To: My2Cents
Some people talk about the importance of judicial nominations, or the culture wars, or the defense of American ideals. What could be more important than ProLife. Is the president accepting ProChoice people into the republican party, how about homosexuals? Yes he is. Are these the type of people that uphold American Culture? Are they the ones who will insure prolife nominations? Does Abortion and homosexuality = American ideals?

No.
789 posted on 02/12/2004 11:11:43 PM PST by TomasUSMC (from tomasUSMC FIGHT FOR THE LAND OF THE FREE AND HOME OF THE BRAVE)
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To: homemom
We just don't want to beat the Dems, we want to pulverize them into powder, and then sweep the powder onto the ash heap of history.***

I agree--but I want to see them cry first, too!

Okay now thats sounds good. I'm all for that.
790 posted on 02/12/2004 11:15:27 PM PST by TomasUSMC (from tomasUSMC FIGHT FOR THE LAND OF THE FREE AND HOME OF THE BRAVE)
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To: My2Cents
I asked some esteemed freepers who were among the "Worst of the Worst" in terms of narrow-mindedness, stridency, and inability to see the big picture, and your screen name came up. You should feel honored that anyone even notices your posts.

Is the list of "esteemed freepers" posted anywhere?


791 posted on 02/12/2004 11:19:16 PM PST by Sabertooth (Sharpen your Long Knives lately?)
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To: BigSkyFreeper
LOL .. Oddest thing I've seen
792 posted on 02/12/2004 11:20:43 PM PST by Mo1 (" Do you want a president who injects poison into his skull for vanity?")
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To: homemom
Some people say that the Ban against Partial-Birth Abortion
is a humongous examples that proves that President Bush is conservative, God-fearing, and life-loving-- . Well, the PBA will affect way less than .5 percent of the 3000 abortions every day. It was a barbaric act and a win win vote for both sides of the aisle. Easy to pass and sign.

No doubt though, the President is a God-fearing man. Humongous though, is not what I would call it.
793 posted on 02/12/2004 11:23:49 PM PST by TomasUSMC (from tomasUSMC FIGHT FOR THE LAND OF THE FREE AND HOME OF THE BRAVE)
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To: Mo1
Same here! LOL
794 posted on 02/12/2004 11:25:48 PM PST by BigSkyFreeper (The South isn't Bush's backyard; The South is Bush's front yard)
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To: TomasUSMC
Some people say that the Ban against Partial-Birth Abortion is a humongous examples that proves that President Bush is conservative, God-fearing, and life-loving-- . Well, the PBA will affect way less than .5 percent of the 3000 abortions every day. It was a barbaric act and a win win vote for both sides of the aisle. Easy to pass and sign.

It's more than that: PBA is only one of several late-term abortion methods.

The PBA ban has not stopped a single late-term abortion that anyone knows of. They just do it by poisoning the baby or in other ways. Although the PBA scissors-to-skull method is gruesome, some people would argue that the other methods actually cause far more enduring agony to the baby that is being murdered.

So, despite the fierce pillow fight the Dems staged for their infanticide lobby, nothing has really changed. Some pro-lifers would make the point that it is only the first restriction and will pave the way for others. I hope so. But I won't believe it until I see it.

Since W. holds the life-of-the-mother/rape/incest exceptions already on abortion, there is no credible reason to believe he personally wants a late-term abortion ban. Life-of-the-mother almost always means the barbaric late-term abortions. And his parents were big early GOP boosters of Planned Parenthood back in Texas in the Sixties and Seventies. His dad only became pro-life (and pro-voodoo economics) after Reagan offered him the VP slot, in an amazing switch that occurred during his brief interview with Reagan. This is partly why conservatives never did trust Spook Daddy.

Serious pro-lifers don't scorn PBA. But they know how small a start it is after decades of effort and supporting the GOP at state and national levels.
795 posted on 02/13/2004 1:28:37 AM PST by George W. Bush (It's the Congress, stupid.)
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To: tpaine
My apology for assuming your insult (which was nearly identical to others of the same nature on this thread) was intended for me.

After having numerous far righters level the same meaningless insults at me (which, incidentally were the most 'puerile posts' on this thread), it was my assumption that you were doing the same.

It's not at all 'telling' that I thought you were including me in your insult because those in your political camp freely insult Bush supporters in ignorance and arrogance all the time. It was far more logical for me to assume that you were including me than not.

Now, if you would like to give any indication that you are not as egotistical as you seem, I'd be happy to read it. From your last post, I'll continue to assume that my earlier impression was correct.

796 posted on 02/13/2004 7:05:41 AM PST by ohioWfan (BUSH 2004 - Leadership, Integrity, Morality)
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To: zoyd
you seem happy when conservatives get banned from the board

This little line caught my eye last night, but I was off the computer before I realize what it revealed about you.

You're a patron at the LP Biker Bar, aren't you? You know, that Jr. High locker room on that banned freeper forum?? (I went there for a couple of days last year, and it took a week to get the stench off my computer).

I know that because I was the subject of one of Todd's cute little threads, and that was one of the topics.

Trouble is, that was about NINE months ago, my cut and pasted comment was to ONE freeper, and I haven't said anything remotely similar since then.

You're a Todd groupie, aren't you?? You're a 'libertarian intellectual' who hangs out with the boys there, aren't you?? That's the ONLY way you could or would have made the above accusation of me. You've outted yourself.

797 posted on 02/13/2004 8:11:55 AM PST by ohioWfan (BUSH 2004 - Leadership, Integrity, Morality)
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To: OWK
Installed a beautiful new light fixture in my powder room...

You have a powder room...? Careful - get any more camp and you'll have to marry Liza Minelli.

798 posted on 02/13/2004 8:34:35 AM PST by jjbrouwer (Chelsea for the Champions League)
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To: OWK
Maybe you can get smacked around again tomorrow... huh?

I'm going to give you a piece of motherly advice, OWK (I assume you're at least 20.....even though you don't act that old..... since you claim to have been on FR since 97). I've been teasing you so far, but this is serious.

You're really good at mocking. I've never heard anything better from any high school, egocentric jock. You've mastered the art of making fun of people you don't know, and I can see you're proud of it. Bully for you.

But this is an adult world, and most of us on this forum are adults, and your immaturity has literally burst out of this thread for all to see. If you want to be taken seriously by anyone except yourself, I'd suggest that you get into the word of God and down on your knees in prayer, and find out about humility and righteousness.

Oh......and about those 'relationships'........no one as rude, childish, and self-centered as you are will ever have a good marriage, and if you don't have a good, healthy marriage, you will NEVER know what it's all about.

799 posted on 02/13/2004 8:59:15 AM PST by ohioWfan (BUSH 2004 - Leadership, Integrity, Morality)
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To: ohioWfan; jjbrouwer
OWK got 'smacked' last night, sports fans..

Gotta love it.. -- One less fool to suffer, aye? Soon we will have peace on FR.. All will agree on the one right way..
800 posted on 02/13/2004 10:11:49 AM PST by tpaine (I'm trying to be 'Mr Nice Guy', but the U.S. Constitution defines conservatism; - not the GOP. .)
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