Replies

Thank you fer the opportunity to pick the brain of an unabashed Lib'ral...are you in any way related to the New Republic's Perlstein?

"I have always admired conservatives for their political idealism, acumen, stalwartness, and devotion. I have also admired some of their ideas--especially the commitment to distrusting grand social schemes, and the deep sense of the inherent flaws in human nature. (To my mind the best minds in the liberal tradition have encompassed these ideals, while still maintaining that robust social reform is still possible and desirable.)"

Presently, the Federal Leviathan has a budget of more than $2.5 Trillion (which is almost 25% of the Gross Domestic Product). Dubyuh has increased discretionary domestic spending by 8% per year, yet all I hear from Kerry and the Lib'ralHorde is that Bush is short-changing the little guy. If Kerry--the most Lib'ral Senator in office--wins in November, I can only see spending increasing even more (unless the House can save US). My question to you is, how much is enough?! At what point do you believe Federal spending is too large and too wasteful? What could a good "liberal" have against devolving Power from the Federal Leviathan and returning Power to the States, Localities, and Individuals. Then, if certain Northeastern states wanna create a socialist Utopia, they can refrain from bothering the rest of us with their big-spending hair-brained schemes.

FReegards...MUD
55 posted on 08/03/2004 12:27:37 PM PDT by Mudboy Slim (RE-IMPEACH Osama bil Clinton!!)

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But Clinton, tho' certainly not my hero, slowed the growth of the federal government. Bush did not. So as to how much federal spending is wasteful, the question is more appropriately directed at Mr. Bush.

But Clinton, tho' certainly not my hero, slowed the growth of the federal government. Bush did not. So as to how much federal spending is wasteful, the question is more appropriately directed at Mr. Bush.

Whoa, there, Rick--the only (only!) portion of the Federal Gov that Clinton cut was the Defense Department and the armed forces.

Are you advocating cutting the military like Clinton? Now?!

"Clinton, tho' certainly not my hero, slowed the growth of the federal government."

So, do you actually believe slowing the growth of the Federal Leviathan--or preferably shrinking it in real-dollar terms--is a worthy endeavor? Admittedly, Dubyuh has been a disappointment in this regard fer his first term...if he comes out in his second term and starts devolving Power from the Feds and back to the States, Localities, and Individuals, would that be a good thing?

You know Kerry's raison d'etre (sp) is--as the most Lib'ral Senator in office--to grow the Fed however feasible.

FReegards...MUD

More misdirection and dishonesty. You bemoan the reduction in the rate of growth of the Veterans Budget, but you take credit for the constraint on spending imposed on Clinton by the Rep legislature. And of course you dont answer the question..

So here we have a Republican President who has increased discretionary spending at a faster clip than anyone since Carter and yet you attack him for being a radical right winger, putting the interests of evangelicals and big business above all others.

Admit it, Perlstein. Its all about power. Gots to get the Democrats back into government controlling the courts and the pursestrings, even if we have to hoist up an empty suited blueblood billionaire like John Kerry to make it happen!!

"But Clinton, tho' certainly not my hero, slowed the growth of the federal government. Bush did not."

Cporrection: Congress has the power of the purse... the Newt Congress of 1994-1998 cut back spending, later GOP Congresses since 1998 have slacked off. After 9/11 and the after the PAYGO contraints expired, spending restraint has been a backburner issue, alas.

Of course, Clinton's cut of 2 Army divisions and cut of more than 500,000 people in the DoD, and other 'peace dividend' activities helped reduced the deficit in ways that had to reversed post 9/11. So for both reasons, it is really a myth to peg Clinton as the fiscal conservative. He was always trying to spend more than the GOP Congress.

" So as to how much federal spending is wasteful, the question is more appropriately directed at Mr. Bush."

Um, first this is a Congression issue as much as anything else; second, this is your forum, he's not here: What percentage of the Federal Government do you think is wasted?
And if it is wasted, should spending be cut?
what is your ideal amount of Federal govt spending?
Can you name a Federal program that *doesnt* waste money?

And if a "Pell grant" is such a great Govt program, amounting to a voucher for College, what is so awful about vouchers for K-12?