Posted on 04/26/2002 1:44:34 PM PDT by Rightfield14
For the past twelve years, conservatives have grown quite accustomed to betrayals by the nation’s Chief Executive. Not only did President Bush (the father), break his promise not to raise taxes, the next administration dismally failed to honor any of the promises that were made to Republicans.
Therefore, way too many of us in the conservative camp routinely expect to be betrayed by the president.
I do not share the opinion of some that President George W. Bush has done any irreparable harm on the Constitution. Nor do I feel his actions have betrayed us.
Having said that, I am not saying that I wasn’t disappointed in several of the choices the president has made or the bills he has signed. In all of those cases, I believe he relied too much on his advisors, people who care more about politics than principles.
I believe President Bush is a good and decent man, a person of high character. He is someone who tries to do the right thing. I believe his instincts are good. And when he follows them, he will inevitably make the right decisions.
However, for all of you who say that President Bush is too liberal, I offer the following perspective:
Many of you have forgotten that one of the president’s first initiatives was to stop the public funding of overseas abortions. This executive order was met with weeping, wailing, and gnashing of teeth from the militant feminists and their media cheerleaders.
Despite lacking the support of the leaders of the European Union, President Bush stood firm on his support for missile defense and his opposition of the Kyoto treaty. Later, he boldly scrapped the antiquated 1972 AMB treaty on ballistic missiles.
He promised tax cuts during the campaign and stubbornly refused to yield. He has stood firmly against human cloning. His war leadership has been superb. And that is only a small sample of his conservative credentials.
Increasingly, I have come to believe that some of those who are purportedly in our same camp would not be satisfied with whomever became our Chief Executive.
If I was going to create the perfect president, then I would start with the self-deprecating wit of Ronald Reagan, the intellect of William F. Buckley and Anthony Scalia, the tell-it-like-it-is candor of Bob Dornan and Ann Coulter, the boundless optimism of Rush Limbaugh, the flaming oratory of Alan Keyes, the rich military heritage of John McCain, the pro-life passion of Pat Buchanan, the fervent Constitutional defense of Rep. Ron Paul. Still, it wouldn’t be enough for many of those who call themselves conservative!
Carping and criticizing, they idly sit on the sidelines. They never take up arms in defense of their party. They never take the slings and arrows from the opposition. They never attempt to remake the GOP in their conservative image the way liberals have dominated the Democrats.
I am not suggesting that we stifle honest ideological introspection. Political dissent is what made this country great. We were conceived in it. In fact, I certainly reserve the right to do more of it in the future. I also plan to criticize President Bush whenever he is wrong.
However, I believe than many of us will never be satisfied with any president. These so-called ideological purists can always see the faults in anyone chosen by the GOP. Yet if you look for betrayal long enough, you are sure to find it.
More than anything else, I think is inarguable that President George W. Bush has restored the public’s respect for his office. No longer is the presidency or its current occupant perceived as little more than a dirty joke.
That is all I ask of Bush or any president. I do not expect them to be right on every issue. I do not demand their total allegiance to every cause I personally support. I do not expect that they will not make mistakes.
I do, however, hold them to higher standard of behavior than the average man on the street. I expect them to recognize and appreciate the sacrificial contributions of our young men and women in the armed forces. I do expect them to uphold the finest traditions of their office and to carry themselves with a dignity worthy of their lofty position. Bush has done that.
In conclusion, I must say that George W. Bush is not the perfect president, but he is still pretty darn good!
© 2002 Robert Yoho
To me, all he's doing is referring to the era in which he was born or raised. You apparently take it to mean something repugnant.
But I plan to do the best I can to keep people aware of the difference between our modern politicians and our founders. Eventually our leaders will realize that we are expecting better from them.
Popularity ratings are not the right indicator of what I am looking for at this point in our nation's history. Popularity polls gauge a politician's success. But we have problems which demand more than a politician.
Again, don't get me wrong. I have a high regard for President Bush. I am actually very hopeful that he will start showing more of the qualities we need to see.
First of all, please read my #20, then read my #5 and follow the link I presented in #5.
I know oncologists who do a fine job with patients who refuse surgery. Their patients love them. But that doesn't mean that all of the necessary things are getting done.
We'll just have to wait and see whether our President grasps the idea in the above metaphor.
If you would put the same energy and money into the Senate races coming up, you'd have a lot less to be carping about next year."
"Clone"? The people who keep voting straight Republican or Democrat are the ones cranking out the clones. From a constitutional perspective, the only difference is the letter behind the candidates name, (R) or (D). As far as the media pushing my buttons, I have no idea where you're getting that. I prefer to think for myself. If there's any carping to do, it'll be based on the constitutional abuses I see in government, not on what Peter Jennings, Paula Zahn or Sean Hannity are saying.
If you took all the energy and money you put into supporting the GOP and used them to support candidates who would uphold the Constitution, perhaps I WOULD have a lot less to carp about next year.
No, in the end the people get what they deserve. Kind of a sobering thought, huh?
"The Federalist Papers are clear that the only final line of defence is the virtue of the people."
Then we are in even worse shape than I thought.
Right on as usual Jane. Everyone needs to take a deep breath and support the president in the war effort. On the domestic side we need to work to re-regain the Senate majority.
We all here love and revere the Constitution. Let us not forget that it took 15 long years and not a small quantity of Patriots' blood to impliment that sacred document of 'American Scripture' to begin with.
Then we are in even worse shape than I thought.
Perhaps you should start a very small country somehwere in which all the people are as perfect as you are. With a population of 1, there will be no need for taxes at all. You are clearly far too virtuous to have to put up with ordinary Americans as fellow-citizens.
The Crown Prince, I'm sure travels in mighty nice style. His flight here must have been a flying palace, and his limo's, I'm sure, are quite special. I don't know how opulant the helicopter was that took him to Crawford, but the thought that he then took a BUS to the ranch is really wild!! Hope he had fun! LOL!
(Did President Bush drive a jeep when he gave the Crown Prince a tour of his ranch?)
Wrong angle my friend,...you do not run a superpower like the USofA, bible thumping style. God forbid...its a very scary scenario...what would be then the difference between Iran and us? And no, I won't accept the line that Christianity is above the Islam teachings.
Religion has no business in running a country, period.
Remember the Inquisition?...I rest my case.
We absolutely need a stong relationship with Mexico. Among other things they have oil. Bush is right, if they could make a living in Mexico they would stay there!
I know you are speaking of other nations who's citizens mean us harm should be stopped but it is in the works. It has been a very short time since 9/11, or even the President's innauguration. Give him time and the benefit of knowing he does have our best interests at heart. This is the Government you are talking about and you expect them to move quickly? There is no one else electable that would do anything you think necessary from any party. We have the best man in office now.
If that were only possible! </sarcasm>
This is typical of the responses from the left. (Oh, wait, that's right, Bush and his supporters are conservative and are doing everything they can from education spending to Campaign Finance Reform to make government smaller. Funny how I keep forgetting that!) Try and stand up for the Constitution and get assaulted for not being a "team player." You would have made an excellent supporter of King George 226 years ago. I can see you addressing those dared to question the policies of the king: "Perhaps you should start a very small country somehwere in which all the people are as perfect as you are."
By the way, the virtue of the people-- you know, "ordinary Americans"-- put Clinton in the White House.....twice.
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