If you look objectively, at George W.Bushes short time as President, you would see a solid record overall. While some conservatives have disagreed with Bushes decisions on education, provision 245i, farm subsidies and CFR, Bush has given America, the most conservative leadership since President Reagan was in power.
Remember, we've had basic political gridlock in Wash-DC over the last 20 years. Accomplishments for conservatives, have been, few and far between. Conservatism has had some success with the Reagan Revolution and the Contract with America. The latter, enabled Republicans, to win control of the Congress, for the first time in forty years.
Bushes accomplishments in his first 16 months as POTUS:
* secured passage through Congress of a $1.35 trillion tax cut
* gave working American's a stimulus tax cut
* proposed the largest increases in military spending since Reagan
* singed two military two pay raises & increased medical/housing benefits
* threw out the Kyoto protocol
* disposed of the ABM Treaty
* eliminated taxpayer funding of overseas abortions
* has openly and strongly supported Taiwan
* made no deal for release of the EP-3 plane crew from Red China
* secured initial funding for a NMDS (SDI)
* promoted increases for off shore oil drilling
* has strongly advocated drilling in ANWR
* pushed for building more nuclear power plants
* campaigned to reduce our dependency on oil imports
* repealed many last minute Clinton EO`s
* campaigned for partial privatization of Social Security
* offered faith-based alternatives to traditional welfare
* stopped gov't funding for further destruction of human embryo's
* nominated conservative judges to the federal bench
* returned honor, dignity and trust to the Presidency
* recognized 2ND amendment/RKBA as individual right, fully constitutional
* told Cuba/Castro trade embargo stays
President Bush also signed four executive orders based on the principles of fair and open competition, neutrality in government contracting, effective and efficient use of tax dollars and the legal right of workers to be notified of how their dues may be used. In other words, stopped favoring union shops in government contracting.
Along with winning the war on terrorism, Bush is doing a very good job for the American people. I'd call Bushes short time in office, a qualified success.
This is along the lines of the Berlin Wall coming down, though not so weighty. If Slick had done it, it would have been trumpeted far and wide. But a Republican President did it, so it's just yesterday's old news.
Michael
And A better Politician. Look, Reagan played the Part well, (Like Clinton, unfortunately, that's all x42 could do...) But That is the One thing Bush lacks.The aforementioned disagreeable decisions a: pale in acomparison to what has been achieved, and b: are a part of the bigger game. Advancing his parties interests....(getting Himself, and Others Re-elected.)
For those of you that actually follow strategery, This President is a political Animal, like no other. Compare, if you will, the NYTimes Coverage of Reagan, compared to that of Bush. He has the Press relatively Silent, and his enemies bereft of issues.
Another good example of this is Fla. Close Election, Dems using alleged improprieties to stir up voter sentiment....What does he do? Justice Dept, gets ready to sue several Fla. counties, over voting irregularities. Said Counties will enter into Agreements to stay out of court. What do those agreements ALWAYS include? Election Monitoring by....The Justice Dept...
So, when Bush's brother, and Bush run for ofc, in '02, and '04 respectively, the Republican controlled Justice Department will be on hand...lol
The Great ones make it Look easy.
A-men, and your list of accomplishments by our president is true. However prepare to get attacked by a lot of posters here. There are however a lot of us who agree with you and just don't have the time to post as much stuff as a lot of the negative posters. I'm going to follow with interest the reaction to your post.
* secured passage through Congress of a $1.35 trillion tax cut * gave working American's a stimulus tax cut
These are the same and they are not permanent, nor are they matched with government cuts.
* proposed the largest increases in military spending since Reagan * singed two military two pay raises & increased medical/housing benefits
The military pay increase is good, but the court is still out on effectiveness (he has not replaced many of the X42 appointees, so the increases are likely to be wasted. ) Overall, he has proposed the largest increase in federal spending since FDR--hardly a conservative stance.
* threw out the Kyoto protocol
This is good. * disposed of the ABM Treaty
He traded the ABM for NMDS and willingly agreed to LESSER weapons than the most liberal disarmament freaks. This was a no-win political ploy that results in less national security at a time of greater vulnerability.
* eliminated taxpayer funding of overseas abortions
Yep, but didn't rescind military abortions overseas.
* has openly and strongly supported Taiwan
All the while playing the whore with mainland China.
* made no deal for release of the EP-3 plane crew from Red China
And I've got some land in Florida for sale.
* secured initial funding for a NMDS (SDI)
See above.
* promoted increases for off shore oil drilling * has strongly advocated drilling in ANWR * pushed for building more nuclear power plants * campaigned to reduce our dependency on oil imports
All of these have shown no results because he has shown no backbone. We were told he was saving his political capital for later, but he has shown no desire to spend ANYTHING on principle.
* repealed many last minute Clinton EO`s
Name them. He has not rescinded the most flagrant abuses and has shown no desire to do so. He has also shown no interest in rooting out the leftover corruption and treason in federal offices. We are at "war" and no one is willing to lay a glove on the un-American traitors left from X42's regime. How conservative is that?
* campaigned for partial privatization of Social Security
Campaigned, but not delivered, however we'll give you this.
* offered faith-based alternatives to traditional welfare
More government intervention is hardly conservative. Prostituting legitimate charities will not benefit either institution.
* stopped gov't funding for further destruction of human embryo's
Status quo and doesn't really restrict research, just funding. A small victory.
* nominated conservative judges to the federal bench
Nominated, but won't even go to the mat for them. He could have got Pickering onboard if he had fought, but nooooo; don't want to look too partisan.
* returned honor, dignity and trust to the Presidency
Granted, but a billygoat in heat could have done that after X42.
* recognized 2ND amendment/RKBA as individual right, fully constitutional
Big yes. This is really good, but it has no legal status. A brief is not binding.
* told Cuba/Castro trade embargo stays
Good again.
President Bush also signed four executive orders based on the principles of fair and open competition, neutrality in government contracting, effective and efficient use of tax dollars and the legal right of workers to be notified of how their dues may be used. In other words, stopped favoring union shops in government contracting. Along with winning the war on terrorism, Bush is doing a very good job for the American people. I'd call Bushes short time in office, a qualified success.
Executive orders are hardly a conservative ideal. All Executive Orders that affect anything beyond the direct administration of the executive branch should be rescinded and proper legislation should pass through Congress. The war on terrorism is still ongoing, so don't count chickens.
Overall, I'd say it's all we can expect. Bush is not the Anti-Christ, but he's no savior either. He's a man with a lot of political savvy, and he may turn it around after regaining Congress. If not, we are in for a long, hard row.
Someone already discussed each of the listed items, so I won't repeat all that. There are some others points I would like to make, though.
Only a few of the verbs used in this passage point to actual, conclusive activities. Others are just talk. Yes, it could be said that voicing and supporting ideas is an accomplishment, and he is faced with political opposition in getting things done. And he has been able to get a few things accomplished, despite this opposition.
However, as freeeee stated,
Actions speak louder than words. Nearly every action elected conservatives take makes government bigger, more intrusive and more expensive.
Much that Bush has accomplished has created bigger govt. - to the tune of approx. 7 whole, new agencies (I lost count after #5). This is directly opposite of his campaign promise to limit govt.
He also supports the 2nd Amendment with words, but again his actions don't follow through, such as with arming pilots. And trust the true militia - the average citizen - to be armed and help guard against terrorists? Not a chance.
Then there are all his speeches praising the freedoms and liberties enjoyed by Americans - followed by signing the Patriot Act, CFR, etc. that in reality reduce those very freedoms.
I am very glad that Bush is president. Having a moral, respectable person in the White House is wonderful. But until his actions match his words, I will continue to be disappointed in him. And criticize him, politics and compromise notwithstanding.
Could you explain how this is consistent with $235 million in federal funds used by the President today to shelter Florida's Everglades and beaches from oil and gas drilling? The settlement buys out nine oil and gas leases to prevent drilling in Gulf of Mexico areas closest to Pensacola, and does not require legislation and will proceed without Congressional approval. Could it possibly be because the President’s brother is Governor of Florida, up for re-election, or is this yet another “secret” and politically-savvy plan that we as conservatives are just too dense to figure out , and in some yet-undiscovered and inscrutable way, it really does reduce dependency on oil imports?
To repeat: Do you realize his budget 'increase' as originally issued, then supplemented, FAILED TO ARREST THE SLIDE in real defense capabilities? It was so pathetic, the DOD, and Secretary Rumsfeld told GWB what was needed (at least another $45 billion in emergency funding), and he rebuffed them, implying they were asking for pork. He even sent around his agents from the OMB and Treasury to scoff at the DOD numbers. Let's face it, he is not really interested in arresting the continuing slide. He masks it under his 'transformation' rhetoric...which coincidently is totally unfunded. No money for DD-21. No money for crusader. No money to keep the B-1b's in a survivable...and efficient basing mode. No money to actually deploy a sea-based national missile defense despite clear proof it works, and far cheaper than his Clintonian-option which protects 1% degree of azimuth for attacks, and would also be a near-term solution. What is his defense spending litany? "No, no, No. No. No. NO." The monetary increases so far, even after the War on Terror budget increase are still not addressing fundamental erosions in preparedness, training, spares, and ammunition, let alone allowing for modernization. I.e., where are the new cruise missiles? Where are the new Patriot missile batteries to defend American cities from aerial attack? I'll tell you: No Where. They are not being built.
And a relatively simple cure for a lot of budgetary ills in the DOD would be to reverse course on 'affirmative action' hirings GHWB and Clinton required, and the feminization of the forces...but that isn't on the table, that would be politically incorrect. And a lot of money is going to be spent DISMANTLING perfectly good weapons, from the nuclear arsenal on to our armorered tank forces. H'mmm. Sounds like a con game of Clintonian proportions to me.