Posted on 06/05/2002 1:20:54 PM PDT by Stand Watch Listen
Let me just say up front that I am not addressing you if you voted for George W. Bush in 2000 and regret it. The same goes for those of you who voted for Bush and insist on holding his feet to the fire on the important issues. If, however, you cast your vote for Bush, still believe he is the only hope for America and intend to support every move he makes without so much as a raised eyebrow, this is for you.
It has been nearly a year-and-a-half since George W. Bush, the savior of conservatism, descended from on high to begin his earthly reign in Washington, D.C. Republicans assured us that he would restore integrity to the White House and would be a marked improvement over the promiscuous Bill Clinton. Well, in all honesty, that could have been accomplished by electing a neutered chimp to the office of president.
During the 2000 presidential campaign, George W. Bush the man proved to be a nice break from Bill Clinton and Al Gore. Unlike Gore, Bush had a more likable...well, he actually had a personality. He also possessed the unique ability to address the American people without the smug and condescending vibe Clinton exuded. However, when it came to policy, George W. Bush the candidate failed to demonstrate that he would govern any differently than his Democrat counterparts.
Still, throughout the campaign, there was a loyal group of Bush supporters who would take offense at even the slightest implication that their candidate was anything but a staunch conservative. Even now, they continue to stand by their man, and I find this to be rather perplexing.
Perhaps those who have pledged their undying allegiance to President Bush could answer a few questions for me, in no particular order of course:
• How would you have reacted if Bill Clinton had signed the Patriot Act into law and given the government sweeping new surveillance powers?
• Would you have criticized a Democrat president for signing a $26 billion education-spending bill?
• Did you feel betrayed when Bush signed Campaign Finance Reform into law?
• What do you think about Bush's position on granting amnesty to hundreds of thousands of illegal immigrants?
• Would you have tolerated a Democrat proposal for federally funded faith-based initiatives?
• What would your reaction have been if a Democrat had said, "No one should have to pay more than a third of their income to the federal government"?
• What do you think about the president's granting of Permanent Most Favored Nation status to China?
• What's the difference between Bush and the Democrats on the issue of farm subsidies?
• How would you react if a Democrat president sent a $2.13 trillion budget to Congress?
• Would you have stood for a Democrat saying "No!" to arming airline pilots?
• What would your reaction have been if a Democrat had pushed for the federalization of airport security?
• Are you willing to stand by and let the Bush administration cater to the environmentalists on the global warming issue?
• What do you think about Bush's call for a Patient's Bill of Rights?
• What one thing has Bush done that sets him apart from the Democrats?
• It's been a year-and-a-half since Bush took office. When do we start to see a decrease in the size and scope of government? For that matter, when do we start to see even a remote indication that this administration will think about doing anything to try to limit the federal government?
This list is by no means exhaustive, but I would really be interested in some answers. Perhaps it would help shed some light on the mindset of modern compassionate conservatives.
The fact that a Republican president is governing like a Democrat isn't surprising. What's amazing to me is that there are a few select Bush supporters out there who cannot—or will not—utter one word of criticism against their president for any reason. In their minds this man is the epitome of conservatism, and to question his actions would be to question their own beliefs and cause them to wonder why they supported him in the first place.
The way I see it there can only be two explanations for this: 1) these people really and truly believe in what Bush is doing, or 2) they do not wish to face up to the real reason they voted for him — he was simply a slightly more palatable choice than Al Gore.
GWB's administration is the first to come out and take the un-equivocal position the Second Amendment protect the the right of the individual to Keep And Bear Arms. Thereby ensuring that the measures taken to fight terrorism will be kept in check in the way intended by the founders.
I would also like to add that in times of war, the federal government has always assumed additional powers, only to return them to the people when the war is over.
And before you slam Bush's budget compromises, go take a look at the one's Reagan made with the Dems. And remember that, just as they did then, the Dems are failing to live up to the agreements they made in the compromise.
How soon we forget.
All presidencies must be judged in context, and his is no different. Just as I don't give Clinton credit for conservative moves he had to make due to his '94 catastrophe, I will refrain from thinking Bush has left the reservation for now. Now if he gets GOP majorities in both houses this year and doesn't veer starboard, I'll try to yell as loud as anyone.
This is precisely why it is much easier to look effective when you are on the outside looking in (as the Republicans in Congress were before 1994). When you function as an opposition party, people tend to overlook the fact that in the midst of all your accurate criticism of the party in power, you rarely offer meaningful, workable alternatives.
What on earth are you talking about? The US Justice Department has just taken the most pro-gun position on the meaning of Second Amendment in most of our life times.
ignore the cult of personality, folks, and make decisions based on ideas and the fullfilment of promises.
sure bush has done SOME good things. but as a whole, has he moved us toward bigger govt. or smaller? has he defended or articulated ideas he professes to advocate, to a degree sufficient to persuade?
something to consider, without getting emotional. if bushs strategy of giving away the store to prevent robbery is worthwhile, it will be the finest scorched earth policy since waterloo. but i doubt it.
So... when does this war end? And how soon can we expect our powers returned to us?
Hasn't developed a fetish for blue dresses and cigars either.
sheesh....a box of rocks could have done that. You know its bad when all we ask of our president is that he not break the law.
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