A Few Questions For Die-Hard Bush Supporters

Toogood Reports ^ | June 5, 2002 | Lee R. Shelton IV

[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.

[Luis Gonzalez]

He made that statement under what he believed to be the worst immigration problems that had ever faced this nation.

And he still said it.

[Southack]

"Conservatism is dead. GWB the first dug the grave, Dumbya aka George W Algore is shoveling the dirt in."

Nonsense. That sort of fringe talk, no matter how many threads you repeat it on, isn't even close to the truth.

Democrats have given up gun control as an issue. Think about that fact for a moment. What thinking man would claim that the Democrats would give up that position if "Conservatism is dead"??

If Conservatism is dead, why are faith-based initiatives on deck to be passed?

If Conservatism is dead, why did the U.S. pull out of the left-wing International Criminal Court?

If Conservatism was dead, why isn't the Kyoto Treaty on Global Warming being implemented at the cost of hundreds of thousands of American jobs?

Why is our national missile defense being funded, tested, and set for initial deployment in 2004 if Conservatism is dead?

Don't look now, but Democrats are scrambling to jump to the Right. Democrats such as Gephardt are now backing a war on Iraq. Democrats are demanding that American security be increased. If the right wing is dead, then why are Democrats trying to fly on it?

Look at Hollywood. The top films out over the last year are family films. TV studios are retreading old family-friendly shows. Comfort foods are back in vogue. The American flag is flying in every city.

You may think that conservatism is dead, but current evidence doesn't bear out that conclusion. You are also going to be VERY surprised at just how out of touch that viewpoint is in November of this year. Then you can act like the media and pretend to be "surprised" that the Democrats got routed in the elections...

[WRhine]

I'll ask you again, how would he have the proper perspective to consider his immigration problems not as bad as the ones in the future?

In the old days when CA, TX, AZ, NM, FL where not literally taken over by illegal aliens it was a lot easier to attempt to explore ways that satisfied both side of the immigration issue. Those days are long gone. BTW, I thought you said you were not for open borders. Are you changing your mind again?

[Starwind]

Yes, in that cited case they were.

The point of citing that case was to show the courts predisposition to limit campaign spending and the makeup of the split on the bench, and who the swing justices likely were.

Will the court split again for ad bans? That I addressed in a previous post.

[PsyOp]

Where did you study history, Propaganda U? If I steal a dollar from you and then give back a quarter, am I a thief?.

As witty as your analogy is irrelevent. Especially since you have provided not "facts" from your extensive knowledge of history.

Why do the ignorant always begin with insults and presumptions?

[Luis Gonzalez]

"So far, Bush has been taking all the steps in the "wrong," ie left, direction."

And my problem is with glaringly biased, and inaccurate generalizations.

Rebuilding the military...not a move to the left.

Defunding any new stem cell research...not a move to the left.

Taking the US out of the World Court...not a move to the left.

Lowering taxes...not a move to the left.

You did say all...didn't you?

[altair]

We should all concentrate on getting control of both the House & Senate so that a more conservative agenda can be enacted!

Yes, that's very important. Midterm elections are where the party of the sitting president traditionally take a hit on seats.

[Southack]

"So far, Bush has been taking all the steps in the "wrong," ie left, direction."

Nonsense. How is pulling the U.S. out of the socialist-dominated International Criminal Court a move toward the left?!

How is pulling out of the U.S. - CCCP ABM Treaty a move to the Left?

How is funding national missile defense a move to the left?

How is writing to the Supreme Court to tell them that the official U.S. position is that the Second Amendment protects an individual, not a collective, right to keep and bear arms - a move to the Left??

How is cancelling money for foreign "family planning" activities a move to the Left?

The truth is that you either have no idea what you are talking about, OR that you are intentionally trying to mislead people into thinking that Bush has only moved toward the Left - when the evidence (as the examples above prove) conclusively proves just the opposite...

[WRhine]

He made that statement under what he believed to be the worst immigration problems that had ever faced this nation.

Well let me tell you...it has gotten a whole lot worse in the last 20 years. And Reagan would definately not be trying to sell an amnesty for illegals after what happened on 9/11 like Bush is doing.

[Joe Hadenuf]

Can I see a show of hands who think I should wipe the egg off my face?

What's the matter, you need your classmates to raise their hands to make you feel better. LOL!

If they raise their hands, it will be to wipe the egg off your face.

Regards

[Luis Gonzalez]

"I thought you said you were not for open borders. Are you changing your mind again?"

Nope, and nothing that I have said even indicates that.

My point is that the problems in the 1980's only dwarf in lighht of what's going on today. But not to the people in the 80's...and that's when Reagan said it.

You just can't grasp that, can you?

[Sabertooth]

The wording of 245(i) simply changes the law momentarily to allow some people to apply for a hearing without going home first.

You omitted the fact that those people are Illegals.

Telling.

Now, we can argue about that all night, but I'm not buying into the spin you create, it isn't a matter of people just walking up to an INS office and getting an automatic free pass.

Who said "free?"

The Bush proposal would have had them buying their Amnesties for a grand.

Who said "automatic?"

That's beside the point anyway. 245(i) allows certain Illegals to pay a fine and get away with staying in our country, thus rewarding them for entering the country Illegally.

And you knew that. In fact, you seem to want that.

But you know it's trouble if the truth is out, so you continue to blow smoke and build straw men.

[ArneFufkin]

You live in Illinois! You are crumbling under a swarm of Mexicans in Illinois? What's your problem?

[Satadru]

After the 9/11 attacks, anyone would have rebuilt the military and take the US out of World Court. The tax cut has been a total scam. The higher rates don't come down anytime soon, and even when it does, the base taxable income increases, so people will be paying more or less the same. Thanks to Bill Thomas, the original tax bill has been reduced to nothing. Then again, if Bush didn't like it, he could have vetod the bill. I suppose Bush is not upto V yet. When he does, he will learn what veto means and hopefully will have the balls to start vetoing liberal legislations.

[Luis Gonzalez]

"And Reagan would definately not be trying to sell an amnesty for illegals after what happened on 9/11 like Bush is doing."

Real slowly now.

HOW COULD YOU POSSIBLY KNOW?

When faced with the worst immigration problem to date in American History, he opted for "amnesty" as you all call it.

How is that different that Bush, being faced with the greatest immigration porblem in American history, seeking an "amnesty".

(I'm only using that word because you seem to understand it)

[Joe Hadenuf]

Of course this titanic immigration invasion is worse now. Only an idiot, or someone with an agenda would try and debate it.

[Texasforever]

You must be talking about yourself Tex. With your non-stop shilling for Bush

Once again a completely nonsensical reply with nothing but petulant whining. Your ignorance is only surmounted by your irrelevance to any meaningful dialog. You post fantasies and become hostile when the fantasy is brought into the daylight of actual historical fact. You fall back on childish insults and infantile epithets suited to pre-school children. You stomp your feet and hold your breath when challenged and lash out at the darkness that is your self-constructed reality. Take the R out of your name and you are your own best description.

[ArneFufkin]

I wanted him to veto the Farm Bill. That thing was a disgrace, and it rewarded Jeffords and Leahy with their precious price advantage vs. Midwest dairy farmers. Bush should have given Jeffords the "Backstage Pass" on that one. Bush bobbled that political candy hop - badly.

[Joe Hadenuf]

And if you think that the immigration problem of the 1980s is anywhere near the crisis it is today you ought to see a shrink.

LOL!

[Texasforever]

Of course this titanic immigration invasion is worse now. Only an idiot, or someone with an agenda would try and debate it.

Facts please.