HOW CONSERVATIVE IS PRESIDENT BUSH?

The Cato Institute ^ | August 3, 2002 | By Veronique de Rugy

[Uncle Bill]

How Conservative Is President Bush?

The Cato Institute
By Veronique de Rugy
August 3, 2002
Source

Veronique de Rugy is a fiscal policy analyst at the Cato Institute.

President Bush may be repeating the sins of his father. Although elected on a Reaganesque, tax-cutting platform, the White House has veered to the left. President Bush has signed a bill to regulate political speech, issued protectionist taxes on imported steel and lumber, backed big-spending education and farm bills, and endorsed massive new entitlements for mental health care and prescription drugs. When the numbers are added up, in fact, it looks like President Bush is less conservative than President Clinton.

It makes little sense to discourage one's core supporters prior to a mid-term election. Yet that is the result when a Republican president expands government, which Bush is doing. Also, academic research on voting patterns shows that a president is most likely to get re-elected if voters are enjoying an increase in disposable income. Yet making government bigger is not a recipe for economic growth. After all, there is a reason why Hong Kong grows so fast and France is an economic basket case. But you can't tell that to the Bush administration.

Administration officials privately admit that much of the legislation moving through Congress represents bad public policy. Yet they argue either that everything must take a back seat to the war on terror (much as the first Bush administration treated the war against Iraq) or that compromises are necessary to neutralize issues such as education. But motives and rationalizations do not repeal the laws of economics.

In less than two years, President Bush has presided over more government expansion than took place during eight years of Bill Clinton. For instance:

• The education bill expands federal involvement in education. The administration originally argued that the new spending was a necessary price to get vouchers and other reforms. Yet the final bill boosted spending and was stripped of almost all reform initiatives. And there is every reason to believe that this new spending will be counter-productive, like most other federal money spent on education in the past 40 years. Children and taxpayers are the big losers.

• The farm bill is best characterized as a bipartisan orgy of special interest politics. Making a mockery of the Freedom to Farm Act, the new legislation boosts farm spending to record levels. Old subsidies have been increased and new subsidies created. Perhaps worst of all, the administration no longer has the moral credibility to pressure the European Union to reform its socialized agricultural policies. Taxpayers and consumers are the big losers.

• The protectionist decisions on steel and lumber imports make free traders wish Bill Clinton were still president. These restrictions on world commerce have undermined the productivity of U.S. manufacturers by boosting input prices and creating massive ill will in the international community. American products already have been targeted for reciprocal treatment. Consumers and manufacturers are the big losers.

• The campaign finance law is an effort to protect the interests of incumbent politicians by limiting free speech rights during elections. The administration openly acknowledged that the legislation is unconstitutional, yet was unwilling to make a principled argument for the Bill of Rights and fair elections. Voters and the Constitution are the big losers.

• New health care entitlements are akin to throwing gasoline on a fire. Medicare and Medicaid already are consuming enormous resources, and the burden of these programs will become even larger when the baby boom generation retires. Adding a new prescription drug benefit will probably boost spending by $1 trillion over 10 years. A mandate for mental health coverage will drive up medical costs, making insurance too expensive for many more families.

Those policy decisions make government bigger and more expensive. They also slow the economy and hurt financial markets -- read the headlines lately? For all his flaws, President Clinton's major policy mistake was the 1993 tax increase. Other changes, such as the welfare reform bill, NAFTA, GATT, farm deregulation, telecommunications deregulation, and financial services deregulation, moved policy in a market-oriented direction.

Perhaps most importantly, there was a substantial reduction in federal spending as a share of gross domestic product during the Clinton years. Using the growth of domestic spending as a benchmark, Clinton was the second most conservative president of the post-World War II era, trailing only Ronald Reagan.

To be sure, much of the credit for Clinton's good policy probably belongs to the Republican Congress, but that is not an excuse for bad policy today. And on one positive note, President Bush has "promised" to fight for partial privatization of Social Security. Yet, so far, President Bush has not vetoed a single piece of legislation. Needless to say, this means it will be rather difficult to blame "big-spending" Democrats if the economy continues to sputter.

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Compassionate Conservatism Means Big Government

No To 'Compassionate Conservatism'
"Marvin Olasky, the former Marxist journalism professor who coined the term. But he and George W. Bush are barking up the wrong tree if they think "compassionate conservatism" is going to rally popular support necessary to effect the real change needed to turn this country around."

President Highlights Compassionate Conservative Agenda for Inner Cities

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If You Want Increasing Huge Government, Vote Bush

BUSH SPENDING BILL LARGEST EVER

U.S. quietly OKs fetal stem cell work - Bush allows funding despite federal limits on embryo use

Bush Signs Largest Family Planning Bill In U.S. History

Un El día En El la vida de Jorge W. La arbusto

OPEN BORDERS

Bush's 'open door' slammed

"I told the Congress that I want to make sure that the Mexican citizen here is well-respected," Bush said. "And one way to do that is to pass 245I."

CFR - "I Believe In Free Speech"

Meanwhile, Back On The Farm

Bush Urges Congress To Deliver on Prescription Drugs For Medicare

• AARP Likes Bush's Prescription Drug Plan

GOP Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Advances in House - Another Trillion Dollars

Pig Book - 2002

Orgy At Federal Trough

Bush and House Republicans Push Legislation For Full Drug Subsidies For Low-Income Elderly

Bush Prepares 'Big-Time' Response To African Famine

Government Spending - War Against The Stock Market

Bush signs debt-limit increase

Bush Pushes Minority Homeownership

Bush's Food Stamp Plan Called Ethnic Pandering

Bush Wants Food Stamps For Non-Citizens

Worse Than Drunken Sailors!

Senate Clears Way For Trade Bill - More Spending

BUSH AND THE BIG GOVERNMENT GOP

Security Bill Loaded With Wasteful PORK

Senate Ok's $31.5 Billion Anti-Terror Bill Loaded With Pork

How Bad Can Things Get?

George W. Bush and Gun Control

Bush Pushes Gore Plan For Orwellian Government

Bush Backs Down From Immunity Demand - Caves Again

Bush administration has been "as bad, if not worse" than the Clinton administration when it comes to the transfer of sensitive technologies to the People's Republic of China

BUSH, G7 to pay $20 billion to get rid of Russian nuke stockpiles

George W. Bush - The Global Warming Sell-Out

• George W. Bush Told Americans Before Elected That He Was A Global Warming Wacko

• Conservatives Angered by Environmental Provision [Bush pulls another Al Gore]

Dubya's New Deal - The New FDR

• Roosevelt -- Man Of The Century?

Bush Won't Label Arafat A Terrorist

George W. Bush's Terrorist Buddy

"When peoplelose faith in their institutions they trust to enforce the law, justice is no longer possible."

Bush Caves On Airport Screeners

Bush's Latest Srategic Mistake

BUSH: NINE FORMER PRESIDENTS WRONG; CLINTON RIGHT!

CRISIS? WHAT CRISIS? GEORGE BUSH'S NEVER-ENDING DOMESTIC BUDGET BUILD-UP - Father Like Son

Bush Appoints Four More Homosexuals

Dr. James Dobson Criticizes Bush Appointment to the CDC

Bush Pushes $500 Million HIV/Aids Funding For Africa

Bush to Propose Another $100 Million Over Five Years for Education in Africa

Are You Fat? No Problem, George W. Bush Will Help

House Conservatives Budge on Arts Spending

Bush Cheers Government Support For Art

Bush to Name Justice Dept. BUILDING After Kennedy

GOP Right In Iowa Fear Purge

GOP Leaders Spurn Right in Key Races

Laura Ingraham's analysis of yet another Bush betrayal

Bush decisions rankle conservatives

BUSH PROPOSES LARGEST EXPANSION OF GOVERNMENT SINCE TRUMAN

Bush's Record Calls into Question His Conservative Label

Conservatives Question Dubya's Direction

Conservatives not satisfied with Bush's record

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Compassionate conservatism is about socialism, not Americanism

Bush is jettisoning his principles for what?

Bush: stop the runaway federal spending and regulating!

Mark Levin Hammers Bushbots

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Bush continues Clinton Agenda

GEORGE W. BUSH: CLINTON'S THIRD TERM ©

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Bush's Court Jester

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"Another way to make sure that we foster growth and restore confidence is to hold people accountable for misdeeds in the public sector."
George W. Bush - University of Alabama at Birmingham Alys Stephens Center - July 15, 2002.

NOTE: Do As I Say, Not As I Do.

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A Bush administration insider has privately leaked word that a deal was struck between Democratic congressional leaders and the Bush White House not to prosecute Bill and/or Hillary Clinton

Bush Administration Lawyers Defending Hillary - Gratis

Bush and Ashcroft Justice Dept. Hamstringing Pardongate Probers.

Bill Clinton broke the law and the Republicans let him off the hook.

What we need is the tough Newt Gingrich back.

"As far back as April 7, 1998, then-House Speaker Newt Gingrich was asked on NBC’s Today if he were going to press for impeachment. His response: "No, we don’t have any evidence."
Source.

Al Gore Broke The Law and the Republicans let him off the hook.

"I don’t care if you have proof that he raped a woman, stood up and shot her dead, you’re still not going to get 67 votes."

Bush Says He Wants to Let Clinton 'Move On'
"Listen, here's my view: I think it's time to get all of this business behind us. I think it's time ... to allow the president to finish his term, and let him move on and enjoy life and become an active participant in the American system. And I think we've had enough focus on the past. It's time to move forward." - George W. Bush.

Bush Won't Dwell On Clinton Affair, "We're Moving Forward"
"B/S, Mr Bush. Clinton is a criminal and a traitor. We demand a thorough investigation and prosecution. Our Republic is dead and our liberty is at stake if the next administration does not clean up this mess for now and forever more. Corrupt politicians must pay the price for subverting our Constitution and using their offices for personal gain."
4 Posted on 01/20/2000 14:17:56 PST by Jim Robinson

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A Republic If We Can Keep It - Bush Trashing The Constitution

It's About The Republic, Not The Republican

How Big Is The Government's Debt? - $33.1 TRILLION

There Must Be Some Way Out Of Here

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"Not over my dead body will they raise your taxes,"
George W. Bush - SOURCE.

[Joe Hadenuf]

Not really. There is no regulation, or rule that dictates that he argue his position with every poster. Others do the same. No big deal to me.....

That is true if a person's only intent is to stir the hornets nest and is too cowardly to say why. I see that a lot around here.

Actually tex, there don't seem to be to many even discussing what was originally posted by Uncle Bill.

[Joe Hadenuf]

Excellent.....

[Texasforever]

Actually tex, there don't seem to be to many even discussing what was originally posted by Uncle Bill.

I only discuss BullSh$t when buying fertilizer.

[terilyn]

"Bush might be better than gore, but he shouldn't be above criticism and people shouldn't get vile personal attacks for expressing disagreement."

True, but if you are being honest you will have to agree that those "vile personal attacks" come from both sides. Just look at this thread here. Nobody's hands are clean.

I guess it's all about perspective. Depends on which dog is yours in the race.

And I'm sorry to disagree with you, but I was on that thread and if there was any baiting done regarding this specific incident, it was by Registered. The subject of voting was being discussed specific to the JW poll. He took it a step too far and once he cools off will probably agree IMHO.

Oh I'll agree that there was another poster that was being mocked. But Reg can carry his own water and bait with the best of them.

[GmbyMan]

I'm sort of new here so I have a question to all of you who are railing against the President and wish to vote Libertarian or even Constitution Party next year.

What is Politics about to you? Is it a game? I ask this because to me it isn't a game. I support the President. I don't support everything that the President does but Politics isn't about having a guy in office who agrees with everything that you agree with. Politics is about small victories, not about voting your principles.

The most important thing to me was what was Bush going to do with the milatary when he got into office. Even before 9/11, he was planning to build it back up to it's previous glory. He is still in the process of doing this. Case closed for me, he's a conservative.

Even had he raised taxes instead of lowering them and tried to enact new gun control laws instead of directing his justice department to reaffirm the idea of "right to bear arms" as an individual right, he would have been a success in my eyes.

So really, my friends, who cares about CFR, the out of control Farm and Education Bills and the Steel Tariffs.

George W. Bush is a success (and a conservative) in my eyes. He is spending his time taking care of the one thing that government should be taking care of and he's doing a great job in the process. Do you really think Bill Clinton could give a flying *h*t about the military? Clinton more conservative than Bush? Maybe on crap that doesn't matter but not on the stuff that does.

Re-Elect Bush!

Everyone who feels that he "isn't conservative enough" and than votes for one of idiotic third parties who have no chance at winning should be seen as either throwing their vote away or worse, voting for the guy who is guaranteed to not be as conservative as Bush... the Democrat. Have fun with your principles!

[terilyn]

Oh, and one more point.

"But I was on that thread too and I saw the rudest behavior from the hardcore Bush supporters."

I think you're misunderstanding here. What you saw on that thread were some hardcore Bush supporters. But what you saw more of is hardcore Larry dissenters. The two are not mutually inclusive.

Just for the record.

[Texasforever]

Nice post and welcome.

[Twodees]

never claimed that you promised anything DeeDee, is English your second language?

No, Lu. English is my only language. I'm an American, remember? What's this then?

To: Twodees Ta-dah!!!! So, 4'10"? I say that you are actually shorter than that. P.S. I am still waiting for all that information you were going to post in defense of the KKK's reputation as Southern gentlemen. 128 posted on 8/5/02 1:18 AM Eastern by Luis Gonzalez [ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 125 | View Replies | Report Abuse ]

So, you never claimed I was going to post something to you in defense of the KKK? Sorry if I misspoke by saying "promised", but the principle is the same. You asked as though I had promised to do something bizzare like defend the honor of the KKK. You then post several snips from the thread which contain no mention from me that I'm "going to post a defense of the KKK" or whatever you're trying to establish that I said to you.

Imbecile? Tell you what, why don't we try something really novel, and YOU substantiate one damned thing that you claim. Liar, spinner, and Klan apologist that you are, I am sure that you won't. As I said, you can't substantiate a single thing you claim....

Losing it a little, aren't you, boy? Seems you can't keep up with what you've claimed from one post to the next in the same thread. First, you claim I'm supposed to be posting something to you....because you dug up a snip from an obscure book somewhere which isn't documentary evidence of anything. That hardly amounts to my saying I was going to post something to you as you insinuate. In fact, I dropped the discussion in disgust because you were going in circles just as you're doing here.

Anyway, I'm, not a liar nor a klan apologist (as that thread shows, I'm simply disagreeing with your claims, not defnding the KKK) nor a "spinner". Have a drink or something before you wake up everyone in your house. Try again later if you like. Maybe you can edit some of my comments to suit your purpose.

[Mo1]

I will support him when I agree with him, oppose him when I disagree, and tend to give him the benefit of the doubt when I have doubt. I fully expect to give him my support for the nomination, and enthusiastic support in the general election.

Nicely put Louis

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

Bush might be better than gore, but he shouldn't be above criticism and people shouldn't get vile personal attacks for expressing disagreement.

Or support, right?

[brat]

These are descriptive generalizations Luis...not direct personal attacks. Read them again.

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

Great post, GmbyMan. Welcome aboard.

[terilyn]

Nice post and you are correct. President Bush is conservative when it comes to the one item that the Federal Government is charged with according to the constitution.

National defense.

[Texasforever]

Losing it a little, aren't you, boy?

What's this infatuation with you and the term "boy". Do you like boys?

[brat]

"Thank you for a patient and civil reply. There are others on this thread who cannot do that. I will agree that what Registered did crossed the line, even if the info was publically accessible. As someone else said, I wouldn't want my info posted. But I was on that thread too and I saw the rudest behavior from the hardcore Bush supporters. Registered was pretty much dared to do it, IMO. Nevertheless, he should have restrained himself. This thread is quickly turning into a name calling flame war, as most threads do that are even remotely critical of Bush. Bush might be better than gore, but he shouldn't be above criticism and people shouldn't get vile personal attacks for expressing disagreement."

Bravo kcpopps! I guess it isn't allowed on FR anymore. Its Bush or nothing. I'm seriously thinking of choosing nothing. This site used to be fun, interesting, and thought provoking. It seldom is anymore. I thought it was about truth...apparently there are Republicans who consider truth to be obsolete, as their Dim counterparts do. Sad. [

[terilyn]

Is there some reason you feel the need to refer to others, including people that are obviously female, as "boy".

It doesn't help your argument and only makes you appear to be a racist. Unless of course you're trying to do a bad Jackie Gleason impression of Smokey and the Bandit?

[tgslTakoma]

Just a small suggestion, sincerely posted, no ulterior motives or devious intent; and then I'll go away...

Howlin's homepage here at FR has her state flag flying; she has also identified the city in which she lives... and she has an email address that I presume is her name. If she is concerned about personal info getting into the wrong hands, it may be a good idea for her to edit her homepage, post haste.

That's the end of my comment. Thank you.

As you were.

[Uncle Bill]

Bush Seeks $3 Bln Tax Credits for hybrid or fuel cell Cars in Energy Bill

Bush Seeks $100M for Land Conservation

Bush Encourages Land Conservation

Republicans from energy-rich Western states are split over the benefits of President Bush's plan to provide $900 million a year for a federal-state land buying conservation program

"Christie Whitman, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency chief, said Saturday that the United States supports the goal of Kyoto but was reviewing its strategy for achieving it."

W - Return of The Wimp Factor - Paul Sperry

Bush's Treachery - Kid-glove treatment for China - Joseph Farah

Bush, the GOP and conservative: they’re all socialists now

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Clinton Cranks Out Last Minute Executive Orders
NOTE: Bush Will Review Clinton Executive Orders

What Really Happened In Venezuela

"My friend Mexican President Vicente Fox, Bush said"

Bush reminds Hill of veto power

CHENEY USES "V" WORD- PROMISES BUSH VETO FOR CONGRESSIONAL OVERSPENDING

Bush has not yet used his veto pen. If he doesn’t use it to stop wasteful spending now, conservatives fear he never will

[Texasforever]

I have called him on this several times. He says it is a "southern thang". Well in Texas when an adult male calls another adult male a "boy" in an argument someone is going to get a mud hole stopped in them. It is almost always the "boy" doing the stomping.

[brat]

If we ALL vote for third, it will win. There are many of us. We don't buy Demo and apparently we can no longer buy Republican either. They have left us, and not we who have left them.