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HOW CONSERVATIVE IS PRESIDENT BUSH?
The Cato Institute ^ | August 3, 2002 | By Veronique de Rugy

Posted on 08/04/2002 8:30:36 PM PDT by 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:

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.


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


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

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

Dubya's New Deal - The New FDR

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

Bush, Ashcroft Run Roughshod Over Bill Of Rights, Study Says

Republicans: Big Government Addicts

A Few Questions For Die-Hard Bush Supporters

Are Republicans losing their constituency?

Ann Coulter: BUSH PAYS HOMAGE TO THE FETISHISTIC RITUALS OF LIBERALISM

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

Was Clinton More Conservative Than Bush? - Fox News

Bush: A Democrat in Republican clothing?

Bush continues Clinton Agenda

GEORGE W. BUSH: CLINTON'S THIRD TERM ©


Bush's Court Jester


"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.


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


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


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


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Editorial
KEYWORDS: biggovernment; bush; conservatism; constitution; fraud; socialism; spending; waste
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To: DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet
Saw the stuff about "stupid and unacceptable" that I hadn't seen when I wrote my reply to your post - just letting you know. I guess you saw some stuff, too. :)

I appreciate you suggesting that privacy be protected over there. You're a good guy.
681 posted on 08/05/2002 8:07:53 PM PDT by DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet
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To: oldvike
vike, that last post was for you. DUH! I'm having trouble tonight...I should probably quit while I'm behind.
682 posted on 08/05/2002 8:08:42 PM PDT by DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet
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To: sleavelessinseattle; Twodees
I've ever been more disappointed in a response from someone who postures as a serious thinker...Seriously...Twodees was right...you do step off the deep end pretty easy...you still haven't recovered from last night...I see now why he feels so comfortable ignoring you...Maybe JR doesn't need to address the etiquette rules...you're about as disturbing to serious thinkers as a ghetto blaster on a sidewalk in a public park...You're still a stain on Free Republic.

I have so far treated you with a bit of humor but it is obvious that you want to get serious. Now, Twodees is a little man with a big mouth. You appear to hold the same affliction. If you have something to talk about let's talk if you want be a keyboard tough guy we can play that game too. Your choice.

683 posted on 08/05/2002 8:11:13 PM PDT by Texasforever
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To: DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet
Good catch! I missed that too.
684 posted on 08/05/2002 8:13:34 PM PDT by justshe
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To: mrsmith
KFP has not run FR down at that other site.

Thank you.

685 posted on 08/05/2002 8:14:57 PM PDT by Keyes For President
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To: Republican Wildcat
Check the following:


686 posted on 08/05/2002 8:29:01 PM PDT by deport
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To: Texasforever
Now, Twodees is a little man with a big mouth.

We can all see through your smokescreen. You're full of yourself and even you know it.

687 posted on 08/05/2002 8:29:03 PM PDT by Fred Mertz
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To: Fred Mertz
We can all see through your smokescreen. You're full of yourself and even you know it.

Your point? It appears there is a great desire to "have at it" with me by a few of you. If that's the way you want it I'm game.

688 posted on 08/05/2002 8:33:36 PM PDT by Texasforever
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To: Texasforever
You wanna dance .........or should I roll bandages?
689 posted on 08/05/2002 8:37:37 PM PDT by justshe
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To: Uncle Bill
What a freaking hypocrite!!! He speaks on one side of his mouth and acts with the other side. It does not seem to be compatible for someone who wants less federal control to institute more control in political speech, education, housing, etc etc etc.
690 posted on 08/05/2002 8:45:51 PM PDT by Satadru
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To: justshe; Texasforever
LOL! Cyber dancing...cool!

Rolling bandages...maybe for his fingers by the time this thread dies.

I vote for dancing. Tex? You in?
691 posted on 08/05/2002 8:46:35 PM PDT by terilyn
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To: justshe
Just hold me back…..let me at 'em.....I said hold me back....I'm serious…..HOLD ME BACK
692 posted on 08/05/2002 8:47:27 PM PDT by Texasforever
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To: Texasforever
You don't scare me one bit and you don't amuse either if that was what you were trying to accomplish(if that was your best effort...WOW you really are a one trick sarcastic pony)......But I'd have to respect you to debate and besides I don't think I'm going to bother...you're guilty as charged...a bad seed. Someone who can't tolerate dissent on a forum that is designed to encourage dissent and debate on how best to clean up the cesspool in DC...None of this means anything to you...I realize...you were offered the chance to explain your goals and you couldn't even do that. Bark some more I find it relaxing...But don't ever tell me you care about this country while you treat serious posters like dartboards. That's Fertilizer...You're in this for your ego. Shrink you later.
693 posted on 08/05/2002 8:47:33 PM PDT by sleavelessinseattle
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To: Texasforever
You're a punk and we all know it.
694 posted on 08/05/2002 8:49:08 PM PDT by Fred Mertz
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To: sleavelessinseattle
Now you have hurt my feelings. You know how sensitive I am.
695 posted on 08/05/2002 8:50:15 PM PDT by Texasforever
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To: Texasforever
Can I get you a hankie?
696 posted on 08/05/2002 8:51:07 PM PDT by terilyn
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To: Uncle Bill
There is not a conservative in Washington that I am aware of. The closest thing to a conservative was just expelled.

As for Bush being a conservative, the suggestion is laughable.

697 posted on 08/05/2002 8:52:51 PM PDT by BJungNan
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To: Texasforever; OneidaM; TLBSHOW; Tennessee_Bob
NASA FAKES MOON LANDING! (Opens in a new window)....

A must see!

698 posted on 08/05/2002 8:53:03 PM PDT by RedBloodedAmerican
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 660 | View Replies]

To: Texasforever
I've got some cold meds that will take your blues away

Want some???
699 posted on 08/05/2002 8:53:20 PM PDT by Mo1
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To: Fred Mertz
You're a punk and we all know it.

Is that IT? That was supposed to send me into a fetal position? Fred, leave the flaming to those that know how; you are not good at it.

700 posted on 08/05/2002 8:54:09 PM PDT by Texasforever
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