<p>It is increasingly depressing to contemplate the march of the (conservative) lemmings behind Bush as we advance, lurchingly, toward despotism, under the banner of "Compassionate Big-Governmentism"--or is it "Conservative Socialism"? Hard to tell.</p>
<p>Some of us remember Goldwater and Reagan -- and the amnesia about what they stood for -- and how far Bush has strayed from them -- invites despair. Reagan: abolish the federal department of education; Bush: more, more more! Goldwater loved the First Amendment; Bush signed 'McCain Feingold,' thinks the First Amendment needs even more containment ("get rid of those pesky 527s!).</p>