That's why I didn't vote for him in the 2000 primary. I held my nose in the main election, knowing we were getting a liberal, but fearing Gore. The next election the choice was just as bad, if not worse, so he got my vote. But this time, faced with a worse liberal, or a communist, I chose a libertarian, who was far more conservative than either of the two main candidates. When you patronize liberalism you get liberalism. I certainly felt unclean when I put those two votes down for Bush. This election, my vote was like a shower, washing away the filth.
“You need to realize politics is not cut and dry, left and right, but multiple shades all over.”
True, but right and wrong are pretty clear cut. Morality is pretty straight forward. Conservatives such as myself have given up on voting for various “shades” of political philosophy. Bush was one of those mauve shades, repulsive, actually, where his politics were concerned. He's not fully responsible for the mess we're in, no more than Hitler was fully responsible for the horrors of the Nazis. The federal government is full of people whose lust for power transcends all respect for their fellow citizens. Bush may not have had a lust for power, per ce, but he had a tremendous agreement with the goals of those who did, and do, and are still up there doing harm. Bush was a major accomplice to the disaster we're in.
But...having said that, Bush bashing is only one small part of liberalism bashing. I reserve the right to bash liberals wherever and whenever I find them no matter their party. Their thoughts, actions and policy are always damaging to a free nation.
He came to our little town in July 1999 and gave a speech on a flag-bedecked bandstand. I took 3 of my kids to hear him.
He went on and on about all the people who "needed help". I remember especially how much he promised to do for "single moms" who were "real heros".
I knew then exactly what he was. My FR comment that night (I wish I could retrieve it) was, "He is our Clinton".
After 9/11, I supported his "war" because I wanted our enemies to be savaged, and he was in a position to do so.
Of course, he failed at that as well, morphing a punitive expedition into a campaign for "democracy" and "liberty" amomg some of the most backward and barbarian tribes on the planet.
And, to top it all off, he brought us Obama.
Too bad, too bad. Oh, too bad!