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Enough With The Neocon And Paleocon Carping—I'll Stand With George W. Bush In 2004
Toogood Reports ^ | Thursday, December 11, 2003; 12:01 a.m. EST | Bernard Chapin

Posted on 12/10/2003 8:59:00 PM PST by BobbyK

Enough With The Neocon And Paleocon
Carping—I'll Stand With George W. Bush In 2004

Like most Toogood Reports readers, I observed this year's battles within the conservative ranks with profound discomfort. In my mind, there are far too many real enemies out there to waste time and print fighting one another.

It seems that the world of conservatism has been split up between the "conservatives" and the "paleo-conservatives" or between the "conservatives" and the "neo-conservatives." Both sides present themselves as the bona fide article and the other side as the one in need of a prefix.

Personally, I just want to spit up this strife the same way the bleachers of Wrigley Field do the opposition´s home run balls. This qualifies as a "which side are you on boys" issue. It is my goal to conserve America's wonderful, non-living Constitution, and to forever preserve the personal and economic freedoms that embody our way of life. If you agree with me about these basic propositions, then you're on my side and the rest of your views are of secondary concern. Simply revering the spirit of the Founding Fathers puts you in the top 50 percent of the population on the Chap-o-meter.

Not only is an inter-journalist, inter-intellectual, conservative civil war fruitless, it is also detrimental to the nation as a whole. The country needs all of our efforts just to have a chance of mitigating the damage the culture war has wrought.

Our daily resistance may be the biggest obstacle to the federal pacman swallowing up fifty percent of the economy. We cannot afford to bicker amongst ourselves. The odds are too great. Obsessing over who said what about Taki, Buchanan, Frum, Lowry or any of the other public figures who make up the American right is counter-productive.

The neocon/paleocon debate is as bewildering as it is petty and misguided. Sadly, some conservatives now feel more comfortable with leftists than they do their own kind [I know of one who astonished me by saying that he regards the American Enterprise Institute as "The Death Star"]. Certainly, internal disagreements are to be expected, but they are trivial in comparison to accepting the positions advocated by the other side of the political spectrum. Socialism, cultural Marxism, white guilt, and radical feminism are eternal obstacles to advancing society. Other conflicts pale in importance when compared to them.

I propose that we abandon slurs like paleo-con and neo-con. Instead we should all evolve into "Logicons." The Logicon refuses to slash at the brethren who march alongside him because maintaining some level of public harmony is the only logical way in which we will succeed. Logicons realize that our fighting strength should not be diluted by internecine combat.

Much of the controversy currently centers around President Bush and whether or not one approves of his job performance. I've written here and elsewhere how much I personally admire him, but I also acknowledge that certain criticisms have been valid. Those who label him a big spender are correct in their assessments. He has not used his veto to curb the size of government and has developed a habit of hugging Ted Kennedy's voluminous appropriations.

While this is unfortunate, to pretend that Bush is not the best bet for advancing the country's interests is shortsighted. There are many conservatives out there who could do a better job of slashing outlays, but it is highly unlikely that any of them could get elected by our emotive and squishy electorate. On our side, George W. Bush "feels their pain" better than anyone. He brings in moderate voters the way my old Erie Dearie lures used to bag walleyes .

The problem is one of perspective. We can spend time complaining about steel tariffs or the administration´s pathetic capitulation on affirmative action last summer. Yes, I would have been greatly pleased if he disseminated a Michigan Law brief of his own after the decision entitled “O´Connor a Known Fruitcake,” but the fact is that he didn't and there´s nothing we can do about it. However, we must keep our outlook global by remembering what the alternatives are.

What would Al Gore do with affirmative action? How about Howard Dean, the neurotic would-be-king, with Al Qaeda? Makes you shudder doesn´t it? After the election, Al Sharpton would take his standup around the world as our Secretary of State and we´d hear Patricia Ireland lambasting “patriarchal textbooks” in her role as Secretary of Education.

In actuality, my examples really aren´t all that farfetched. The radical left has been carrying the Democrat Party since 2001 and, now, if the Democrats win, bills will need to be paid.

Rather than fantasize about an ideal future, conservatives need to think about how things can, and will, get devastatingly worse, should Bush lose. Be it Dean or Kerry or whatever burrito they decide to roll out of the Taqueria next summer, the fate of the country will be in jeopardy. By this time in 2006, there will be a foreign policy coward in every pot and a benefit check in the hands of every college drop out. Think France, think Germany, and then be grateful we have a president who doesn't spit after saying "tax cuts."

Besides, the Bush Presidency has produced many hidden benefits. His appointees may well be our salvation even though he backs obese budgets. In the latest issue of The New Criterion, we see that his appointments to the National Endowment of the Arts have had a wonderful effect. Under Dana Gioia, the agency is sponsoring Macbeth for military bases and has resurrected traditional Shakespeare at the national level [Shakespearean plays are now staged as in the days of old which means brothels and bath house scenes are no longer mandatory].

I don´t care if you insult him or trade in Karl Rove conspiracy theories, but, in November of 2004, this particular rightist is going to stand by George W. Bush just as the bumper sticker on my car promises. Our hopes for a better tomorrow rest in the White House on his bed. We must support him because heady days await and also because his reelection keeps the Democrat Party headless. Let´s proudly stand by our man as he loudly subsumes the popular positions of the left while promoting many of ours in the shadows though his judges, appointees, and minions.

By
Bernard Chapin


TOPICS: Editorial; Extended News; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: bigbudgetbush; biggovernmentbush; bushbots; bushdemocart; bushisclinton; bushsocialisim; carping; changeminds; democrats4bush; election2004; gwb2004; neoconbush; paleoconbush; rino; rinobush; rinorinorino; sandradayoconor4bush; saudisforbush; socialists4bush; standonleftwithbush; votefordean
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To: FairOpinion
Thanks for the ping. Unfortunately, the damned UNAPPEASEABLES, will still continue to refuse to see the light.
21 posted on 12/10/2003 9:36:53 PM PST by nopardons
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To: Alberta's Child
I think the sensible thing to do in my opinion is to write him and tell him you are disappointed in him, and certainly hope that he will make up for this by being serious about bringing the Federal Budget under control.

I think in Bush's second term, IF he will have a Republican Congress -- and it's up to us to help with that -- he will be enable to do much more in the areas of cutting spending and taxes.

So -- do you want to "cut off your nose to spite your face" or do you really want to have conservative reforms.

Look at the consequences of your actions, don't act in haste for a dubious momentary satisfaction, which will cause tremendous disaster later, such as getting a Dem Congress and maybe not get Bush reelected.

Just think of Dean or Hillary with a Dem Congress, if you don't like what Bush and the curent Congress is doing now.

The thing to do is to elect MORE Republicans, to counteract the Dems, NOT the other way around.
22 posted on 12/10/2003 9:36:57 PM PST by FairOpinion
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To: ETERNAL WARMING
It wasn't 'our votes' that got us 8 painful years of Clinton, it was GHW's failure to uphold Republican values.

Who people voted for had nothing to do with it? And you accuse others of spin, shame on you.

23 posted on 12/10/2003 9:37:40 PM PST by squidly
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To: nopardons
"UNAPPEASEABLES, will still continue to refuse to see the light."

==

As evidenced by some of the posts right here.

They would rather see the Dems destroy the country, than face reality.
24 posted on 12/10/2003 9:39:17 PM PST by FairOpinion
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To: squidly
History has a way of repeating itself.
25 posted on 12/10/2003 9:39:56 PM PST by Kay Soze (As society must bear huge medical costs of ones "recreational activities", it must exert influence)
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To: Kay Soze
It's crazy, you'd think some of these people were born in '93.
26 posted on 12/10/2003 9:42:01 PM PST by squidly
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To: squidly
The Dem "divide and conquer" strategy has found it's gullible victims -- the communists very aptly used to call them "useful idiots".

They sell out their own, by claiming "high moral principles". They are the Dems best friends.

They just don't seem to get it, that if you don't vote for a Republican, you get a Democrat.

Even laboratory rats can be thought, and are able to learn, that if you pull one lever, you get a certain thing.

But some are either incapable of learning, that if you pull any other lever, but the one to vote for a Republican, you ARE voting for a Democrat and you are responsible for them getting elected.
27 posted on 12/10/2003 9:42:49 PM PST by FairOpinion
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To: Kay Soze
"History has a way of repeating itself."

===

"Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. "

--- Albert Einstein
28 posted on 12/10/2003 9:46:06 PM PST by FairOpinion
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To: FairOpinion
Obviously.

Anyone even thinking about NOT voting for a GOPer, because of this or that, has to FINALLY come to grips with the fact that they are helping the Dem candidate. If said candidate is running for either House, then that lose, should there be one, destroys the GOP majority. The GOP majority in the Senate, especially, is so THIN, that the Dems and the damned RINOs get away with murder now. Don't like the fact that the GOP tends to cave? Then for this nation's sake, don't give them any more advatange!

But, as I previously stated, some refuse to learn. They should be forever barred from posting to FR! They don't know and are incapable of comprehending the smallest of facts about government/politics.

29 posted on 12/10/2003 9:50:09 PM PST by nopardons
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To: FairOpinion
Amen

'Tis EXACTLY what the republican party is doing.

And yet they think the results will be different!
30 posted on 12/10/2003 9:51:00 PM PST by Kay Soze (As society must bear huge medical costs of ones "recreational activities", it must exert influence)
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To: Kay Soze
No, you quite misunderstood. Try rereading what FO wrote and stop reading posts through your own biases. :-)
31 posted on 12/10/2003 9:54:03 PM PST by nopardons
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To: FairOpinion
As a libertarian, I voted for Harry Browne in 2000. And I still believe in its ideals.

But as somone once said, "Perfection is the enemy of the good." In my view, inspite of things like the steel tarriff and the new Medicare Bill, Bush is more likely to follow the libertarian ideals than any of the Democrats. After all, Ron Paul (R-TX) is a past Libertarian Presidential candidate. And in light of what happened on 9/11, I cannot take the chance that my vote for the Libertarian candidate in 2004 will help a Democrat get into office.

So, Bush will get my vote instead.
32 posted on 12/10/2003 9:57:15 PM PST by Dave Olson
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To: Dave Olson
"And in light of what happened on 9/11, I cannot take the chance that my vote for the Libertarian candidate in 2004 will help a Democrat get into office.

So, Bush will get my vote instead."

===

Your post made my day! :)

Congratulations for being intelligent, sensible and understanding the high stakes in the next election.
33 posted on 12/10/2003 9:59:36 PM PST by FairOpinion
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To: Dave Olson
BRAVO ! You get it...you actually get it. :-)
34 posted on 12/10/2003 10:01:09 PM PST by nopardons
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To: nopardons
I get it.

Bush bought my vote with a tax cut that my two sons will have to pay for.

He is repeating the VERY same mistakes his father did and believes it will not cost him.

If we let him drift any furhter left he will make Ted Kennedy look like Barry Goldwater.


35 posted on 12/10/2003 10:02:41 PM PST by Kay Soze (As society must bear huge medical costs of ones "recreational activities", it must exert influence)
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To: Kay Soze
"If we let him drift any furhter left he will make Ted Kennedy look like Barry Goldwater. "

==

I guess you will be much happier with Dean or Hillary, right?
36 posted on 12/10/2003 10:06:39 PM PST by FairOpinion
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To: nopardons
I never said I would not vote for Bush!

But I am one of a few dozen in California trying to push him back to the right of the politcal spectrum.

And probably one of about five on this GOP board.

37 posted on 12/10/2003 10:09:05 PM PST by Kay Soze (As society must bear huge medical costs of ones "recreational activities", it must exert influence)
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To: ETERNAL WARMING
I'll try to find a real Conservative to vote for

You mean like Barry Goldwater? Right to the end, huh?
38 posted on 12/10/2003 10:09:19 PM PST by gatorbait (Yesterday, today and tomorrow......The United States Army)
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To: DrDeb
President Bush is the only person standing between us and cultural oblivion. Why do you think the left despises him so?!


DrDeb,you, madam, have hit the motherlode with that statement!
39 posted on 12/10/2003 10:11:03 PM PST by gatorbait (Yesterday, today and tomorrow......The United States Army)
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To: nopardons
Perot was a snake oil salesman, who was a complete loon

You rate him that highly?
40 posted on 12/10/2003 10:12:58 PM PST by gatorbait (Yesterday, today and tomorrow......The United States Army)
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