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So you think George W. Bush is not a conservative?
SOTU transcript ^ | 1/22/04

Posted on 01/22/2004 7:07:09 AM PST by Wolfstar

ED. NOTE: On Tuesday evening, January 20, 2004, the President of the United States gave one of the most conservative State of the Union addresses in at least a generation. For a SOTU speech, it had a remarkably short spending wish list. Instead, it had passages such as those excerpted below — none of which would have been spoken by a Democrat or liberal (i.e., Leftist), or even a "RINO." Check it out:

[BEGIN EXCERPTS: Bold/underscore emphasis by Wolfstar]

Our greatest responsibility is the active defense of the American people. Twenty-eight months have passed since September 11th, 2001 — over two years without an attack on American soil. And it is tempting to believe that the danger is behind us. That hope is understandable, comforting — and false.

[SNIP]

The once all-powerful ruler of Iraq was found in a hole, and now sits in a prison cell. Of the top 55 officials of the former regime, we have captured or killed 45. Our forces are on the offensive, leading over 1,600 patrols a day and conducting an average of 180 raids a week. We are dealing with these thugs in Iraq, just as surely as we dealt with Saddam Hussein's evil regime.

Because of American leadership and resolve, the world is changing for the better. Last month, the leader of Libya voluntarily pledged to disclose and dismantle all of his regime's weapons of mass destruction programs, including a uranium enrichment project for nuclear weapons.

[SNIP]

Nine months of intense negotiations involving the United States and Great Britain succeeded with Libya, while 12 years of diplomacy with Iraq did not. And one reason is clear: For diplomacy to be effective, words must be credible, and no one can now doubt the word of America.

Many of our troops are listening tonight. And I want you and your families to know: America is proud of you. And my administration, and this Congress, will give you the resources you need to fight and win the war on terror.

I know that some people question if America is really in a war at all. They view terrorism more as a crime, a problem to be solved mainly with law enforcement and indictments. After the World Trade Center was first attacked in 1993, some of the guilty were indicted and tried and convicted, and sent to prison. But the matter was not settled. The terrorists were still training and plotting in other nations, and drawing up more ambitious plans. After the chaos and carnage of September the 11th, it is not enough to serve our enemies with legal papers. The terrorists and their supporters declared war on the United States, and war is what they got.

[SNIP]

Some critics have said our duties in Iraq must be internationalized. This particular criticism is hard to explain to our partners in Britain, Australia, Japan, South Korea, the Philippines, Thailand, Italy, Spain, Poland, Denmark, Hungary, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Romania, the Netherlands — (applause) — Norway, El Salvador, and the 17 other countries that have committed troops to Iraq. As we debate at home, we must never ignore the vital contributions of our international partners, or dismiss their sacrifices.

From the beginning, America has sought international support for our operations in Afghanistan and Iraq, and we have gained much support. There is a difference, however, between leading a coalition of many nations, and submitting to the objections of a few. America will never seek a permission slip to defend the security of our country.

We also hear doubts that democracy is a realistic goal for the greater Middle East, where freedom is rare. Yet it is mistaken, and condescending, to assume that whole cultures and great religions are incompatible with liberty and self-government. I believe that God has planted in every human heart the desire to live in freedom. And even when that desire is crushed by tyranny for decades, it will rise again.

[SNIP]

In the last three years, adversity has also revealed the fundamental strengths of the American economy. We have come through recession, and terrorist attack, and corporate scandals, and the uncertainties of war. And because you acted to stimulate our economy with tax relief, this economy is strong, and growing stronger.

You have doubled the child tax credit from $500 to $1,000, reduced the marriage penalty, begun to phase out the death tax, reduced taxes on capital gains and stock dividends, cut taxes on small businesses, and you have lowered taxes for every American who pays income taxes.

Americans took those dollars and put them to work, driving this economy forward. The pace of economic growth in the third quarter of 2003 was the fastest in nearly 20 years; new home construction, the highest in almost 20 years; home ownership rates, the highest ever. Manufacturing activity is increasing. Inflation is low. Interest rates are low. Exports are growing. Productivity is high, and jobs are on the rise.

These numbers confirm that the American people are using their money far better than government would have — and you were right to return it.

[SNIP]

We're requiring higher standards [in schools]. We are regularly testing every child on the fundamentals. We are reporting results to parents, and making sure they have better options when schools are not performing.

[SNIP]

We must continue to pursue an aggressive, pro-growth economic agenda. Congress has some unfinished business on the issue of taxes. The tax reductions you passed are set to expire. Unless you act — (applause) — unless you act — unless you act, the unfair tax on marriage will go back up. Unless you act, millions of families will be charged $300 more in federal taxes for every child. Unless you act, small businesses will pay higher taxes. Unless you act, the death tax will eventually come back to life. Unless you act, Americans face a tax increase. What Congress has given, the Congress should not take away. For the sake of job growth, the tax cuts you passed should be permanent.

Our agenda for jobs and growth must help small business owners and employees with relief from needless federal regulation, and protect them from junk and frivolous lawsuits.

Consumers and businesses need reliable supplies of energy to make our economy run — so I urge you to pass legislation to modernize our electricity system, promote conservation, and make America less dependent on foreign sources of energy.

My administration is promoting free and fair trade to open up new markets for America's entrepreneurs and manufacturers and farmers — to create jobs for American workers. Younger workers should have the opportunity to build a nest egg by saving part of their Social Security taxes in a personal retirement account. We should make the Social Security system a source of ownership for the American people.

[SNIP]

In two weeks, I will send you a budget that funds the war, protects the homeland, and meets important domestic needs, while limiting the growth in discretionary spending to less than 4 percent. This will require that Congress focus on priorities, cut wasteful spending, and be wise with the people's money. By doing so, we can cut the deficit in half over the next five years.

Tonight, I also ask you to reform our immigration laws so they reflect our values and benefit our economy.

[SNIP]

I oppose amnesty, because it would encourage further illegal immigration, and unfairly reward those who break our laws. My temporary worker program will preserve the citizenship path for those who respect the law, while bringing millions of hardworking men and women out from the shadows of American life.

[ED. NOTE: The precedent for guest worker programs goes back at least to the Eisenhower administration.]

[SNIP]

In January of 2006, seniors can get prescription drug coverage under Medicare. For a monthly premium of about $35, most seniors who do not have that coverage today can expect to see their drug bills cut roughly in half. Under this reform, senior citizens will be able to keep their Medicare just as it is, or they can choose a Medicare plan that fits them best — just as you, as members of Congress, can choose an insurance plan that meets your needs. And starting this year, millions of Americans will be able to save money tax-free for their medical expenses in a health savings account.

[SNIP]

On the critical issue of health care, our goal is to ensure that Americans can choose and afford private health care coverage that best fits their individual needs.

[SNIP]

Small businesses should be able to band together and negotiate for lower insurance rates, so they can cover more workers with health insurance. I urge you to pass association health plans. I ask you to give lower-income Americans a refundable tax credit that would allow millions to buy their own basic health insurance.

[SNIP]

To protect the doctor-patient relationship, and keep good doctors doing good work, we must eliminate wasteful and frivolous medical lawsuits. And tonight I propose that individuals who buy catastrophic health care coverage, as part of our new health savings accounts, be allowed to deduct 100 percent of the premiums from their taxes.

A government-run health care system is the wrong prescription. By keeping costs under control, expanding access, and helping more Americans afford coverage, we will preserve the system of private medicine that makes America's health care the best in the world.

[SNIP]

One of the worst decisions our children can make is to gamble their lives and futures on drugs. Our government is helping parents confront this problem with aggressive education, treatment, and law enforcement. Drug use in high school has declined by 11 percent over the last two years. Four hundred thousand fewer young people are using illegal drugs than in the year 2001.

[SNIP]

A strong America must also value the institution of marriage. I believe we should respect individuals as we take a principled stand for one of the most fundamental, enduring institutions of our civilization. Congress has already taken a stand on this issue by passing the Defense of Marriage Act, signed in 1996 by President Clinton. That statute protects marriage under federal law as a union of a man and a woman, and declares that one state may not redefine marriage for other states.

Activist judges, however, have begun redefining marriage by court order, without regard for the will of the people and their elected representatives. On an issue of such great consequence, the people's voice must be heard. If judges insist on forcing their arbitrary will upon the people, the only alternative left to the people would be the constitutional process. Our nation must defend the sanctity of marriage.

[SNIP]

It's also important to strengthen our communities by unleashing the compassion of America's religious institutions. Religious charities of every creed are doing some of the most vital work in our country — mentoring children, feeding the hungry, taking the hand of the lonely. Yet government has often denied social service grants and contracts to these groups, just because they have a cross or a Star of David or a crescent on the wall. By executive order, I have opened billions of dollars in grant money to competition that includes faith-based charities. Tonight I ask you to codify this into law, so people of faith can know that the law will never discriminate against them again.

[SNIP]

The momentum of freedom in our world is unmistakable — and it is not carried forward by our power alone. We can trust in that greater power who guides the unfolding of the years. And in all that is to come, we can know that His purposes are just and true.

[END EXCERPTS]


TOPICS: Government; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: bush; bushamnesty; sotu
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Last I checked, the title is President of the United States, not president of the Republicans, or Democrats, or conservatives, or liberals, or libertarians, etc. Even before Washington was elected our first president — in fact, during the debates as the Constitution was being written — the hallmark of the presidency was that it was to be the one national elective office that represented ALL the people and ALL the states.

A president has to call each issue like he sees it, all the while knowing that in a nation as vast as this, it is inevitable that at least a few million people will disagree with him on nearly every decision.

The intellectually honest, fair-minded among us will never expect to agree with any other human being — including a president — 100% of the time. Fair-minded people who claim to be (or to have been) suporters of a president will evaluate the totality of that president's record. In the case of George W. Bush, on a host of issues, this has been the most conservative president since Ronald Reagan. In some respects, more conservative.

1 posted on 01/22/2004 7:07:11 AM PST by Wolfstar
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To: Wolfstar
You call bloating entitlement programs and big government, allowing the 1st to get trampled and rewarding illegal aliens conservative?

He has lost my vote, it's up to him to earn it back. So far he is failing miserably.
2 posted on 01/22/2004 7:11:46 AM PST by Bikers4Bush (Constitution party here I come. Write in Tancredo in 04'!)
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To: Wolfstar; MeekOneGOP; onyx; My2Cents; JohnHuang2; Dog Gone; Dog; isthisnickcool; OKSooner; VOA; ...
Thanks for posting this! This is GREAT!!!

To: Bush-Cheney '04 Ping List Members

Please keep this excellent article by Wolfstar handy so that you can defend the President when posters say that President Bush is not Conservative.

If you would like on or off this BC04 Ping List, please Freep mail me.

Thanks,

PKM
3 posted on 01/22/2004 7:12:06 AM PST by PhiKapMom (AOII Mom -- Support Bush-Cheney '04)
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To: PhiKapMom
Thanks!
4 posted on 01/22/2004 7:12:57 AM PST by ConservativeMan55 (You...You sit down! You've had your say and now I'll have mine!!!!)
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To: Wolfstar
I have one point I wish for you to consider, if you would be so kind. If a dem spent money they it has been spent in the past few years, if a dem sign the pill bill, if a dem affected our constitutional rights the way finance reform and the patriot act have (I am very skeptical of any attack on my rights for any reason.), if a dem proposed the amnesty, if a dem says that he sign an extention to the assault weapons ban, if a dem grew the size of government the way this President has we would all be howling mad and marching on Washington with torches.

I am not saying that GWB does not have many positives, he does but to me his negative now out weight them. If he, for example, would drop the amnesty and cut spending I would be happy to reevaluate him. I am not naive enough to think I can ever get all I want from a politicain in terms of his views, but now the issues he is for that I oppose are more to me then those I agree with him.
5 posted on 01/22/2004 7:14:06 AM PST by RiflemanSharpe (An American for a more socially and fiscally conservation America!)
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To: Bikers4Bush
He might have lost your vote, but I don't think I or anybody else really cares except some crack pot Buchaninites.

GEORGE BUSH IS AWESOME.

6 posted on 01/22/2004 7:14:24 AM PST by Porterville (Level 9 -Traitors against God, country, family, and benefactors lament their sins in this frigid pit)
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To: Wolfstar
"I oppose amnesty, because it would encourage further illegal immigration, and unfairly reward those who break our laws. My temporary worker program will preserve the citizenship path for those who respect the law, while bringing millions of hardworking men and women out from the shadows of American life."


As I and others have posted in other threads, let's look at the facts( http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,109026,00.html ):

"An amnesty is a general pardon granted by a government for a past offense. Crossing a U.S. border without a visa is a misdemeanor under federal law, and reentering the U.S. after a prior order of deportation is a felony. Under Bush’s proposal, these crimes will not be prosecuted, and that means it is an amnesty. But Bush goes on to offer the perpetrators visas and work permits, so it is not entirely accurate to call the Bush proposal an amnesty. It is an amnesty with an awards program."

His proposal contradicts what he is saying.
7 posted on 01/22/2004 7:15:09 AM PST by looscnnn ("Live free or die; death is not the worst of evils" Gen. John Stark 1809)
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To: Wolfstar
He made "conservative" noises when he was campaigning last time around as well. Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice....
8 posted on 01/22/2004 7:15:37 AM PST by steve50 ("There is Tranquility in Ignorance, but Servitude is its Partner.")
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To: Wolfstar
Well stated. After reading the liberal press for days about some of his programs, I was dismayed as they sounded like liberal give-away programs.

After listening to his speech, I was not surprised to find the press had it wrong, again.

There are a few matters we wish the president would address differently. But to think a Democrat would handle those matters better or more conservatively is to be living in a dreamworld.

To stay home and not vote is idiocy and I do hope those posters don't show up to complain after election day if a Rat is elected and does things that will place this country in a more precarious position.
9 posted on 01/22/2004 7:15:40 AM PST by Peach (The Clintons have pardoned more terrorists than they ever captured or killed.)
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To: Porterville
Keep thinking that way because as we all know he won last time by a landslide right?
10 posted on 01/22/2004 7:15:44 AM PST by Bikers4Bush (Constitution party here I come. Write in Tancredo in 04'!)
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To: Bikers4Bush
How many times do you have to be told? It's not amnesty.
Amnesty means only instant citizenship and a free car to all illegals, issued on a Wednesday.
11 posted on 01/22/2004 7:16:18 AM PST by dagnabbit (Tell Bush where to put his Amnesty and Global Labor Pool for American Jobs- Vote Tancredo in Primary)
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To: RiflemanSharpe
Don't make sense, it just confuses them.
12 posted on 01/22/2004 7:17:21 AM PST by Bikers4Bush (Constitution party here I come. Write in Tancredo in 04'!)
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To: dagnabbit
I sure hope you are being sarcastic.
13 posted on 01/22/2004 7:18:14 AM PST by looscnnn ("Live free or die; death is not the worst of evils" Gen. John Stark 1809)
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To: Wolfstar
You can listen to what he says if you like. I'll pay attention to what he does.

L

14 posted on 01/22/2004 7:19:00 AM PST by Lurker (Don't p*** down my back and try to tell me it's raining.)
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To: Wolfstar
Well done! Thank you!
15 posted on 01/22/2004 7:19:03 AM PST by kayak (Have you prayed for our President and our troops today?)
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To: dagnabbit
That's right, I forgot. Even if it strictly fits the definition of amnesty it's not because he says it isn't.

My mistake.
16 posted on 01/22/2004 7:19:40 AM PST by Bikers4Bush (Constitution party here I come. Write in Tancredo in 04'!)
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To: Porterville
He might be conservative, but he is A HELL OF A LOT MORE COMPASSIONATE, than conservative. If a Dem spent money like he did you would be SCREEEEEEEEMING.
17 posted on 01/22/2004 7:20:22 AM PST by LandofLincoln ((the right has become the left))
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To: Bikers4Bush; RiflemanSharpe
You forgot to tell him that he is being a traitor, that he is going to vote for Dean, blah blah blah.
18 posted on 01/22/2004 7:20:34 AM PST by looscnnn ("Live free or die; death is not the worst of evils" Gen. John Stark 1809)
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To: Wolfstar
Wolfstar: "this has been the most conservative president since Ronald Reagan. In some respects, more conservative."

Gee, Wolfstar, in precisely what respects has Bush been more conservative than Reagan?

19 posted on 01/22/2004 7:20:36 AM PST by mdefranc
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To: ConservativeMan55
"We're requiring higher standards [in schools]. We are regularly testing every child on the fundamentals. We are reporting results to parents, and making sure they have better options when schools are not performing.

And where in the Constitution does it say that education is a Federal concern?

"Our agenda for jobs and growth must help small business owners and employees with relief from needless federal regulation, and protect them from junk and frivolous lawsuits.

Most of these lawsuits take place in state courts. The Federal government has no authority over the tort system of states.

"On the critical issue of health care, our goal is to ensure that Americans can choose and afford private health care coverage that best fits their individual needs.

The Constitution does not mention paying you doctor bills.

"One of the worst decisions our children can make is to gamble their lives and futures on drugs. Our government is helping parents confront this problem with aggressive education, treatment, and law enforcement. Drug use in high school has declined by 11 percent over the last two years. Four hundred thousand fewer young people are using illegal drugs than in the year 2001.

Not only is this not mentioned in the Constitution, but for the first 150 years of our Republic there were no laws against drug possession.

"That statute protects marriage under federal law as a union of a man and a woman, and declares that one state may not redefine marriage for other states.

This seems clearly contrary to clear statements in the Constitution. An amendment would probably be required.
20 posted on 01/22/2004 7:21:01 AM PST by proxy_user
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