Heading for a fall?

The Washington Times ^ | 5-10-06 | Bruce Bartlett

[JZelle]

My new book, "Impostor," is very critical of President Bush for not standing up for conservative principles. One of the main criticisms I have heard is that Republicans in Congress deserve much of the blame for out-of-control spending and other sins I blame on him. This is a valid point. But I take the view members of Congress will always behave myopically, seeing spending that benefits their constituents as supremely virtuous even as they decry deficits and bloated budgets.

[Joe Bfstplk]

Read my lips: Bush is not a conservative!

[rhombus]

Read my lips: Bush is not a conservative!

And he still almost lost to Gore.

[SevenMinusOne]

For all the "sky if falling" talk about federal spending (and let me note, it most certainly pisses me off from time to time)...the reality is as a % of the economy spending today is lower then the average federal gov't spending for the past 30 years -

And I'm not simply talking about the deficit as a % of GDP (which again, is rather low).....but of actual federal spending. I read through a CATO institute report last week while traveling and it showed the actual federal spending today as a % of the economy is lower then what our average spending has been for the past 30 years -

With that said, it doesn't mean spending isn't too high. It most certainly is...and even more so on a State and local levels (gov't wise). But I really hope our GOP base comes together this Nov and does not knife our soldiers in the back while they are overseas by helping to put into power the ilk of the anti-military, anti-America, anti-success in the WOT Democrats into a majority in Congress.

[Perdogg]

Bartlett is another disgruntle paleocon.

[SevenMinusOne]

Read my lips: Bush is not a conservative!

Nor was Reagan then - Amnesty to over 3 million illegal immigrants (when the problem was at a much more manageable level) - Increased FICA taxes on all Americans, thus enslaving another generation into a wealth stealing gov't system - Appointed two terrible SCOTUS justices, with SDO simply being appointed because she was a women - Left our warriors out to dry by running from Bruit - Federal spending increased (and only guaranteed the need for future increases in the years ahead by not addressing Soc Sec reform) -

But no....Ronald Reagan was most certainly a conservative (as is GWB) he was a also a very good man and a d*mn fine POTUS.....just as is GWB.

GWB is a man of tremendous character and of quiet resolve that is sourly missing among men today. In fact is is mocked instead of admired by far too many.

That some on the right cannot overlook a few disagreements is simply a reflection of those people...not a negative reflection whatsoever on this fine CIC.

[marron]

Bartlett's main criticisms of Bush fall into these categories:

Stem cell research (Bartlett's apparently for it).

Abortion (Bartlett thinks Bush is too pro-life).

Social Security (Bartlett thinks privatizing Social Security is a mistake).

And the war, which Bartlett thinks is a mistake.

So far, I agree with Bush. It could all be done better, but I don't know yet by who.

[LibLieSlayer]

Conservatives are NOT a monolithic group, and you do not hold the power to declare who is and is not a Conservative!

LLS

[luvbach1]

Hope GWB does not pave the way for HRC.

[OldFriend]

Ronald Reagan signed the 1986 Tax Reform.

He raised corporate taxes and found his way to a Germany cemetary with Kohl, where SS were honored.

In the end Reagan allowed far more discretionary spending than this President has done to this day.

I'll honor George W Bush for every single aspect of his compassionate heart and his steadfast devotion to protection America and the rest of the civilized world from the barbarians.

[cricket]

Do not think of Bush as an impostor; but rather a man of genuine integrity and humility in his assumption of power. If you want to talk real 'sins'. . .I think of the treasonous decisions committed by a prior Administration; their many 'sins' of abuse of power; and how that impacted George Bush's job in Washington.

I think of a President burdened with the 'sins' of an enemy who war against us without a burden of conscience, whatsoever. . .

I think of how President Bush, like no other; has been abused by the 'sins' of 'the Left' including the MSM. . .a Left by the way, who, like our foreeign enemies. . .carry no burden of conscience and hold to no 'code of honor', by their recognizing only the Utilitarian model - end justifies any means- to accomplish their goals.

This President could not possibly please every Conservative. . .or Libertarian; and surely not every Republican; but in light of the 'sins' committed against him; I would rather stand with this President and appreciate - in light and in spite, of his opposition; foreign and domestic. . .and drink a 'glass more than half full'. . .rather than damn him for an empty cup.

So what is the desired goal or answer here to your writing this book. . .for more voters to support a Demrat in the next election. . .ANY election (?). . .

. . .or is our reading this meant to send a message to ourselves and be all the sorrier for it, if we literally 'buy' it.

[petercooper]

bttt

[cricket]

Cemeteries & the ignorant - comprising 2 of the largest Democrat voting blocs for the past 75 years.

LOL; albeit painfully true. . .(a great tagline)

[spikeytx86]

"In the end Reagan allowed far more discretionary spending than this President has done to this day."

Disc. Spending under reagan was cut by a net 1 or 2 percent.

Can Bush say the same?

[spikeytx86]

I bust GWB ass when ever possible when he deserves it. But at the end of the day I stand behind the president I helped elect. What ever anyone including my self bemoans about him, as far as history goes he will be one of our greatest presidents ever. What some need to remember is that just because we criticize him dose not mean we want to dump him or are some how rooting for the democrats. What we are doing is saying our leader is of course (on spending and immigration) and needs a correction. If we don't let him know who will?

[OldFriend]

Reagan spent one and one half times more than came into the treasury.

Some cut!

[cricket]

If we don't let him know who will?

The world is on this man's case; against every breath he takes. And of course, there is 'honest criticism' within a Party and it's members. . .and there is real betrayal. . .

We have way too many Repubs 'bahwahing' over Bush's leadership. . .which I can honestly criticize myself. . .; but the line has been crossed when our Repub leadership is afraid to stand with President Bush and imagine their politcal careers are safer if they stand against him. . .rather than with him, because of these railing voices.

And a line has been crossed when the dissenting Repubs; by virtue of their attacks/criticisms, aid and abett our own political enemies here at home.

[cricket]

Hope GWB does not pave the way for HRC.

GWB will not. . .but his Party may. . .

[spikeytx86]

Thats true, but I was talking about discretionary spending. That figure takes into account all spending.

Non Defense and Entitlement Spending fell under Reagan.

Also Reagan had a hostile congress and eventually senate something bush dose not have to deal with.

[spikeytx86]

Thats true, there are definitely plenty of Benedict Arnold Republicans. We need to find a balance between healthy criticism and loyalty. At the end of the day, however he is not only the Leader of our party, He is our commander and chief in a time of war and we need to stand by his side no matter our costs when he deserves defending.

[cricket]

He is our commander and chief in a time of war and we need to stand by his side no matter our costs when he deserves defending.

Indeed and for sure. . .though I have the feeling many of these Repubs would leave their 'wounded' in the field. . .

[Paul Ross]

And he still almost lost to Gore.

Remember Gore trying to pretend to look like Reagan? Painful...and defamatory in the extreme...

Another sad case of the 'battle of two lessers'. It sure didn't help that Bush ran as a "compassionate" conservative as if he was ashamed of conservative principle. Principles which are more honestly compassionate than those principles of any liberal any day of the week.

[spikeytx86]

We do have a great tendency to eat our own in this party. Alan Simpson says it best "I've been a Republican all my life. They'll never throw me out. But they have an amazing ability to "eat their young". They will give each other the saliva test of purity every once in a while, and then they lose. And then they just sit around and bitch for four years. It's a fairly fascinating party."

[Howlin]

and you do not hold the power to declare who is and is not a Conservative!

Ah, but they love to do it!

[Paul Ross]

....when he deserves defending.

Yes. But not otherwise.

[spikeytx86]

Thats true like with his spending record. But on issues like the WOT we need to stand with him against the dimwits

[cricket]

We do have a great tendency to eat our own in this party. Alan Simpson says it best "I've been a Republican all my life. They'll never throw me out. But they have an amazing ability to "eat their young"

For sure, some things do not change. . .but of course they must. The 'losing' and the the Repub eating habits have got to change, for sure. . .

I always loved Alan Simpson. . .and yes, did not always agree with him either. . .but a great Senator and a funny man and one of total integrity. . .

. . .a kind of 'cowboy' feeling to him. . .as has GWB. . .

[rhombus]

I agree, I would have preferred a little less touchy feely. But it was the time of "feeling your pain" and that stuff sold for the rubes. :-)