A truly compassionate conservative is interested in results — not throwing (other people's) money at perceived problems, because it feels good (like a liberal). If you were to eliminate the government programs that don't work (or are counterproductive); there would be plenty of money freed up to spend on programs that do help, while still reducing taxes.
Also, study the Laffer Curve. Lower taxes don't necessarily lead to less government — they may actually produce more government revenue. Some of that revenue could be used to reduce the debt.
Lower taxes promote economic growth. Lower government debt promotes economic growth. Economic growth produces more economic opportunities for people. More economic opportunities = fewer people relying on social welfare programs. That's something a compassionate conservative would hope to achieve — and it's something that sets him apart from a tax-and-spend liberal.
If you think I'm saying tax cuts are somehow the same as cutting the size of government, you missed the point of my statement. Bush cut taxes but sadly and dangerously increased the size of government (his "compassionate conservatism" agenda). BTW, cutting the deficit does NOT promote but stifles economic growth IF taxes are raised to do it. The only way to balance the debt is REDUCE GOVERNMENT. The only way to stimulate the economy, as far as the government is concerned, is CUT TAXES.
Government economic programs that "feel good" or we might "think" works doesn't change the reality of historic fact. Sound economic theory and historical fact show that the best anti-poverty program is free-market capitalism. Examples include Reagan's tax and government cuts in the 80's, Chile's dramatic economic turn around in the 70's after they abandoned command economies for the free market, and of course America before the 1930's. Government economic programs consistently fail miserably and almost always include, as has been reported lately, "unintentional" detrimental effects. The best thing government can do regarding the economy is STAY OUT.
I think what Reagan once said is a good summation of things like Bush's failed "compassionate conservativism": "The scariest words in the English language are,'Hi, I'm from the government and I'm here to help you.'"