House set to pass spending bill

The Hill ^ | 1/14/2014 | Erik Wasson and Russell Berman

[what's up]

Bush had a tremendously difficult job during his tenure. People who lose perspective tend to forget the real peril we were in post 9/11. EVERYBODY said there would be another huge terror attack...didn't happen because Bush took charge. He also had to rectify the dotcom bust which happened at the end of the Clinton years.

This is SO FAR REMOVED from what Obama's has been handling. The debt/deficit has risen 7 T only because the socialists like it that way, not from any threat to the nation.

[Count of Monte Fisto]

People who lose perspective tend to forget the real peril we were in post 9/11.

Good thing Bush sealed the borders and ended Muslim immigration. Oh, wait....

[Starboard]

Bush deserves credit for his post 9/11 actions to protect the country. That obviously led to big outlays associated with Homeland Security, military operations, etc. But aside from this, he greatly expanded government and discretionary spending. One prominent example is the Medicare prescription-drug benefit, the LARGEST ENTITLEMENT PROGRAM created since LBJ’s presidency.

Due to national security concerns, Bush should have tried to promote offsetting spending cuts in other areas.

No doubt about it, Obama has made the debt significantly worse and is driving us toward insolvency. But being a conservative, I expected Bush to do a better job holding down the size of the government and lowering our national debt. Just my perspective.

[mrsmith]

All you say is true. (Intro to a ‘but’ of course...
and here it is!) But once Harry and Nancy took over he had to pay them whatever they wanted so they’d let him have the money to fight.

That’s a problem in the Constitution: the congress makes the President pay, and pay and pay for what he needs. Our Constitution is not conducive to wars and wasn’t meant to be.

[what's up]

20/20 hindsight. No President is perfect. However, IMO Bush did a stellar job with the massive problems handed to him. I believe few could have done better. Too many people take for granted the safety we experience because of his decisions. History has already been revised. However, I think it will revise in his favor again over time.

Bush led it with ZERO personal scandal and lots of grace. The deficit was falling in the wake of the Iraq War and the debt would have been reduced under him in time if the socialists had not fooled the people.

[Starboard]

20/20 hindsight...I believe few could have done better.

*********
I supported GWB during his elections, both financially and through some on the ground support. My wife also did some work for him when he was in office. I admire many of his accomplishments, but not so much his record of expansion of government and the accumulation of debt which are well documented.

As conservatives I don’t think we should roll over for our politicians. It’s not a question of 20/20 hindsight; its a matter of keeping all of them honest, accountable and true to our principles.

[what's up]

them honest, accountable and true to our principles

True. And Bush was honest and true. At the time, there was no outcry over the Medicare expansion. A few were disgruntled but the outcry came much later after the socialists revised history and spiked the deficit. Part of their strategy is holding power is to make the argument that all politicians are the same. This is not true. Bush was far superior.

[Starboard]

Part of their strategy is holding power is to make the argument that all politicians are the same.

**********
I understand what you’re saying; they like to say “everyone does it” to excuse their actions. However, as far as holding power is concerned, if you’re familiar with life on Capitol Hill you’ll realize there really isn’t all that much real difference between politicans. They’re basically all actors on stage and they desperately want to stay in the theater rather than endure the unthinkable alternative of returning home and living like a regular citizen. Life on the Hill is very good and they never want to leave. Most will say or do ANYTHING to keep their perch and their perks. Insiders (of all stripes) view the people merely as an audience they want to applaud for them.

[what's up]

they like to say “everyone does it” to excuse their actions.

This is a major socialist strategy. If they can convince the public to be cynical about all politicians there will be no large effort to pay attention to details or oust the entrenched leftist programs.

They’re basically all actors on stage and they desperately want to stay in the theater

I really don't believe this. Yes, there are a high number who have questionable motives and some are outright creepy but I believe it's possible to maintain integrity in a high place and be doing the job as a public service. Of course the commie media will continue to convince people that this is not true and will not give airtime to any of the good people.