I'll Stand with George W. Bush

TooGoodReports.com ^ | 12/11/2003 | Bernard Chapin

[happykidjill]

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.

To comment on this article or express your opinion directly to the author, you are invited to e-mail Bernard at bchapafl@hotmail.com .

[Coop]

My point in that post was that public opinion was solidly behind campaign finance reform, unfortunately.

[Coop]

Ghostrider? LOL

It's from Top Gun. The response Maverick got from the tower when requesting a fly-by. Nothing personal. Just a unique way of saying "no."

[ohioWfan]

Look, Mud.......the President is a nicer guy than ANY of us would like him to be sometimes. The 'new tone,' the trying to get along are part of who he is.

I'm not saying I like the spending, nor the compromises which I don't think are necessary (but which, he obviously does), but what I'm talking about is taking the relatively minor differences (and I consider everything minor in comparison with protecting us from being annihilated by terrorists, and the moral clarity he has shown in dealing with evil), and voting for an obscure third party person and therefore potentially enabling a REAL enemy of freedom and responsibility to be elected.

It would be stupid to do so.....but apparently there are some freepers hell-bent on being stupid.

[BureaucratusMaximus]

It's from Top Gun. The response Maverick got from the tower when requesting a fly-by. Nothing personal. Just a unique way of saying "no."

I can't believe I missed that. Cheers.

[WhiteGuy]

"Bush should be using the pulpit of the presidency to preach the values of limited government, and institute serious reforms that, when successful, with convert people to conservatism."

I couldn't agree with you more................

The stumbling block here is simple and HUGE.............

President bush, the leader of the republican party cannot possibly believe in a limited federal government.

Anyone who voted for him based on this expectation was not paying attention, he never claimed to want anything of the sort.

If you want even bigger government, give the incumbents another term................

[Protagoras]

You are mistaken again. I return fire.

And you wouldn't be the judge of what stupid statments are.

[Coop]

Therefore, he has not yet earned my vote.

No? Well, it sure sounds as if your mind is already made up. :-)

If you want even bigger government, give the incumbents another term...

[WhiteGuy]

My point in that post was that public opinion was solidly behind campaign finance reform, unfortunately.


Do you think CFR is what they had in mind?

[Admin Moderator]

Clean up your tagline.

[Joe Hadenuf]

Tommy Ridge is addressing the steep price we will have to pay for generations of open, uncontrolled borders....and we will pay. Blaming Ridge is a cop-out.

Some American's have been paying for years.

Ridge is now suggesting legalizing 12 million criminal illegal aliens, many of which are hardend criminials, criminals that continue to pour into, and flood our country. Here's just one.

I think the 12 year old little girl that was shot in the back by this cockroach would completely disagree with you. This is just one small example of a terrorist from Mexico.

Look at the link I posted here. "LAPDs most wanted". They are looking for *hundreds* of these terrorist.

Murders, terrorist, rapist, WTF is the difference? Would anyone not consider this AH a terrorist if he blew someone's wifes brains out and took her car?

They are terrorizing our citizens. LA county jail has *thousands* of these terrorist in their central jails. Just like Houston, Dallas, Phoenix, San Deigo, etc.

This is just a tiny example.

IMO, Ridge and President Bush are doing NOTHING!.

_________________________________________________________

WANTED FOR: Attempt Murder Suspect:

Magallon, Jaime Macia Alias:

Lopez, Jaime, Lil Diablo Sex: Male Descent: Hispanic

Crime Information: Suspect has know associates living in Tijuana and crosses the border frequently. Suspect has been featured in local newspapers and was depicted on "Americas Most Wanted". Suspect shot an unarmed 12 year old girl in the back with an assault rifle during a drive-by.

[Coop]

Do you think CFR is what they had in mind?

My impression of the average American voter is that they wanted something done. Don't bother them with the details - just do it! Consequences be damned.

[WhiteGuy]

No? Well, it sure sounds as if your mind is already made up. :-)

As of right now, I'm planning on writing in

Walter E. Williams and William F. Buckley.

After that I'm going to the racetrack, or depending on the weather to BW3.

[WhiteGuy]

oh.............

OOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHHHH..................

I didn't even get it until you pointed it out..........

[Lazamataz]

Clean up your tagline.

Will do.

[Protagoras]

fugure out.

Fortunately spelling doesn't fall into that category. :-)

Ah, the last hiding place. Typos as a subject to comment on. It must be tiring to be grasping at those straws all day long.

[Lazamataz]

Lopez, Jaime, Lil Diablo Sex: Male Descent: Hispanic

I doubt it. You seen the hooters on this guy?

[Itzlzha]

LOL! Perfect pic for the "Kool-Aide drinker" and "Boiled Frog" (R)'s here!

"Have YOU Hugged an ILLEGAL INFILTRATOR Today?"

[Joe Hadenuf]

Yeah, but he's a tough guy when it comes to 12 year old girls...

[m1-lightning]

If we would learn that lesson we wouldn't be having this discussion.

I'll certainly agree with you that 3rd parties screw over Dems and Repubs. I threw away my Gubernatorial vote by voting Libertarian but only because George Ryan has lost my trust in Illinois Republicans. The revenge issue? That only holds true to the party faithful. There are many conservative Democrats who vote so on single issues. Many of them are ticked off that Lieberman got screwed over by Gore. The war has separated many Dems because they don't want to be associated with commie peace lovers. I'm getting this from many Dems that I know. It could be a mere regional response. Remember that just because union workers vote Democrat doesn't mean they morally support gays, peace nazis, and gun control. Most of America is morally conservative. I can prove that. I cannot prove they are fiscally conservative. In any case, I think the Dems are ticked enough that, though they may not vote for Bush, they won't vote at all and that's as good as a half of a vote for Bush

[riri]

I'm still waiting for that sharp turn to the right that was predicted here for eons....