BUSH AGENDA/SCORECARD-"THESE GUYS ARE GOOD"

12/23/02 | chiller et al

[chiller]

Posted on 12/22/2002 11:40 AM MST.....................................................UPDATED 12/23/02 with much FReeper input

PRES. BUSH'S SCORECARD, GOALS, & AGENDA
(SAVE for use against Bush Bashers)
It is becoming clear that 'W' and Karl Rove saw the big picture when they assessed all that's wrong and needed fixing from a conservative perspective. Many of these policies/decisions haven't received much attention, so we wanted to count the ways. You've responded.

Bear in mind, these big and small achievements were accomplished after losing the popular vote, in a scant 2 years, with a war here, and abroad and a Senate that had 3 goals. Obstruct, Obstruct, Obstruct. We're not claiming all issues are in the 'win' column. Yet.

1) HONOR and INTEGRITY...did that...changed the tone, brought character back into government, even if not reciprocal.

2) Judicial system
....did that,too. We're in charge of judiciary committee next month and we'll see the end of judges who enjoy inventing new law. Ended American Bar Assoc.'s recommendations of judicial nominees.

3) Reorganize bureaucracy...after 9/11, faced the challenge, seized the opportunity to condense 20+ overlapping agencies. Difficult, and darn near impossible, but who better to fix this mess than 'W', Cheney, Rummy?

4) Congressional Spending
....they've replaced several Pubbie porkers (The Cardinals) who gamed the budget process to invariably load up last minute legislation. (Congressional Cardinals) An intriguing story...check it out. Actually, don't know if this has WH fingerprints on it, but it smells like it and it smells great.

5) FOREIGN AID litmus test...the "Millenium Challenge' is similar to Rush's 'excrement list. It's a "use our aid against us and you're toast" kinda' thing.

6) Taxes
...did that and more to come. When it is demonstrated once and for all that tax cuts increase revenues, the implications are beyond huge. Since Reagan's same tax cut message gets spun as ineffective because spending wasn't cut as Congress promised, this reaffirmation could be big, forever.

7) Social Security - Personal Accts.
Privitization, once the "third rail of politics" was a winning plank of several successful midterm races, and the young people of America like the idea. It will happen, once explained properly; 1) it is voluntary, 2)for younger wager earners only 3) involves a miniscule % of our SS contributions 4) won't affect anyones existing acct. 5) earns you one hell of alot more money that this current, sad excuse of an investment with its pathetic returns.

8) United Nations is 'irrelevant'
...UN in the process of confirming it, for all to see. Also, rejected ICC, International Criminal Court

9) Racism
...White House nudged T-Lo to stand down as Sen. Maj. Ldr., thus defusing a favorite and lethal weapon of race-baiting Dems. Showed that Republicans act on our problems, in contrast to Dems. Paid more than lip service with color-blind, merit appointments of Condi Rice and Colin Powell.

10) Govt. Efficiency
... with 800,000 jobs put out for bid, WH weakened unions. Cut undeserved pay raises. Wants merit based promotions/raises. Put another $ 1/2 million govt. printing job out for bid just last week (the printing of the annual budget) and saved a quick $ .14 million. GPO won the job, anyway, but cut their price by over 20%. Message; "the old way, is not our way."

11) Out smarting the Democrats
...'W' and Rove suckered Daschle by controlling the debate leading into mid-terms, literally twisting them in the wind, forcing the Dems to ask for a debate on war that the Dems did not want, could not win, knew they could not win, but debated anyway ! These guys are good!
12) Education
... Despite losing first round, we know where he wants to go re: education/vouchers/school choice which, btw, will further expose Democratic racism. imho, the '02 cave was a bone for Teddy to write the bill and show his spirit, which he did. Another cave like that is doubtful now. That Kennedy/education give & take, was all give at first. In the end, we took. The Senate. Bye, Teddy.

________________12/23/ FReeper additions_________________

13) WAR on TERROR / DEFENSE
....we're huntin' 'em down, one by one. We've had no further U.S. attacks, we've armed the pilots, apprehended hundreds of illegal immigrant suspects, stopped almost 100 terror plots. Not to mention scrapping the antique ABM and breaking ground on SDI in Alaska.

14) FOREIGN POLICY...expanded NATO, embraced Putie Put and Russia as an ally and business partner.

15) CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM
....gambled (and we predict won) the issue by conceding, knowing Supreme Court will whack it as unconstitutional. 'W' will, however, have some 'splainin' to do, if SC surprisinglly upholds. This was a bold gamble that could allow him to borrow political capital, interest free, so to speak. Also, enforced Beck SC decision, which allows union worker reimbursement of union dues spent on political endorsements of which they personally don't approve.
16) ENVIRONMENT
Killed Koyoto Accord, relaxed/repealed ridiculous rules re: Co2 emissions in Calif., OHSO small business ergonomics, and flood run off, just this week. Many of these regs. were "gifts from Bill', presented on his last day in office.

17) ABORTION
....saved many lives with defunding of military abortions, and UN provided abortions overseas.

------------------------

IMHO...... No adminstration has had the foresight to tackle or the skill to achieve these MUST DO'S. I have complete confidence in the direction this administration is headed. We held our noses at some compromises made to win all 3 branches of govt., but that's politics. Let's see what happens now.

Several killer issues still lurk; but I swear my guys will not let stand the crap that's happening with immigration, abortion, tort reform...

I was encouraged by several telling moves. 1)T-Lo's demotion, 2)The Cardinals removal, and 3)refusal to bail out Speaker Hastert's buddies at United Airlines. 'W's positions reinforced my observation that this administration will do what is right, even if it knicks the Pubbies a bit.

My team must now SPEAK THE HELL UP for these issues, but I believe they now can and will show more courage than was possible and prudent coming out of the 2000 elections. OTOH, I know they're thinking long term. The people are in place, common sense ideas are in place...and I've joined 'W's chorus.

[chiller]

With each 'win', we'll grow this thread. We added several winners categories this first day, (and a few smaller wins elsewhere within the original 12 categories.) As an amateur observer, I need your help. Let's hear it. Thanks in advance.

Conversely, if your one-note issue isn't addressed here, please give it a rest for a while. There's 8 years of Clinton, and God knows how many years of liberalism to fix.

P.S. ..a fellow FReeper recommended I formalize these random thoughts from a previous thread. So FWIW.

[Savage Beast]

"I think it's a big mistake to underestimate him."

Tom Daschle. Meet the Press, NBC-W, November 10, 2002.

[chiller]

..the one thing Tommy D. got right.

[Freemeorkillme]

Great post, chiller.

[Buffalo Head]

Good post. Thanks for the time and effort.

[Sabertooth]

I swear my guys will not let stand the crap that's happening with immigration

Please, share the cause of your optimism on this matter.

[UnChained]

Good article. I've bashed Bush a lot because he isn't conservative enough for me. You've persuaded me to soften my stance a bit.

[Citizen of the United States]

Whilst I am most grateful for this useful summation of the Bush Administration's endeavours, I am most distressed by your comparison of the appropriators to the College of Cardinals.

The College of Cardinals is a very important apparatus of the magisterium of the one Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church. It is composed of the highest-ranking prelates in the Church, and is responsible for the election of the Pontifex Maximus. Indeed, prior to his election as such, His Holiness was a member of the College of Cardinals.

I do not approve of comparing the College to the spineless and dishonest appropriations subcommittee chairmen in the House of Representatives. It unfairly denigrates the cardinal-bishops, cardinal-priests, and cardinal-deacons who have dedicated their lives to service to our Lord and Saviour, His Church, and His people.

It is your prerogative, of course. You are free to refer to them howsoever you please, and that freedom is as important to me as it is to you. I respectfully request, however, that you refrain from referring to the appropriators as "the College of Cardinals."

[chiller]

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