How many conservatives realize Bush has bastardized conservative values?

Question

Conservatives are supposed to carry these ideals:
Balancing the budget, small govt, limited govt, moral values...
Correct?

But the incumbent Reagan-inspired Neoconservatives have impulsively done this:
$8.5 trillion debt, big business-supported government, new controversial laws being passed all the time because of "national security" that increases the power of the govt to the point beyond extremity, and misleading the American public about the war without reluctance.

It's a shame that some people do not realize how Bush does NOT represent them at all. Bush betrayed conservatism. It's sad but true. This, ladies and gentlemen, is called NEOconservatism. Be a good conservative. Please don't support the neoconservative.

To all pro-Bush conservatives, please explain how Bush displays conventional conservative values. Are there any ways in which he does? And by this I mean domestic and foreign policies.

Answer 1

This really blows my mind. He got elected twice by pandering to conservative christian voters, but he hasn't done a damn thing for them. If anyone should be upset with Bush, it should be the conservatives who put him in office. I think it's a case of people being more loyal to a person and a party than to their principles. Clinton was a conservative relative to the insane spending and executive expansion of power we've seen under Bush!! You could make a pretty long list of things promised to conservative voters not delivered on. Gay marriage ban, social security, border control. And whatever happened to his compassionate conservative agenda? That went out the window almost immediately. Just ask David Kuo. (I think that's his name) I disagree with a lot of the conservative agenda, but I could at least respect conservatives if they were true to their principles instead of blindly loyal to a failed presidency.

Answer 2

The ultimate Goldwater/Reagan conservative, Pat Buchanan, was so frustrated with Bush's neoconservative agenda that he felt that he had to leave the party.

Directly from Pat's website:
"America is being bankrupted by a bloated federal bureaucracy that now squanders more of our tax dollars than at any point in our nation's history. We are an over- regulated, over-taxed, and over-governed society. Last year, 53 federal agencies and 127,000 federal employees spent over $17 billion of our tax dollars writing and enforcing federal regulations. It's time to end this regulatory reign of terror by closing inefficient agencies, restructuring federal departments, and making the budget process more accountable."

"While the Republican Party today controls the White House and Congress, how stands conservatism, using Reagan-Helms as the gold standard?
On tax cuts, a strong national defense and the nomination of federal judges who believe America is a republic where the people rule through elected representatives, not a judicial dictatorship, George W. Bush meets the gold standard.
But on spending, Bush and Congress do not even meet the Clinton standard. They qualify as Great Society Conservatives. The Republican Revolution of 1994 turned out like that vaunted Vanguard we launched after Sputnik that got four feet off the ground. "

And yes, even this:
"Thus on free trade, immigration and the war, all major issues, conservatism is a house divided. John McCain and Rudy Giuliani, the leading candidates to succeed Bush, stand with him on all three, but the country stands against all three, on all three issues. The last best hope of the GOP in 2008 is – as always – the Democrats."

PS -- Whoever gave me a thumbs-down must not be a true conservative, then.

Answer 3

True Conservatives are fully aware and thoroughly disgusted.

The neo-cons knew exactly what they were doing when they usurped the title "Conservative." If one were to study the history of the neo-con movement, one would find that they learned this tactic from excellent and experienced teachers. But, that would require effort. It's much easier to just ride the tide as millions have in the past, a ride for which they have paid a terrible price.

Answer 4

There is a light at the end of the tunnel. Hope this link helps. Its about the rise of Neoconservatism in America and its ultimate downfall in the end. It came out right after the 2003 invasion of Iraq and release widely in the BBC and UK. Not sure, if Adam Curtis got the releasing rights in the U.S although its all about your country.
http://www.oneplanetonenation.com/ponightmares1.html

Answer 5

I don't know, but i'd guess that more than 37% of voters are consertave.

FYI 37% is Bush's approval rating, actualy might be lower now.

Answer 6

Sometimes it is difficult to remember your goal is draining the swamp when you are up to your neck in alligators ( terrorists )...

Answer 7

So, if he is a neocon, then why do all the liberal democrats call every conservative a neocon? As for me, conservative, neocon, doesn't matter, I support Bush. .

Answer 8

Liberals want to raise taxes, do away with our tax break, run from Iraq, and lots of immoral things.

Answer 9

Todays convservatives don't know any better.

Answer 10

Spoken like a freaky welfare liberal.
Very good.