If you are a republican: Has the Bush administration disappointed your expectations?

Question

As a republican, I honestly believe in the core values of the GOP. But I find myself increasingly distanced from what the current administration's platform has seemed to become. Following 8 long years of Clinton's shenanigans, the promise was to curb government, bring ethics and honesty back to Washington, and be an administration both parties could relate to and be proud of. Now, 6 years later, I feel like the administration feels like it is above the law, it's cabinet members and appointees are being called on the carpet for illegal and unethical activities, civil liberties are being restricted, spending FAR outstrips the budget, government is GROWING, and benefits are being reduced. (Geez I feel like a doggone Lib, somebody smack me!!) But I feel like the administration has followed its own selfish goals, ¬ the ones of the GOP. My question (I guess) is: does any other card-carrrying member of the GOP feel likewise, or did I step onto the short bus somewhere along the line?

Answer 1

nah, you re not on the short bus (and mind you, i am a special education teacher, my wonderful students ride the short bus!). i feel betrayed by this administration. it has allowed the country to be invaded by illegal who knows what, terrorists, murderous gang members, drugs, weapons, child molesters, and flat out criminals. he has allowed our industry to become non existent and he spends like a democrat. our party does not stand up and fight for itself, instead, it rolls over like a complacent dog when the libs do something illegal or unethical. with bush being the head of the party, he should not take the abuse of the constitution or their illegal actions lying down, but he does. and it makes me sick. i am in desperate need of some strong conservative leadership and i fear there is none. at least none from the clowns they parade in front of us as possible candidates.

Answer 2

No, the guys on the short bus are the ones who still believe that Bush is a model conservative. He's massively increased the size and reach of the federal government, watered the defecit like a chia-pet, and made a great deal of money for his admittedly closest friends. I'm not really a liberal either, but I voted a Democratic Legislature in the midterms with the intent of jamming up the government for the next two years. I'd rather nothing got done than Bush continued in his frightening and unchecked abuse of Executive Power. It's making me question the wisdom of having the sitting president be the head of his party- it seemed in practice to negate the constitutional checks of the legislative branch when the party's goals were defined by the President's goals. To be honest, I don't know that our country has ever seen a political party function as singularly as the Republican Party has for the last six years, it's just unfortunate who was leading them. I'd like to know who the Republican Whips were, if they can keep that many congressmen and senators in line, I'd like to see THEM run for President in '08!

Answer 3

As a conservative, I can relate to and agree with what your saying. However, I think it is important to try and distinguish between being a Republican and a Bush loyalist, I think there is a difference.

Despite the recent barage of Republican scandals, I feel good knowing that there are some in the Republican party that have the courage to stand up to Bush, and distance themselves from him.

No party is perfect, but I'm not any more disappointed by Bush than any other previous administration.

Answer 4

Examples of unethical behavior??

You do know there is a war on, and people far away want to kill us, right?

It is not just the administration that is spending, it is Congress. We have not given the President the majority he needs. Deficits are going down, by the way because the tax cuts are bringing in increased revenue. Don't be afraid to read the Economics Page of the WSJ from time to time.

Answer 5

I'm more disappointed by how Republicans are being manipulated by a Democrat controlled media in actually believing the fabrication that is constantly spitted out. What we need is a third and better political party. Hopefully before democrats make Spanish the US language and allow all terrorists easy access into the US when they drop the Mexican border.

Answer 6

George Bush was never qualified to be president.He surrounded himself with self interest crooks and thieves like Abramhoff he was never successful in any arena except being voted to Governor of Texas mostly due to the fact that he outspent his opponent 5 to 1.I also believe the election results against Al Gore were stolen it will come out in about 20 years .I was a republican but after Cheney and Libby and all the scandals caused by the party look at the list Gingrich on down the speakers the moral majority of the congressman from Fl. makes me sick .Yes Clinton was guilty of infidelity which is something between his wife and him but the republican party is always screaming virtues and they are always the ones who seem to forget them.I am now an independent

Answer 7

I don't know how many Republicans feel this way but *conservatives* are pissed.

Trouble is, one of the things that the GOP has done is make people think that Republican and Conservative are synonymous when they really aren't. Only Goldwater and Reagan were real conservatives, both of whom led by teaming up with libertarians.

If you want limited government and maximum liberties, I encourage you to join the Libertarian party.. We need everyone we can get :)

Also, check out the magazine Reason.. Amazing..

Answer 8

Definitely, Bush should back off his "stay the course" routine, seal up the southern border, tell his big oil buddies that they are really hurting the little guys, his staff is typical of every administration ( a bunch of bueracrats only worrying about their own self-interests), spending IS crazy, and unfortunately, Mr. Bush is responsible for the Democrats getting as many seats as they did last election. What we need is a REAL conservative, problem is, I don't see one in sight. sigh.

Answer 9

I will take my party over the democrats any day. If Al Gore had been elected in 2000, the Taliban would still be in Afghanistan. Sure, Bush has dropped the ball on a few things, but things could always be worse.

Answer 10

I completely agree with you. If we do not find a candidate that can represent the ideals of the GOP I once knew the country will be in rough shape.