Filed under President Bush …

Dec 27 2007
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Big Government, Congress, McCain, Pork, President Bush, Republicans

Today’s Small Government Heroes

Here’s the list:

President George Bush (I know, please pick yourself off the floor) 

Sen. Tom Coburn

Sen. Jim DeMint

Sen. John McCain

Here’s why:

President Bush is calling out Congressional pork!  Where these great pork-cutting senators are working to clean up the earmark process, to make it more transparent and for legislators to be held accountable, the President is looking at ways to cut earmarks from the omnibus budget bill.  Could this be the beginning of a smaller Bush administration?  Don’t hold your breath.  DeMint, Coburn and McCain are pork hawks and have been fighting against earmarks for years.  This is the first I’ve heard from the President regarding pork, but I like what I hear.   

Sep 16 2007
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Big Government, President Bush

Small Government Champion: Alan Greenspan

From Wall Street Journal Online: 

In a withering critique of his fellow Republicans, former Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan says in his memoir that the party to which he has belonged all his life deserved to lose power last year for forsaking its small-government principles.

In “The Age of Turbulence: Adventures in a New World,” published by Penguin Press, Mr. Greenspan criticizes both congressional Republicans and President George W. Bush for abandoning fiscal discipline.

The book is scheduled for public release Monday. The Wall Street Journal bought a copy at a bookstore in the New York area.

Mr. Greenspan, who calls himself a “lifelong libertarian Republican,” writes that he advised the White House to veto some bills to curb “out-of-control” spending while the Republicans controlled Congress.  (more)

Jun 09 2007
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Morality and Values, President Bush

So Long, General Pace

Score one more for the small government conservative movement (for now); Peter Pace will be retiring on September 30, 2007.  The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, is best known for ”running” the war in Iraq and stating, “I believe homosexual acts between two individuals are immoral and that we should not condone immoral acts.”  He went on to equate adultery and homosexuality–both being immoral acts. 

I have no issue with him speaking his mind or with his beliefs.  The beauty of America is that we have the right to free speech.  My beef with General Pace was that he believed the military should be making judgement calls based on his moral values.  This assertion flies in the face of small government conservatism, and has been part of the Bush administration since day one.  I’m all for our leaders to be good and decent people, but I can’t support those elected (and non-elected) officials telling me how we should live our lives, and what is moral or immoral, be it homosexuality, adultery or bed wetting.  Save that conversation for the classroom, dinner table and places of worship. 

Jun 05 2007
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2008, Giuliani, McCain, President Bush, Romney, Thompson

Why Small Government?

When you look at the group of GOP Presidential contenders, you’ll be hard pressed to find a candidate that epitomizes true small government values.  Mitt Romney is famous for socializing health care in Taxachusetts, Rudolph Giuliani has stood for government funded abortions, and Newt Gingrich wants a national health care database.   All of these examples are completely at odds with traditional conservatism.  With Fred Thompson coming into the race, and John McCain still standing, there is some hope for small government conservatives, however, neither are traditional conservative standard bearers (McCain’s budget hawking keeps him in my good graces).  Will someone else come out of the woodwork so the Goldwater/Reagan flame can be passed on, or will one of the aforementioned front-runners show that they can be trusted for cutting taxes and the size of government? 

 I’m so excited to have a forum like this during this very intriguing time for the Republican Party.  We have a chance to move away from the neoconservative/large government model that the Bush administration has put into play (i.e. Leave No Child Behind, War in Iraq) and move to a smaller, more efficient government that puts the focus on the states and the individuals.

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