Bush agenda faces some GOP resistance

[Glenda]

http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2005/01/18/bush_agenda_faces_some_gop_resistance/

By Rick Klein, Globe Staff | January 18, 2005

Republicans in Congress are growing increasingly vocal in their opposition to major items on President Bush's agenda, calling into question the likelihood of Bush's ambitious second-term program passing, even as he prepares to take the oath of office with an expanded majority of his own party.

...

Some fiscal conservatives are balking at the price tag and political wisdom of Bush's plan to create personal retirement accounts for part of Social Security, with the federal budget deficit already at a record level and Democrats ready to demonize Republicans as hurting retirees.

...
A group of conservative House members is threatening to try to roll back portions of the Medicare prescription drug benefit before it takes effect in 2006, setting up an intra-party fight over one of Bush's signature accomplishments.

...

Representative Tom Tancredo, a Colorado Republican, said many Republicans in Congress were hesitant to criticize the president during his reelection campaign, for fear of hurting the party's chances in the election. But members of what he called the "bite-your-lip caucus" now have no reason to hold back their reservations, he said, and they don't owe the administration blind loyalty.

"As of Nov. 2, that caucus is dissolved," said Tancredo, who is leading Republican efforts to crack down on illegal immigration. "Second-term presidents don't have a terribly impressive success rate. . . . I don't know where he's going to get the votes to do some of these things."

[aden_nak]

1. *spangs GOP over the head with a shovel*

That's right you stubborn gits. Bush isn't even a conservative. Way to figure that out five years too late.

[Glenda]

3. Yeah, there was this spending quote later in the article

from Brian M. Riedl, a budget specialist at the conservative Heritage Foundation in Washington:

"Now we're faced with runaway spending and deficits as far as the eye can see," he said. "It has to be brought under control, or one begins to wonder what the difference is between Democrats and Republicans."

[UL_Approved]

5. Neo-Cons to the core

This is the trouble with the GOP: Neo-Conservatism.

They are not liberals taking over. They are not Republicans. They are their own little branch of horror that is spreading throughout our entire society. I was wondering when this will happen. The quote in another post in this thread shows some promise from a Republican, but that congress member still has a lot of Kool-Aid to have pumped from his stomach before he can really get to the core of the problem.

Neo-Cons have taken power in BOTH parties. We need to take our party back as well.

[Glenda]

6. What is really the definition of Neo-Conservatism?

Other than wanting everything to go to Hell in a Handbasket?

[UL_Approved]

9. Look up some things

The Plan For a New American Century is their major doctrine.

Neo-Cons love war. They reject responsible spending, as we can see from the ridiculous budget figures now in place. They believe in corporate control of the world. They use propaganda and total synthesized truth to mislead people. The idea of "greed is good" is a major tenant of their belief system. These people are neither Republicans or Democrats.

[Glenda]

14. Thanks...

That mentality is just so foreign to me - it's hard to comprehend.

[Roland99]

2. Damn liberals

oh wait....

[Arkana]

4. *takes shoe and hits Tancredo in the head with it*

Thanks for waking up AFTER he got reselected, morons! Fat lot of good it'll do now! :grr:

[Democracy Died]

13. For now, at least. He KNOWS that the next time he's up for reelection

he's finished. I'm hoping that the Democratic Party will focus on the Arapahoe/Douglas County and get rid of him once and for all.

At least we got rid of Helmet Hair McInnis.

[Acryliccalico]

7. Don't tell me they are just starting to see

the light about these neoCons? We have been telling them for how long now? :eyes:

[NNguyenMD]

8. key word being "some" resistance

At least some of the Republicans finally have some idea of what its like to be a democrat. I'll bet they're glad that they're not at the other end of the power scale.

[AlCzervik]

10. I hope it splits their party, once again the arrogance of power.

[NeoTraitors]

11. I think we should give 'em a dose of their own

medicine. They have demonized the word liberal. Many average folks equate the word with the govt spending our dough foolishly. We should shove it in their faces. This administration and its party are LIBERALS. Never in history has a President wasted more money. We have the largest debt and deficit in history. Isn't that what 'liberals' supposedly do? (I know history says different but all that matters in todays America is perception!)

How about turning the tables on these free-spending liberals! On fiscal matters the label fits in the minds of average Joes. When Rush starts in on liberals, he would be attacking his own!

[Dulcinea]

12. I think it will.

Bush & the neocons won't be able to dismantle Social Security, Medicare or Medicaid. I really don't think the real conservatives will be willing to commit political suicide for Boy George.