Word: bushed
(lookup in dictionary)
(lookup stats)
Dates: during 1990-1999
Sort By: most recent first
(reverse)
Although George W. Bush is riding high, his stated philosophy of "compassionate conservatism" is not so popular. Liberals think it's a contradiction in terms. The press thinks it's meaningless spin. Many conservatives think it's way too defensive...
...fact, these criticisms are unfair. Compassionate conservatism is emerging as a doctrine with a specific meaning, which deserves to be treated seriously. The meaning can be glimpsed in Bush's promise to spend $8 billion financing social programs of "faith-based" and other private institutions. And it is reflected in the tax bill emerging from the Republican-controlled Congress...
...nutshell, the meaning is this: the government should achieve desirable goals by creating incentives for private individuals and organizations, primarily in the form of tax cuts. Much of Bush's $8 billion would be used to expand the charitable deduction, provide "new incentives" for corporate giving and so on. The House tax bill is full of deductions and credits for this or that form of officially approved behavior, primarily saving and investment...
...private organization is superior to any government agency is more appealing in theory than in practice. The Aug. 2 issue of TIME quoted a conservative who is already alarmed that compassionate conservatism might benefit left-wing groups. He doesn't wish to be that compassionate! The problem with Bush's grants and tax credits is like the problem with school vouchers: giving people a choice means forcing other people to contribute tax dollars to institutions they may find offensive. Government compassion subsidies, says Bush's poop sheet, "should be available...to all organizations," which "should not be forced to compromise...
...across the state on fleets of free air-conditioned buses, and bedecked the faithful with hats, shirts and stickers. The afternoon promises to be a toe-tapping jamboree as attendees gorge themselves on pulled pork and sweet corn, all the while listening to gospel and country music. George W. Bush is bringing in the sports heavies, including skeet-shooting champion Kim Rhodes and bass fisherman Johnny Morris, while Pat Buchanan's giving out potholders. And Lamar Alexander, who has 200 bicyclists coming to town, revived the plaid-shirt motif on his invitation to meet Miss Iowa...