Dave Whitaker's View

Where’s the conservatism?
By Dave Whitaker
©March 2001 Twiggs Tribune 

When George W. Bush was running for president, he kept labeling himself as a "compassionate conservative." When members of Congress defend him, they often remind the audience he is a "compassionate conservative." However, while there’s been lots of compassion, there’s been very little conservatism coming out of the administration thus far. That is if you stick to the modern definition.

Conservatism in the modern world is supposed to mean limited government or less government.  However, the only actions that has happened thus far that reduces government in any way would be Bush’s decision to stop overseas funding of family planning centers that do abortions and an effort to repeal OSHA rules on workplace injuries caused by repetitive motions put in place by the Clinton Administration.

But other than that, there’s been lots of compassion and very little conservatism. The biggest example would be Bush’s upcoming budget. There’s increased spending in everything.

Increased spending for education, for more training of teachers, more spending for Medicare, full spending for the Land and Water Conservation fund, more spending for national parks, and increased spending for discretionary programs. And there’s new spending also, like the $700 million dollars for a Federal Compassion Fund, and a prescription drug plan for seniors.

The only thing in the budget that was even remotely conservative is the tax cut. And that may not even be passed by the time the final budget comes out. Everything else is more government, more spending, and more spending. One could make the argument that Bush’s budget with its increases in spending is not unlike budgets proposed by former President Clinton. A sour note I’m sure to many who are conservative Republicans and are glad that they finally have one of "their own" in office.

But is he really? Bush has not proposed the end of one government program. Sure he talks about "restraining spending" in certain areas, but in Washington, that just means slowing the rate of growth, not getting rid of any wasteful spending. If a Democrat like Bill Clinton had a budget full of new government spending, and expanded government spending, wouldn’t some of those same Republicans crying bloody murder?

Let’s quickly review a couple of other Bush initiatives. Bush has proposed giving federal funding to faith-based charities. While a compassionate move, that’s hardly a conservative move because it just stretches out using taxpayer money. His school proposal continues federal control of the school system, and does not allow for real choice right now for parents whose children may be in failing schools. So, where is the conservatism? Where is the less government?

And when talking about Bush’s cabinet, do I even need to remind you about how people like John Ashcroft have expressed a willingness to continue the War On Drugs, which has been used to violate the civil liberties of citizens? So, again, I ask, where’s the conservatism? If conservatism is supposed to mean limited government, or less government, there’s yet to be much of it coming from the Bush Administration. Maybe it depends upon the meaning of what "conservative" is  to President Bush?

 

If you really want to vote freedom first
By Dave Whitaker
©November 2000 Twiggs Tribune 

By the time most of you read this column, the election will be but a few days away. By now, you've heard reasons to vote for or against most candidates out there. You've probably heard slogans by some groups who are endorsing certain candidates. If you're a National Rifle Association member like I am, you've been getting mailings, bumper stickers, and reminders to "vote freedom first."

But I have a BIG problem with the NRA. You see, while they may tell you to vote freedom first, the candidates they're endorsing in many don't have the great love of freedom that I do. As a matter of fact, some of the positions that these candidates take are against freedom, and support more government. And the NRA doesn't endorse one Libertarian candidate, despite the fact the Libertarians support freedom in ALL cases.

My first gripe is the NRA's endorsement of George W. Bush for president.  George W. Bush believes that Americans should not have the right to own the gun of their choice, something Al Gore believes in. George W. Bush believes in outlawing certain types of ammunition, something Al Gore believes in.  George W. Bush, like Al Gore, would support raising the age in which an adult can by a handgun from 18 to 21.

Yet read anything by the NRA, and all they do is criticize Gore's anti-Second Amendment stance. They're absolutely correct that Al Gore is no friend to gun owners. But they insult my intelligence, and the intelligence of others when they sit there and try to paint Bush as this great lover of liberty, when Bush has taken several Gore-like positions on the issue that is supposed to mean so very much to them.

Another endorsement I'm not exactly pleased with is that of Congressman Saxby Chambliss. Upon looking at the Congressman's record at the Gun Owners of America web site, he's not exactly the lover of freedom the NRA claims he is.  For example, he voted against a motion to get the United States out of the United Nations, who is nefarious for its anti-gun positions. He voted with Chuck Schumer for legislation which would've given prosecutors the power to punish gun owners who use a gun for self defense, and could allow for mandatory minimum sentencing of people who use a gun for self-defense. He voted for a Republican-sponsored amendment which would've criminalized the possession of so-called "assault weapons" or magazines which hold over ten rounds.

The NRA claims to be the organization committed to preserving freedom. Yet in these two cases I have mentioned, they support candidates who seem willing to forgo freedom if it means they have to take a politically unpopular stand.  Perhaps the NRA should change their slogan to "Vote moderation first" or "Vote for Republicans and Democrats first " because with their endorsements of Bush and Chambliss, as well as their endorsement of former Georgia governor Zell Miller for the United States Senate, they seem to care about supporting the big two parties, rather than freedom.

If you really want to vote freedom first on November 7, there is a way. You can vote Libertarian for president, for Senate, and for the Public Service Commission. Then, you will be voting for freedom, not just for the Second Amendment, but for ALL issues.

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Harry Browne Visits Macon
By: Dave Whitaker
©October 2000  Twiggs Tribune

Libertarian Presidential Candidate Harry Browne came to an event called "More than Gore" on October 21 in Macon. It was held in the monument room of the Macon Coliseum and was sponsored by the Bibb County Libertarian Party and the Middle Georgia Friends of Harry Browne.

According to Michael Quinn, who served as press contact for the event, approximately 240 people were in attendance. This was the first event sponsored by the new party, and, by the accounts of both Quinn and Stephen
Gordon, who served as logistics coordinator, the event went well in spite of a few minor mistakes. Quinn praised Gordon for being able to work around things like Browne's plane being late, and some people who were to be part of a panel discussion earlier in the day being late.

"Stephen Gordon was running the schedule as was very creative moving things around," Quinn said. Gordon was also pleased with the way the day went, saying "In spite of lack of experience, things could not have run better."

Both men give praise to Brian Thomson. They credit him with having the idea for the event, and credit his leadership in getting Browne to Macon. Browne spoke on issues such as ending the income tax, ending the war on drugs, and freeing people from having to pay into social security. He also took questions from the audience on issues such as education and social security. Quinn described the crowd for the speech as "enthusiastic."

The event was also successful for the LP, as Gordon said at least 17 people signed up for the Bibb County LP. Quinn plans to get organizations started in other counties, including Twiggs County.

If you want more information on the event, or how you can get involved in the future, visit the Bibb County LP homepage at http://bibbcountylp.homestead.com 

 

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