Neal Boortz is a Libertarian. He is also a heathen. I often disagree with him on points pertaining to religion, evolution, abortion, and drugs. We often agree strongly on topics such as liberty, war, economics, and even religion once in a while. This morning, he had the commentary (below) on his news page. I am going to copy it here, since I find myself in agreement with his writing.
I know that some of my fellow Constitution Party members will disagree with Boorz and myself on a few points contained therein, but I really don't care. Truth is truth.
THE PRESIDENT'S RENOVATION STRATEGY
Renovation strategy? That's one word you could use. Today George Bush begins a series of speeches trying to turn more public support for the war on terror in general and the war in Iraq in particular. It's an effort to rebuild his approval numbers. We've seen this before. The public becomes restless, and George Bush launches a series of speeches about the war in Iraq. Today Bush will talk about the global war on terror at George Washington University.
I'm still a supporter of the Iraqi war. I still believe that Saddam Hussein had to be removed from power. U.N Resolutions 687, 786 and 1441 clearly set forth the legal basis for the removal of Saddam Hussein, and no other country seemed willing to bear the responsibility. I firmly believe that had the United States backed off Hussein would have seen it as a sign of weakness, and he would have quickly resurrected his weapons programs. In the long term, the United States would have suffered. In spite of the bleatings of the left and the failure of our mainstream media to report the facts objectively, there most definitely was a connection between Saddam Hussein and Al Qaeda, and that connection might well have blossomed into a full-scale collaboration had we not interceded. I know that there are many who disagree, but I don't feel that there are many out there who have put any real research into the matter who would express a differing viewpoint. [ Just read "The Connection, How al Qaeda's Collaboration with Saddam Hussein has Endangered America" by Stephen F. Hayes. published by Harper Collins ]
[Troy's comment: I maintain the same viewpoint of the war in Iraq. However, I do believe that the Congress should have declared war on Iraq prior to its involvement, as is proper according to our Constitution. On the "flip side", however, they did give their approval for the action, which though not a formal declaration, is the equivalent, in my book. The Congress did not exercise their power to pull out after presidential action. Ergo, it was not illegal, as some maintain.]
OK ... here's the "but." Right now if some pollster asked me whether I approve or disapprove of the way George Bush is handling his second term in office, my only honest answer would be in the negative. At this point there are other things that I would like to see George Bush address; other things I would like for him to explain. A sampling:
* Why did he sign the McCain-Feingold campaign finance reform act? He clearly stated that he thought the law was unconstitutional, but he signed it anyway. Now our right to political free speech is clearly under assault.
* Why has non-defense related government spending risen so fast during his Administration? Why did he set all-time records for government spending increases during the first three years of his presidency?
* Why has he been silent on the issue of school choice?
* Why did he team up with Ted Kennedy to double spending on the Department of Education, a Department Republicans had pledged to eliminate six years before he was elected. The spending hasn't helped. The quality of education has steadily decreased during the past six years.
* Forget the Arab aspects of the port deal, why would George Bush support turning over essential operations of six American ports to any foreign government, let alone an Arab one?
* Why hasn't he spoken out forcefully against the Kelo v. New London decision from the Supreme Court and the wholesale assault on the concept of private property rights that is ongoing in this country today?
* How could it possibly be that he hasn't found one single bill worthy of a presidential veto during the past five years? Is this an indication that over the past five years the Congress of the United States hasn't passed one single solitary piece of legislation that George Bush considered to be contrary to the principles of our Constitution, or excessive in any way?
* How in the wide, wide world of sports did he get talked into this obscene prescription drug program for wizened citizens? Didn't he realize that the average senior citizen spends about $600 a year on prescription drugs? That amounts to $1.64 a day. Every major pharmaceutical company out there has "lifeline" programs that insure that no American would go without a needed prescription drug. Yet he creates one of the biggest spending programs in our history; one that is destined to exceed all cost estimates. Why?
* What's the deal with tax reform? The president appoints a fancy panel to study our tax system, proposals for reform, and come up with a plan for a complete overhaul. What does the panel come up with? A virtual repeat of the 1986 tax reform act. Eliminate deductions and establish a few flat rates. The 1986 law has been amended over 9000 times since 1986. Now that's reform. The American people want some real reform. Where is the president?
* Why hasn't he spoken out more forcefully for real reform in medical care? Why hasn't he spoken out for more competition? How about a demand that congress give every private individual in this country the same tax breaks that businesses get when they buy health insurance policies?
* Why has he absolutely failed to do anything at all about the invasion of illegal immigrants flooding into our country across our border with Mexico? Why hasn't he called for a full federal investigation of charges that armed and uniformed Mexicans are firing on Border Patrol agents? Why hasn't he called for stricter penalties against employers who enable this flood of illegal immigration?
* Why hasn't he told Hillary Clinton to sit down and shut the hell up until she comes up with a reasonable explanation for those billing records?
* Why hasn't he told FEMA to set aside their asinine regulations and get every vehicle with a trailer hitch in Arkansas to hook up to one of those trailers and yank the damned things down to New Orleans to provide housing for police, firefighters and any American citizen who wants to work to rebuild that city?
* After the Cheney hunting incident, why didn't he go to the White House press room and say "OK, so you didn't get the story first. So it was broken by a small newspaper in Corpus Christi. You got scooped. Deal with it. Suck it up. You aren't the only studs with press cards. The American people are rather enjoying seeing you so put out over this. Why don't you run over to Capitol Hill and ask Ted Kennedy why he went to sleep while Mary Jo's body was still in the back seat of his car? Henry Whittington is alive. Mary Jo is still dead." Couldn't you just see his approval ratings soar after a presidential slap-down like that?
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