speaking of the state of the union. here is what the head of the libertarian party had to say about it. **note: i recieve their newsletter so this is my source.**
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NEWS FROM THE LIBERTARIAN PARTY
2600 Virginia Avenue, NW, Suite 100
Washington DC 20037
World Wide Web:
http://www.LP.org
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For release: January 30, 2002
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For additional information:
George Getz, Press Secretary
Phone: (202) 333-0008 Ext. 222
E-Mail:
[email protected]
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Bush's State of the Union speech
was a historic 'missed opportunity'
WASHINGTON, DC -- George W. Bush missed a historic opportunity in his
State of the Union address last night by not refocusing the federal
government on its primary function: Defending the lives and rights of
American citizens.
Instead, he outlined a laundry list of 39 new government proposals, new
expenditures, and expanded programs -- as well as a potentially
endless, worldwide "War on Terrorism," said Libertarian Party Executive
Director Steve Dasbach.
"George Bush's compassionate conservatism is sounding a lot like
compulsive Clintonism," he said. "Instead of using September 11 as an
opportunity to limit the federal government to its core role of
defending America, President Bush is using the tragic terrorist attacks
as an excuse to further expand the federal government."
In fact, during his 48-minute speech, Bush proposed 39 new or expanded
government initiatives, according to the Cato Institute -- which is
almost as many on a per-minute basis as Bill Clinton proposed in his
last State of the Union address.
Such a strategy not only flies in the face of what conservatives
profess to believe -- it also makes Americans less secure, said
Dasbach.
"A sprawling, trying-to-do-everything federal government cannot
effectively focus on protecting Americans against foreign threats," he
said. "A government that tries to do too much will end up doing too
little where it really matters -- keeping us safe from foreign
threats."
In his State of the Union speech:
* Bush proposed the "largest increase in defense spending in two
decades." He also said the U.S. will take action against an "axis of
evil" -- nations like North Korea, Iraq, and Iran which have the
potential to develop weapons of mass destruction.
Missed opportunity: America doesn't need to spend more money to protect
itself -- it needs to spend less money smarter, said Dasbach.
"September 11 could have been used as an opportunity to bring American
troops home from the 144 nations and territories where they are
stationed; to stop subsidizing the defense of wealthy European nations;
and to stop intervening in foreign conflicts that do not affect our
security," he said. "Instead, September 11 is being used as an excuse
to rid the entire world of 'evil-doers,' while spending more money than
we did during the Cold War.
"What President Bush should have done is announce clear, measurable,
and finite goals for this War on Terrorism. Our nation's best interests
will be served by decisive action that targets the guilty, spares the
innocent, and ends as quickly as possible."
* In a clear reference to Enron, Bush said corporations should be "held
to the highest standard of conduct."
Missed opportunity: Bush should have used the Enron debacle to vow to
end wasteful corporate welfare, said Dasbach.
"While there is clear evidence of irresponsibility by Enron executives,
many Americans don't realize that politicians used tax dollars to
irresponsibly enrich those same executives," he said. "Over the past
few years, Enron has received at least $1.6 billion from the federal
government in Import-Export Bank subsidies and from the federal
Overseas Private Investment Corporation.
"What Bush should have done is promise to immediately end all Aid to
Dependent Corporations -- especially ones with corrupt executives and
shoddy accounting practices."
* Bush unveiled the USA Freedom Corps, which will expand the AmeriCorps
program and the Peace Corps, and promote "service" to the nation.
Missed opportunity: Bush should have abolished Bill Clinton's tax-
funded AmeriCorps program, said Dasbach -- and publicly rejected the
notion that compassion comes with a government paycheck attached to it.
"President Bush should have realized that you don't display your love
for country by becoming a tax-funded volunteer," he said. "And Bush
should have promised to take the money that has been squandered on the
AmeriCorps program and return it to individual citizens -- who can best
decide how to spend it to help their nation."
* Finally, Bush promised to extend unemployment benefits, expand the
Head Start program, upgrade teacher colleges, enact a Patients' Bill of
Rights, and expand Medicare to give seniors coverage for prescription
drugs.
Missed opportunity: Bush should have used the current economic downturn
to start trimming government programs and spending, said Dasbach.
"Bush's modest tax cuts, which passed last year, were a nice start to
help revitalize the economy," he said. "But that effort will now be
undercut by more government spending, more bureaucracy, and higher
deficits. Regretfully, each of Bush's 39 new and expanded programs will
further slow the effort to create economic growth."
In his State of the Union speech, Bush said he supported "limits on
state power," noted Dasbach.
"Whether in the area of national defense, corporate welfare,
volunteerism, or federal programs, Bush should start to put that
limited-government principle into practice," he said. "The fact that he
did not do so was his greatest missed opportunity."
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