Reader Comments

Editor: I sent you a chastising email several years back for somewhat critical comments you made about the president. I would like to sincerely apologize for that letter. I still like George W. Bush and think he and his wife are good, God fearing people. But “Compassionate” Conservatism in lieu of plan old fashioned Conservatism, I fear has set the conservative movement/agenda back years if not decades. Again, my apologies for the tongue lashing and I will read your columns with a new found respect. Randy Davis, Brownsville, Texas

Editor: Cheer up, conservatives. Far from rejecting conservative principles, voters across America have resoundingly affirmed them. And they sent a harsh admonition to those who choose to neglect them. Skeptical? If so, ask yourself this question: were Republicans swept from power because they adhered to the Contract with America, which galvanized their majority in 1994? Or is the opposite true – Republicans were swept from power because they disregarded those principles? The answer is obvious. Republicans were disciplined because they neglected conservatism, not because they practiced it. Quoting Congressman Mike Pence (R-Indiana), one of the most thoughtful and articulate conservative voices in Congress who announced his campaign for Republican Leader of the House of Representatives, "the American people didn't quit on the Contract with America, we did." Conservative Senator Tom Coburn (R-Oklahoma) neatly summarizes the results. "This election was not a rejection of conservative principles, but a rejection of corrupt, complacent and incompetent government. Our short-term, politically-expedient, bread and circus governing philosophy has failed. One of the great paradoxes in politics is that governing to maintain power is the surest way to lose it. The Republican Party now has an opportunity to rediscover its identity as a party for limited government, free enterprise and individual responsibility." Opportunity knocks. Will Republicans get the message? Ron, Issaquah, WA

Editor: What I want to know is what has support for the Republican Party gotten us? We elected Republicans by landslide numbers. When they got into office they acted like moderates with liberal leanings. Can you people explain why the RNC and Bush backed Liberal Republicans over Conservative representatives? So many actions by this administration just boggle the mind. And quite frankly I'm totally fed up. I'll be changing my party affiliation to the Libertarian Party, and will for now on vote strictly Libertarian. Because, clearly Democrat or Republican is not the way to go. How about Conservative Libertarians? That's what I'm talking about. Goodbye GOP, Charles Butler

Editor: The real problem will come in 2008 when there are nearly twice as many Republican Senate seats up than Democrat seats, and we will not have a conservative Republican candidate for President. Neither Guiliano nor McCain will inspire conservatives. Tony Conte

Editor: As I watch my party go liberal, I was hollering for our candidates to take it National and Denny Hastert up in Washington hollering it's all local issues. I even wrote to the Republican National, Headquarters but to no avail. No one was listening to us down on the battlefield of Politics. The only candidates who got elected here in Florida were the ones who stood on national issues. I ALWAYS HAVE BEEN A RUPUBLICIAN AND A CONSERVATIVE SINCE 1961 when I turned 21. Now as I watch my party slowly turn away from its values, and leaving all the Conservatives behind, the line between both parties are so blurred sometimes it is hard to tell which one is the Republican Party. Now the only hope is for those of us who are truly conservative is to form our own branch or as some say let's be listed as the Conservative party of Florida. And to go forth with a real Conservative Agenda. Thanks, Edward L. Richards, 1SG, USA Ret

Editor: As I was reading Paul Weyrich's article on the "New Republican Party", I was feeling very positive about the way the article was headed until I got to the part near the end that read, "He (President Bush) favored what has become known as the 'No Child Left Behind' measure. He did not betray us. He has been faithful to his campaign planks." I have to disagree with that comment by Mr. Weyrich. I voted twice for G. W. Bush, primarily because he had promised a smaller, more Constitutional, more responsive government in Washington, D.C. I had been expecting that he would reverse many of Bill Clinton's crooked last-minute deals, that a Republican Congress would reverse much of the socialistic legislation, but most of all, I had expected that they were going to help do away with the bloated Federal bureaucracy that is beginning to rule virtually every phase of our lives--especially such offices as the I.R.S., the Department of Education, the Environmental Protection Agency, and others that are either not delegated by the States to the Federal government as required by the U.S. Constitution, or have become overly officious in their efforts to control our lives and pocketbooks. There is nothing in the U.S. Constitution that gives the Federal government the delegated right to pass legislation such as "No Child Left Behind". Public education is absolutely within the purview of the States and the People, and has never been legislatively delegated by them to the Federal government. There is nothing in the U.S. Constitution that gives the Legislative Branch the right to delegate war powers to the Executive Branch, and there is certainly nothing in the U.S. Constitution that gives the Federal government the right to impose the "Patriot Act" on the citizenry by declaring that our nation is "at war" without a Congressional "Declaration of War". I have been a Republican since I was old enough to vote back in 1968, but this year I "divorced" the Republican Party and registered with the Constitution Party because the Republican Party is no longer the party of small, Constitutional government, and I refuse any longer to simply vote for the "lesser of two evils". For those who believe I am throwing away my vote by joining the Constitution Party, I say that I have still been voting for "evil" by voting for the "lesser of two evils". I will no longer lend my support to politicos who will not represent me in Washington, and who seem to give not one whit of concern for our Constitution! Sincerely, David A. Anthony, Brooksville, Florida

Editor: The political calculations that the Republican loss in 2006 was less than the historical average just show how out of touch with reality the people inside the I-495 beltway are when it comes to understanding what is going on across the rest of America. Republicans need to make a credible case that they can actually lead the country (and that the Democrats can not) if they intend to regain political power. Bush-43 has totally discredited the Republican Party as a group of corrupt, arrogant, sexually perverse, incompetent YES-PEOPLE who don't care about what is good for the people. And if Conservatives don't denounce his record, then conservatism will be likewise discredited as the policy that resulted in the Bush Administration's serial record of failure (on immigration, economics, taxes, war, trade, etc.). Brian Lynch, Austin, TX

Editor: I disagree that George Bush has kept his promises. He has on the surface tried to convince us that he is on his original track but his turning to leftists like Bill Clinton and others is evidence that he is just like the other political whores in DC. Our representation has become a gathering of self-serving good ole boy criminals, no matter what party. George Bush is weak, he hasn't even the ability to overcome his inability to speak a sentence without tripping over his own tongue. John McCain is an out and out traitor to the Republican Party. I consider him the "Tonkin Candidate", being a Viet vet myself. Since Zell Miller left the Congress, we do not have an honest pro U.S. politician left in DC, and no hopes of finding one, and Zell was a Democrat, albeit the last of his breed, but foremost, a true Sergeant of Marines. The Reps fought wars when needed to protect this nation, not wait until the enemy was at the gate like the Demos have always done. It was a Republican president that warned of the Demos Military/Industrial complex and now the Demos have turned it around with help of the dis-educated masses since Lyndon Johnson took over the education system in the guise of freedom. History is the answer, as much as it is truly hated by the Demos and apparently now no longer used as a guide by the leaders of the Republican Party. As my great grandad used to say, history will repeat itself for those who will not listen, and this once great nation will go down the tubes, like all other before, due to sloth and ignorance, especially in the ranks of those who lead and those who put such people in office. Deanne Halsey Gilmour

Editor: In regard to your editorial on the election, it seems to me that the Republicans weren't on the offense enough. That plus the mainstream media's constant reporting of the bad of Iraq, never the good, had a very deleterious effect on the average American. Burt Mixter

Editor: Thank you for your editorial on the election. I did not even know your on-line magazine existed. I was browsing the web for election comments and came across it. I think it is way past time to not only build a Conservative movement but to build it as part of a third political party. I say that because here is what I believe is happening with our two party system. The Democrats get in power and they betray us, so we turn around and vote Republican, and they betray us, so we go back and vote for what is perceived as "conservative" Democrats and they betray us, so we go back and vote for Republican's, and on and on the cycle continues. Isn't this the definition of stupidity -- doing the same thing over and over and over and over again and expecting different results. I think a truly conservative party built along the lines of hard work, personal responsibility, frugal spending -- all those values the greatest generation had -- would be a huge success. With the power of the internet and World Wide Web I see limitless possibilities. I also know a whole of people that are 30 and younger who are so much more conservative than I am even. This just proves that what goes around comes around. Margie Anglen, Columbia, MO

Editor: I like Daniel Pipes’ idea in “Repositioning Iraq” to move U.S. forces in Iraq to more secure locations. Is anyone in government seriously considering the idea? Are there any NGO's with clout pushing the idea ? Robert A. Grimaldi

Editor: I like “Warming Naturally” by Dennis Avery. Where else can I find an article that repudiates the “doomedness” of our planet being covered by water? James E. Wankum, Goleta,

Editor: Paul Driessen’s “Real Climate Morality” is one of the best and most cogent articles on the global warming debate I have read in many years. Many kudos to you for having the courage to discuss this so openly. I truly believe that the global warming hysteria is a combination of socialist/Marxist theory and racial/ethnic elitism that is targeting capitalism as well as the poor. Many of the proponents are disingenuous at best while others outright lie to accomplish their goals. Please keep this alive so it can achieve open debate. Bob Willson, Chattanooga, TN

Editor: I agree with Francisco Gonzalez’ “Thanks, Rick.” Please thank Senator Santorum for us too!!! We live in Texas and just wish we could have voted for him but regardless he has been our champion and we just want him to know how much we appreciate him and care about him. Here in Texas his work, his stand, and his influence was as important to us as it was to those who elected him. He was a light in seemingly much darkness in the Senate. May God raise up another such light to continue Senator Santorum's fight. Thank you for letting him know this for us. Warmest Regards, Larry & Angela Orlando, Houston, Texas