Conservatism and government: D'Oh!!
by davidthayer
Talk about bad timing, just as I was beginning to make the argument that the GOP could be nudged back toward limited government, the New York Times reports that Bush Is Said to Seek More Money for Arts:
Administration officials, including White House budget experts, said that Mr. Bush would propose an increase of $15 million to $20 million for the coming fiscal year, which begins Oct. 1. That would be the largest rise in two decades and far more than the most recent increases, about $500,000 for 2003 and $5 million for this year.
What the ???? The NEA?!?!? I simply have no explanation for this. My only conclusion is that it was a big idea from his wife. I know that sounds lame and condescending but what else could it be. Does Bush really think he can buy the middle with this kind of stuff? The art community hates him already for Pete’s sake. Politics can be so infuriating.
Other reactions:
Brian Preston ain’t too happy about it.
As you can imagine,Josh Claybourn has had just about enough. He isn’t to impressed with my posts from last night either . . .
David Bernstein thinks Bush should be winning accolades from liberals with his policy choices.
UPDATE:
Hindrocket over at The Powerline wonders whether conservatives should support Bush and lays out an argument why maybe they shouldn’t.
Joe Kelly has made up his mind and refuses to vote “for this RINO president.”
Please see the article by Roger Kimball at the NRO website for another view. This does not look all bad by any means.
Of course the arts community hates Bush. It is made up of lesbians and homosexuals primarily. I agree though, money to the arts is a waste of time. Bush could give them billions of dollars and they would still hate him. Par for the course.