Last night I sat down in the living room, finally getting around to reading the local Sunday paper. Here the paper is the Connecticut Post. I usually turn to the editorial page to see what's being said and groan. Yesterday I was dumbfounded and very surprised to find the Editor's of the Post have decided to endorse President George W. Bush for a second term. It was a very well written editorial and summarized the case amazingly well. Well I do wonder, was this unanimous or is there one kicking screaming gagged editor at the Post.
President Bush endorsed by Post for a second term
The editors and publisher at the post are
Michael Daly, Managing Editor mdaly@ctpost.com
Frank J. Keegan, Editor FKeegan@ctpost.com
Steve Winters, Editorial Page Editor swinters@ctpost.com
Robert H. Laska, President/Publisher BLaska@ctpost.com
No one can deny that America and the world have been radically transformed since the horrific events of Sept. 11, 2001. Terrorism and the battle to stem the spread of this pernicious philosophy across the globe have taken center stage in today’s world.
For America, this challenge has translated into assuring security at home and in our activities abroad, while at the same time trying to bring the noble concept of liberty to oppressed peoples throughout the world.
It represents an incredible challenge that calls for bold initiatives and decisive leadership on the part of an American head of state.
That is why the Connecticut Post endorses George W. Bush for a second term as our nation’s president.
President Bush, during his first term in office, has capably met the challenge of terrorism head-on, using the time-tested method that the best defense is a good offense.
Bush’s initiatives have put the al-Qaida terrorists on the run in
Afghanistan, while toppling a brutal dictator in Iraq.
Most important, America’s security at home has been enhanced by the
Bush program.
In contrast, U.S. Sen. John F. Kerry, Bush’s Democratic opponent, continues to straddle the fence on too many major issues.
Despite his 20 years of experience in Congress, Kerry continues to be indecisive in his leadership — not the type of leader who sends a clear message to terrorists that they will be dealt with harshly.
Kerry’s plan for dealing with the aftermath of the war in Iraqi remains fuzzy at best, inherently weak-hearted at its worst.
While expanding liberty abroad, the Bush first-term agenda also succeeded in making America more secure internally.
It’s no secret that the nation’s economy is going through a transitional period as America participates in a global economy in which the job market is being realigned, people will work for several employers rather than one during their lifetimes and Americans will be more responsible for their own economic well-being.
Although it’s been a slow process, the U.S., economy is beginning to improve as it continues to grow. No doubt, the Bush tax cuts that lowered taxes for nearly every tax bracket staved off a major recession in the post-9-11 years.
Because of America’s military engagements, the Bush domestic agenda was admittedly limited during the president’s first term, but what has been enacted is placing an indelible mark on American society that can be expanded during the next four years.
# After 9-11, homeland security became a top priority. While the program has flaws and kinks which need to be straightened, America is certainly safer today than it was in 2001.
# No Child Left Behind finally brought a high degree of accountability to America’s failing public schools. Faced with future penalties, many failing schools, even here in Connecticut where public education sits a notch above the nation, schools are already performing better.
# Initial thrusts have been made to empower Americans — rather than their government — to better take care of their own well being. Bush, with an eye toward making people less dependent on government, is the first president to succeed in truly raising the concepts of Social Security personal accounts and health savings accounts. A second term will permit him to expand those concepts.
# During Bush’s tenure, Congress for the first time established a prescription drug plan for seniors under Medicare, a move designed to eventually reduce soaring health care costs. The program needs greater refinement and purchasing power, but it’s a beginning. Senator Kerry, in contrast, has spent several terms in the Senate and the best that can be said of him is that he never met a tax hike that he didn’t favor.
There does exist the need for some correction during the next four years. Congress has piled up a record national debt that must be dramatically reduced, while congressional spending — which has gone wild in recent sessions — must be reined in.
Bush’s conservatism — coupled with his strong leadership as exhibited in the war on terrorism — will provide the proper course for America during the next four years. It certainly will not be the tax-and-spend liberalism that is at the core of Senator Kerry’s past actions.
The Post endorses President Bush for a second term on Nov. 2.
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