If President Bush is trying to shore up his dismal poll numbers by "getting back his base," I'd have thought there might be something in there to please me, too. Things like fiscal restraint, a serious attempt to protect the border, recommitting to federalism instead of proposing new national initiatives. But, nooooo. This is his idea:
President Bush will promote a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage on Monday, the eve of a scheduled Senate vote on the cause that is dear to his conservative backers.
The amendment would prohibit states from recognizing same-sex marriages. To become law, the proposal would need two-thirds support in the Senate and House, and then be ratified by at least 38 state legislatures.
This will go exactly nowhere, and everybody knows it, including the president. It won't even get out of Congress, let alone win ratification by 38 states. And I even wonder how many in his base really think this is one of the most serious issues needing addressed.
Comments
Federal Marriage Amendment open thread
Much better than border enforcement or spending cuts!
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Anyone who wonders about Bush's motivation to do ANYTHING need look no further than this poor example.
The Republican Base used to be composed of three distinct groups:
libertarians. These folks beleive in smaller government, personal freedom, and the rights of the fifty states. Many of these people have left The Republcian Party and those who remain are MAD. Leo Morris seems to often be part of this group...
Big Business. These people are very happy with Bush. He has increased spending on EVERYTHING. He is in favor of illegal immigration (Cheap Labor) and he loves giving away taxpayer money to big businesses. The drug and oil companies LOVE Bush.
The Religious Right. These people have had some good times with Bush and some bad. This group thinks (Correctly) that they put Bush in office. They are social conservatives and this current move is to appease this group.
Bush is desparate to help The Republican Party. If he truly wanted to help his Party he would:
1. Force more Conservative judges through.
2. Stop infringing on the right's of the fifty states.
3. Cut Federal spending.
4. Come out and support our troops accused of crimes in Iraq.
5. Repeal No Child Left Behind.
6. Drastically alter Sarbanes Oxley.
7. Simplify the tax code.
8. Crack down HARD on illegal immigration.
I could go on you know...
Mike Sylvester