Is "compassionate conservatism" a slogan and nothing more?

Denigrating the source, now. *sigh*

Bush DIDN'T say that? Those AREN'T the numbers? I suppose if Limbaugh.com specifically refuted either of those items then I would either have to accept it or denigrate your source, now wouldn't I?

Last request, Lash, or be gone from my thread:

Where's the proof Bush is a compassionate conservative, PLEASE?

Bush's War Against Older Workers
by Congressman Bernie Sanders of Vermont

Excerpt:

"President Bush may or may not go to war against Iraq, but we do know that he has already declared war against the economic well-being of the middle class and working families of this country.

While he cuts back on Medicare and the needs of veterans,
Here, I agree. From personal experience, what is being done to American Vets is deplorable. Have contacted my Senators, and e-mailed Principi and the WH so much, I'm probably under surveillance.
he wants even more tax breaks for the very richest people in this country.Does anyone know where I can find the standing tax percentages, and the proposed.
While he pushes efforts to privatize Social Security, there is no attempt to raise the minimum wage above its paltry $5.15 an hour.
Does everyone think the min. wage should be increased? I don't.
While he expands our disastrous trade policies that have already cost us millions of decent paying manufacturing jobs, What disasterous trade policies?
he is proposing to slash the pay and benefits of federal employees through a massive and dangerous contracting-out scheme.
Does anybody know what scheme this is?
While our healthcare system disintegrates and prescription drug costs soar, his Administration proposes legislation written by and for the pharmaceutical industry. The healthcare system IS a mess, and was before Bush. "Legislation for and by the pharmaceutical companies? Do you have an example?

And now, in the midst of all of this, there is a new economic assault being waged against older American workers. The Bush Administration has recently proposed IRS regulations that would allow corporations to undertake a major raid on the pension benefits that older workers have accumulated. These new proposals, if adopted, would allow companies to avoid federal anti-age discrimination laws, and convert traditional defined benefit pension plans into so-called "cash balance" plans. Under the proposal, promises made to older workers about pension plans that increase retirement benefits based on longevity would be undermined. While corporations would save billions in pension expenditures, some 8 million older workers could see their benefits reduced by 30-50 percent.This does sound bad, but more of the story is companies ( not Fortune 500s) can't afford their part of health insurance. The oldsters' costs are through the roof. I saw a docu on it. Just like Social Security, this is something that must change due to our aging population.

Cash balance payment plans have rightfully been condemned by a variety of groups, including the AARP, the Pension Rights Center and the AFL-CIO, because they target the benefits of older workers in violation of current federal law.Sure, they don't like it. It's a necessary evil, but they are the ones who will be affected first. I don't like it either. Mostly, it is the already retired oldsters, who still have a healthcare benefit as part of their retirrement plan. The costs are extraordinary. The Equal Employment Opportunities Commission (EEOC) has received over 800 complaints related to cash balance conversions. And, since September 1999, the IRS has withheld approval of these plans because of concern about their age discriminatory effect. Now, however, the Bush Administration wants to allow these conversions to go into effect."
A change MUST occur. Maybe, the Democrat party can come up with a better idea.

http://www.buzzflash.com/contributors/2002/12/28_Workers.html

(Can I expect anyone to say that a Congressman's opinion is not valid just because of where it was published? Gosh, I hope not...)
Never fear. At least these were more specific, and addressable. But on some of the points, I need to find more information as befits an informed response.

"Faith-Based Intitatives" are an example of compassionate conservatism or a payoff to the Ralph Reed faction of conservatives?
That would be the former.
I'm confused...this is relevant how?
These initiatives are designed to offer low income families a private education for their children, assistance with home ownership, and training welfare recipients for work.
Sounds compassionate to me.

"Legislation for and by the pharmaceutical companies? Do you have an example?"

You are unfamiliar with the Eli Lilly amendment in the Homeland Security legislation?Actually, I am familiar. I just thought most people agreed that in the instance of a national threat, and the fact our government asked a pharmaceutical company to redevelop an antidote (or vaccine) for a biological weapon, it would be ridiculous to open them to lawsuits.

I'll cite it if necessary, but surely you're aware...

"But on some of the points, I need to find more information as befits an informed response."

I'll e-mail the good Congressman for clarification for you.

You'll forgive me if I believe his opinions carry more weight than yours.You are forgiven. I was wondering when you'd make nice.

As we prepare to send more young men and women off to battle in the Middle East, it would be valuable to see how the veterans from the last Gulf War are being treated by their VA:

The Fallout of War

(Vets figured to get a better shake under Bush than they did Clinton. They were wrong, and they are pissed.)