Help needed from DU! How is Bush pandering to the right?

[Bill of Rights]

Hi,

I am on a message board that is not political, per se, but we are having a discussion about President Bush. The Republicans are stating that Bush does not pander/cater to the Religious Right because he is one of them...and has such great rapport with these types of people. I think he is pandering, but have not good examples. Could someone please give me some ideas about what to post in this board (that could influence some gay/lesbian people). You would be amazed how many GLBT people are still considering BUSH!!

Much thanks.

[wryter2000]

1. Not sure this will help

He's turning the country over to the religious right. Whether he's doing it honestly or in order to pander doesn't matter to me. I don't know if that'll help you.

[zeemike]

2. Let's see

Sanctity of marriage amendment to the constitution
Faith based initiative, that is a big one that puts tax dollars in the pockets of religious right.
School vouchers, again money to the religious run schools.
That is just off the top of my head, but he uses a lot of code words to connect with the right.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

3. Another thing

Bush is a Methodist, and refused to talk with the bishops of his own church before the war started. The Methodist Church came out against the war as well. If he's being a good Methodist, then I'll eat my hat.

[JDPriestly]

5. Bush has changed his stance on certain issues to please them

1. Jimmy Carter was a Baptist and born-again Christian. He was and is open and honest about his faith, But he has never pandered to the religious right. Quite to the contrary. Bush's conduct with regard to religion is not motivated by his Christian faith. If it were, he would do as Jesus instructed an pray in privacy, in a closet, not publicly like the Pharisees. Check the Bible on that one.

2. During an interview on Larry King Live, Bush stated that same sex marriage was a state issue -- based on the state's rights theory. During his tenure, he changed his mind to try to make it a national issue in order to cater to the religious right.

I can find the website, but it might be easier for you to just google Larry King, marriage and Bush.

3. Also, with regard to abortion, the Methodist Church does not support criminalizing abortion and recognizes that it may be necessary under certain circumstances. Bush never mentions that he differs with his own church and sides with the religious right on this issue.

The Methodist Church's stance on abortion is also available on the net.

4. The faith-based initiative program is obviously geared to cater to the religious right. They are the most intent on proselytizing people of other faiths. Catholics, Methodists, Episcopalians, etc. don't need the faith-based initiative program because they can receive government funds since they have organized social service programs that meet the separation of church and state requirements of previous administrations. E.G., check out who used to get FEMA money -- lots of church-related social service agencies. I know this because I used to compete for that money for a government-sponsored agency.

[CBHagman]

4. Here are a few.

*The "Tax cuts ueber alles" mind-set. We went from a surplus to a deficit, and the debt's looking pretty grim, too. Bush wants a FOURTH tax cut in a row.

*Reliance on tax breaks, medical savings accounts and "tort reform" to supposedly lower medical costs.

*Supporting a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage.

*Elimination of funding for community policing.

*No leadership at all on gun issues.

*Programs to promote abstinence for teens and marriage for the poor. (It sounds funny put that way, but that's what it boils down to)

*Various policies on abortion and family planning (reinstating the Mexico City policy, withholding funds from the U.N. Population Fund, etc.)

*Huge, huge emphasis on military spending and on military pagentry for the commander in chief.

*Highly regressive tax policy (most cuts go to top income brackets, and there's a special emphasis on cutting taxes on unearned income, such as dividends and capital gains), including call to completely eliminate the estate tax.

I know there are more but exhaustion is setting in...

[FredScuttle]

6. STEM CELL RESEARCH!!!!

Sorry, but this needs to be shouted from every rooftop. There are millions who are suffering from debilitating diseases that could be helped by stem cell research, but * is pandering the the pro-life handjobs and hindering any advancements in this field. You gotta know this is a craven kow-tow to the religious right when Ronnie's family is practically begging him to do something, but * obeys his Religious Right-Wing fascist masters.

[GreenPartyVoter]

7. Are you kidding, he put hymn lyrics into his speeches!

http://www.commondreams.org/headlines03/0210-06.htm

[JI7]

8. Bush panders to non right wingers during election times

but when it comes to actual doing something AFTER the election while in office he does what the religious right wing wants. this is why he did the whole "uniter not a divider" crap but once in office he does shit like shut down office of equal opportunity, goes to court to end affirmative action on martin luther king day, appoint people like that racist judge. and many other things.