#69 - The Bush Social Doctrine

From the President's Remarks at Ask President Bush Event
Hudson, Wisconsin
August 18, 2004

I'll tell you what else will make America a better place. It's a place where those of us in government understand the limitations of government. See, money can hand out -- (applause.) Government hands out money, but it cannot put hope in a person's life. That happens when people who have been called to love a neighbor step up and put their arm around a lonely soul, or somebody who hurts, or somebody who needs compassion, and says, what can I do, how can I help you. And so I'm running again to continue to rally the armies of compassion, to encourage people who want to love a neighbor like they'd like to be loved themselves to continue to do so. And equally as well is to open up federal monies, federal grants to faith-based organizations, people that are able to -- (applause.)

One of the examples I like to use is if somebody is addicted to drugs, sometimes a counselor can work. But a lot of times it requires a change of heart in order to change life. And the faith-based programs are those programs that are able to help a person change their heart, to get them less hooked on drugs or alcohol. And so there's a -- part of my vision is for a better country. I want everybody in America to realize the great promise of this land.

Just so we get it straight: Government can't fix social problems, we need the "armies of compassion" to do that. Government hand outs don't work, but government hand outs to faith-based organizations do because they "encourage people who want to love a neighbor like they'd like to be loved themselves to continue to do so."

Of course, if a faith-based organization or anyone else wants to love a gay neighbor by supporting her full and equal rights, that's not okay. It's also not okay to love a neighbor in trouble by helping her find abortion services. Sex ed about anything other than abstinence? Not neighborly. Nor is increased spending for social services. Tax cuts are way more neighborly.

It's the Bush Social Doctrine, and it stinks like road kill on a hot Crawford day. It's ludicrous that he's campaigning on this record.