The Big Beautiful Bill is the 'final burial of compassionate conservatism'
When George W. Bush was running for president in 2000 he did so with a“compassionate conservativism” theme. The premise was that the government could adhere to conservative values and care for the needy. He promised to shore up Medicaid and support the most vulnerable in society. During his presidency he delivered through a number of initiatives, despite opposition within the Republican party. He also bolstered USAID, the JFK program providing humanitarian support around the world, estimated to have saved 100 million lives, including 30 million children.
Bush was also influenced by Bono to respond to the HIV/AIDS crisis as well, with the rock star appealing to their mutual Christian faith. In 2003 Bush unveiled his Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (which became known as the Presidential Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, or PEPFAR).
I wasn't a fan of George Bush and the debacle in Iraq will always be a stain on his legacy. Yet he has to be respected for these initiatives which truly were compassionate. I am using the past tense because President Trump's administration has laid waste to all these programs, with the support of millions of conservative Christians. Trump claimed that it was run by “radical left lunatics” while Elon Musk (now Trump's adversary) called it “a criminal organisation”. Sickening.
Bush, Bono, and former president Obama have all spoken out against the dismantling of USAID. Bush has been quiet during both Trump terms so his condemnation is signficant.
John Fea is a Distinguished Professor of History at Messiah University wrote an article lamenting these losses for RNS and presumably chose the headline above. Not only is this the funeral for compassionate conservatiism, it will be for millions of those who Jesus called us to love. God bless all those involved in USAID and PEPFAR through the years.
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