As a resident of Florida, I have much appreciated the manner in which Governor Jeb Bush has managed his office. Unlike his father and brother, Jeb has consistently stayed faithful to conservative principles and has often demonstrated raw courage in the maintenance of those principles.
For example, Jeb's resolve in the Terri Schiavo case put him head and shoulders above the average cowardly Republican. He showed immense courage and exemplary leadership in the manner in which he fought for Terri's right to live. I was honored to defend the governor several times on national television for his stalwart stand in this cause.
Furthermore, Jeb's selection of Circuit Court Judge Ken Bell as the newest member of the Florida Supreme Court put another feather in Jeb's hat. Frankly, Jeb could not have made a better selection. Ken Bell is as fine a man as they come. His conservative Christian credentials are spectacular. Kudos to Governor Bush!
Beyond that, Jeb Bush demonstrated remarkable character in the way he dealt with the criminal activity of his daughter. Unlike his brother George W., who sent the Secret Service to bail out his daughters who had run afoul of the law, Jeb chose not to use the power of the governor's office to get his daughter out of trouble. He resisted what had to be a powerful temptation to intervene and insisted that his daughter face the consequences of her wrongdoing. That Jeb would hold his own daughter to such a high degree of accountability demonstrated real conviction and courage!
However, Governor Bush has recently shocked conservatives by proposing giving illegal aliens in Florida driver's licenses (can anyone say Gray Davis and California?) and by lobbying for the creation of a massive electronic tracking system of who is prescribing and who is using prescription drugs. Both of these proposals are very troubling, to say the least.
Fortunately, it appears that the governor's proposal to give driver's licenses to illegal aliens is DOA in the Florida legislature. And, Bush's drug-tracking database idea is also facing stiff opposition in the Florida legislature. Hopefully, Florida lawmakers will deep six both of these Draconian proposals!
Jeb Bush's push for driver's licenses for illegal aliens and his push for the creation of an Orwellian-style drug-tracking database are two giant blemishes on what has otherwise been a stellar record. Hopefully, this is not a precursor of things to come.
Stay the course, Jeb!
© 2004 Chuck Baldwin - All Rights Reserved
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