For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
April 30, 2002
Fact Sheet: Compassionate Conservatism
Compassionate Conservatism
"I call my philosophy and approach compassionate conservatism. It
is compassionate to actively help our fellow citizens in need. It is conservative to insist on responsibility and results. And with
this hopeful approach, we will make a real difference in people's lives."
President George W. Bush
Presidential Action
- President Bush today in California will outline his governing
philosophy of compassionate conservatism. The President will define in
theory and practice what it means to be a compassionate conservative
and how this vision guides his Administration.
-
In his Inaugural Address, the President called on Americans to
become citizens, not spectators. Since that time the President has
used compassionate conservatism as his governing philosophy as the
Administration has moved to tackle some of society's toughest
assignments, such as educating our children, fighting poverty at home,
and helping poor countries around the globe.
-
It is compassionate to actively help our citizens in need. It
is conservative to insist on accountability and results. This approach
of hope and optimism will make a real difference in people's lives.
- The President rejects the old argument of "big government" vs.
"indifferent government." Government should be focused, effective and
close to the people -- a government that does a few things, and does
them well. We are using an active government to promote
self-government.
-
The truest kind of compassion doesn't only come from more
government spending, but from helping citizens build lives of their
own. The aim of this philosophy is not to spend less money, or to spend
more money, but to spend only on what works.
Compassionate Conservatism
- The President rejects the old argument of "big government" vs.
"indifferent government."
- Government should be focused, effective and close to the people
-- a government that does a few things, and does them well.
- Government cannot solve every problem, but it can encourage
people and communities to help themselves and one another. The truest
kind of compassion is to help citizens build better lives of their
own.
- We do not believe in a sink-or-swim society. The policies of
our government must heed the universal call of all faiths to love our
neighbors as we would want to be loved ourselves. We are using an
active government to promote self-government.
- It is compassionate to actively help our citizens in need. It
is conservative to insist on accountability and results.
- The President believes the truest kind of compassion doesn't
only come from more government spending, but from helping citizens
build lives of their own. The aim of this philosophy is not to spend
less money, or to spend more money, but to spend only on what works.
The measure of compassion is more than good intentions -- it is good
results. Sympathy is not enough -- we need solutions.
- The President's vision of compassionate conservatism effectively
tackles some of society's toughest assignments -- educating our
children, fighting poverty at home and aiding poor countries around the
world.
-
Educating our Children. Compassionate conservatism places great
hope and confidence in public education. Public schools are America's
great hope, and making them work for every child is America's great
duty. The President's new education reform is compassionate because it
requires schools to meet new, high standards of performance in reading
and math. The new reforms also give local schools and teachers the
freedom, resources and training to meet their needs. It is
conservative to let local communities chart their own path to
excellence. It is compassionate to make sure that no child is left
behind.
-
Fighting Poverty at Home. Compassionate conservatism offers a
new vision for fighting poverty in America. For many Americans,
welfare once was a static and destructive way of life. In 1996 welfare
was reformed to include work and time limits and since that time
America's welfare rolls have been cut by more than half. More
importantly, many lives have been drastically improved. Millions of
Americans once on welfare are finding that a job is more than a source
of income -- it is also a source of dignity. By encouraging work, we
practice compassion.
- Government should promote the work of charities, community
groups and faith-based institutions. Government should view Americans
who work in faith-based charities as partners, not as rivals. When it
comes to providing resources the government should not discriminate
against these groups that often inspire life-changing faith in a way
that government never should.
- Helping Poor Countries Around the World. Nearly half of the
world's people live on less than two dollars a day. When we help them
we show our compassion, our values, and our belief in universal human
dignity. Yet the old way of pouring vast amounts of money into
development aid without any concern for results has failed -- often
leaving behind more misery, poverty and corruption.
- America is offering a new compact for global development.
Greater aid contributions from America must be linked to greater
responsibility from developing nations. The President has proposed a
50% increase in core development assistance over the next three budget
years to be placed in a new Millennium Challenge Account -- money that
can only be spent on nations that root out corruption, open their
markets, respect human rights, and adhere to the rule of law.
- It is compassionate to increase our international aid. It is
conservative to require the hard reforms that lead to prosperity and
independence.
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