The other day I stumbled upon the Web site Conservatives Against Bush, www.conservativesagainstbush.com, which aims to “reenergize conservatives, so they will press for change in the [Bush] administration.” The authors state President Bush has abandoned conservatives on a wide range of issues, including fiscal policy, civil liberties with the Patriot Act, protectionism and others.

On one key issue, President Bush must be defended and praised — especially by members of the left. That issue is social spending, which covers public education, public works, healthcare and the like. While the massive debt incurred under Bush is staggering, at the very least, leftists should recognize Bush’s awkward transformation from Republican to Democrat as a step in the right direction. There is no better way to destroy the greedy principles of quasi-capitalism than under the guise of GOP-brand small government, which Bush has used as a cover to gain Republicans trust without question. The specific euphemism here is “compassionate conservatism,” used to expand the “welfare state” under a Republican-controlled House, Senate and presidency.

President Bush understands unrestricted capitalism (laissez-faire) is a major threat to society. It has been dead for two centuries and has been replaced in all corners of the globe with more compassionate economic systems which place education and healthcare for all above the wallets of those who would rather buy designer clothing, plasma television screens or electronic toothbrushes for themselves. Indeed, laissez-faire capitalism is now only a theory, reflected by the near-zero interest in the Libertarian party. According to Federal Election Commission data, Harry Browne of the Libertarian party received only 0.36 percent of the national vote in the 2000 presidential election. By contrast, Ralph Nader of the Green party (substantially left of the Dems) received 2.74 percent of the vote.

Americans are beginning to understand more and more that healthy societies look after their members. From Republicans to Democrats and beyond, we all seem to agree that personal wealth isn’t as important as making sure our neighbors are fed, clothed and treated like the human beings they are.

Beyond that, we are all beginning to agree public institutions such as education and healthcare are the way to go because (even if only for practical reasons) educated and healthy societies have bright futures. For Bush’s understanding of this fact, liberals from Democrats to Communists should take a time out from Bush-bashing and reflect on the new vs. the old faces of federal spending.

But it gets better. Bush has expressed interest in major expansions to AmeriCorps and the National Endowment for the Arts. Both organizations are federally funded and strive to improve communities. Without such community-based action, the warm, beating heart of America would shrivel and die as another victim of selfish economics. Fortunately this is not the case, though, as Republicans have conceded to the righteous truth of community-based economics.

This, in turn, paves the way for an even better future, with little opposition to single-payer healthcare and improved public education. Despite the federal debt, we won’t receive drastic cuts in social services because people are loathe to give them up. In our currently weakened economy, most people understand that funding cuts (such as to the Board of Regents) are simply part of an across the board measure to limit debt acquisition. When our economy returns to a strong state (hopefully sooner than later) the need for budget cuts won’t exist, and we’ll be able to fund public institutions beyond what President Bush has done in our time of financial setback.

Community-based economics and time will overcome the understandable hysteria of Patriot Act-style domestic measures and aggressive foreign policy wielded by Bush’s not-so-saintly other half.

Perhaps another Bush term would be the lesser of two evils (for those who won’t vote their conscience) in the November election—but before we come to that, this Socialist must thank President Bush and his supporters.

Welcome to the home team.