W’s Manifest Destiny
7
and should support effective social services provided by religious people.”
20
“Government,” said
the President, “should welcome the active involvement of people who are following a religious
imperative to love their neighbors through after-school programs, child-care, drug treatment,
maternity group homes, and a range of other services.”
21
Consequently, as president, Bush
established the Office of Faith Based and Community Initiatives to coordinate these religious-
based programs.
Internationally, compassionate conservatism serves as the moral blueprint to strengthen
America’s global role. Among his first acts in office, the new president reinstated a ban on
foreign aid for family planning programs offering abortion counseling and services or working to
change abortion laws in their respective countries. Originally called the “Mexico City Policy,”
the ban was initially implemented in 1984 by the Reagan administration but was lifted in 1993
by President Clinton.
22
Compassionate conservatism combined with the administration’s belief
in the United States as the chosen nation legitimizes efforts to promote democracy and spread
freedom around the world. For example, the 2002 National Security Strategy affirms that “the
United States welcomes our responsibility [emphasis added] to lead in this great mission.”
23
In
his 2002 State of the Union address, Bush publicly declared that his administration intended to
fulfill an obligation that was not of their choosing:
History has called America and our allies to action, and it is both our responsibility and our
privilege to fight freedom’s fight…We are citizens, with obligations to each other, to our country,
and to history… Many have discovered again that even in tragedy—especially in tragedy—God
is near. In a single instant, we realized that this will be a decisive decade in the history of liberty,
20
George W. Bush, “Remarks to the National Urban League, Pittsburgh, PA, 28 July 2003.” Bush’s strong support
of faith-based initiatives hails from his days as Governor of Texas. In 1995, he helped preserve the Teen Challenge
program, a faith-based alcohol and drug treatment program for youths. He also introduced the Inner Change
Freedom Initiative, a program that enabled prisoners to participate in intensive Bible study and worship.
21
Bush, A Charge to Keep, pp. 213, 232.
22
“Bush Reinstates Ban on International Planning Funds,” at
http://www.cnn.com/2001/ALLPOLITICS/stories/01/22/roe.wade/
. See also Julie Eilperin and Dana Milbank,
“Bush May Cut U.N. Program’s Funding.” Washington Post, 29 June 2001.
23
2002 National Security Strategy.
Convention