"I'm not a conservative."

So says Putz. We agree.

The word has ceased to have any usefulness in describing political orientation in the Bush Era. President Bush’s Republican party -- the party that Putz loyally cheerleads for -- is not conservative.

Conservatives used to advocate small, limited government and balanced budgets. They studiously avoided military adventures. Conservatives were skeptical -- if not borderline paranoid -- about the federal government amassing too much power, and were dismissive of the religious right. Conservatives used to champion federalism.

You’re absolutely right Putz -- you’re no conservative.