The conservative/libertarian Republicans are no longer in control of the House as they were from 95-02. The subsequent leadership rolled over for the President-- a NON-conservative. Although Republicans are the majority in Congress, the Senate is legislatively controlled by the center-left bloc of all Democrats and enough RINOs to make a legislative majority against any "conservative/libertarian" policies.

Bush is a "moderate" Republican that cut taxes to appease the base, but increased spending to buy the Democrats-- which, of course, didn't work. The the tax cuts saved us from the Clinton recession and stock market crash. Then 9/11 and the GWOT increased spending legitimately; then expansion of Medicare (Part D) and the Dept. of Education, and the new Dept. of Homeland Security-- all illegitimately.