Sounds good. How do you propose to implement these ideas without violating First Amendment rights or stifling free enterprise? As an aside, I don't buy into the "too big to fail" idea, but that's just me.Quote:
Originally Posted by cotts135
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Sounds good. How do you propose to implement these ideas without violating First Amendment rights or stifling free enterprise? As an aside, I don't buy into the "too big to fail" idea, but that's just me.Quote:
Originally Posted by cotts135
Absolute transparency when it comes to lobbyists and their dealings with politicians.(hardly likely) and a further reduction in allowable campaign contributionsQuote:
Originally Posted by Hookset
Better oversight and stricter enforcement of current law would be a start including Anti trust laws. I don't think you inhibit free enterprise when you make those involved honest.
Perhaps the real question should be why just two parties?
". Get out of the gay marriage argument. Same goes for abortion. You can't win and it drives people away from the party. A big part of the reason that we have Obama, Pelosi and Reid leading our country right now. "
This alone has cost more Republicans seats than any other subject. Let it fade away, because nothing is ever going to change it and harping on it will only continue to lose elections. It should not be national party platform material.
I would like to see most of the items you listed enacted. Unfortunately, any Republican making many of those items a major component of their campaign will get their arse handed to them in an election...badly. Eliminating the Education Department means you hate education. Want to tackle Social Security do ya?...well say goodbye to the AARP and a chunk of the geezer vote. Fair tax? What do you have against the poor? You must hate them too because everyone knows that Fair Tax is regressive.Quote:
Originally Posted by Hookset
I like your ideas, but they reach too far. They're much too wonkish for the average American to try to understand. Moreover, the liberal media wear their bleeding hearts on their sleeve and remain nothing more than cheerleaders for democrats/liberal causes. Any mature discussion about issues that aren't totally clear-cut/black and white goes right out the window because the media can and does shape the discussion. And I assure you it won't be shaped in the GOP's direction.
What the GOP needs is The Contract With America II. A list of easily understood positions with realistically attainable goals. Then they need to find and support candidates that are committed to those contract items. As an example, here's what would be on my list:
1. Government can't even run itself competantly. Why should we be expected to run GM any differently? I pledge that I will vote and fight against any additional federal takeovers of any industry.
2. Nobody bails out the American Taxpayer if he can't pay his bills. I pledge that I will vote and fight against any additional government bailouts of any industry.
3. The government, like American Taxpayers, must learn to spend less when economic times are tight. I will fight for an across-the-board, 10% cut in the existing budget of EVERY government agency and program except veterans healthcare.
4. I will vote to reduce Congressional travel and junkets by 50%.
5. I will vote for an independent accounting firm to review the finances of any Congressional member, their spouse, immediate family or staff whose net worth increases by more than 20% in a calender year per their filed income tax report. The independent accounting firm will provide the results in an open session of Congress (not to some committee where the results can be buried).
6. I will vote against any effort to make the government responsible for, or providing oversight, to healthcare. Again, we don't seem to be handling our current responsibilities all that well. Do you want us in charge of your family's health, too?
7. Social security is a pending crisis in this country. How can we be expected to faithfully fix it when we have our own cozy retirement perks guaranteed? I will support and vote for legislation that abolishes Congressional retirement benefits for elected officials. If 401ks, Roth IRAs, and Social Security are good enough for you, they should be good enough for Congress, too.
8. The military is not a private airline for Congress. Any taxpayer-funded trip undertaken by a member of Congress or their staff will be on a commercial airline in coach or business class. No more first class travel.
9. Oil exploration, extraction and refining is infinately cleaner and more environmentally friendly than in the past. I will support any legislation that supports drilling here and drilling now.
10. I vow to fight tooth and nail any future environmental regulations that negatively impact our economy or way of life. I will not ask the American Taxpayer to pay more for their energy needs while fellow members of Congress traipse around the world in chartered military jets to the Virgin Islands and Paris.
I dunno...something along those lines would be nice.
What about illegal immigration/secure boarders? Can we really have National Security with open boarders?
10% cut of the budget? With the TRILLIONS the current administration is spending, shouldn't those cuts be much deeper?
Good catch on the illegal immigration. That has to be in there. It's not a hot button for me personally, but it is an election winner for sure.Quote:
Originally Posted by Franco
What about Tort Reform?
Many doctors have quit practicing because they feel like they are working just to pay thier premiums.
Serious Tort Reform would get the support of the AMA members.
Franco,
I agree that those are both good issues to be addressed. In my opinion, border security falls into strong national defense and war on terror but must be addressed.
John,
I agree with your post. The problem I have with much conventional thinking when it comes to the GOP is that they have been beaten senseless by the Dems when it comes to message. Lots of people already believe that Republicans don't like blacks, don't like poor people, don't like hispanics, etc, etc, etc etc. Part of the reason the Dems have won that battle is that the Republicans spend too much time defending themselves. In my opinion, they should stop trying to disprove those ridiculous ideas and simply come out with a strong message on what they are FOR. For example, coming out strong for border security will likely offend some Hispanic voters. So what? The kind of Hispanic voter that wants illegal aliens in this country is never going to vote Republican, anyway. The GOP has already proven that groveling and kissing their butts doesn't work. Why not stop trying to win the "black vote", "hispanic vote", "gay vote", "independent vote", "AARP vote", etc. and try to win the "American vote"? Come out strong on basic, conservative ideas and let the chips fall where they may. It has been proven that when the message is properly conveyed, it works. The problem is the politicians can't stay the course. The GOP needs fewer politicians and more statesmen.