Before we get wrapped up in the next fiscal fights, it’s time to step back and give House Republicans a bit of love and affection.
While I criticize them for some tactical blunders and needless compromises, the most important thing is whether they are willing – when it counts – to vote for smaller government.
This is why the successful votes for the Ryan budget and the cut-cap-balance plan are very encouraging. Neither plan was perfect, but they both took big steps in the right direction.
And if there is a new Senate and new president after the 2012 elections, it is distinctly possible that GOPers might be willing to actually enact the policies needed to save America from becoming another failed, European-style welfare state.
I wrote a few months ago that all politicians are a combination of good and evil. During the Bush years, the devil on one shoulder completely dominated and Republicans unambiguously became part of the problem.
Now the angel on the other shoulder is having some success.
I’m sure I’ll be whining about GOP mistakes in the coming months, but the most important thing we need to focus on is whether they will take principled stands in 2013. So far, the answer is yes.
“. . .the most important thing we need to focus on is whether they [Republican Party] will take principled stands in 2013.”
Should the Republicans gain control of the government, many people have doubts if much will change in the view of social and fiscal policy in Washington. The Tea Party influence in policy debate has been ridiculed by the same people who where beneficiaries of their participation in the past election cycle. A rational person would be left to conclude that the Republican National Committee desires a slower method to reduce the size of government, or they wish to remain statist and be the party in power to dole out the ‘goodies’.
Merriam-Webster defines ‘Principle’ as: “A comprehensive and fundamental law, doctrine, or assumption.” Judging by the conduct of many republican members of Congress, one is left to conclude that the ‘fundamental doctrine’ is to simply get elected. It is the ‘assumption’ of many that nothing much will change in 2013 unless a ‘comprehensive’ house cleaning occurs within the RNC. A new ‘doctrine’ is sorely needed to restore the ‘fundamentals’ of this government.
[...] only glimmer of hope, as I wrote yesterday, is that House Republicans have made serious efforts to restrain the burden of federal [...]
[...] only glimmer of hope, as I wrote yesterday, is that House Republicans have made serious efforts to restrain the burden of federal spending. [...]
[...] only glimmer of hope, as I wrote yesterday, is that House Republicans have made serious efforts to restrain the burden of federal spending. [...]
[...] The Chairman of the House Budget Committee actually put together a plan that addresses the two biggest problems (Medicare and Medicaid) and the House of Representatives actually adopted the proposal. [...]
[...] The Chairman of the House Budget Committee actually put together a plan that addresses the two biggest problems (Medicare and Medicaid) and the House of Representatives actually adopted the proposal. [...]
[...] members are very nervous about getting demagogued during next year’s election because of their courageous vote this year for the Ryan budget. And since the two frontrunners for the GOP nomination are very squishy on the issue (and likely to [...]
[...] Yes, I realize that “corrupt hacks” is a bit unfair and over the top. After all, these are the folks who voted last year for real entitlement reform, so I need to remind myself that politicians are combinations of good and bad. [...]
[...] Yes, I realize that “corrupt hacks” is a bit unfair and over the top. After all, these are the folks who voted last year for real entitlement reform, so I need to remind myself that politicians are combinations of good and bad. [...]
[...] But I’m not here to make the perfect the enemy of the very, very good. I wrote a lot last year about the Ryan budget, which was quite an achievement (particularly since it actually passed the House). [...]
[...] readers know that I generally show no mercy to jelly-spined Republicans, but I praised GOPers for approving last year’s Ryan budget. The same will be true if they approve this year’s [...]
[...] readers know that I generally show no mercy to jelly-spined Republicans, but I praised GOPers for approving last year’s Ryan budget. The same will be true if they approve this year’s [...]
[...] readers know that I generally show no mercy to jelly-spined Republicans, but I praised GOPers for approving last year’s Ryan budget. The same will be true if they approve this year’s [...]
[...] The Chairman of the House Budget Committee actually put together a plan that addresses the two biggest problems (Medicare and Medicaid) and the House of Representatives actually adopted the proposal. [...]
[...] warranted. That’s why I’ve written nice things about Bill Clinton and also why I praised House Republicans for supporting entitlement [...]
[...] I have strongly praised the GOP for embracing entitlement reform and supporting the Ryan budget, I’m not under any illusions that the average Republican politician is fully committed to [...]
[...] votes every so often can be persuaded to do the right thing for the right reason, as occurred when GOPers in the House voted for the Ryan budget and its desperately needed entitlement [...]