Rep. Jeb Hensarling's memo to colleagues outlining a strategy for the GOP
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The Washington Times is reporting this memo has been circulated among the Republican Study Committee by Rep. Jeb Hensarling (R-Tx) I just thought I'd share it with everyone.
AN ACTION PLAN FOR HOUSE REPUBLICANS:
BOLD, SIMPLE, AND DIFFERENT THAN THE DEMOCRATS
1) THE END OF PORK-BARREL SPENDING
House Republicans are committed to ending pork-barrel spending. We will not wait on the Democrat Majority to end “Bridges to Nowhere†and “Monuments to Meâ€â€”we declare an immediate earmark moratorium and pledge to reform the system. We also pledge to uphold any future veto of a non-defense spending bill that is pork laden and does not lead to a balanced budget.
2) LIMITING WASHINGTON TAXES AND SPENDING TO WHAT MIDDLE CLASS FAMILIES CAN AFFORD
House Republicans are committed to eliminating the Alternative Minimum Tax and preventing the scheduled tax increases in 2010 from taking more from the paychecks of hard-working, middle class families. We are also committed to amending the U.S. Constitution to limit the growth of federal spending to the level at which middle class Americans can afford. Except in time of war or national emergency, our spending limit amendment would prohibit federal spending from growing faster than the economy.
3) A FAIR, SIMPLE TAX CODE THAT AMERICANS CAN UNDERSTAND
House Republicans are committed to ending a tax code that is too long, too complex and too unfair. Specifically, our legislation would provide comprehensive, individual income tax reform by providing individuals an alternative, two-tier flat tax system that can be filed on one page. Taxpayers can choose the new, simplified system or stay with the current tax code—whichever option suits them.
4) A FAMILY-FOCUSED, PATIENT-CENTERED HEALTH CARE SYSTEM
House Republicans will reform and improve our current health care system, by 1) providing a refundable health care tax credit to every American to purchase affordable health care coverage, and 2) broadening the array of choice for health insurance plans, by allowing individuals to purchase plans available in other states. These measures will allow Americans who like their current health plan to keep it, while encouraging all individuals to own a personal and portable health insurance policy.
5) AMERICAN ENERGY INDEPENDENCE THROUGH INCREASED EXPLORATION
House Republicans are committed to increasing American energy supplies to lower prices and reduce dependence on Middle Eastern Oil by allowing energy exploration in Alaska and the Outer Continental Shelf, as well as the development of cleaner coal technologies and alternative fuels.
6) A LEGAL FRAMEWORK THAT ALLOWS US TO PREVENT TERRORIST ATTACKS
House Republicans are committed to preventing terrorists from attacking America. House Republicans will empower our intelligence agencies to intercept terrorist communications with sources outside of the United States without the lengthy process of getting a warrant that could jeopardize the ability to thwart an attack.
7) A MORAL APPROACH FOR PARENTS TO PROTECT AND EDUCATE THEIR CHILDREN
House Republicans are committed to supporting parental rights, by 1) ensuring that a child cannot be transported across a state border for an abortion without the consent of a parent or legal guardian, and 2) empowering parents to maintain control over their family’s personal education decisions.
8) A WELFARE SAFETY NET THAT FOSTERS MARRIAGE AND WORK
House Republicans are committed to extending many of the current welfare work requirements to other programs—namely food stamps and housing—so that those who are not old, young, or disabled are either working in the private sector or serving in their community. Such reforms will ensure a more stable environment for low-income children by encouraging their parents to marry and raise them in two-parent homes.
Hensarling's web site has a press release that says this is a draft.
I hope that he continues to gain in influence, because he is a champion of conservative principles, and shows no fear of either the Democrat crap machine or the GOP wuss machine.
Unfair. Unbalanced. Unmedicated. -- IMAO
4) A FAMILY-FOCUSED, PATIENT-CENTERED HEALTH CARE SYSTEM
House Republicans will reform and improve our current health care system. Socialized medical care has worked everywhere it has been implemented. It is time to do it here.
6) A LEGAL FRAMEWORK THAT ALLOWS US TO PREVENT TERRORIST ATTACKS
House Republicans are committed to preventing terrorists from attacking America. We'll sue them for the damage they cause.
9) GOOD WILL TO ALL NATIONS
House Republicans are committed to being friends with all nations. We understand that America is a continent, not a county. We have no borders; everyone is welcome here. Our only enemies are ignorance and intolerance.
There, condensed some of his flower to clarify his points. And since he completely overlooked topic 9 (just an editorial error, I'm sure), I restored it to his list.
BTW, wasn't "bridges to nowhere" purely GOP pork? Seems the Dems are not the only masters of spin.
... smart enough to commit to this it would be great. However, I seriously doubt that are that smart.
Wubbies World, MSgt, USAF (Retired):
public static void main(String[] args) {
System.out.println("My name is 'Wubbies' - it is not plural nor possessive. Welcome to my World.")
we need to start targeting in primaries. It's probably too late for this election.
But, with people like Hensarling and Jeff Flake and John Shaddeg and Eric Cantor waiting in the wings, we can have a bright future in the House...
IF we get rid of the pork addicts.
Someone's got a list out there, right? A list of deadweights we can start targeting for primary fights in the run up to 2010?
"Who will stand/On either hand/And guard this bridge with me?" (Macaulay)
Where's the rollcall of GOP House members who voted to override the president's veto of the farm bill? We can start there.
(Coulda used the Kowalski button, BTW)
"Who will stand/On either hand/And guard this bridge with me?" (Macaulay)
Now where do we find a party and candidate that subscribes to these basic themes?
Former Marine and businessman Kent Greenough (Green O) running in the TN GOP 4th Congressional Primary is a guy we need to get elected. Here's were Kent stands on our borders.
Borders not only define a nation but, when strongly protected, secure that very nation.
As a member of congress I will work to close the borders, prosecute employers, end all social benefits including education and the anchor baby policy.
What part of illegal does congress not understand? We must also work to ensure that our government works on an English only basis, comprende?
Let's help Kent get to Washington.
Did you ever see the old movie with Andy Griffith and Patricia Neal called "A Face in the Crowd?" In it the protagonist Andy Griffith character learns early in his political career that it is imprudent for a politician to talk like this memo talks with cerebral explanations of things. This is because the average voter has become so accustomed to hearing BS from politicians that he has developed a compensatory self protective microscopic attention span. So the ideas in the memo are fine but they will grab no one's attention. There must be a more VISCERAL presentation of the ideas to the electorate. For example, instead of the #4 phrasing just say, "Keep the democrats out of the operating room when you are having surgery!" Or #2, "Stop the Washington Bureaucrats from stealing the money you earned and giving it to their cronies!" This is basically a fight for power, just like in nature. Rules, particularly self imposed ones, are often self defeating in a vicious fight for survival.
Call me when the GOP stops selling out on this issue.
Now I agree, they should have mentioned that one. But it's not like the House GOP, and in particular the RSC, has done nothing on that very subject. The fence that's going up right now (while dragging DHS kicking and screaming against their will) , THAT one came essentially from House people like Duncan Hunter.
Unfair. Unbalanced. Unmedicated. -- IMAO
an Iraq spending bill with the AgJobs bill as a stow away in it? Or did someone grow a brain and defeat that?
Lost in Texas............
IIRC, it has been promised a veto, which is guaranteed be sustained, in part because of that very provision and others like it.
But the Repubs fought that tooth and nail, and my point for Oz is that at least the House GOP has some believable bona fides on the immigration stuff.
Unfair. Unbalanced. Unmedicated. -- IMAO
and what the RSC proposes. Time for victory and expectations to win over this- do nothing, jolly green, you people better conserve, Congress- by powerpoint. Spending to a percentage of GDP was actually about average at the end of fiscal 2007. So where are we at now? A $180 Bs for stimulus, $380Bs for farm bill, and now a $170 Bs for the war, on top of anything that got passed with other "whats an emergency?" war funding bills in the 110th Congress.
These points are very similar to what Paul Ryan outlined in a Wall Street Journal op-ed a few days ago.
“.....women and minorities hardest hit”