What can be done to save the Republican Party from" shooting itself in the foot?" Part O
(This is the first of a two-part series) Although I am a lifelong Democrat, I favor the two-party system and want to keep the Republican Party alive and well. It is better this way for the overall health of the country.
So, despite the fact that I do not have all of the insider political knowledge and information, and notwithstanding the fact that I have never run for public office myself, though I confess to being a political " junkie" at times, I shall sound off nonetheless.
The results of the last election have made the Republicans aware of the fact that they've got to do something. They talk about cleaning up their rhetoric, so that they appear more positive and less the party of "No." I think they are fooling themselves. The American public is not that naïve. Quite a bit more has to be done Having said all this I am quite aware of the Tea Party faction within the Republican Party and how difficult they can be. I'm not sure they look for solutions, because they are so ideologically inclined. I'm sure that they hate to hear the expression "the practical," but such inflexibility will not work. What will work is to develop ways and means of arriving at "solutions."
Instead of saying" no" to everything, and in order to clear up their image, why don't the Republicans say to something that is proposed by the Democrats, such as "that has merit" or "we agree in part" or something else, which indicates cooperation, but reserves the right to offer their ideas towards a workable solution. Out of necessity, the Republicans are going to have to adapt to this new approach. Let's examine this approach with more specificity.
In broad terms, especially as viewed by the Republicans, the Democratic Party likes to pose new programs to improve conditions, most of which the Republicans believe are too costly. On the other hand, the Republicans in broad terms favor deficit reductions, smaller government, and only new programs that do not add to additional deficits. The only exception, the Republicans might allow has to do with spending for security and proper military defense.
So as a general rule, under the old rules of conduct, prior to the recent elections, if a new proposal does not fit into these parameters, they oppose it because in their opinion, no matter how worthy, higher deficits and greater bloated government will result.
If, the Republicans truly wish to improve their image, what solutions can they propose? I recognize the risk they would be taking. By making the first proposal, they open the door to getting "shot down," because it exposes the Republicans to criticism. Despite this possible paranoia, if they did so proceed anyway, they would be taking a positive approach and would be indicating that they're looking for solutions. What I really don't understand is, since the Republicans do not want to raise taxes, why they don't offer other ways to generate income?
Consider the following sources of potential income: 1. Set up of a committee, hopefully with the Democrats to revise the tax code. Perhaps, it would be wise to start out slowly, and work on the major areas first. Since the tax code is very complex, it may take 5 to 10 years. So what, get started. 2. Provide for an investigative committee, hopefully with the Democrats, to eliminate waste in government, organize tighter expenditure controls, and consider possible job elimination (notwithstanding the fact that job elimination may be politically difficult). 3. Provide for an investigative committee, hopefully with the Democrats, to remove earmarks, and spell out in advance, those few areas or subjects, where earmarks may still be allowed.
4. Provide for an investigative committee, hopefully with the Democrats to examine the expense accounts all legislators and to tighten the rules. 5. Provide for an investigative committee, hopefully with the Democrats, to examine all waste a foreign expenditures, especially military expenditures, and work out ways and means of tightening all spending. 6. Provide for an investigative committee, hopefully with the Democrats, to establish proper auditing to maintain tight controls over all government expenditures. 7. Provide for an investigative committee, hopefully with the Democrats, to investigate the establishment of toll charges for new infrastructure. Now it is true, and I recognize that the Republicans will have to "swallow hard," because to make these investigations, it will require more hiring and larger government, perhaps on a temporary basis, and perhaps not. Yet, the overall gain in the long run will far exceed these additional expenditures.
This is the end of Part One. Part Two will next follow in three days.
-JS
