Nattering Nabobs of Republicanism.Newt Gingrich has published an 11-point plan that he proposes as a key to winning 2006 legislative races. Newt characterizes these issues as typical of Ronald Reagan’s legacy but I’d strongly object. Reagan brought much more optimism with his vision of “making America great,” rather than Newt’s reliance on implied crises and enemies. These points illuminate a political strategy that is unfortunately negative and divisive. I’m disappointed that Newt either can’t do better than this or that the electorate is so easily distracted. I only see a couple of issues here that I’d prioritize. 1. Make English the Official Language of Government. – This is the de facto state of government. To legislate this is merely cosmetic pandering to xenophobes. The Republicans this would rally should not be embraced by the Party. 2. Control the Borders. – Valid objective, but not the magnitude of threat that some Republicans portray it to be. Again, panders to a xenophobic fear that may serve Republicans, but is largely artificial. 3. Keep God in the Pledge. – Lynchpin for the Christian theocracy. How can any elected official pledge to preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution, then ignore the 1st amendment? Newt has deviously framed his argument as a “right” under siege, but the effect is to mandate public declarations of theism. 4. Require a Voter ID Card. – OK, maybe. But the party that professes to support a smaller, less bureaucratic government should see this as a boondoggle. It’s a thinly disguised ruse to make voting more difficult for certain segments of the population. 5. Repeal the Death Tax, for Good. – OK, good idea, but they should focus on the entire tax structure, not just this little piece. They run the risk of playing into the old argument that they’re only advocating for the rich. Let’s see real tax reform that helps the entire socio-economic spectrum. 6. Restore Property Rights. – Yes, let’s see respect for 4th amendment protections against unwarranted searches as well. 7. Achieve Sustainable Energy Independence. – This is the only point of Newt’s that is sound. Republicans need to get out of the pockets of big-oil and act on this issue in meaningful ways. 8. Control Spending and Balance the Budget. – This needs to be a top priority, so why haven’t they done it? It’s not credible coming from this batch of Republicans. 9. Tie Education Funding to Teacher Accountability. – Again, dubious credibility when coming from the team that brought us “No Child Left Behind.” Let’s see meaningful school choice. Newt talks about federal funds going only to schools with teacher accountability. I’d suggest we get the federal government out of coercive relationships in education and leave education responsibility to states where it properly rests according to our Constitution. 10. Defend America From the Irreconcilable Wing of Islam. – Meaningless jingoism pandering to induced paranoia. 11. Focus on Iran and North Korea. – Artificially hyped threats that lack credibility coming from the same administration that hyped Iraq’s WMD. If this threat is to carry any credibility it will need to be overwhelmingly compelling and unambiguous to even our hesitant foreign “partners.” These “priorities” are almost all negatively focused and rely on some form of “enemy” whether illegal aliens, tax and spend liberals, unionized teachers, or Islamic jihadists. Let’s see Republicans explain how they’ve held a majority in government these past few years yet haven’t controlled government growth, haven’t grown the economy for most Americans, and haven’t improved America’s place in the world. Republicans need to return to their traditional values of smaller, less intrusive government; one that spends less, taxes less, taps phones less, and deploys the military less. The threat from terrorism touches our lives less tangibly than the economic threat of the national debt and wages lost overseas. Let’s see economic opportunity that benefits all Americans, tax reform that builds America’s international competitiveness, and some degree of spending restraint from these so-called conservatives. Newt may know the buttons that will wind up the Republican base, but these have little to do with good governance. Newt may well prevail, but this is exactly why I’m running for President. I believe I can recognize preserving, protecting, and defending the Constitution when I see it; and I don’t see it in Newt’s plan – I see politics as usual. Michael Previous: Hey Wilber, Put down that steak knife! -- Next: Time for Persian Détente? Comment from Mila: Coming from a background in education, I find number 9 more than a little disturbing. Posted by Mila Sep 11, 03:31 PM # Comment from Paul Davis: I’m going to offer something trully “radical” for number eleven. How about we “apologize” to the Iranian people for using the CIA to replace their democratically elected, Prime Minister Mossadegh, with the dictatorial Shah, back in ‘53. Its not going to “solve” anything but, perhaps the first step to promoting democracy should be apologizing for squashing it in the first place. Posted by Paul Davis Sep 12, 06:05 AM # Comment from Michael Smith: Paul, You’re absolutely right that we have to be honest about our history in the region before we can understand the issues and move forward. The Arab world has many real grievances with the US that many Republicans simply dismiss as “they hate our freedoms.” That attitude will never move the situation forward. Posted by Michael Smith Sep 12, 07:23 AM # |
Favorite Posts:
Other Blogs:Links:
Feeds - SFP updates for your homepage:Previous Posts: |
