The Top 4 Things Congressional Republicans Must Do in 2010 – Part II
by Thomas Del BeccaroThe 2010 elections represent an enormous opportunity for Congressional Republicans. As I pointed out in Part I of this series, The Lessons of ’66 and ’94 Loom Over the Democrats, the average loss for the President’s Party, when the President’s approval rating is below 50%, is 40+ House seats. The past, however, is no guarantee of the future – just a possible guide. If Republicans are to realize the full potential of this election, they will need to overhaul their recent election strategies.
The Top 4 changes they should employ are:
4. Oppose. It has long been said that the first duty of the opposition is to oppose. Given that the outset of 2010 will be dominated by the health care bill which will then give way to a pork barrel “jobs” (read government jobs) bill and then on to cap and trade, immigration/amnesty and then taxes – Congressional Republicans will have ample opportunity to oppose the Democrats’ bad policies. More than merely oppose them, however, the magnitude of the “Change” being pushed by the Democrats requires the Congressional Republicans to demonstrate valor and determination in defeating those measures as if the Constitution depended upon it – because it does.
3. Propose. As important as it will be to oppose the bad policies, merely being the Party of No is never a good strategy. Republicans must propose specific and credible alternatives to the Democrat polices on health care, the jobs bill, cap and trade, immigration and tax bills. To date, Republicans have authored a myriad of counter proposals – but no clear alternatives have emerged which demonstrate a clear governing philosophy let alone a united party. To be successful in 2010, egos must be set aside in favor of unity – the stakes are too high to proceed otherwise.
2. An Agenda. Republicans must propose a clear and concise Agenda for the 2010 Congressional candidates. Successful leaders, at all levels, tell people why they want to lead and where they want to go – political leaders included. In other words, a succinct vehicle like a Contract With America must be employed in 2010 which tackles the salient issues of the day: our weak economy, high taxes and out of control spending. Given that over 60% of Americans correctly believe that lower taxes will revive the economy more than government spending, Republicans should start with tax relief in addition to (a) a ban on earmarks, (b) making Congress subject to the same laws as Americans, and (c) cost/benefit analyses for new and existing laws.
1. Marketing. Marketing is everything. You can have the best idea in the world, if your consumers don’t know it, or don’t know it’s yours, then that idea will go nowhere. Poor ideas have overcome better ideas though marketing – witness VHS over Beta. Even silly ideas have made millions based on marketing, i.e. the Pet Rock. Sadly, it is not hyperbole to say that Republicans market their ideas poorly.
The key to marketing is consistency and regularity of messaging. So the first step for Republicans is developing that 2010 Agenda. Second, they must consistently communicate that Agenda – much like they did the Contract with America – by having each candidate for Congress run on that Agenda.
Third, they must market that consistent message on a regular basis. One important reason Coke is among the best brands in the world is because its image is nearly identical to its image of 100 years ago. Consistency and regularity.
Fourth – and this is critical – Republicans must completely change the method by which they communicate with Americans. Long ago the White House controlled the bully pulpit because there were but a few media outlets. That is not true today.
No longer can Republicans work through the old media or by talking to Washington reporters. They must talk directly to American voters through cable town halls, tele-town halls, talk radio, the Internet, Facebook, Twitter and more – but not from Washington. In 2010, Republicans should hold at least 25 regional televised town halls and tele-townhalls in Des Moines, Raleigh, Denver and Columbus, using local TV stations not national, and combine those events with coordinated talk radio/Internet messaging along with “watch parties” and voter registration drives.
All in all, the potential of this election lies not in the power of Washington but in the hands of the American people. They want answers not speeches, leadership not politics. If Republicans understand that, then 2010 will bring lasting change not to mention a new Congress.
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140 Comments
So the best thing Republicans can do is oppose, market and strategize? Sounds like a recipe to stay in the minority to me.
If they think they can stall for two years and then magically be able to do the people's business the first time they win a small majority in the congress they will be disappointed. The enemies you make now will still be there.
they can also reduce or eliminate the 75K visas a month that are issued some of which are for foreign workers! I personally would like a complete halt to all immigration until we recover. I also would like to see them stop anchor baby status for illegal aliens! Making E-Verify mandatory for all employers would also go a long way to ensuring only legal American workers have jobs. American workers can be trained to take the jobs foreign workers come here to take and will do…watch dirty jobs…
Stall for 2 years? After today, no stalling will be necessary.
But for all intents and purposes, 2010 is when the tide will shift.
The GOP will get the votes, who knew that the Democrats could be so much worse than Dubya. Since 2006, the Democrats have done nothing but destroy this country. Look were we are now. They've guided us into recession, gutted our national security abilities, and created a situation where rouge states and dictators can thrive throughout the world chasing their dreams with no interference.
5% unemployment when Democrats won Congress. It's doubled since then.
The Democrat agenda will lose the deep navy blue state of Massachusetts. How do you think the rest of the country is feeling? Give us 10 more months of this crap and I would not be surprised to see the GOP retake the House (only need 40 seats), if not the Senate.
Keep f*cking that chicken mikatollah, enjoy it while it lasts.
The party that stands tall for Liberty, as it is denoted in our Constitution, will rise. So many do not realize that the Bill of Rights doesn't just naturally apply to the state and local government. People don't understand that judicial fiat set Constitutionally recognized rights aside a hundred years ago – when speaking about state and local government.
The Republican party would serve the people, and this country, well by exposing this injustice. Show the people the judicial activism that sent this country down a failed path and show them how the current Supreme Court can fix what it screwed up so long ago. It's time for the Republican party to fight for the 14th Amendment as itdid so long ago. March 2 2010 arguments are going to be heard before the Supreme Court meant to hold State and local governments accountable for violating the Bill Of Rights., specifically the Second Amendment.
Everyone should go to http://www.chicagoguncase.com and read the briefs on both sides of this case. People will be shocked to see the arguments being made, especially by government. Don't believe me? Go read them and you will see. The Republican party has a canned issue prime for serious support, it should embrace it and employ it. It's the proper thing to do.
The party that stands tall for Liberty, as it is denoted in our Constitution, will rise. So many do not realize that the Bill of Rights doesn't just naturally apply to the state and local government. People don't understand that judicial fiat set Constitutionally recognized rights aside a hundred years ago – when speaking about state and local government.
The Republican party would serve the people, and this country, well by exposing this injustice. Show the people the judicial activism that sent this country down a failed path and show them how the current Supreme Court can fix what it screwed up so long ago. It's time for the Republican party to fight for the 14th Amendment as itdid so long ago. March 2 2010 arguments are going to be heard before the Supreme Court meant to hold State and local governments accountable for violating the Bill Of Rights., specifically the Second Amendment.
Everyone should go to http://www.chicagoguncase.com and read the briefs on both sides of this case. People will be shocked to see the arguments being made, especially by government. Don't believe me? Go read them and you will see. The Republican party has a canned issue prime for serious support, it should embrace it and employ it. It's the proper thing to do.
The top thing Republicans must do is return to small government, Conservative policies.
They should also SWEAR to take Education AWAY from the government…too much room for indoctrination, also SWEAR to NO MORE raises to Congress or any other branch of the government until the rest of the population has a fair chance to compete!!!
The top thing Republicans must do is return to small government, Conservative policies.
I agree!
The TEA Party turning out to be more mainstream than anyone on the left every thought. Calling them tea baggers for a year will turn out to be a HUGE mistake.
And drop the Politically Correct nonsense that opened the door for all the fringe loons to hijack our country.
The key to illegal immigration is (and has always been) the EMPLOYERS. Force them to stop hiring illegals and the illegals will go back to their native countries. This actually has been occurring since the economy started turning south (no pun intended) in 2008: as the jobs dried up, increasing numbers of illegals left the U.S. and fewer have been breaking in since. But realize the effect of this policy. Building that deck or having that lawn service is going to get more expensive as employers are forced to pay higher wages to Americans to take these sorts of jobs. We have allowed employers to exploit illegals at low wages because we enjoy paying the lower prices. Now that the U.S. Chamber of Commerce has come out against Obamacare and Cap & Tax, the GOP will need to make a deal with them to support strict enforcement of immigration laws, including against small businesses that break those laws.
So what happens after today? Having 41 votes in the senate may make it easier to block cloture in the senate, but it doesn't help move an agenda forward… not that Republicans have one to move forward. But I hope you are right and that Republicans don't turn back to stalling. But I doubt it.
The House could change hands if the economy doesn't significantly improve by the fall. But the senate is going to be out of reach for a few more years anyway.
A bit of a stretch to blame Democrats for a recession that started while Bush was president. Now you need to hope that it will last.
If they follow your advice they will not advance; only tread water, then die. They, and we, must work to eliminate the foundation of liberalism/progressivism/fascism. The tax code must go. The Department of Education must go. The military must be grown by at least 1/3 in all services – to meet future challanges. Last but not least – CAFE standards must die.
Breaking News:
CITY/TOWN: Bolton
NEIGHBORHOOD:
NAME: Ron
VOTED AT: Town Hall
VOTED FOR: Scott Brown (GOP)
HOW CROWDED: Quite busy in spite of it snowing. However the line moved quickly due to the short ballot.
OTHER COMMENTS: I'm an independent and am tired of political hacks driving htis country into the ground financially, so this time I voted for Brown.
CITY/TOWN: Boston
NEIGHBORHOOD:
NAME: Salvatore
VOTED AT:
VOTED FOR: Didn't say
HOW CROWDED:
OTHER COMMENTS: What the heck is going on? SEIU and ACORN thugs are out in force. The Boston police need to make an appearance. They are trying to strong-arm people to vote for Coakley.
http://www.boston.com/news/politics/2010/senate_r...
All those things are great… they go under the category of agenda or propose. None of them can or will happen until they are a majority party. They will still have to stall, and oppose as their primary tool. It is the only tool they really have.
That's fine for 2010, but if we don't change 2012, Republicans are going to get waxed again. Here are my top 4 things:
No more open primaries. You have to get 'Republican' stamped on your card if you want to vote in our primaries.
No more open voting. America was founded on the secret ballot. Sorry, Iowa, a caucus is just un-American.
No more letting Iowa and New Hampshire decide who is the "front runner'. They don't speak for all of America.
Two words: TWO PRIMARIES. Half the states on the first Tuesday in May, the other half the third Tuesday in May. Period. If you don't hold your primaries on one of those two days, your delegates will not be seated at the convention. This madness of holding primaries in January, and who gets to be 'first', is killing us.
If you think I am wrong, tell me why. Don't just say ugly things; you reveal yourself to be an idiot.
Title it, "An American Agenda."
2009 has been very instructive to Americans. It has shown us just how omnipotent and omnipresent the Federal Power has become. Americans are awakening to the danger and might very well support a move to reign in the Federal beast.
How? One way would be to progressively limit and restrict the ability of Congress both to spend and raise taxes. If the Federal beast cannot raise taxes AND is limited in the amount that it can borrow and spend, then it effectively is put on a leash. Sadly, the Federal government has regressed into adolescence and is spending its family into bankruptcy. Any responsible parents (i.e., citizens) would take immediate action to stop giving the Child so much money and put curbs on how much they can spend. Teaching a Child to live within limits is a wonderful way to develop responsibility. This cannot come fast enough to the Federal government.
And then what happens when they achieve this majority? The filibuster genie is out of the bottle now and 60 votes are needed for almost every vote. I don't think the Democrats in the senate will soon forget the stall tactics.
When is the last time you saw a Republican shrink the size of government? Hoover?
I agree with your premise of packaging your product, by the same token, I believe that the public yearns for smaller government, not “the party of no,” but the party of “someone needs to say no.” Marketing is all well and good, but what I’m interested in, is what the they do, once inside the Beltway.
QUOTE: "No longer can Republicans work through the old media or by talking to Washington reporters. They must talk directly to American voters through cable town halls, tele-town halls, talk radio, the Internet, Facebook, Twitter and more – but not from Washington. In 2010, Republicans should hold at least 25 regional televised town halls and tele-townhalls in Des Moines, Raleigh, Denver and Columbus, using local TV stations not national, and combine those events with coordinated talk radio/Internet messaging along with “watch parties” and voter registration drives.
All in all, the potential of this election lies not in the power of Washington but in the hands of the American people. They want answers not speeches, leadership not politics. If Republicans understand that, then 2010 will bring lasting change not to mention a new Congress."
____________________________________________________
While the entire piece is well presented, the above quoted lines (for this author, anyway) are the heart AND hands of this potential GIANT of Opportunity (NOTE: NOT for the "republicans"… but for the solid REFOUNDING of our nation, upon the ORIGINAL PRINCIPALS which made us the envy of friend and foe alike… FOR 200 YEARS).
Win/Loose/Draw in today's special election in MA ~ the efficacy (AND effectiveness!) of the principle outlined in the quote is already shining like the noonday sun.
I STAND READY.
CM Sackett
"The Cost Of Liberty Tends To Run Very High…
The Cost Of APATHY… Incalculable." cms
You keep making my points for me Mik
So we are going to eliminate taxes and increase the size of the military? How much to you plan on saving by eliminating the Dept. of Education?
We already import 2/3 of our oil and you want to eliminate mileage standards… perhaps you believe car manufacturers will make cars more efficient out of the goodness of their hearts.
Should do away with seat belt and airbag requirements also? They can just be fun options like cup holders or map lights.
So what kind of thuggish moves did the ACORN thugs try on you?
"The enemies you make now will still be there."
Our enemies have always been there. But now with Obamalosi you're exposed for the evil rat-bastards you are. The only reason for the very, very temporary leftist ascendancy is the fact that an entire generation has passed since Carter, and the American people started to forget why it was they always hated liberals.
Two words:
Fannie.
Freddie.
So, the state parties are no longer allowed to determine process? How exactly will this work? And as for election dates, they are determined by the state legislatures. Who gets to do it now… the feds?
The party of grownups. The party of no, we can't afford to buy you a pony. The party of responsibility.
1) Prosecutions of everyone involved in Fannie and Freddie (Frank and Dodd)
2) Balanced budget amendment to the constitution
3) Term limits amendment to the constitution
4) Repeal of 17th amendment to the constitution
Those are indeed two words. But unfortunately they did not and could not have taken down the financial markets by themselves. The represent about $12 trillion in mortgages, while the unregulated derivatives market and the insurance policies written to "eliminate risk" come to about $50 trillion.
And we haven't seen the end yet because the commercial real estate market is still in jeopardy.
I'm counting on the legacy of GWB to remind the American people of the alternative.
I don't think so. You imply that Republicans will reduce the size of government. I'm saying they haven't done it yet, which makes it unlikely to occur in the future.
The opposite of federal power is not state power, it is unelected corporate interests. That is who benefits from a federal power vacuum… not the states.
Actually, I'm blaming a recession on Democrats while Democrats ran the Treasury.
Congress approves the money. Not the President. He just uses the money that's given to him by Congress.
I'm not saying it's not any of Bush's responsibility, he signed the bills, so he takes some of the blame, but the Democrats were in charge. They were the one's who took over a booming economy with 5% unemployment and destroyed it.
That ship has sailed, because it was a bunch of BS to begin with.
Thank you for saying the RNC should swear to take education away from the government. I lost faith in the republicans when with control of the WH and the Congress they did not dismantle the National Dept but both Bush presidents empowered it more and used it to bully the states for funding. We need control of education to return to the local level with state and only state supervision.
YES!
They must oppose. And IF they regain power, they must actively DISMANTLE the bloated, intrusive and parasitic State apparatus, not just tread water until the next Democrat administration. The status quo is not our friend.
I live in New York. You can say many bad things about this state, but they got one thing right: You have to be a member of a political party in order to vote in its primary. In fact, in order to be able to vote in the primary you have to have been a member of the party at least thirty day before the last GENERAL election. No last minute party switches, no "tactical" voting, no "Well, I'll take a Dem ballot this time around because the GOP is renominating GWB", etc. When I look at how other states allow this kind of open primary stuff, it horrifies me. Obviously another "good government" initiative run amok. I sure as hell don't want a whole bunch of Dems invading my party's primaries in 2012, and voting for some Dem-Lite type candidate, when they're just going to turn around and vote for Obama in the general.
The disproportionate influence of early states is something about which I am less certain of a remedy. Supposedly, the value of Iowa and New Hampshire being first was that as relatively small states, they would provide a way for less well-financed and lower profile candidates to gain some attention, and thereby attract a following and donations as the campaign moves on to the more populous and capital-intensive states. It's certainly true that the eagerness of states to try to "one up" each other with their "me first" approach is becoming ridiculous. The political landscape of 2008 was a very different one by November of that year than it was in January. Is it not possible that a primary season which started in March or April (after the fall of Bear Stearns) might have favored a Mitt Romney (supposedly the more business-savvy candidate) over a John McCain? A shorter primary season is certainly called for. The method by which we achieve that goal is much harder. Theoretically, this is a states' rights issue, so I'm not sure how we can compel states to agree to an abridged schedule, without amending the Constitution. This would also be difficult, as the Constitution does not recognize political parties of any kind.
But can we please get state GOP organizations to start amending the rules by which they determine who has the right to vote in the primary? At least this is the start of something positive.
How does eliminating public education make the country more competitive in the global economy?
I don't see anyone in congress getting rich off of their government salaries. They get rich when they leave office and get hired by special interest lobbies to lobby their friends who are still in the congress. They can make five times what the government paid them. Or if they are really ambitious they can open a lobbying consulting firm and make fifty times as much.
I think the Republican minorities in both houses of congress would disagree with you on that one.
Dems should go back to the Dubya well one more time for good measure.
Well, if Treasury leadership is your benchmark for economic responsibility, then fine… The Dems took over in January 2009… four months after the financial and stock markets melted down, and already in the second quarter of the current recession.
The housing bubble bursting was the catalyst for all of the bad stuff that has come since. That took years to build up and it was driven by the availability of cheap money, lack of oversight and bad tax policy. The two parties shared leadership responsibility during that time, but the one constant was Bush… and his hands-off approach to the economy. The Fed was there with bad policies too.. so he had plenty of help.
Not gonna happen. No way will the court so soon stray from the Heller decision. Nor will they risk sparking a civil war by telling this country that the Bill of Rights doesn't apply to the states. Slaughterhouse cases precedent is toast my friend. The Federal government, through the judiciary, will not risk opening the door to the tenth amendment challenges that are already in play. Selective incorporation is about to die as a doctrine. The Privileges or immunities clause is about to be on display for all to see and there is no way to punt this time. They have agreed to hear the question and now they must answer it. There is no way to uphold the mistake that has stood for a hundred years.
What so bothers me is that so few understand what is taking place right now. Media is hiding it as if it isn't even happening. There is no bigger game changer afoot than this one and all we hear in the MSM is crickets. Folks really need to read those briefs, especially Chicago's brief, and see the corruption in crystal clear form. They should see that Chicago's political machine, Obamas homeland, is arguing that the Bill of Rights doesn't apply to Illinois – that it doesn't apply to any state or local government.
I encourage folks to come join us here in Illinois on March 10, 2010 when we gather to demand that the Bill of Rights, the Constitution itself, be respected and defended. Check it out and come join us.
http://igold.isra.org/
You present a false premise mikatollah. Public education is one thing. Federally controlled public education is another. You see, public education is a STATE power, not a federal power. Try reading that Constitution……
This recession did not have to happen. It is not the end of some business cycle. It was created by the collapse of the housing market and that was set in motion years ago when the deregulatory fever took hold. When brokerage houses were able to act as banks without banking oversight it became just a matter of time. Bush made sure there was minimal oversight by defunding the regulatory agencies.
Even Alan Greenspan had a hand in it. The Fed is supposed to regulate member banks, but he took a hands-off approach to the new players in the banking industry preferring to let the "banks" be regulated by self-interest. Later he would say he overestimated the market's ability to weed out the bad actors.
4 things i would like to see from the republicans:
1. Grow a set and rein in the excesses of the supreme court. Nowhere in the constitution does it say the supreme court can make or set legislation. They can give a yea or nay on the constitutionality of a law and that's it.
2. Limit the scope of the EPA to federal lands only. We do not need state and federal agencies doing the same thing.
3. Get rid of the department of education. We already have state, county and local groups that manage this.
4. Enact term limits and anti nepotism laws. Some folks feel that congress should be a family run affair. This is patently wrong. Also, serving for 30+ years limits fresh ideas and turns the seat into a special interest prize. They were elected to serve the people, not their favorite lobbyist.
1) Stop spending money we don't have.
Stop the government from harrassing the American people.
2) Repeal any healthcare bill requiring participation and not actually lowering the cost of healthcare. (In other words, NO healthcare as currently proposed.)
3) Close the borders to ALL illegal immigrants
4) Prosecute the war on terror to a successful conclusion.
5) Lower taxes
6) Get the government out of the way of private business – let GM, Chrysler and the Banks rise or fall on their own.
7) Get back as much money as possible from TARP and the Bailouts and use it to lower the deficit.
Well then we agree that education is a responsibility of state government. But if you are going to try and tell us that the Dept. of Education controls local public schools you are wrong. The manage accreditation and federal funds and enforce federal policy, but it is a state function to fund and manage public education.
There shouldn't be federal policy or a Department of education at the federal level. There should be no control via funding from that direction. ( Think speed limit dictation via the threat of reduced funding for noncompliance) There should be no "management" from the federal level. It is not within their Constitutional power to engage in that activity. Simple as that.
Your own word contradict themselves mikatollah.
The federal government is not supposed to "do the people's business". It is supposed to facilitate us doing our own business in freedom by defending an environment of rights based freedoms. The federal government is supposed to be little more than a check on state governments so that they too hold the line on Constitutional boundaries. Likewise, state governments were supposed to check the federal government. That symbiotic relationship was destroyed by the 17th Amendment and is one of the root causes of today's troubles – and your clear misunderstanding of our founders purpose for creating a federal government in the first place.
We were not to be lorded over by government as subjects mikatollah.
The Dept. of Education is responsible for distributing the books to the schools…books that have been re-written by liberal idiots who chose to change HISTORY to suit their agenda! Do your homework!!!
I believe the article was proposing what the Republicans SHOULD do. THe fact that they did not adhere to their own values previously does not mean that there is no possibility of getting back on track in the future. When Republicans expand the size and role of Government, they are acting in opposition to their own principles. Behaving as Democrats.
If the Department of Education had been unconstitutional it would have been struck down by the courts by now. It hasn't been… Everyone who was involved in its creation were duly elected representatives of the people of the United States. That makes it Constitutional.
Republicans whine about it since its inception in 76, but it was Bush II and his Republican congress who increase its funding by 70 percent in 2004. So it's not going anywhere.
Marketing is the key. This includes answering SNL, Jon Stewart et al. who really do sway the uninvolved independents. If all I knew is what I heard in the popular culture, I'd hate us too.
Good points. The tax code must go – not taxes. We need a 5th grader simple system that taxes consumption and income (not savings or investment) and pays for a greatly reduced federal government. We must use our own resources; during WW2 my grandfather fought shot down an ME109 with a tank full of fuel made from coal; we have a nuclear aircraft carrier in Haiti which will shortly be providing tens of thousands of gallons of fresh water per minute to save lives. Why are we not investing in nuclear power on our own shores – put the navy in charge – but get it done. Unless we use our temporary fix of fossil fuels to build a permanent supply of power we will end as Haiti is ending now just in 100 or 200 years into the future. As far as Airbags and Seat belts they have nothing to do with CAFE standards. Vehicular safety has been solved most deaths now from single vehicle crashes that are the result of a driver choice – to speed, do drugs or drinking alcohol, and operate a motor vehicle.
Yeah, screw that pesky 10th Amendment that already tells us what to do.
The states are granted the power that Federal Gov't does not have. However, in the past decade, the federal Gov't has been on the march to take over as many Constitutionally granted State's rights as they can.
Technically, the Federal Gov't has no legal authority to regulate health insurance in any capacity, since insurance is a state issue that has no bearing on interstate commerce.
But then again, why worry about the Constitution, it probably won't even exist anymore soon enough. It's obvious that the Dems have zero ability to follow their own promises, let alone the law.
How does the Federal Gov't getting there hands on Education make it better?
Education is not a power granted to the Federal Gov't. \\
Period.
And if nobody is getting rich in Congress, why the hell are there millionaires galore? Why are there so many who want to hold their seat until the die? Why not just serve a term, and then cash your lobbyist paycheck?
Unless it's just power and control over the people of this great country that they really want.
The world is a far more dangerous place than it was in the 18th century. The founding fathers could not have envisioned the power wielded by unelected multinational corporations. Without the expanded powers of the central government we would not have survived as a nation, and had we managed to survive we would be slaves to unaccountable corporations.
That 17th Amendment stuff is nonsense.
Many said that about long standing firearms bans too. See Heller versus D.C. Read what I posted about McDonald versus Chicago to see that another longstanding ban is about to be trounced to the dustbin of history.
Just because people are elected does not mean they have no boundaries. See the Constitution,
Again you present a false premise, and this time it is a full fledged strawman.
Make no mistake, Just handing power to Republicans is not the answer. Empowering the people, through the Constitution, and dismantling the unconstitutional case law structure is.
Per your logic, well, lack of logic, the USA would never be formed because it wasn't formed yet.
Many said D.C.'s ban would never go anywhere. They were as wrong about that as you are now about this.
You could not be more wrong. Textbooks are selected by states with input from local school boards. Big states like Texas have a huge influence on what gets published because we are market force. The same is true for states like California and New York.
Just reposting and looking for other news. I'm a long way from MA but sure looking for the 41'st vote against tryrany.
It was kicked off by an exit of 550 billion dollars in a matter of hours. What do youknow about that? Tell me all about it.
We were left open to that happening because of regulation forcing loans to those who had little to no ability to pay and absent sufficient equity ensuring that folks who borrowed would pay.
You blame Bush for an act of Congress. Wake up man. Congress funds!
The FED is a PRIVATE entity and last time I checked, one private entity has no standing to "regulate" another. It's a freedom thing.
Why couldn't the market weed out the bad actors? REGULATION and the too big to fail – bailout mentality, that's why.
Regulation is the problem, not the solution.
That should tell you that smaller government is not necessarily in the best interest of the American people… since both sides have increased the function and size of government since WWII.
One Privileges or Immunities clause case law is dealt with and rectified via McDonald Versus Chicago, then so too will commerce clause case law. Governments at all levels have been doing things they were never empowered by the Constitution to do. Judicial fiat has allowed their actions. That time is coming to an end and the people can expedite it by becoming more informed about those two clauses and what judicial rulings about them have done to this country and our freedom.
The Tenth and the Fourteenth case law basically suspended our Constitution and destroying that bad case law is how it will be restored to it's rightful place as the Supreme Law of the Land..
Lets not forget Kevin Jennings homosexual "fisitng" textbooks that he approved for distribution.
Dems took over the White House in 2009. They took control of the Congress two years before that. Try again Mikatollah.
I'm all for simplifying, but that has proven to be impossible in a representative democracy. Everyone has their favorite dog in the fight.
I also agree with nuclear power. It is clean and we know we can safely store nuclear wasted for 400 years. I think technology will find a solution for permanent disposal by that time.
Whoa… the reason most vehicle safety questions have been solved is by government regulation, it wasn't some magical mystery idea that just worked itself out. My cars have a feature called vehicle stability control that uses computer technology to help maintain control of the car in an emergency. It has been an option for years and only now in 2009 has it been made mandatory. Lots of lives will be saved because we took action.
CAFE standards will do the same to get us off of imported oil. The demand for oil will not go down on its own.
This needs to be sent to all Rebublicans who are in office or plan to be in office:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=liNLU2CURkU&fe...
The suggestion to shift the focus away from talking to reporters in Washington in favor of regional and local events and media nationwide is still missing the point. The new leadership needs to truly come from the local level up – not by dragging the career politicians in Washington out to the hinterlands beyond the Beltway to better market some new big ideas. The party needs to be rebuilt from the precinct committeeman level up – very quickly.
Tenth Amendment arguments have been used over and over in court cases for 200 years. They are rarely effective.
The Constitution is doing just fine and will survive the Obama administration just as it survived Bush.
Mikatollah,
Why do you say that eliminating the 70 thousand page tax code means no taxation whatsoever? More strawmen huh?
Why do we import oil? Because government REGULATION doesn't allow accessing our own, that's why.
Car manufacturers will produce what sells, in a free market.
Yes do away with seat belt and airbag requirements. These are not areas for government to decide. These are areas for US to decide.
Answer me this, where do you find authority for government to command elements of privately produced and privately consumed products? Then answer me this as well, please define private property for me.
When was the last time Republicans had 60 votes in the Senate?
Eeewww copper…. get a room.
The federal government has legitimate oversight functions to protect civil rights and grand accreditation. They do not want to take over education. This is only in your mind.
Longstanding arguments lost in Heller mikatollah. Most especially the militia argument. They stood 70 years. Slaugherhouse has stood for over a century and it is about to fall as well. You really don't know anything about either do you?
Those who argue the Chicago case for McDonald sound just like you do. Please go read their brief at http://www.chicagoguncase.com and see how backwards your positions really are.
That Same Kevin Jennings that has ZERO classroom experience and advocated a gay highschool in Chicago? That Kevin Jennings?
Mikatollah, the feds choose the books by only accrediting schools that use ones they "approve" of. This is especially true regarding higher education.
Great great point this is strong now if they will get a hold of it thank you for being part of the answer and not just another voice in the dark screaming foul.
Your link is to a right wing 2nd amendment blog site. We are talking about the 10th amendment… stay focused.
No need because you made my point. The Treasury Department falls under the executive branch…. Always has since the days of Alexander Hamilton.
Dont ewww me. Jennings is the perverted education czar in your liberal administration who is responsible for our children's education. But you already know this and being a liberal, you must've approved such a wise decision.
Right wing? The Second Amendment is right wing? The links to Chicago's Brief in the McDonald case is right wing? Tenth Amendment challenges coming as a result of things like Montana's state gun manufacturing and ownership law is right wing?
What's the matter, you scared to read Chicago's brief? You scared to see that Chicago is saying that the Constitution doesn't apply there and that they never mention the tenth amendment in that attempt? Much easier to dismiss it all as "right wing" huh?
Where is that power found Mikatollah and what does it entail?
We import oil because the easily accessible oil in this hemisphere was tapped out and what is left is expensive to reach. And you over estimate the reserves of the west.
Only the right wing fringe wants to go back to the 1950s safety standards. The rest of us will keep what we have.
Do you think the Federal reserve is under the auspices of Treasury? Do you think the Fed is any more federal than federal express? It appears you do, which is why I ask you directly, mikatollah.
They need a simple platform with simple but powerful messaging. The left is doing the work for the GOP by providing them all the evidence that they need that socialism fails, the longer it goes on the harder it will be for them to point back to "Bush", that is if they have the guts to step up and start fighting back now.
Many GOP types would have to gore their own ox as well, so new blood is needed, I guess everyone gets that, in 2010 we will probably not have enough power to push needed reformations through, we should seriously try in 2010 but keep in mind that win or lose by 2012 people will be hungry for real change.
4 years of an Obama driven socialist nightmare will be a blessing in disguise, people will see the outcome of their agendas and wont like them much at all, the left will crumple under their own flawed theories.
Carter redux.
Good post Thinking Man, imho.
Agree – oppose when required, propose what you want and act. This will get everyone believing in the system again…
Key word Mik, SHOULD.
Dismiss as nonsense the things you cannot present an argument against.
Dismiss as right wing anything that dissents your preconceived notions.
The founders were all about individual liberty based freedom and that stands the test of time.
Expanded powers you say? ANd just what COnstitutional Amendments afford that expansion? That is the way it was to be done, remember? I point to prohibition of alcohol. How can government;s ban smoking in private businesses, when it took a constitutional Amendment to provide for such an endeavor in the past?
It seems you fail to see that we have become slaves to an unaccountable incorporation called the U.S. Government. Let me ask you this, is a right and a privilege the same thing? No? Explain the meaning of the 14th amendment in terms of privileges or immunities, to me then……
If you aim to change the constitution, then by all means, employ the vehicle the founders and framers provided. Absent that, deal with the constitution as it is. Accept it as it is.
SO that is why Obama nixed drilling leases the instant he took office? Dozens of them? He did that to save the oil companies money? Tapped out? Not hardly. See the Dakotas, where more oil exists than in SAUDI. See the gulf of Mexico, where China is about to start drilling not all that far from our shoreline.
Safety standards? Let me guess, You buy into global warming as a man made disaster huh? Sheesh.
Maybe it time to see we live in a Constitutional REPUBLIC, eh mikatollah?
Republicans had huge majorities in both houses of congress in the first decade of the 20th century.
We've only had100 members in the senate since 1960, and during that time Republicans have never had more than 55 in their caucus. The Democrats have had the super majority several times but 2009 was the first time in over 30 years. The electorate split almost 50-50 and we are going to see close national races for the foreseeable future.
Also remember that until the rules were changed in the 1970s, it took 67 votes to override a filibuster.
I don't know about Jennings, but you are the one describing sex acts on a political blog. TMI
They didn't have 60 votes in the Senate Mikatollah. Democrats do have that today, well until today. You present the Republican majority as if it was akin to what Democrats have today – and it isn't. Not even close.
Who was the author of that 67 to 60 vote change? Robert Byrd! A Democrat. Over and over the Democrats blocked the Republican Majority in the 2000's. Now, Biden says that turns the constitution on it's head.
Again, this goes back to the 17th. The Senate is supposed to represent STATE interests, which are not always congruent to it's people's interests. It did so most effectively when STATE legislators decided on their Senators.
It was you that insisted the Treasury falls under the congress. When I point out that it is an executive function you switch to the Fed. Pick an argument…
Federal Express… the shipping company? What do they have to do with the Fed? For that matter, what has the Treasury Department have to do with the Fed? The Fed is independent and the Treasury falls directly under the president.
I like the Constitution just the way it is. It is the right that wants to amend it all the time… for flag burning or abortion or direct election of senators or ga -y marriage. You will hear it all here.
I like the system just the way it is. We have a successful framework for government in place and it has served us well. It's not perfect, just way better than the next best thing. I can live with the limitations of a democratic republic.
I guess you had your head in the liberal sandbox when it was discussed here ad-infinitum. Go to the archives.
Glad to see you suggest that "Republicans must propose specific and credible alternatives to the Democrat polices on health care, the jobs bill, cap and trade, immigration and tax bills" rather than mostly pretending there are not even any issues they need to have a policy about, and, instead, just banging on about tax cuts. The tax cut drum is bust and the American people know it. The reason is that, after Bush and Obama, the country is headed straight towards exploding public debt and fiscal insolvency, the result of which will be hyper-inflation and serious impoverishment for most Americans. We should make a rule that neither Republicans nor Democrats can make any tax or spend proposal without also explaining how they will lower the public debt. Anything else will be pure deception.
Have you ever seen the shorelines in the Persian Gulf? That is not something you would want for this country.
Offshore oil drilling creates as many problems as it solves. Our future investments are better made in alternative energy.
It's not me that needs the lessons in manners. And spare us from your twisted sexual fantasies.
switch from being party of "no" to party of "know", unlike the Dem's and their party of woe, be smart, slow it down be the party of "whoa"
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