June 29, 2009
COMMENTARY: Do the Republicans Have an Agenda?
By Tom Proebsting
After Barry Goldwater's catastrophic defeat to Lyndon Johnson in the 1964 presidential election, the GOP's conservative wing took some time to lick their wounds. Led by Ronald Reagan, the Republicans penned a new agenda and politically took the world by storm in 1980.
Here's how they did it. Their four-point agenda was simple. One, they promoted family values. They preached pro-life and pro-marriage doctrines that grabbed many of the Democrat Party's working class.
Two, a strong military buildup was stressed. The Cold War was still raging and patriotism was touted. Plus, the increased manufacture of war munitions added more needed jobs.
Three, they promoted smaller federal government. Read 'Decrease the Federal Welfare State.' This point included 'lower taxes.' It made many taxpayers happy.
Finally, the GOP wanted to de-regulate the economy. This would promote a pro-business environment and possibly add more jobs.
This agenda resulted in 20 years of Reagan, the Bushes, and centrist Clinton presidencies. The four-point agenda has still not been completed. However, today we are ruled by a left-of-center president.
How can the conservative Republicans get their groove back?
One way not to succeed in future elections is the example of the recent meeting of Republican leaders, led by Mitt Romney and his ilk. They spent a lot of time insulting Alaskan governor-and former VP running mate with John McCain-Sarah Palin.
Palin is a good but slightly inarticulate conservative. To insult her defeats the conservative cause. The male conservatives need to act logically and include Sarah Palin as an equal. They must treat her respectfully, as one of their own, which she is. Sarah is here to stay.
Another way to stay out of power is to lean to the left. We already have a major political party that is liberal: the Democratic Party. The GOP must offer something different.
I'm sure the idea-men of the Republican Party can come up with a simple political agenda like Ronald Reagan and his cronies did in 1980. It needn't be complicated. This is not rocket science.
So, boys of the GOP. Take notes.
Maybe it would include, but not be limited to, more power to the states. America has swung too far to the side of big central government. The Constitution mentions states’ rights. States could handle much of what the feds do. This would be good for everybody as it would help decrease federal government and lower our federal taxes. Maybe even eliminate the IRS.
Consider bringing most of our military personnel home. We cannot continue to act as the Policeman of the World. Let the United Nations fill that function. Think of the money that would save taxpayers. Think also of the lives that would be saved.
Next, improve the business world, the economy, the job situation. This is a vital point, in light of our nation’s recession. This can be done through business tax breaks, less regulations, rewards for keeping jobs in America, and punishments for moving jobs overseas. A friendlier business environment translates into more jobs, which is a huge plus for the working class and the labor unions.
Then, increase the competition and reduce some of the regulations among insurance companies. This may help bring down the cost of private health insurance premiums, saving taxpayers the huge costs and the inevitable headaches of nationalized health insurance.
College costs can be dealt with in a couple of ways. First, increase the college fund available to military personnel. Second, make available a college fund in the private sector for certain jobs, some of which can be accomplished through government incentives. An educated populace is a prosperous populace.
Improve the automotive industry by imposing severe protectionist measures against foreign auto makers. After all, they are highly protectionist; so why can't we be? The same may be done with other industries, such as textiles, food, electronics, steel, etc. This would be a boon for the working class. Why should America be stuck with a permanent trade deficit? This improvement would be good for everybody.
Finally, end the War on Drugs. Prohibition didn't work, and neither is the prohibition on illegal drugs. This would free up a lot of federal monies for drug treatment, education, and prevention. The lower classes would rally behind this.
OK, Republican conservatives, that's a start for you.
Run with it. 2012 is just around the corner.
* * *
Tom Proebsting is a writer living in Missouri. You may visit him at http://thulesociety.blogspot.com
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COMMENTARY: Do the Republicans Have an Agenda?
By Tom Proebsting
After Barry Goldwater's catastrophic defeat to Lyndon Johnson in the 1964 presidential election, the GOP's conservative wing took some time to lick their wounds. Led by Ronald Reagan, the Republicans penned a new agenda and politically took the world by storm in 1980.
Here's how they did it. Their four-point agenda was simple. One, they promoted family values. They preached pro-life and pro-marriage doctrines that grabbed many of the Democrat Party's working class.
Two, a strong military buildup was stressed. The Cold War was still raging and patriotism was touted. Plus, the increased manufacture of war munitions added more needed jobs.
Three, they promoted smaller federal government. Read 'Decrease the Federal Welfare State.' This point included 'lower taxes.' It made many taxpayers happy.
Finally, the GOP wanted to de-regulate the economy. This would promote a pro-business environment and possibly add more jobs.
This agenda resulted in 20 years of Reagan, the Bushes, and centrist Clinton presidencies. The four-point agenda has still not been completed. However, today we are ruled by a left-of-center president.
How can the conservative Republicans get their groove back?
One way not to succeed in future elections is the example of the recent meeting of Republican leaders, led by Mitt Romney and his ilk. They spent a lot of time insulting Alaskan governor-and former VP running mate with John McCain-Sarah Palin.
Palin is a good but slightly inarticulate conservative. To insult her defeats the conservative cause. The male conservatives need to act logically and include Sarah Palin as an equal. They must treat her respectfully, as one of their own, which she is. Sarah is here to stay.
Another way to stay out of power is to lean to the left. We already have a major political party that is liberal: the Democratic Party. The GOP must offer something different.
I'm sure the idea-men of the Republican Party can come up with a simple political agenda like Ronald Reagan and his cronies did in 1980. It needn't be complicated. This is not rocket science.
So, boys of the GOP. Take notes.
Maybe it would include, but not be limited to, more power to the states. America has swung too far to the side of big central government. The Constitution mentions states’ rights. States could handle much of what the feds do. This would be good for everybody as it would help decrease federal government and lower our federal taxes. Maybe even eliminate the IRS.
Consider bringing most of our military personnel home. We cannot continue to act as the Policeman of the World. Let the United Nations fill that function. Think of the money that would save taxpayers. Think also of the lives that would be saved.
Next, improve the business world, the economy, the job situation. This is a vital point, in light of our nation’s recession. This can be done through business tax breaks, less regulations, rewards for keeping jobs in America, and punishments for moving jobs overseas. A friendlier business environment translates into more jobs, which is a huge plus for the working class and the labor unions.
Then, increase the competition and reduce some of the regulations among insurance companies. This may help bring down the cost of private health insurance premiums, saving taxpayers the huge costs and the inevitable headaches of nationalized health insurance.
College costs can be dealt with in a couple of ways. First, increase the college fund available to military personnel. Second, make available a college fund in the private sector for certain jobs, some of which can be accomplished through government incentives. An educated populace is a prosperous populace.
Improve the automotive industry by imposing severe protectionist measures against foreign auto makers. After all, they are highly protectionist; so why can't we be? The same may be done with other industries, such as textiles, food, electronics, steel, etc. This would be a boon for the working class. Why should America be stuck with a permanent trade deficit? This improvement would be good for everybody.
Finally, end the War on Drugs. Prohibition didn't work, and neither is the prohibition on illegal drugs. This would free up a lot of federal monies for drug treatment, education, and prevention. The lower classes would rally behind this.
OK, Republican conservatives, that's a start for you.
Run with it. 2012 is just around the corner.
* * *
Tom Proebsting is a writer living in Missouri. You may visit him at http://thulesociety.blogspot.com
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