Two years ago, I laid down this challenge to my left-leaning friends – What, specifically, to you expect of President Obama and the Democrats in control of Congress over the next two years such that if these things are not accomplished you will consider it a failure?
I received the following answers (with my assessments):
- Close Gitmo – (Nope.)
- End the war in Iraq – (Nope.)
- End the war in Afghanistan – (Actually has expended it.)
- Nationalize healthcare – (I would say no, but I think it is more of a mess now.)
- Increase taxes on the wealthy, roll back the Bush tax cuts – (Will happen after January 1, 2011 when they expire according to the original law, I would call this a no!)
- Reduce unemployment to 6 percent – (Nope.)
Today, I make this same challenge to my right-leaning friends – What, specifically, to you expect of the Republicans in control of the House over the next two years such that if these things are not accomplished you will consider it a failure?
For those of you in Texas, I will add – What, specifically, to you expect of the Republicans in control of the entire state government by an overwhelming margin to do over the next two years, such that, if these things are not accomplished you will consider it a failure?
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{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Ed, As a right leaning person I expect the Republicans to bring forward the list below. I don’t expect it all to get done because they do not have the Senate or the Whitehouse but they must try.
1) repeal the healthcare bill
2) make the Bush tax cuts perminate
3) stop all unspent TARP, Bailout, and other moneys. ie they are giving GL 40B in tax breaks but no other company gets them.
4) create gidlock so thight nothing new from the left get through.
I would like to see the size and scope of government actually shrink. We don’t need ever expanding services and programs. I would like them to abolish programs that have failed, like Dpt of Education, Dpt of Energy, Agriculture, etc. etc. Stop foreign aid, and bring the troops home. Let the young privatize their own retirement, and reduce the actual costs of government; meaning actually reduce taxes AND end the IRS, and if needed, replace it with a consumption based tax.
As for the state government. I’d like to see the state protect people against Eminent Domain abuse, and the taking of private property for commercial uses. I’d like to really finally end the tolling of existing lanes of highway, end property taxes and replace them with a consumption based tax. Allow real choice in education somehow, whether by voucher (if we have to pay for it by taxes) or some kind of relief from other taxes when choosing competing schools.
I’d like to see the state take a stand to the federal government via nullification or interpostion on things like Obamacare, and other federal arm-twists. Also in gun laws, we should allow open carry (though I won’t open carry, anyone should be allowed to) – and some sensible limits to cities that are openly running revenue generating operations like speed traps and red-light cameras. If someone is really causing traffic problems, then ok – but some cities have actually shortened the yellow light time on intersections with the red-light cameras in order to increase revenue and it has caused more acccidents.
Frankly, the more I learn of politics the less I expect. Now hope for is quite different. I hope for a world where a business can open a plant in South Carolina and not have organized labor call foul. I hope to see the end of class warfare and people thinking if you own a small business you must be rich and someone else should decide how your money is spent. I hope for a world where it is okay to celebrate Christmas and not have to say you are celebrating the holiday. I hope for a world where our children can dream the impossible dream and have it come true……need I scat more?