Republicans - Need More Than Teabags
The Washington Post ran an interesting piece on the future prospects of the Republican party as it relates to the tea party protests of last week. Many conservatives are hoping that the protests will lead to a national uproar against President Obama’s spending policies and what the right perceives as the socialization of America.
The Post writes…
“The tea bag protests that marked tax day on Wednesday represented an opportunity and a risk for the Republican Party. Opportunity because they offered a jolt of energy for a battered party after two dismal elections. Risk because they supplied at best only a partial answer to what ails the GOP.”
Why is that? Well, because “fueling anger is not a strategy.”
How true. Obama is still riding high in public opinion polls with a majority of Americans in favor of his performance to date. Reps will have to do a lot more than simply being the party of ‘NO’. Criticism of Obama based on stale and failed policies from the past, just won’t do it for most. As WP notes:
“The tea party protests offer the GOP an appealing lifeline, an energized cadre of indeterminate size. They may be a one-time phenomenon or the start of something larger. The potency of the Republican prescription of tax cuts and small government has lessened with the failures of the Bush years and the scope of the economic crisis. Can it be restored? Much depends on the success or failure of Obama’s economic policies.”
So it remains to be seen whether the tea parties will have a favorable effect on republican fortunes . There is an attempt underway to organize national protests for July 4 and beyond. What is clear is that the republican party needs to represent more than simply a symbol of opposition. It needs to come up with alternative ideas which are not based entirely on those of the past.
And maybe, it needs to lose some of the conservative shackles which is holding it back in this new age. As an example, John McCain’s former campaign manager, Steve Schmidt, expressed his concerns about the impact of religion on setting Republican policy. Specifically he suggested that the party should rethink its position on gay marriage.
From HuffPost:
“If you reject [gay marriage] on religious grounds, I respect that,” he said. “I respect anyone’s religious views. However, religious views should not inform the public policy positions of a political party because… when it is a religious party, many people who would otherwise be members of that party are excluded from it because of a religious belief system that may be different. And the Republican Party ought not to be that. It ought to be a coalition of people under a big tent.”
Wise words…
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Until the GOP offers solutions, this is just noise.
I have read several articles about Eric Cantor’s “Solution Center” which offers the same “solution” to each issue. Tax Cuts.
http://minoritywhip.house.gov/Solutions/
Protests, threats of secession, and the Party of “No” will not result in a return to power. They need to offer more.
Meanwhile, I am thinking about joining a counter protest for the next event. The Billionaires for Bush idea seems appropriate. I look good in a tiara. (lol)
Many of us see allowing us to keep and use our own money as being more effective than giving it to the government to squander. It’s not particularly a revolutionary idea. And in that President Obama seems to favor comparing himself to Abraham Lincoln, I would refer him and anyone else that feels the Government can make better use of our money to Mr. Lincoln’s wisdom:
“We all declare for liberty; but in using the same word we do not all mean the same thing. With some the word liberty may mean for each man to do as he pleases with himself, and the product of his labor; while with others, the same word many mean for some men to do as they please with other men, and the product of other men’s labor. Here are two, not only different, but incompatible things, called by the same name – liberty. And it follows that each of the things is, by the respective parties, called by two different and incompatible names – liberty and tyranny.”
Hey O-man. How have you been?
Well… some may say squander. I would not.
We need a universal health care plan. Have needed it forever. And, with the current unemployment rate, the COBRA help is more than needed.
Money toward infrastructure seems like a win-win. Provides jobs; provides much needed services and installations such as an updated energy grid, roads, bridge repairs or replacments, etc.
Taxes always have been, and always will, be a necessary evil. But, under the new plan, the majority of the population is getting a tax break.
I’m fine mimi. You seem to have recovered nicely.
I’m all for paying my share to support infrastructure, military, etc.
Where I draw the line is taking my money, built through a life of responsibility and making responsible decisions, and handing over to those who have been irresponsible.
As I stated in an early post. I value Health Care so I have made the responsible and sometimes painful choice to forego drugs, cigarettes, alcoholic beverages, new cars, vacations, to mention a few thing, in order to maintain Health Care Coverage. So, after MY sacrifice, why should I be now asked to help subsidize those who have been less responsible?
With that said, I recognize there is a need to rein in costs and provide for legitimate needy cases.
Just don’t ask me to pay for my neighbor who sat on his porch on Saturday, drinking beer, grilling steaks and laughing at me while I put in overtime!! ;-)
You have some valid points. And, there are no easy solutions. But, you’ll never get me to agree on the healthcare issue. It is unattainable for too many.
Walmart employees are among the highest users of medicaid in the country. These people cannot afford to buy a health insurance plan on their own. Just google Walmart and medicaid.
And, I often wonder why a child is entitled to an education, but not healthcare?
The way the system works, someone who falls ill and cannot work anymore can lose their insurance. Exactly when it’s needed.
I’m with you on your point that some lived beyond their means. But, the overall picture must be taken into consideration.
I hope they are able to stop the flood of foreclosures. A bunch of boarded up homes helps no one. It brings the property value down for homes in the vincinity. And displaces people, some of whom were not irresponsible, just unlucky.
I am certainly upset with the real estate industry, including the mortage industry, who allowed this mortgage mess to happen. As well as those who took “liar loans”. But, at this point, we can only work toward solutions.
I also keep in mind that there were those who could well afford their homes at the time they purchased, but who are now laid off and cannot sell for amount they purchased at.
Lots of folks are struggling, O-man. People are still being laid off. It’s not just a bunch of irresponsible people. It’s often circumstances out of their control.
Because the economy has slowed, advertising has slowed. There are many in that industry who are losing their jobs. Both in production areas and in sales.
Anyway, as I said, you have some valid points. But, you can’t get me to believe that the majority of those who need a hand are just a bunch of irresponsible folks.