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Contract on America
Author: BobR
Date: 09/24/2010 10:25:59
With much fanfare and posturing, the Republicans released their "Pledge to America" yesterday. Oddly enough, it's a pastiche of talking points that we've all heard before, none of which they seemed to be interested in pursuing back in the early 2000s when they were actually in charge. It's also strangely reminiscent of Newt Gingrich's Contract With America. This is more like a contract ON America.
What does it contain? Let's take a look:
Of course - this is all pandering nonsense. They're already broken one of their pledges before even getting started:
Democrats have a competing plan; whether anyone pays it much heed remains to be seen. Considering that everyone's taxes are lower than when the Republicans were in charge, that health care is more accessible than when Republicans were in charge, that less Democrats have faced legal scrutiny than Republicans, and that less people have died from terrorist attacks than when Republicans were in charge, it seems a no-brainer that going Republican this election is a step in the wrong direction.
The Republicans have put a contract on America - it's our duty to see that it doesn't get carried out.
What does it contain? Let's take a look:
- A plan to create jobs, end economic uncertainty, and make Amerca [sic] more competitive: (yes, they actually spelled America wrong in the table of contents!) How do the plan to do this? Tax cuts. How well has this worked in the past? It hasn't.
- A plan to stop out of control spending and reduce the size of government: How do they plan to do this? Cut spending. Where? Well, they're none too specific there. They also include a pie chart which shows defense spending as a small sliver. Everyone knows it's over 50%. This is deliberately deceptive.
- A plan to repeal and replace the government takeover of healthcare: After all their wailing and gnashing of teeth over the deficit, they want to remove a program that the non-partisan CBO has declared will reduce deficits and which most people support? Their document also includes misinformation about the new law.
- A Plan to Reform Congress and Restore Trust: We already had that - it was the 2006 and 2008 elections when the Republicans were tossed out for being corrupt bums. Just like their plan to "cut spending", their pledge is lite on details.
- To Keep our Nation secure at home and abroad: Just like they did on 9/11. BTW - how exactly is our nation "abroad"? Isn't that technically some other country?
- Checks and Balances: excuse me? Isn't that already part of the Constitution?
Of course - this is all pandering nonsense. They're already broken one of their pledges before even getting started:
It didn’t take long for Republicans to break a promise in their new “Pledge to America” to “give small business tax deductions,” Democrats charged this afternoon.
Four hours after the GOP rolled out its new campaign manifesto, a bill containing $12 billion in tax cuts for small business passed on a 237-187 vote in the House. Rep. Walter Jones (R-N.C.) was the lone Republican to vote for the measure.
“By breaking one of their top pledges within hours of making it, Republicans proved that you can put as much stock into their promises as you can a promise made at a Lindsay Lohan probation hearing,” snapped Democratic National Committee spokesman Hari Sevugan.
Democrats have a competing plan; whether anyone pays it much heed remains to be seen. Considering that everyone's taxes are lower than when the Republicans were in charge, that health care is more accessible than when Republicans were in charge, that less Democrats have faced legal scrutiny than Republicans, and that less people have died from terrorist attacks than when Republicans were in charge, it seems a no-brainer that going Republican this election is a step in the wrong direction.
The Republicans have put a contract on America - it's our duty to see that it doesn't get carried out.
