Serious Alternatives from the GOP
[Guest post by DRJ]
The Washington Post offers hope for the future of the Republican Party:
“Rep. Paul D. Ryan says he is determined to make sure the Republican Party is viewed as “the alternative party, not the opposition party.”
That is a goal President Obama embraced when he visited House Republicans at their policy retreat in Baltimore last week, and he singled out Ryan as someone he would like to work with — even mentioning budget legislation the Wisconsin Republican co-wrote.
Released two days before the unusual back-and-forth session between Obama and the GOP, the bill sponsored by Ryan and five other House members would seek to reduce the deficit and spur economic growth by cutting the tax rate on corporations, shifting future Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries to private insurance plans, and both raising the retirement age gradually to 70 and reducing the growth of benefits to make Social Security solvent. Even Democrats have acknowledged that it is one of the few plans offered by a member of either party that would lower the long-term budget deficit.”
The Serious Alternative. It may not be as catchy as Hope and Change but it’s what America needs.
— DRJ
that’s smart about the retirement age… I hate lazy old people
happyfeet (71f55e) — 2/5/2010 @ 1:36 pm“[Obama]singled out Ryan as someone he’d like to work with.”
“Come in to my parlor…”
As great as Ryan sounds, why does my skin crawl when Democrats start talking about working together? Or when Republicans say, “Don’t worry. We’ll hold fast to our principles when we’re in those smoke-filled back rooms!”
Gesundheit (6acc51) — 2/5/2010 @ 1:40 pmIf the Democrats love him then he must be something special!
j curtis (5126e4) — 2/5/2010 @ 1:50 pmAnd the dems are kind enough to schedule a vote on Ryan’s ideas.
imdw (c5488f) — 2/5/2010 @ 2:06 pmI’m sorry if anyone got the impression this post is about Ryan because it’s not. It’s about the need for Republicans to offer serious alternatives.
DRJ (84a0c3) — 2/5/2010 @ 2:10 pm“…it’s what America needs”
Which probably means that we ain’t gonna get it if Obama and the spendthrift Democrats have anything to say about it.
GM Roper (6afe02) — 2/5/2010 @ 2:11 pm“The Serious Alternative.”
That is excellent branding. Branding ain’t gonna fix the country, but it’s an essential aspect of politics.
The GOP should put up some basic bills on a website and have its contenders sign on to a platform of alternative reforms. Health Care via tort reform and freer trade, a budget that works, etc etc.
It’s unfortunate that attention spans aren’t very long, so we need a way to condense this alternative of ideas into a concise theme that candidates can refer to.
Dustin (b54cdc) — 2/5/2010 @ 2:23 pmDustin, I’ve been thinking for a long time about how to get the ideas out. It’s got to be a website that’s interactive, you can get the basic ideas and then go deeper for more information if you want to.
Really, I don’t know why Michael Steele doesn’t call me, heck, we live in the same state.
Vivian Louise (643333) — 2/5/2010 @ 2:37 pmThe point here is that our platform can’t be filibustering nominees and not passing healthcare reform, with a little whining about spending on the side.
Taking back the House And Senate would be great, but we’ll lose it right back again if we don’t put forward some actual policy ideas to solve problems.
wt (52a9ee) — 2/5/2010 @ 2:42 pmRep. Paul D. Ryan says he is determined to make sure the Republican Party is viewed as “the
alternativemajority party, not the opposition party.”Fixed.
Official Internet Data Office (dc2fe1) — 2/5/2010 @ 2:44 pmVivian, A) I really like your blog
B) Maybe some prominent bloggers should put this thing forward in an Army of Davids style and try to get a few congressional prospectives to start an avalanche of support.
I worry that Steele is staying out of this stuff because he’s become divisive. But it’s 2010. We need some great Contract with America style answers to this country’s problems, simplified in a way that is easy to absorb, remember, and access on the internet.
I’m afraid I’m out of step with most folks on most things or I’d just do it now, but DRJ’s basic argument that the GOP has to communicate its plan is an urgent message. Sometimes I get the feeling the party isn’t prepared for the opportunity this year is presenting it.
Dustin (b54cdc) — 2/5/2010 @ 2:52 pmIf the Democrats love him then he must be something special!
You’re quite wrong about Ryan – I’ve been watching him for many years at this point, and he’s not only sharp as a tack, but he brooks no bullsh-t from politicos like Obama. Witness his questioning of him at the GOP retreat, or better yet, go to C – Span and watch him fence with Rangel (they both serve on the House committe on finance) – always respectful, but he will not let him get away with anything regarding their budgetary footsie.
Dmac (539341) — 2/5/2010 @ 2:59 pmRyans on the right approach but raising the age to 70 has to be coupled with privatizing the program and stopping the taxing forever on savings and dividends
Europe right now is struggling with burdens of debt and entitlement programs and the dwindling dollar
Now that the bloom is off the rose Arabs, Asians are flocking to the dollar – the dollar is at a 1 month high and is screaming even higher
The price of gas is coming down and so is oil
Good times are coming back slowly
EricPWJohnson (d0c4eb) — 2/5/2010 @ 7:11 pm“Ryans on the right approach but raising the age to 70 has to be coupled with privatizing the program and stopping the taxing forever on savings and dividends”
The plan includes privatizing social security. Democrats are bringing this to a vote. Republicans can debate and get on record their position on this.
imdw (017d51) — 2/6/2010 @ 7:36 amIt’s only a partial privitization, Cupcake. That is, if you care to actually read his entire proposal.
Dmac (539341) — 2/6/2010 @ 8:13 am“It’s only a partial privitization, Cupcake. That is, if you care to actually read his entire proposal.”
Never mind ending medicare, group buying power, and forcing states to become powerless to regulate insurance in their borders.
cupcake?
imdw (78ece3) — 2/6/2010 @ 8:21 am