REPUBLICAN CONTRACT WITH AMERICAThat was 1994, when Republicans took control of both houses of Congress. The contract goes on to list several initiatives to remake Congress and the United States as the Republican Congress saw fit.
As Republican Members of the House of Representatives and as citizens seeking to join that body we propose not just to change its policies, but even more important, to restore the bonds of trust between the people and their elected representatives.
That is why, in this era of official evasion and posturing, we offer instead a detailed agenda for national renewal, a written commitment with no fine print.
This year's election offers the chance, after four decades of one-party control, to bring to the House a new majority that will transform the way Congress works. That historic change would be the end of government that is too big, too intrusive, and too easy with the public's money. It can be the beginning of a Congress that respects the values and shares the faith of the American family.
Like Lincoln, our first Republican president, we intend to act "with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right." To restore accountability to Congress. To end its cycle of scandal and disgrace. To make us all proud again of the way free people govern themselves.
I think it's time, at long last, for a response to that document, and here are a few items I'd like the Democrats to keep in mind.
- All Americans need access to affordable health care.
- All Americans should be able to earn a living wage.
- All Americans deserve to have elected officials free from corruption and corporate sponsorship.
- All Americans need government policies that are designed to keep them safe, including our soldiers in Iraq.
- All American children should have access to excellent schools where they can learn the life skills they'll need, preferably without fear of crazed gunmen.
7 comments:
How about:
Real commitment to affordable, sustainable, renewable energy.
Investment in ecologically friendly mass-transit.
Independence from fossil fuels, without ruining the wilderness.
We could reduce greenhouse gasses, and quit fighting for the oil companies
Our grandchildren will reap the benefits, or the burdens, of what we sow.
How about #1: A vow to not be such spineless losers that the Dems become political punching bags and late-night punchlines again.
I think a war on poverty should be #1. It all stems from there--and think about all the wise young minds we're losing to poverty. One of those kids could hold the key to renewable energy or curing HIV/AIDS. (Of course, as some wise person recently pointed out, we've done so well with the War on Terrorism and War on Drugs. Perhaps we shouldn't call it a War on Poverty. Doesn't bode well.)
That is comical (the republican contract with america)!
That historic change would be the end of government that is too big, too intrusive, and too easy with the public's money.
Perhaps they should change the name of the Republican party to The Delusionists of Grandeur.
And, I don't have any mental capacity to come up with a wishlist for the Democrats...so I'll second your ideas and what dreams and kerri's :)
As one of the few registered Republicans in this blog neighborhood I do hope that the dems can make some poitive changes but please allow me my
I'll believe it when I see it skepticism for a little while. Iguess while I would agree with all the sentiments expressed here I have serious doubts as to the governments ability to carry out these plans with any affectiveness and fear that the cure might be far wrse than the disease. ( I know I am just an old conservative grouch)
I share your skepticism, Finished Last, but I'm hoping for the best, and I firmly believe it was time for a change. If nothing else, I hope the executive branch has some oversight now. Our system of checks and balances doesn't work so well when one party controls government, as we've been witness to for the last six years.
Finished Last is right to be a skeptic.
The Democrats didn't win, the Republicans self-destructed.
They were too powerful, and that power corrupted them terribley.
I am glad to see evangelical Christians get out of politics, because politics corrupt religion. People shouldn't check their religion at the church door, they should vote their consciences and support the candidates and issues they believe in, but they should do so as private citizens.
The Democrats are not morally superior to Republicans; they're just as suseptible to bribery as anyone else.
The problem now is that big corporations own both parties. Politicians don't feel they work for us anymore.
Secular voter that I am, I pray the government will be returned to the people. This election is a step in that direction, not because of who one, but becuase the people showed their power by voting out a party that didn't live up to its promises.
The Dems have a lot of work to do.
Your items are a great list, but our government, like others, is such a mess that accomplishing ANY ONE of those would be a HUGE step.
The Democrats didn't win, the Republicans self-destructed.
Yeah.
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