Pledge - Part II

“We the People” have been sending very strong messages to our elected officials during the past 18-24 months indicating that we are very perturbed and just a little bit ticked off by the arrogant and dismissive manner portrayed by the occupants of both houses of Congress. This being said, the Republican “Pledge to America” makes this cogent observation: “Washington has not been listening.” No kidding!

The overall plan of the Pledge is presented in this manner: “Our plan stands on the principles of smaller, more accountable government; economic freedom; lower taxes; fiscal responsibility; protecting life, American values, and the Constitution; and providing for a robust national defense.”

The Pledge is broken down into six plans to restore America, particularly the manner in which a Republican majority plans to conduct the people’s business. This is presuming that the Republican Party manages to retake at least one house of Congress in November. When it comes to the Pledge, we’re talking about the Republicans regaining control of the House of Representatives. Should they equally gain control of the Senate, it would behoove the Senate Republicans to get on board with the House Pledge.

Those six plans are: 1) A plan to create jobs, end economic uncertainty, and make America more competitive; 2) A plan to stop out-of-control spending and reduce the size of government; 3) A plan to repeal and replace the government takeover of Health Care; 4) A plan to restore Congress and restore trust; 5) A plan to keep our nation secure at home and abroad; And 6) Checks and balances.

I will list each of the six plans and then offer a comment or two for your thoughtful consideration.

1) A plan to create jobs, end economic uncertainty, and make America more competitive.

The promise in this plan is to “end the attack on free enterprise by repealing job-killing policies.” Small businesses that create jobs will be allowed to take a tax deduction equal to 20 percent of their income. The costly small business mandates contained in the new Health Care Law will be repealed. Are you paying attention to this, California! Stop killing small businesses!

2) A plan to stop out-of-control spending and reduce the size of government.

“If we’ve learned anything over the last two years,” says the Pledge, “it’s that we cannot spend our way to prosperity.” Yup! Got that right! Among other things, the plan is to cancel the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP), and to reform Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Hallelujah! Now, do what you promise. Please!

3) A plan to repeal and replace the government takeover of Health Care.

It has already been determined by the CBO (Congressional Budget Office) that the new Health Care Law cannot be sustained. The cost is prohibitive. The new Health Care Law will mean more financial pain for seniors, families, employers and the federal government. Besides repealing this law, they will end permanently taxpayer funding of abortion, and they will codify the Hyde Amendment (barring federal funds being used for abortion). Bravo! Thank you for standing up for the unborn and holding to the sanctity of human life!

4) A plan to restore Congress and restore trust.

"The federal government is too big, it spends too much, and it's out of control" Boehner said. He acknowledged that "when Republicans were in charge of Congress" during the Bush years, "we made our fair share of mistakes." But now, he said, after listening to the American people for the past 20 months, "we get it, we get it." Do you get it, Mr. Boehner? I hope so. We’ll find out soon enough. The Pledge says, “We recognize that these solutions are ambitious, and that we are proposing them at a time of intense public distrust in politicians and the political system.” Quite right!

5) A plan to keep our nation secure at home and abroad.

We are a nation at war. “The primary obligation of the federal government remains providing for the common defense against all threats foreign and domestic.” True enough! Further, they promise to provide the resources, authority and support our deployed military requires; to fully fund missile defense (Can you say Iran, North Korea, Venezuela?); terrorist combatants will continue to be housed in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba; and our borders will be secured, working directly with state and local governments. About time! Former president and Army five-star general, Dwight D. Eisenhower, said, “History does not long entrust the care of freedom to the weak or the timid.”

6) Checks and balances.

This conservative plan will serve as a check and a balance against any schemes that are inconsistent with the priorities and rights of the American people.

I’d like to add one more plan to restore our nation to the values and principles we once admired and adhered to: “A man is as good as his word.”

Mr. Boehner, are you and your Republican cohorts as good as your word? “We the People” are counting on it.