Americans First, Republicans Second

American First, Republican Second
By Lauren Goddard and R. Patrick Murphy

Americans have sent a clear message that must be reflected upon: As Republicans, we are not trusted to lead this country. After the results from eight years of a George Bush Presidency and six years of a Republican Congress, voters decided it was time for change. Who can blame them?

Democrats promised voters they would deliver the essential functions of government, such as a dependable economy and consistent national defense, while acting responsibly and effectively. Their promise of post-partisan politics was appealing as well, considering the growing desire among voters to elect representatives who will work for all Americans, not just a political party.

This remains a center-right nation, ideologically, but the last two election cycles demonstrated that Americans are willing to look past differences on the major issues and take a chance on candidates who have promised to be more productive and competent than their predecessors. This represents a shift in the political landscape, away from ideology and towards pragmatism.

To move this country forward, Republicans and Democrats must work together to develop the best solutions for the serious problems our country faces. Just as Republicans and Democrats allied after the disasters of September 11th, both parties must join together to guarantee America’s problems are resolved. As Americans, we must demand that our elected representatives cooperate to solve the very serious dilemmas in America right now.

Some question the conservative credentials of Republicans willing to work with Democrats, but it should be stated that the goal is never to dilute conservatism via compromise. Republicans must never acquiesce or waver in defense of our core conservative principles: strong national defense, free market capitalism, freedom and liberty for individuals, decreased tax burden for all taxpayers, and limited waste in government. While Republicans will not win each battle, we must always be prepared to defend and promote our principles. If not, both Americans and Republicans will lose.

Delivering on the promise of good bipartisan government requires that liberal and conservative tenets are represented in every discussion. Unfortunately, when Republicans offered conservative additions to a very liberal stimulus plan, they were swiftly rejected by Congressional Democrats and President Barack Obama. We should all support Republican Congressmen in their fight to protect capitalism and lower taxes on middle and low-income workers.

Regrettably, vocal conservatives derided their actions as traitorous, instead of rallying support. This criticism is not only juxtaposed to the economic interests of the country, but also inhibits Republican efforts to rebuild our damaged credibility. As a party, we cannot afford to become marginalized reactionaries who simply oppose for the sake of opposition. The outcome of such mindless opposition would be legislation without input from Republicans, robbing Americans of conservative principles that will help in these difficult times.

With Democrats controlling the executive and legislative branches of government, they will undoubtedly advance a liberal agenda. Because of such control, Republicans have only two clear choices of action—fight Democrats in futility or collaborate to ensure our conservative principles are represented. But be forewarned, trading insults back and forth will not stall overtly liberal plans.

Once both political parties acknowledge the benefit of collaboration, they will be able to provide the most needed improvements for our nation. Republicans will also receive an invaluable opportunity to reassert credibility and narrow the trust gap with the American people. When this is combined with expanded outreach to young and minority voters, Republicans will enjoy a vastly improved electoral outlook.

In the end, it doesn’t matter to most Americans if something comes from a Democrat or Republican. Everyone desires a government that works. Americans must demand that both Republicans and Democrats place America ahead of partisanship. It’s imperative that we are all Americans first, partisans second.

Lauren is the Head Editor at The New Republicans and a Senior at West Coast Baptist College in Los Angeles. Patrick is the Chairman Emeritus of the Texas Federation of College Republicans and a Sophomore at Collin College in Dallas. Both are experienced campaign staffers.

 

Live: Inauguration Coverage via Hulu.com

 

GOP Exposes Flaws in Obama’s Stimulus Plan

Republicans may finally be wising up to Barack Obama’s stimulus plan. John Boehner, House Minority Leader, has put out the following twelve “lowlights of the impending President’s $825 Billion plan.

1. The plan will cost each and every household $6,700 additional debt, paid for by our children and grandchildren.

2. The total cost of this one piece of legislation is almost as much as the annual discretionary budget for the entire federal government.

3. Obama has said that his proposed stimulus legislation will create or save three million jobs. This means that this legislation will spend about $275,000 per job. The average household income in the U.S. is $50,000 a year.

4. $825 billion is enough to give every man, woman, and child in America $2,700.

5. $825 billion is enough to give every person living in poverty in the U.S. $22,000.

6. $825 billion is enough to give every person in Ohio $72,000.

7.  Although the House Democrats’ proposal has been billed as a transportation and infrastructure investment package, in actuality only $30 billion of the bill — three percent — is for road and highway spending.

8. Much of the funds will go to programs that already have large, unexpended balances. For example, the bill provides $1 billion for Community Development Block Grants (CDBG), which already have $16 billion on hand.

9. In 1993, the unemployment rate was virtually the same as the rate today. Yet, President Clinton’s proposed stimulus legislation only contained $16 billion in spending.

10. Here are just a few of the programs and projects that have been included in the proposal:

• $650 million for digital TV coupons.
• $6 billion for colleges/universities — many which have billion dollar endowments.
• $166 billion in direct aid to states — many of which have failed to budget wisely.
• $50 million in funding for the National Endowment of the Arts.
• $44 million for repairs to U.S. Department of Agriculture headquarters.
• $200 million for the National Mall.
• $400 million for “National Treasures.”

11.  Almost one-third of the so called tax relief is spending in disguise, meaning that true tax relief makes up only 24 percent of the total package, not the 40 percent that President-elect Obama had requested.

12. $825 billion is just the beginning. Many Capitol Hill Democrats want to spend even more on their “stimulus” plan.

I’m glad that Republicans have taken time to review the bill, find the crap, and then expose it. Hopefully this will gain some traction and put pressure on the House to adjust the stimulus bill. However, that may be nothing more than hope.

(Thanks to Pajamas Media for providing the list.)

 

Current Distraction: United States of Pop

Little late on this one. Who cares.

For the last two years, DJ Earworm has created a mashup of the year’s top 25 hits. The latest one is pretty phenomenal, I’m listening to it for the third time right now and tapping my toes.

Here’s a link for your listening pleasure:
United States of Pop: 2008

 

Reading: Trains, Spending, & Stimulus

Fast Train to the 21st Century, by Joseph Paolino Jr.

“Putting millions of Americans to work and rebuilding our frayed infrastructure are Barack Obama’s most pressing priorities when he takes office. He should start by creating a high-speed rail link between Boston and Washington.

Obama takes office next week amid the worst economic crisis since the Depression. Large public investments and innovation are key to reviving the economy and putting people back to work. High-speed train service on the Northeast corridor would be an excellent place to start moving our citizens, and our economy, into the 21st century.”

Beware of the Big-Government Tipping Point, by Peter Wehner & Paul Ryan

“For most of our nation’s history, our approach to economics has favored enterprise, self-reliance and the free market. While the American economy has never been entirely laissez-faire, we have historically cared more about equality of opportunity than equality of results. And while Americans have embraced elements of the New Deal, the Great Society and progressive taxation, we have traditionally viewed welfare as a way to help those in dire need, not as a way of life for the middle class.”

Sen. Conrad Doubts Stimulus Plan Will Create 3 Million Job, from Bloomberg

“The head of the Senate Budget Committee said he doubts President-elect Barack Obama’s $825 billion economic stimulus package will create as many jobs as promised because it won’t do enough to unlock credit markets.

To resolve the banking crisis, “we have to seriously consider bolder, more far-reaching steps,” the senator said. Policymakers should consider a “good bank, bad bank” plan to boost lending at troubled institutions by moving toxic assets from them to other banks that would have to “work through those bad assets,” he said.”

 

NFL Picks: Conference Championships

It’s the last week of the NFL Playoffs. We’ve come down to four teams and only two can move ahead to the Super Bowl in Tampa. It’s been a great year for football, this week promises to be no exception. The Eagles are on their way to Arizona, while the Ravens are heading up to Pittsburgh. Two great matches with big consequences, let’s take a look.

 

Video: Landing on the Hudson

Just two days after the miraculous water landing by Captain Sullenberger in the Hudson River, the United States Coast Guard has released the first footage of the actual landing.

It’s not the best shot and you’ve got to skip ahead to the 2 minute mark, but it’s the only footage available thus far. With so many airliners hitting the water and doing cartwheels on camera, it feels good to see a plain and simple glide to a stop.

On a related note, Captain Sullenberger has amassed an enormous following on Facebook, with over 200,000 fans. You can become a fan of his here.

 

Current Distraction: Historical Tweets

Random browsing of Twitter lead me to HistoricalTweets.com, a blog full of hilarious edits of supposed tweets from historical figures.

From Steve Jobs (circa 1985) to Lewis & Clark in 1804, the range is wide and the content rich. One of my favorites is the ironic tweet from @HonestAbe, featured to the right.

This kept me laughing for a good ten minutes. Let me know what you think in the comments.

 

Inaugural Post – Get Excited

This is my third attempt at maintaining a sustained blog. On my first attempt, I focused on politics, a subject which consumes the majority of my thought. The second attempt was focused on broader areas of interest, although still mainly political. Both times I burned out and stopped posting. This time around I’m going to treat this blog as an extension of Twitter, meaning that it will be inclusive of my whole life.