Dealing with the Republican Party (punishment, tradition, choices, choice)

[Radio Frequency X]

Fiscal conservatives and those who believe in the political principles of mutual benefit, personal accountability, and governmental restraint, are beginning to realize what I have been screaming about since 2000: that the Republican establishment has become more irresponsible, fiscally, than the Democratic Party. While the Democrats are interested in spending more, they are also willing to tax more to cover the costs of government. Their tax increases carry the singular benefit of baring no interest, whereas the Republicans in many States (especially in the South: Va, Nc, Sc, and Ga) are increasing spending and running up deficits. It has taken a surge in Democratic Governors to quell the irresponsibility of Republicans, to raise property and sales taxes, and to rebuild surpluses.

Now, as more fiscal conservatives realize the dilemma facing the current Republican establishment, a couple of questions come to mind. Are the Democrats, with their tax and spend philosophy, less dangerous than the Republicans, with their tax-cut and spend philosophy? Would a change in our votes encourage Republicans to return to our conservative political principles? Has the incredible success of the Republican party allowed them to become incorrigible and out of touch?

I have always preferred the Republican Party to that of the Democrats, because I believe in conservative political principles; but now that the Republican Party no longer ascribes to those principles, except in rhetoric, I feel that they deserve some political punishment. Without moderate Republicans reforming the party, Republicans are going to do more damage than the Democrats, in my opinion. Here are a couple of reforms I would like to see:

1. A commitment to a balanced budget – even if it takes a few tax hikes and some cuts in "valuable" discretionary spending.

2. An acceptance of the Welfare State as a valuable role of government, but with a deliberate and ambitious drive to reform the system in order to lower costs and increase bureaucratic efficiency. If we are going to do this, let's do it right!

3. A renewed interest in education and in the environment.

4. A drive to restrict and cut inefficient discretionary spending and unproductive bureaucratic programs.

5. Campaigns that reach out to all classes, both genders, and all ethnicities and religions by encouraging pluralism, tolerance, and inclusion in the pursuit of reviving our tradition of the American Dream.

[CaptainXeroid]

Originally Posted by Radio Frequency X

...whereas the Republicans in many States (especially in the South: Va, Nc, Sc, and Ga) are increasing spending and running up deficits. It has taken a surge in Democratic Governors to quell the irresponsibility of Republicans, to raise property and sales taxes, and to rebuild surpluses...

Not to split hairs or negate an otherwise excellent post, but in Georgia, our current governor, the first Republican since 1870, is the one who brought spending under control and restored a state budget surplus. In fact, until the elections of 2002, our politics were DOMINATED by Democrats, but because of the mess they had made, GA voters kicked them out in a big burly way.

Originally Posted by Radio Frequency X

...Now, as more fiscal conservatives realize the dilemma facing the current Republican establishment, a couple of questions come to mind. Are the Democrats, with their tax and spend philosophy, less dangerous than the Republicans, with their tax-cut and spend philosophy?

The problem with BOTH parties is the SPEND part. Until one of them demonstrates a real desire to cut pork barrel spending and true fiscal responsibility, I don't think either is 'less dangerous'.

Originally Posted by Radio Frequency X

...Would a change in our votes encourage Republicans to return to our conservative political principles?...

I'd like to think so. As long as one party controls the Senate, the House, and the Presidency we are really screwed.

Originally Posted by Radio Frequency X

...Has the incredible success of the Republican party allowed them to become incorrigible and out of touch?...

The current GOP leadership has confirmed the age old axiom that absolute power corrupts absolutely.

As for your list of reforms...good stuff, except for the part about raising taxes, because it's more important to get spending under control. If Congress raises taxes, that would reduce their incentive to exercise fiscal responsibility.

[ALifetimeToWaitFor....]

3. A renewed interest in education and in the environment.

I'm not so interested in the future of our country fiscally because I would rather see it fall down and rebuild, but the education and future generations is soooooo important. If we do not have thinkers on par with the rest of the world in all aspects logic, freeform thought, creativity we will be lost no matter what. Now saying that I think it is the American spirt to survive at all costs and we will no matter what comes our way, but to survive and thrive we truly need to use our minds not drop bombs. Second, the environment is the most important thing to me. Which by the way wasn't mentioned once in any of the presidential debates last election. We a nation with one of the last unspoiled landscapes are butchering it. From drilling in endangered species habitats in Oregon. To cutting down 40 year forests now that we cant find 100 year old ones anymore all over the country and planting seedling that will obviously take a short life time to regrow. We are polluting our drinking water at a record level, because of the growing industry to supply a materialistic nation. That being said I think republican Christian leaders should be more prudent in their choices to claim they are Christians and that Christs message dictates the manner in which they live. Christ's message clearly is againist revenge, murder, even self defense. Its one of utter humility. I guess you could call the Christainity that our leaders have followed from the founding of this country is one of convience. By the way read C.S. Lewis "Mere Christianity" its depiction of what Christians should do a war time is totally old testament.

Anyways love as always and i rambled again

[MaddLlama]

The Republican praty needs to be rescued from the religious politicians. After that, I think everything will fall back into place.
Personally, I think the party went downhill starting with Reagan.

[lunamoth]

Originally Posted by Radio Frequency X

1. A commitment to a balanced budget – even if it takes a few tax hikes and some cuts in "valuable" discretionary spending.

2. An acceptance of the Welfare State as a valuable role of government, but with a deliberate and ambitious drive to reform the system in order to lower costs and increase bureaucratic efficiency. If we are going to do this, let's do it right!

3. A renewed interest in education and in the environment.

4. A drive to restrict and cut inefficient discretionary spending and unproductive bureaucratic programs.

5. Campaigns that reach out to all classes, both genders, and all ethnicities and religions by encouraging pluralism, tolerance, and inclusion in the pursuit of reviving our tradition of the American Dream.

Sounds like the Democratic agenda to me. But, it appears that our two parties pretty much can be defined today: Party A) more spending/more taxes and Party B) more spending/less taxes/greater debt/screw the world.


luna

[Radio Frequency X]

Originally Posted by MaddLlama

The Republican praty needs to be rescued from the religious politicians. After that, I think everything will fall back into place.
Personally, I think the party went downhill starting with Reagan.

I liked Reagan and I liked Clinton (neither were perfect, but they were better than Carter and the Bush's). Anyway, the Republicans do need to get away from religion, but I don't think that will happen.

[Smoke]

Originally Posted by CaptainXeroid

The problem with BOTH parties is the SPEND part. Until one of them demonstrates a real desire to cut pork barrel spending and true fiscal responsibility, I don't think either is 'less dangerous'.

It's always more dangerous to spend money you don't have than it is to spend money you have.

[Radio Frequency X]

Originally Posted by MidnightBlue

It's always more dangerous to spend money you don't have than it is to spend money you have.

More dangerous? Not really. More costly, definitely! Of course, the government doesn’t make any money, so they should show some respect for the citizens who are funding their operations.

[CaptainXeroid]

Originally Posted by Radio Frequency X

More dangerous? Not really. More costly, definitely! Of course, the government doesn’t make any money, so they should show some respect for the citizens who are funding their operations.

Well stated and more Frubals to you. Some people seem to forget that the only money government 'has' is what they have taken from people who earned it.

What is more dangerous is letting government get in our pockets any deeper than they already are. Cutting wasteful spending has GOT to take priority over raising taxes.

When the Democrats controlled Congress and the White House, they spent like drunken sailors. Now we are having the same problem with the Republicans.

This November, part of me is secretly hoping the Democrats DO retake the House or the Senate if for no other reason than to slow down the run away spending.

[Ciscokid]

Originally Posted by Radio Frequency X

Here are a couple of reforms I would like to see:

1. A commitment to a balanced budget – even if it takes a few tax hikes and some cuts in "valuable" discretionary spending.

I'd like to see a LOT of cuts in spending.

2. An acceptance of the Welfare State as a valuable role of government, but with a deliberate and ambitious drive to reform the system in order to lower costs and increase bureaucratic efficiency. If we are going to do this, let's do it right!

I'd like to nearly abolish Welfare. The amount of people who really NEED financial assistance and the amount that get it is quite a difference.

3. A renewed interest in education and in the environment.

I'm not convinced that we need the Federal Gov. being in charge of education. Can't the state worry about that?

4. A drive to restrict and cut inefficient discretionary spending and unproductive bureaucratic programs.

Gosh that's half the Gov if you ask me.

5. Campaigns that reach out to all classes, both genders, and all ethnicities and religions by encouraging pluralism, tolerance, and inclusion in the pursuit of reviving our tradition of the American Dream.

As long as at the same time we protect our country from illegal immigrants. Something should have been done with our southern borders many years ago and our Gov. failed to act. Now we get to pay for it.