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First Post at RLCIL: What’s Wrong with the GOP
By Michael Tams | March 24, 2008
Thank you to the gentlemen behind the Illinois chapter of the RLC.
Instead of listing my CV or a 10,000 word essay on my political philosophy, I think if one simply googled my name or, perhaps, “American Federalist Blog” you’d find plenty of information; if folks are interested in checking out my prior writing and philosophy, they can have at it. If not, they can skip that and I avoid the appearance of shameless self-promotion.
With that out of the way, let’s get started.
I heard a prominent GOP official tonight lamenting that the problem facing the Republican Party is sort of a guilt-by-association one; it’s not the GOP that’s bad, it’s just that they get lumped in there with the Democrats who are really responsible for bad governance. With all due respect - hence, no names - this guy couldn’t be more wrong. Our problem is one of people. We’ve allowed the party bosses to pick the wrong ones, and not recruit the right ones.
This gentleman was making his case, and the usual litany was employed with limited effect. I say limited, for I am certain that some Republicans in attendance bought his pitch. He rattled off the usual: infighting among Democrats make Springfield toxic; Republicans try to work with their colleagues across the aisle, and the Dems don’t; the opposition is fiscally irresponsible, we’re not. He spoke in defense of the party, expressing the need for a capital bill (”they” want $25B, “we” only want $6B), the importance of the CTA legislation, and, of course, the warning to watch out for tax increases.
Here’s my helpful guide for any nominal Republican politician; and I say nominal, because there is a distinct aroma of “in-name-only” about many folks in our party. First, never agree with a Democrat on any spending measure, and take the most extreme opposite position you can as it will then be the proper position. For example, if the Democrats push for a CTA bailout, not only should you not vote with them, you shouldn’t even try to spend less. Instead, ask the question that’s on everyone’s mind: why can’t we sell the CTA to JP Morgan Equity Partners or Sam Zell or the Carlyle Group? If the service in question (like public transportation) is necessary and there is a demand for it, let private investors find a way to make it profitable (after all, services should be supported by service user fees). Extra credit: suggest putting up the assets in a public sale format, thereby creating competition among numerous buyers. Double extra credit: use some of the proceeds as business tax refunds, coupled with slashing the corporate tax rate in Illinois.
Second, fight Democrats on any positions they take or on any proposal they make. If the Governor calls for a capital budget, scream from the steps of the Capitol that there should be a prohibition on capital budgets indefinitely. If our opponents point out that we “lose” matching dollars if we don’t spend a certain amount, use colorful analogies to illustrate their utterly moronic thinking. An example might be this (and thanks to my wife for helping me find a clean analogy): you need two pairs of pants; they cost $50 each and you have exactly $100 to spend. Yet, when you get to the store, they offer you a deal: spend $150 and you get a $50 gift card. While some might be smug in the satisfaction that they got $200 worth of merchandise for $150, the bigger point is this: you blew your budget by a whopping 50%, numbskull. And now you also have $100 worth of pants you didn’t need. In short, if our political opponents choose to craft and advocate bad policy, we should let them, and point out their foolishness. Know that the descent over the cliff must be spectacular, but that we don’t need to experience it firsthand for ourselves.
Lastly, stop being friends with your political opponents. Yes, I know, everyone waxes nostalgic about how they wish there were more Reagans and O’Neills in both parties, people who could slug it out and then go end the day with a beer. These people are generally leftists who don’t want you pointing out their certifiable ideas. It’s one thing to give the other guy hell and still respect him, and an entirely different thing to be bending over backwards to ingratiate oneself with the demagogue du jour (like cutting commercials for your opponent, or something outlandish that no one would really ever consider).
In short, these three useful tips can be used in lieu of maintaining one’s principles; or not having any to begin with. Perhaps we could print them out on 3×5 cards, laminate them, and send them to our representatives as sort of a thank-you for doing the job we sent them there to do.
Topics: Commentary, GOP, Illinois |
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