Optimism on Nov 8th
(post on midterm 2006 Congressional elections)
Posted 11/8/06 (By Travis)
11/8/06 Neoperspectives.com
"I hate to admit it, I'm optimistic about the Nov 7th elections and don't particularly care who wins."
Those were the words I wrote yesterday as I began to write a lengthy commentary on the coming midterm elections. However, since I didn't get the piece finished, it is now obsolete, but the gist remains the same, despite the fact that the Democrats have apparently won the House and possibly the Senate. The reason for my optimism is simple; I do not support the Republican party, I support what the Republican party supposedly stood for. When the Republican party ceases to stand for what it supposedly represents; it makes little sense to support them. Case in point:
How did GOP right get it so wrong?
11/4/06 Dick Armey
How did we go from the big ideas and vision of 1994 to the cheap political point-scoring on meaningless wedge issues of today — from passing welfare reform and limited government to banning horsemeat and same-sex marriage?
The answer is simple: Republican lawmakers forgot the party's principles, became enamored with power and position, and began putting politics over policy. Now, the Democrats are reaping the rewards of our neglect — and we have no one to blame but ourselves.
Despite controlling both houses of Congress and the presidency Republicans have given us record domestic spending and have not even made token attempts to reign in out of control government programs. They have lorded over an unprecedented rise in earmarks, pork barrel spending, and the corruption resulting from an expanded out of control one party government, Republican or not. Despite inherent misgivings, the phrase, 'throw the bums out' does have a nice ring to it. As Thomas Jefferson said, "From time to time, the tree of liberty must be watered with the blood of tyrants and patriots." Perhaps this truism is applicable to the big spenders in the house of representatives, especially when you consider who will be replacing them:
Democrats veer to the right in fight for House
10/11/06 Washington Times
To
make a successful play for House control, Democrats have to win in Republican districts. But voter
surveys consistently show that the national Democratic Party's liberal positions on taxes, abortion
and other issues do not go down well in districts that supported Mr. Bush by 10 percentage points or
more.
Therefore, the Democrats have recruited two types of candidates: those who
often sound like their Republican opponents on abortion, guns, homeland security or taxes -- and
those who simply don't talk much at all.
"It took 12 years in the minority for Democrats to realize that they
couldn't win elections by running like Democrats -- so they've drafted candidates who either
masquerade as conservatives or keep mum on the issues as long as politically possible," Mr.
Collegio said.
"If Democrats make headway this cycle, it's not because America has moved leftward, but because Democrat candidates have moved rightward," Mr. Collegio said.
In fact, Nancy Pelosi, now Majority leader for the Democrats in Congress campaigned on a platform of, among other things, cutting taxes!
Pelosi Emphasizes Economic Proposals
10/5/06
Townhall
Pointing toward midterm elections, House Democratic
leader Nancy Pelosi promises to raise the minimum wage while cutting taxes to spur economic
growth and help the middle class. <.>
"Democrats believe in the marketplace," she said. <.>
"If there was any evidence that campaign season is in full swing, it's Nancy Pelosi's epiphany that tax cuts spur economic growth after years of leading the charge in tax hikes on American workers," said Tracey Schmitt, a Republican Party spokeswoman.
Democrats are going to cut taxes? We'll see. If they don't, in two more years we can 'throw the bums out' again!
Republican attempts at 'triangulation', their reliance on political advisors, and their ideologically bankrupt ideas like the bloated Medicare bill have failed. Americans don't want big government. They don't want corrupt government, they want good government, and good government is limited government. Americans want to be free:
Poll: Majority believes government doing too much
10/27/06 CNN
A quarter century after the Reagan revolution and a dozen years after Republicans vaulted into control of Congress, a new CNN poll finds most Americans still agree with the bedrock conservative premise that, as the Gipper put it, "government is not the answer to our problems -- government is the problem."
The poll released Friday also showed that an overwhelming majority of Americans perceive, correctly, that the size and cost of government have gone up in the past four years, when Republicans have had a grip on the House of Representatives, the Senate and the White House.
Discretionary spending grew from $649 billion in fiscal year 2001 to $968 billion in fiscal year 2005, an increase of $319 billion, according to the Congressional Budget Office.
Queried about their views on the role of government, 54 percent of the 1,013 adults polled said they thought it was trying to do too many things that should be left to individuals and businesses. Only 37 percent said they thought the government should do more to solve the country's problems.
When asked if the size of the federal government has increased in the past four years, 72 percent said it had, and 86 percent said they thought federal spending had gone up during the same period. Those questions have a sampling error of plus or minus 4.5 percent.
There are other positive trends in this election, ideologically Libertarian governors are now running Idaho and South Carolina.
But most importantly, the old media, the liberal media, the biased agenda driven media continues to loose its stranglehold on the American populace. While newspapers in general are loosing marketshare, Conservative leaning papers are bucking the trend. The Internet is increasingly being utilized by Conservatives and, especially, the ever active Libertarian leaning folks, shining light on the practices of those in government and turning the heat on our corrupt and criminal congresscritters. Ron Paul, (R, TX) a libertarian minded representative is fast becoming an internet icon on relatively bipartisan and youthful sites like Digg.com, as well as the conservative stronghold freerepublic.com.
The Internet, and the resultant freedom of information is changing the political landscape. Conservatism/Libertarianism ideas are multiplying and seeping into mainstream discourse. Those who oppose government, those who would 'throw the bums out' any chance they get, are growing in number. We stick to principle over party, prefer gridlock over power consolidation, and value freedom above all else. Democrats beware, our patience wears thin fast. We are on the march and your turn is next.
A
Well-Earned Kick in the Gut
11/8/06 Neal Bootz
Statement by Congressmen Mike Pence
11/8/06 Mike Pence
Libertarians
Emerge as a Force
11/8/06 The Economist
Always
Look on the Bright Side of Life
11/8/06 The Wall Street Journal
Conservatism
Was Not Defeated
11/8/06 Human Events
Posted 11/9/06 (By Travis)
NEW POLL: People Want Limited Government
11/9/06 Club For Growth
A great analysis and poll of competitive congressional districts, which mirrors the previously posted CNN poll.
Posted 11/27/06 (By Travis)
Indiana
Gas Tax Debate
11/25/06 wndu
Democrats, who control the Indiana House, want to eliminate the state's sales tax on gasoline.
But, Republicans, who control the Indiana Senate, are skeptical.
Senate Republicans say it is unlikely the proposal would become law.
Republicans say exempting gasoline from the state's six percent sales tax could cost the state as much as $300 million a year. And, it would only save drivers a few cents at a time.