Congress's Last Stand (WSJ Editorial)

Wall Street Journal ^ | 5 September 2006 | staff

[shrinkermd]

WSJ Editorial Recommendations:

Military tribunals. In Hamdan, the Supreme Court invited Congress to rewrite the rules for military tribunals for terrorists...

Spending restraint. One reason many GOP voters are in a sour mood, and may stay home in November, is the lack of spending discipline. Republicans can lighten that blot on their record by passing reforms that stem the worst abuses -- namely, more transparency for special-interest "earmarks," and a line-item veto to allow a President to delete specific spending pork...

Health insurance. The latest Census data finds that 46.6 million Americans lack health insurance, with the cost of coverage rising. The House has already passed a popular bill to let small businesses and associations offer lower-cost insurance the way that Fortune 500 companies can. Liberals in the Senate are blocking it precisely because it might reduce the ranks of the uninsured and thus reduce the demand for government health care. Why not force Democrats to vote up or down?

Gas prices. Gasoline prices are falling nationwide, but with oil prices still near $70 a barrel now is the time to open new sources of domestic energy supply. The House and Senate have both passed bills to expand drilling on the Outer Continental Shelf, and there's no reason they can't be reconciled in conference. The House has also passed faster permitting for new gas refineries, and Senate Democrats should also be forced to kill that if they dare....

Property rights and judges. The Supreme Court's Kelo decision has provoked bipartisan outrage against the taking of private property for private development. But Congress still hasn't taken the popular opportunity to do something about it...

[shrinkermd]

?

[mewzilla]

The House has already passed a popular bill to let small businesses and associations offer lower-cost insurance the way that Fortune 500 companies can. Liberals in the Senate are blocking it precisely because it might reduce the ranks of the uninsured and thus reduce the demand for government health care.

So where the heck is the GOP's TV ad on this?

[jwparkerjr]

With over 200 years of practice Congress has gotten really good at hiding their true actions and activities and thus the effect their thousands of pages of rules are having on our day-to-day lives. I want to see up or down votes on all sorts of things, some big others quite small, so I can know who is responsible for the mess we're in. Earmarks would be a great place to start. Problem is, Republicans know the Democrats will be back in power someday and don't want to get them mad or looking for paybacks. It's a self-fullfilling prophecy, by not holding everyone's feet to the fire they are setting the stage for losing elections.

I wish just once they would grow some testicles and start playing hardball on things like judicial appointments! Make everyone stand up and be counted.

I am very unhappy with the current Republican power structure in Washington and would love nothing more than to vote against all of them or just stay home, but I know that would play into the hands of the Democrats.

What's the answer?

[mcashman]

The system of primaries is the only way to control party actions. Defeat RINOs when they primary. Work to make sure that every RINO has to face a primary.

There's no other way that doesn't lead to disaster.

[ReleaseTheHounds]

Military tribunals. In Hamdan, the Supreme Court invited Congress to rewrite the rules for military tribunals for terrorists, and Republicans can help President Bush and the war effort by doing so. Senator Lindsey Graham (R., S.C.) is the main obstacle as he courts media flattery by opposing Mr. Bush's proposed language. His colleagues should make it clear that the language will move with or without him.

Getting Lindsey Graham to give up "media flattery" is like trying to avoid sunrise. How in the world did the GOP come to depending upon people like Lindsey Graham and George Voinovich?

[gridlock]

If the Republicans want to win, they have to demonstrate that they are the adults here. That means a sensible and effective legislative agenda with votes the people can understand. If they can show discipline this Fall, they can save their sorry butts. If not, the rebuke from the voters may be sharp.

I think they will, thus my tag-line.

[Vinnie]

Liberals in the Senate are blocking it precisely because it might reduce the ranks of the uninsured and thus reduce the demand for government health care. Why not force Democrats to vote up or down?

This is the reason I have absolutely no respect for Frist.

Back the dims in a corner and show them for what they really are.
It's the same for every issue.

The repubs are taking their base for granted, as the dims do.

Watch out repubs, the base is very antsy.

[Paul Ross]

Agreed. Frist is a political pansy. Wilts at the first sign of Heat.