Posted on 05/18/2006 5:02:18 AM PDT by maica
Conservative columnists have a case of congressional crankiness. Take Peggy Noonan at the Wall Street Journal, for example. She wrote last week that Republicans on the Hill are so far off track it might take losing in November to unlearn the lessons of power. Media critic Howard Kurtz of The Washington Post found her mood so foreboding he suggested only Prozac might lift conservatives' gathering gloom. Frustration among conservatives is both palpable and understandable. Many believe -- accurately, I might add -- their pens played a role in promoting the emergence of the Republican majority in Congress.
---snip---
Frustrated conservatives should aim their fury at the real culprit -- the 45 Democratic senators who have the means and motive to block most conservative initiatives. Consider what the House, where "majority" really means 50 percent plus one, has passed in the last several years: permanent tax cuts, death tax elimination, medical malpractice reform, creating opportunity zones in urban areas, welfare reform, child interstate abortion notification and Head Start reform, to name a few. The House could have also adopted some version of Social Security reform with personal accounts and tax simplification had Senate prospects not been so bleak. ---snip--- Instead of wallowing in frustration, conservatives need a new mantra: There's more work to do. They should begin by painting a more realistic picture of the meaning of "controlling" the Senate for conservative voters and then promote the creation of a real majority by trying to elect five to seven more Republican senators. Prozac cannot lift the collective spirits of conservatives, but neither will "Speaker" Pelosi.
(Excerpt) Read more at washtimes.com ...
Then do it.
Trashing a 55 seat majority for the illusory "someday" of 60 seats is, quite frankly, insane.
This really is a question of adopting some backbone, and setting aside Senatorial comity until the lesson has been taught.
Correctomundo! Little hispanic humor...
It is discouraging how many 100%-or-nothing-ers seem to be posting on FR these days. AND how many 'conservative' talk show hosts seem to be leading the charge (over the cliff).
I couldn't care less if the Republicans lose everything this fall as long as the Democrats don't win anything either.
True, but I do sense some people here are getting tired of it. We've been down their road before with Buchanan and Perot and realize the answer isn't childish tantrums, it's WORK.
I agree with the majority of the posts. Republicans need to grow a pair and stop whining. All the hand wringing and doom & gloom is pathetic. The Executive Office and House Republicans need to get their act together. A unified front to put Democrats on the defensive.
Who said anything about trashing a 55 seat majority? I want us to keep those 55 Senators - I'll trade Chafee for anybody - and get more Republicans elected. The moaners who threaten to stay home from the voting booth are the folks that I am addressing.
Moreover, just as 45 Dems can screw up real reform, 40 GOP conservative Senators can block any amnesty looniness. That door swings both ways.
We're about 20-25 seats away from a solid conservative majority in the house. This is "doable."
Not this year. But, I still maintain that the Pubbies will hold control of both houses in the midterm elections this year. We can start working on your plan for 08.
Candidates could be signators to the Agenda or not as they like. Rather like 'The Pledge' here in New England against any tax-raising, administered by CLT (Citizens for Limited Taxation).
Agenda to perhaps include: End illegal immigration; End racial and gender preferences in law; Oppose Predatory Trade with an Adjustable National Tariff/Import Tax; Increase the Standard Deduction for Federal Income tax; Build 3 to 5 Oil Refineries to reduce gas prices; Build 3 to 5 Natural Energy electricity production facilities; Support Traditional definition of Marriage; End ear-mark tack-ons to appropriation bills; Reduce Federal spending by .5% per year;...
Something like that.
I agree, but if it's a case of incompetent vs. evil, people will choose incompetent any day.
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Let us hope that your perspective is true!!! Being thankful for small favors, our reps are incompetent but not evil. I will share your statement with others in getoutthevote action. Maybe it will work well in our phonebanking! LOL!
The popular tides are with us, and it behooves the conservative minority to block STUPID legislation until the elections catch up. FDR wisely did this prior to World War II, building up the military where he could, even thought the population didn't appreciate the threats of Hitler and Japan.
It's the old "stupid party" vs. the "evil party."
Quite honestly, a "contract" won't go over well with America this year. We have see what these people do, and what they don't do.
America wants to see a border fence. This is the greatest issue facing our nation.
From Hugh Hewitt:
Win the war.
Confirm the judges.
Cut the taxes.
Control the spending.
Secure the border.
http://www.hughhewitt.com/
BINGO!!!!!!!
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