Posted on 11/05/2006 10:30:35 AM PST by Hydroshock
Somewhere along the road to a "permanent majority," the Republican Revolution of 1994 went off track. For several years, we had confidence in our convictions and trusted that the American people would reward our efforts. And they did.
But today, my Republican friends in Congress stand on the precipice of an electoral rout. Even the best-case scenarios suggest wafer-thin majorities and a legislative agenda in disarray. With eight days before the election, House speaker-in-waiting Nancy Pelosi has already begun her transition planning.
Where did the revolution go astray? 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.
In 1989, Newt Gingrich rose to the number twoNo. 2 leadership position in the House after a contentious three-way race pitting young backbench conservatives such as myself, Bob Walker, Joe Barton and others against old bulls such as Minority Leader Bob Michel and other ranking members. We thought they suffered from a minority party mindset and were too accommodating of the Democrats. Out of congressional power for nearly two generations, Republicans had become complacent. Senior members of the party were happy to accept the crumbs afforded by Democratic chairmen. Life was comfortable in the minority as long as you did not rock the boat. Members received their perks — such as travel abroad and special banking privileges — and enough pork projects for re-election.
(Excerpt) Read more at chron.com ...
I don't know the numbers but my guess, and I am pretty confident of this, is that such expenditures you mention would not amount to diddly on the scale you posted.
Maybe someone else does. But like I wrote this is a distraction and I will not be distracted more on it right now.
Nothing wrong with a critical analysis---later.
It's sad to see what has become of Dick Armey.
I used to live in his district and voted for him.
Certainly there are problems to fix within the GOP however he should be helping to steer the party not criticize it ad nauseum. TERM LIMITS for all elected officials.
...But Banning Gay Marriages is a HUGE issue for Evangelical Christians like myself.
No.....thats not what I said or mean.
I am talking about weak-knee'd republicans looking for an excuse to give up. big DICK just gave it to 'em.
Also, what happened was in accord with the logic of politics. We might like to think that elected officials should go in, fix things and then be willing to go home, but once they get a taste of power, they'll do almost anything to keep it.
Armey was majority leader from 1995 to 2003. He saw what was happening in its early stages. What did he do to stop it?
agreed, this was neither the time or his place.
I believe Dick Armey is only half right. Republican voters expected the republ;ican majority to act like a majority, instead they folded up like a cheap pair of boxer drawers.
Dick Armey is dead on, as usual.
tracking ping
Maybe the GOP got it wrong by making you a leader, Dick.
man you are so right on target. I have told both my Congressman and the good Senator the same thing face to face. They just nodded and said thanks. Now Gibbons is in a fight that should of been a cake walk. They need to listen to us!!!!(more).
I don't believe President Reagan would have written such an article on the eve of an election.
Neither do I. But I do think he would agree with the statement. I understand the spending on the WOT. I don't understand the earmarks and the other spending increases.
Gibbons will win. I don't think many people bought the cocktail waitress's story, and the video doesn't support her claim at all. Nevada will be a fine state for the GOP on election day - GOP GOV, GOP Senator, and both GOP House seats should remain comfortably GOP.
Republicans Have Nothing To Fear Except Themselves
I understand exactly what you are typing. My point is that it's not deterring you and it's a stretch for you to think that it will deter rational thinking republican from voting.
I am no fan of the Rino's that we have in congress now and their ineptitude. But, I'll support them because they are better than the socialists that have hijacked the Democratic party.
What is scarey about that list, is that anyone who considered themselves to be a solid conservative, could post it without a myriad of disclaimers.
This isn't the time or the place to be discusing it. Still, it is quite painful to see it in print.
What I want from conservative political leaders is precisely what I want from leftist political leaders. I want the truth. I do not want slanted claims. I do not want to see what could pass for big government leftist pipe dreams to be heralded as something 'our guy did' that we should be really happy about.
I expect a conservative leader to do many of the things listed. I do not expect those things to be able to be explained away in part. I do not expect to be put in the position of reminding folks of what was never addressed, or after six years still needs to be addressed.
I think Army was wrong to address this now. I think it is wrong to trot out lists that are as shakey as this one.
When election day comes, voters should be able to look back and realize what has been done in the name of conservatism. They shouldn't be able to look back and realize their wish list was barely touched.
This party wants my support on Tuesday. They will get it. If they should be fortunate enough to prevail, they better pull their heads out. We may have only two more years to get some things done. It's an absolute travesty that after six years some things have not been addressed. And now they say they need more time. You know what, I agree. I've voted for Republicans my whole life, but I have never found it more difficult to do so, than in the last four years.
I grew up in the show-me state. During the next two years, this party better show-me a lot more than they did in the last six years.
I expect them to do the good things they have done. Duh! I do not expect to see the bad that they have done, and the bad that they have never addressed.
A lot of people on this thread are pissed because of it, but no one denies the truth of it.
Good chart, whats a link?
All I can say is Dick is...well..a DICK
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