GOP begins seeking ideas from public

In an effort to shed its image as a "party of no" with few original ideas to challenge the Democrat-controlled Congress and White House, House Republicans on Tuesday will begin a campaign to ask the general public for input in drafting their next agenda.

The nationwide "America Speaking Out" campaign seeks to capitalize on growing voter frustration of the Obama administration and the Democratic Congress. Organizers say they welcome ideas from all voters, regardless of party affiliation.

"American Speaking Out is an effort to open the back rooms and closed doors that have defined Congress and allow Americans to be a part of drafting a governing agenda from the start," the outline says.

"Congressional Republicans have offered positive alternatives to the misguided policies pursued by Washington Democrats. But we recognize the American people are in charge, and constructing a governing agenda must begin with the people."

The campaign will solicit public input via an online forum at www.AmericaSpeakingOut.com,and town hall meetings, according to an outline obtained from a senior House Republican aide.

"We expect it will generate a great deal of interest, a great deal of participation around the country," said House Republican Conference Chairman Mike Pence of Indiana. Mr. Pence, a project organizer, declined to discuss details until the campaign is officially unveiled at the Newseum in Washington.

The campaign's mission to tap into the "growing disconnect between the priorities of the American public and the agenda that is debated in Washington" echoes the grass-roots "tea party" movement

So this is what conservative leadership is all about?

“We don’t want to actually stick to the platform. Please give us some ideas that don’t include being conservative. thanks much, the GOP.”

Reduce the size of government
Stick to Free Enterprise
Reduce Taxes
Strict Constructionalism

Rinse, repeat.

Has the benefit of actually being effective.

I like the idea that the Republicans are doing some thing concrete to listen to the people.

I think what they should do is say instead “what should we cut”

Rs could say “We know that we have to make cuts. Government is too big. Takes too much of your money. Spends your money on things you don’t want. Tells you want to do too often. But we also know that some laws are more popular than others, some spending is more popular than other spending. So we want to find out as much as we can from you the American People about what exactly you want cut. We really really need to make cuts, but we don’t want to cut anything that you want, so we need to hear from you, to make sure that we make the right cuts.

And that’s the whole thing “making the right cuts”

I personally could foresee an American Idol type show. Yes, that’s cheesy, and yes, not something likely to happen.
Let’s say the Republicans want to do away with the Sugar Tariff system. Soda companies put hfcs in their drinks because sugar is more expensive in the US than on the world marked due to sugar tariffs. The Republicans, What Cuts?, present their case in a slick video presentation - 2,5,10 minutes long and then the voters are asked to vote to keep or get rid of the tariff. Then, the next day the winner is revealed and the detailed results are made available. The results wouldn’t be binding, but it would create an atmosphere of listening to the voters, direct participation which would be beneficial to the Republicans.

I’m not saying we should do this. But it could be listed as one of the many things that we’re thinking about doing to make sure that we make the right cuts.

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