Obama Agenda Survey (RNC fund raising package, and my response)

Yesterday, I received a fundraising plea from the Republican National Committee. It included a letter from Chairman Michale Steele, and this survey, which I found most curious. I thought I would share the survey, along with my replies. I will be faxing or mailing this back with a statement that at this time, I will support the candidates that I find most represent my views and values. I will choose these candidates myself, rather than funding them through some national committee.

The parts with a gray or black background are the from the RNC survey, and the parts with a white background are my responses. Here’s the survey:

Republican National Committee 2009 OBAMA AGENDA SURVEY Questionnaire
1	Do you agree with Barack Obama’s budget plan that will lead to a $23.1 trillion deficit over the next ten years?	o Yes o No o No opinion
If you had stopped and put the question mark after the words “budget plan” my answer would be a resounding NO. I do not agree with Barack Obama’s budget plan. Why you went on to overstate the Obama administration’s proposed budget deficits by more than a factor of two, I don’t understand. Were you including all of the debt we currently have, including the nearly $5 trillion that was accrued under our Republican president George W. Bush? Or are you assuming a Republican Congress after 2010, and a Republican President after 2012 or 2016 will further increase coming deficits by more than $10 trillion above current CBO estimates before 2020?
2	Do you believe the federal government has gone too far in bailing out failing banks, insurance companies and the auto industry?	o Yes o No o No opinion
Yes, I do. But tell me, Chairman Steele, does the Republican party believe they went too far, just far enough, or not far enough when they voted on the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008. That legislation was proposed by a Republican Administration, a Republican Treasury Secretary appointed by a Republican President. Thirty four Republican Senators and ninety-one Republican Representatives in the House voted for that legislation. I personally feel that went too far as well. You won’t be receiving any donations from me if any of this money will be used to support those Representatives and Senators who voted for that bill.
3	Do you support amnesty for illegal immigrants?	o Yes o No o No opinion
No, I don’t. I support secure borders first and foremost. I also don’t support any “Guest Worker” program. As a currently unemployed American citizen, I would really like an opportunity at one of those “jobs Americans won’t do.” It might not be the best thing for me, but it is better than nothing.
4	Should English be the official language of the United States?	o Yes o No o No opinion
Yes. This is fairly obvious.
5	Are you in favor of granting retroactive Social Security eligibility to illigal immigrants who gain U.S. citizenship through an amnesty program?	o Yes o No o No opinion
Not only do I oppose what you asked about. I also oppose any amnesty program. With no amnesty program, there is no worry about Social Security eligibility. I guess that isn’t a choice the RNC is offering, though.
6	Are you in favor of the expanded welfare benefits and unlimited eligibility (no time, education or work requirements) that Democrats in Congress are pushing to pass?	o Yes o No o No opinion
No.
7	Do you believe that Barack Obama’s nominees for federal courts should be immediately and unquestionably approved for their lifetime appointments by the U.S. Senate?	o Yes o No o No opinion
No, it is my principled belief that all Presidential nominees should be vetted and investigated in a reasonable time frame. Then, after reasonable investigation and debate, they should get an up or down vote in the Senate. I expected this for President Bush. I expect it for President Obama. I might not agree with his picks, but I realize that elections have consequences. I thought the Democrats were a bunch of crybabies when they opposed and unreasonably delayed action on President Bush’s appointents. The key is a timely and reasonable investigation and vetting process. Having said that, I do think that some of President Obama’s non-judicial appointments might have needed further investigation and vetting before the final vote.
8	Do you believe that the best way to increase the quality and effectiveness of public education in the U.S. is to rapidly expand federal funding while eliminating performance standards and accountability?	o Yes o No o No opinion
No, I believe that the best way to improve education in this country is to abolish the federal Department of Education. That was part of the 1994 Contract with America. I’ve been waiting for action on that item, and I’ve been disappointed by actions during the Bush administration to expand the Department of Education and give it further power and control over our schools. Besides the Presidency and control of both houses of Congress (your party had both from 2001 through 2006), what will it take for Republicans to accomplish this?
9	Do you support the creation of a national health insurance plan that would be administered by bureaucrats in Washington D.C.?	o Yes o No o No opinion
No. Further, I don’t support the Federal Government inserting itself in any way into health care and health insurance issues. There is no authority in the Constitution of the United States for the Congress to act in this area. Leave our doctors and our insurance alone!
10	Do you believe that the quality and availability of healthcare will increase if the federal government dictates pricing to doctors and hospitals?	o Yes o No o No opinion
Absolutely not. I know that will lead to shortages and rationing. Either administrative rationing with someone (insurance company, government panel) deciding who is most important and gets the goods and services, or de facto rationing with long waiting lines. And it could lead to black markets for medical services as well. The only way to reduce prices in the marketplaces of the real world is to either increase supply or reduce demand (or both). I have seen no proposals from either party which actually propose to do either of these things. Many of the current proposals will do the opposite, leading to higher prices, or price controls and shortages.
11	Are you confident that new medicines and medical treatments will continue to be developed if the federal government controls prescription drug prices and sets profit margins for research and pharmaceutical companies?	o Yes o No o No opinion
No. Again, price controls or controls on profit margins will lead to rationing of existing products, as well as serving as a disincentive for any further research and development.
12	Are you in favor of creating a government funded "Citizen Volunteer Corps" that would pay young people to do work now done by churches and charities, earning Corps Members the same pay and benefits given to military veterans?	o Yes o No o No opinion
No. There is so much wrong with that idea, I don’t know where to begin. Keep the government out of the charity business, please.
13	Are you in favor of re-instituting the military draft, as Democrats in Congress have proposed?	o Yes o No o No opinion
No, though I’m not aware of any current proposals to do this.
14	Do you believe that the federal government should allow the unionization of Department of Homeland Security employees who serve in positions critical to the safety and security of our nation?	o Yes o No o No opinion
Not sure on this. I absolutely believe that Homeland Security personnel should never be allowed to strike, or to carry out any other “work action” that might negatively affect our security.
15	Do you support Democrats’ drive to eliminate workers right to a private ballot when considering unionization of their place of employment?	o Yes o No o No opinion
No, absolutely not. That seems un-American.
One more thing, Mr. Steele, can you tell me the position of the Republican party on transparency and open governance. Specifically, the party position on voting on bills before there is time for legislators to read the bill? and before the bill has been published long enough for citizens of this country to see it and read it? You should know that I believe that pending bills should be published, and there should be adequate time for citizens to give informed feedback to their Representatives before a floor vote occurs. From the voting record of most Republican’s in the House of Representatives, I believe most members of your party disagree with me on this point. This is another reason why I won’t be supporting your party financially at this time.

Republican National Committee
2009 OBAMA AGENDA SURVEY
Questionnaire

Do you agree with Barack Obama’s budget plan that will lead to a $23.1 trillion deficit over the next ten years?

o Yes o No o No opinion

If you had stopped and put the question mark after the words “budget plan” my answer would be a resounding NO. I do not agree with Barack Obama’s budget plan.

Why you went on to overstate the Obama administration’s proposed budget deficits by more than a factor of two, I don’t understand. Were you including all of the debt we currently have, including the nearly $5 trillion that was accrued under our Republican president George W. Bush? Or are you assuming a Republican Congress after 2010, and a Republican President after 2012 or 2016 will further increase coming deficits by more than $10 trillion above current CBO estimates before 2020?

Do you believe the federal government has gone too far in bailing out failing banks, insurance companies and the auto industry?

o Yes o No o No opinion

Yes, I do. But tell me, Chairman Steele, does the Republican party believe they went too far, just far enough, or not far enough when they voted on the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008. That legislation was proposed by a Republican Administration, a Republican Treasury Secretary appointed by a Republican President. Thirty four Republican Senators and ninety-one Republican Representatives in the House voted for that legislation. I personally feel that went too far as well. You won’t be receiving any donations from me if any of this money will be used to support those Representatives and Senators who voted for that bill.

Do you support amnesty for illegal immigrants?

o Yes o No o No opinion

No, I don’t. I support secure borders first and foremost. I also don’t support any “Guest Worker” program. As a currently unemployed American citizen, I would really like an opportunity at one of those “jobs Americans won’t do.” It might not be the best thing for me, but it is better than nothing.

Should English be the official language of the United States?

o Yes o No o No opinion

Yes. This is fairly obvious.

Are you in favor of granting retroactive Social Security eligibility to illigal immigrants who gain U.S. citizenship through an amnesty program?

o Yes o No o No opinion

Not only do I oppose what you asked about. I also oppose any amnesty program. With no amnesty program, there is no worry about Social Security eligibility. I guess that isn’t a choice the RNC is offering, though.

Are you in favor of the expanded welfare benefits and unlimited eligibility (no time, education or work requirements) that Democrats in Congress are pushing to pass?

o Yes o No o No opinion

No.

Do you believe that Barack Obama’s nominees for federal courts should be immediately and unquestionably approved for their lifetime appointments by the U.S. Senate?

o Yes o No o No opinion

No, it is my principled belief that all Presidential nominees should be vetted and investigated in a reasonable time frame. Then, after reasonable investigation and debate, they should get an up or down vote in the Senate. I expected this for President Bush. I expect it for President Obama. I might not agree with his picks, but I realize that elections have consequences. I thought the Democrats were a bunch of crybabies when they opposed and unreasonably delayed action on President Bush’s appointents. The key is a timely and reasonable investigation and vetting process.

Having said that, I do think that some of President Obama’s non-judicial appointments might have needed further investigation and vetting before the final vote.

Do you believe that the best way to increase the quality and effectiveness of public education in the U.S. is to rapidly expand federal funding while eliminating performance standards and accountability?

o Yes o No o No opinion

No, I believe that the best way to improve education in this country is to abolish the federal Department of Education. That was part of the 1994 Contract with America. I’ve been waiting for action on that item, and I’ve been disappointed by actions during the Bush administration to expand the Department of Education and give it further power and control over our schools. Besides the Presidency and control of both houses of Congress (your party had both from 2001 through 2006), what will it take for Republicans to accomplish this?

Do you support the creation of a national health insurance plan that would be administered by bureaucrats in Washington D.C.?

o Yes o No o No opinion

No. Further, I don’t support the Federal Government inserting itself in any way into health care and health insurance issues. There is no authority in the Constitution of the United States for the Congress to act in this area. Leave our doctors and our insurance alone!

Do you believe that the quality and availability of healthcare will increase if the federal government dictates pricing to doctors and hospitals?

o Yes o No o No opinion

Absolutely not. I know that will lead to shortages and rationing. Either administrative rationing with someone (insurance company, government panel) deciding who is most important and gets the goods and services, or de facto rationing with long waiting lines. And it could lead to black markets for medical services as well.

The only way to reduce prices in the marketplaces of the real world is to either increase supply or reduce demand (or both). I have seen no proposals from either party which actually propose to do either of these things. Many of the current proposals will do the opposite, leading to higher prices, or price controls and shortages.

Are you confident that new medicines and medical treatments will continue to be developed if the federal government controls prescription drug prices and sets profit margins for research and pharmaceutical companies?

o Yes o No o No opinion

No. Again, price controls or controls on profit margins will lead to rationing of existing products, as well as serving as a disincentive for any further research and development.

Are you in favor of creating a government funded "Citizen Volunteer Corps" that would pay young people to do work now done by churches and charities, earning Corps Members the same pay and benefits given to military veterans?

o Yes o No o No opinion

No. There is so much wrong with that idea, I don’t know where to begin. Keep the government out of the charity business, please.

Are you in favor of re-instituting the military draft, as Democrats in Congress have proposed?

o Yes o No o No opinion

No, though I’m not aware of any current proposals to do this.

Do you believe that the federal government should allow the unionization of Department of Homeland Security employees who serve in positions critical to the safety and security of our nation?

o Yes o No o No opinion

Not sure on this. I absolutely believe that Homeland Security personnel should never be allowed to strike, or to carry out any other “work action” that might negatively affect our security.

Do you support Democrats’ drive to eliminate workers right to a private ballot when considering unionization of their place of employment?

o Yes o No o No opinion

No, absolutely not. That seems un-American.

One more thing, Mr. Steele, can you tell me the position of the Republican party on transparency and open governance. Specifically, the party position on voting on bills before there is time for legislators to read the bill? and before the bill has been published long enough for citizens of this country to see it and read it? You should know that I believe that pending bills should be published, and there should be adequate time for citizens to give informed feedback to their Representatives before a floor vote occurs. From the voting record of most Republican’s in the House of Representatives, I believe most members of your party disagree with me on this point. This is another reason why I won’t be supporting your party financially at this time.

Now I simply tear 'em up and toss 'em in the bin.

I never pass up the opportunity to make them pay the postage on the business reply envelope.

I never pass up the opportunity to make them pay the postage on the business reply envelope.

Going through this week's mail just now, guess what I find...I'm going to follow your advice. ;)

42 posted on 09/20/2009 9:04:47 AM PDT by LostInBayport (The magnetic strip on the back of the Race Card is worn out from overuse.)

That’s a great idea - that’s what I’m going to do.

I agree with a previous poster who said that they contribute to individual politicians .. I contribute to those who I believe uphold my values and my beliefs. The latest was Joe Wilson.

But .. I’ll never vote for any democrat!!!!

43 posted on 09/20/2009 5:03:57 PM PDT by CyberAnt (Michael Yon: "The U.S. military is the most respected institution in Iraq.")

Why waste your breath? Telling the RNC bozos what’s on your mind is like barking up a dead dog’s ass.

tom paine 2 wrote:

Why waste your breath? Telling the RNC bozos what’s on your mind is like barking up a dead dog’s ass.

I don’t think the RNC will do much with this. But I also plan to send it to some campaign committees, and my state and local Republican Committees as well. The ones for candidates who fully support my values will have a check enclosed. The others will get nothing (or maybe a few "McCain Pesos").

From the desk of
cc2k:

Telling the RNC bozos what’s on your mind is like barking up a dead dog’s ass.

Like wise, the RNC calling me for money is like a dead dog barking up my ass.

Great responses to that idiot RNC survey, you have a lot of patience...I got one and just laughed when I read the survey. Does anyone wonder why the GOP put Michael Steele in as Chairman? These RINO crappers couldn’t fight their way out of a wet paper bag!

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