GOP Readies New “Contract With America”

The Politico calls this an “election agenda,” but, as reported by The Hill, this is more of a governing effort. Regardless, if they put it in writing, they better be willing to actually stick to it

House Republicans are planning to roll out their election agenda over the next two weeks as they seek to take back the House majority, prepping a list of roughly 20 initiatives – including a few that seem driven by the tea party movement.

One of the GOP proposals would require bills to have a specific citation of constitutional authority, on the heels of criticism that Democrats breached their constitutional limits in Congress with big-ticket bills like health care reform. If a member questioned whether the House had constitutional authority to pass a bill, that challenge would receive debate and a vote.

Great idea, though we can expect Democrats to challenge every piece of legislation for the hell of it.

The second major initiative would encourage – though not require – members of Congress to read bills before they vote. According to a senior House GOP source, Republicans plan to push for a new rule that would require the House to publish the text of a bill online at least three days before the House votes on it, also giving the public an opportunity to review legislation.

Supposedly, there is already the rule about publishing on-line, yet, most of the major legislation was not published in time, and certainly not the legislation that was voted on. Reading legislation? Why would people want to do that? I mean, heck, you don’t read contracts when you sign them, right?

Other bills and initiatives that are likely to be launched alongside the agenda include tax policy proposals, health reform proposals and jobs-related measures, though GOP aides involved declined to release any specifics ahead of the unveiling.

When this will be released is up for debate. It could be soon, but, will probably be released, as several sources point out, once the legislative session is over. Switching to The Hill article

Social conservatives, who held more power in the GOP 16 years ago than they do today, are pressing Republican leaders to highlight family values.

In a statement Thursday, president of the Susan B. Anthony List Marjorie Dannenfelser said, “This blueprint must include pro-life priorities spelled out in a broader family values plank. It would be an electorally costly mistake for the GOP to write off one leg of the three-legged stool of Ronald Reagan conservatism.”

I have to disagree. For the most part, social positions have no place in government, at least at the federal level. Despite what leftist political wonks (and right side elitists) think, the TEA Party has not been about social issues. It is about governance, reducing the size of government, limited taxation, wise use of the People’s money. Most TEA Party leaders have worked hard to keep the social issues out of the mix. Government, especially the federal government, should stay OUT of our private lives. Avoiding social positions in the new Contract would not be writing off those values, it would simply be an acknowledgment that social issues should best be left to the States, municipalities, and private groups.

Crossed at Pirate’s Cove. Follow me on Twitter @WilliamTeach. Re-Change 2010!

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