Seeking to capture the spirit of the Contract With America that propelled their party to control the U.S. House in 1994 for the first time in 40 years, Republicans unveiled the Pledge to America Thursday. Their hope -- the goal behind the strategy -- is to pick up control of Congress in Novembers elections.
Just like 1994, in the aftermath of Bill Clintons attempt to pass national health-care legislation, Republicans are taking aim at the size and scope of government and health-care laws.
Speaking at the Tart Lumber Co., a small business based in Sterling, Va. outside of Washington, House Republicans, led by House Minority Leader John Boehner of Ohio, released the Republican plan.
Across America, the people see a government in Washington that isnt listening, doesnt get it, and doesnt care, said Boehner.Today, that begins to change.
This new governing agenda, built by listening to the people, offers plans to create jobs, cut spending, and put power where it belongs: in the hands of the people, added Boehner. 'A 'Pledge to America' offers a new way forward that hasnt been tried in Washington; an approach focused on cutting spending instead of accelerating spending, and eliminating uncertainty for the private-sector innovators and entrepreneurs who create jobs. These are the solutions the American people are demanding, and Speaker Pelosi and Majority Leader Reid should act on them before Congress adjourns for the fall.
The 21-page document focuses on economic issues but also touches on social and defense issues.
"The need for urgent action to repair our economy and reclaim our government for the people cannot be overstated, pledged the Republicans. With this document, we pledge to dedicate ourselves to the task of reconnecting our highest aspirations to the permanent truths of our founding by keeping faith with the values our nation was founded on, the principles we stand for, and the priorities of our people. This is our 'Pledge to America.'"
The Republicans took aim at rising voter discontent with President Barack Obama, who promised change in his 2008 campaign.
Politicians in Washington have imposed an agenda that doesnt reflect the priorities of the people, insisted the Republicans. Whats worse, the most important decisions are made behind closed doors, where a flurry of backroom deals has supplemented the will of the people.
The Republicans vowed to repeal new federal health-care laws that Obama backed earlier in the year and criticized aspects of the presidents economic program -- including the federal stimulus and the bailout program.
The Republicans vowed to get the economy moving again and tackle the high unemployment rate that is plaguing the nation in general and Florida in particular. They also pledged to stand against high taxes.
By permanently stopping job-killing tax hikes, families will be able to keep more of their hard-earned money and small businesses will have the stability they need to invest in our economy and help grow our work force, promised the Republicans. We will further encourage small businesses to create jobs by allowing them to take a tax deduction equal to 20 percent of their income.
Social issues also received some attention in the pledge but the pledge focused on the economy. We pledge to honor families, traditional marriage, life and the private and faith-based organizations that form the core of our American values, wrote the Republicans in the pledges introduction.
The Republicans also called to end the public funding of abortions. We will permanently end taxpayer funding of abortion, they vowed.
The White House criticized the new Republican plan.
With this plan, they have made clear that they want to take America back to the same failed economic policies that caused this recession, said White House Communications Director Dan Pfeiffer. Instead of charting a new course, congressional Republicans doubled down on the same ideas that hurt Americas middle class.
Their plan is also notable for what it doesnt talk about: protecting Social Security and Medicare from privatization schemes; investing in high-quality education for our nations children; growing key industries like clean energy and manufacturing; and rebuilding our crumbling roads, rails and runways, added Pfeiffer. This is the same agenda that caused the deepest recession since the Great Depression, costing 8 million jobs, wiping out trillions in family wealth and setting middle-class families back. Instead of a pledge to the American people, congressional Republicans made a pledge to the big special interests to restore the same economic ideas that benefited them at the expense of middle-class families.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or at (850) 727-0859.
