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cloudboy -> RE: Did the RNC take advantage of a senile old man? (9/2/2012 4:28:25 PM)
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quote:
What I find comical is that senile republicans young and old alike seem to have forgotten who started the folly that were both wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. President Obama is/was simply cleaning up the mess he was given. Just as he is doing with the economy. I know republicans would rather forget 2000-2008 didn't happen but it did.
Its interesting to wonder, how would the Republicans run their campaign with an honest view of the past and their failed foreign and economic policies.
I'll give it a go:
(1) I'd shift the party's foreign policy toward Ron Paul's isolationism. Problem with that? Well, there's no demon to galvanize my electorate -- no communist threat and no Islamic menace. Without external threats there might be more scrutiny of my domestic policies. I also lose points with some of my biggest campaign donors. I can't tag Democrats as being soft in foreign policy either.
(2) I break with orthodoxy and pledge to raise taxes to help reduce the budge deficit. I concede that in a global economy, corporate investment often flows overseas to the detriment of US workers. So, I steal a position from the Democrats, but I keep the tax rate lower than where they would place it. By not linking my tax increase to bigger government, I keep fiscal conservatives on board. Problem with this? The Grover Norquist gang might sink my ship before it gets out of the harbor. The Koch Brothers might not give me any money.
(3) I propose amending the Constitution to allow for the line-item veto, the best way a US President can check irresponsible earmarks passed by Congress. Problem: This is a technocratic solution and my base won't get excited by it.
(4) I pledge to strengthen our military by upping the ranks of our special forces and cutting the ranks of the general forces. I also propose to expand the US National Guard to tap into soldiers that we might need in a time of war. I then propose a 40% cut in all cold-war era spending for items necessary for a conventional war. Problem: Conservative think tanks will see me as Benedict Arnold.
(5) Money saved on national defense -- some of it would then be diverted to key industries in the US such as Steel making, power production, automobile production, to help keep the US somewhat self sufficient in economic areas vital to our national security. Investment here would have a higher residual impact on the civilian economy than straight defense spending -- because the production base would aid in job creation and more civilian goods and services. Problem: If I want to aid the civilian economy in this manner, I might get tagged as a socialist, whereas if I engage in straight defense spending I avoid this label entirely.
(6) I would pledge to nominate a conservative Supreme Court Justice, but would not make the abortion issue a screening tool for my selection. Problem: I am gambling that evangelicals will vote for me anyway b/c I'm better than a godless, feministic Democrat.
(7) Regarding Immigration, I state that after consulting with Fortune 500 CEOs on the matter, we need to increase visas for skilled workers and exceptionally gifted contributors to our economy, health care, and national defense sectors. Adding more talent to our workforce will create more jobs and economic growth for the country. Undocumented workers with 10 years continuous residence in the US who can demonstrate strong ties to the community and exceptional character would be eligible for a "yellow card," legal residence in the US, work authorization, and eligibility for a green card after 5 years. Undocumented workers with less than ten years residence in the USA would be eligible to enter a "yellow card" lottery if they return to the home countries and apply for the visa. Those who failed to apply for the "Yellow Card" within two years would lose their right to apply for one. Problem: My constituents think that unemployment is tied to illegal immigration. They also think that I will be rewarding illegal behavior with perks.
In items 1-7 I have made changes to my platform that reflect past failures of my party, but I still hold onto the core values of a strong national defense and economy, less deficit spending, and a status-quo on entitlements.
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