The Republicans Sleep! The Democrats Mark Time!

Most political analysts look at this November’s election for 468 seats in Congress and chalk it up to a possible super majority takeover of Congress, by the Democrats and likely the White House for good measure. With 435 seats in the House and 33 seats in the Senate up for grabs, one might think that the Republicans would be searching for a strategy to not only keep from losing seats, but to gain seats. One might think that the Republicans would be reassessing their lot. When looking at what went wrong with their reign as the majority party in Congress, an obvious problem is the Iraq War which became very unpopular, but now is somewhat less important to voters. Spending was also a problem. The economy and now energy are the hot topics, yet I do not see much from the Republicans. They appear to be resigned to the fate of being the weak minor party in Congress. If they have a plan, it must be a secret plan.

The Republican Party recently sent out a census document questionnaire to select registered Republicans asking for opinions on a specified list of issues. Believe it or not, energy issues were not on the list – drilling now in ANWR and on federal land, etc were not on the list. The runaway price of food was not in the list.

The Democrats have had three plus years as the majority party in Congress and have accomplished just about nothing, yet the Republicans sleep. If one steps back and looks at the country’s ills at this moment in time, one would find a host of issues that have been traditional Republican positions, lending themselves to be the issues of the day – yet they sleep.

Congress is awash in earmarks, and special interests are out of control. These are key issues to the public. Voter discontent with Representatives not listening to the public is another. Run away energy and food prices hurting too many Americans in their fuel and food budgets are another pair. Illegal immigration is another issue not addressed by the Democrats, yet it still resounds with the voter – no amnesty.

Way back in yesteryear the Republicans, led by Newt Gingrich, came up with the “Contract with America” and retook the majority in both Houses. This occurred in 1994. Gingrich showed that retaking the majority in Congress could be done by just leveling with the American people and promising to meet the needs and wants of the voter. Yet the Republicans still sleep. Is their no real new leadership in the Republican Party that can come forward to make a new “Contract with America” and deliver to the voter what the voter is seeking?

Just in case you folks in the Republican Party need help in making the contract, here is a suggested contract.

If the Republican Party regains the majority in both houses, we will:

• Vote to immediately drill in ANWR and on other federal lands.
• Vote to suspend corn based ethanol and replace it with other non-food based ethanol.
• Vote to eliminate the earmark process – we will propose a Constitutional Amendment to eliminate earmarks, if need be.
• Authorize the Department of Energy to fast track applications for nuclear reactors to be housed on sites where nuclear reactors already exist.
• Propose a Constitutional amendment that permits campaign contributions only from individuals primarily residing in the District the candidate intends to serve – removing the power of special interest from the election process, allowing the Representative to focus on representing their constituency.
• Address the illegal immigrant population in this country. We will provide for a special short term category for the current illegal immigration population. These will be able to apply for a special visa after undergoing a background check. To qualify the must be free of drugs, have no criminal record or be wanted in this country or their home country and be employed – if they meet this requirement, their spouse and children qualify. They will be given three years to apply for a revised work visa. At the end of the thre years they must leave or possess a standard work visa. Only after they are here on a standard visa will they be eligible for the citizenship process from the beginning. This legitimization will take these people out of the shadows.
• We will vote to only allow amendments to legislation that are closely related to the main piece of legislation.
• We will fast track the building of new refineries in this country.
• We will adopt a concise comprehensive national security based energy policy for this country prior to July 1, 2009.

Republicans, if you want to continue to be a viable party, you might consider adopting the wants and desires of the electorate, especially that these are in keeping with traditional conservative values. I am not quite sure what you are waiting for. It is tough enough that this country has the equivalent of three Democrats running for President – Obama, Clinton, and McCain.