Thursday, September 23, 2010

Campaign Promise to Contract to Pledge

Well all I can say is that I hope this new pledge holds the Republicans to act differently than they have in the recent past. To me this latest Pledge by the Republican Party is a good starting point but fails to address many issues. I know, I know, I know they have to start somewhere Claudia so give them a chance before being pessimistic.

I agree but where is the pledge for tax reform? Where is the pledge to rid government of agencies like the Department of Education? Where is the repeal of the new Financial Bill listed on the document? Where is the pledge to reform the House and Senate rules so that Reconciliation can never be used again on a big government bill? I think the republicans have set the bar way to low and I smell a bit of Tea Party Movement appeasement?

Look if I sound skeptical and cynical than the only people to blame for that is the Republican Party. They abandoned their conservatism not me. They became the big party spenders not me. They moved to the center to attract independent votes not me. They have continued to put up liberal candidates in their party not me.


Okay so now they claim to hear Americans? They have given Americans a written list of pledges that honestly still makes me (personally) yearn for a pre-nuptial agreement. I stand before my soon to be betrothed into power in the congressional house and I think I just saw them wink but their eyes were not on me!


Where is the trust? Well there are a few troubles with the current pledge;
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/documents/GOP_pledge_09222010.pdf

Read The Bill: We will ensure that bills are debated and discussed in the public square by publishing the text online for at least three days before coming up for a vote in the House of Representatives. No more hiding legislative language from the minority party, opponents, and the public. Legislation should be understood by all interested parties before it is voted on.

Adhere To The Constitution: For too long, Congress has ignored the proper limits imposed by the Constitution on the federal government. Further, it has too often drafted unclear and muddled laws, leaving to an unelected judiciary the power to interpret what the law means and by what authority the law stands. This lack of respect for the clear Constitutional limits and authorities has allowed Congress to create ineffective and costly programs that add to the massive deficit year after year. We will require each bill moving through Congress to include a clause citing the specific constitutional authority upon which the bill is justified

Advance Legislative Issues One at a Time: We will end the practice of packaging unpopular bills with “must-pass” legislation to circumvent the will of the American people. Instead, we will advance major legislation one issue at a time.



I am happy to have roped them to the altar but let me just address the following doubts of devotion I feel are being made by my meandering finance’s past broken vows.

They write about reading the Bill in three days but speak nothing about limited both the size and the legalize for it to be stated plainly by use of American English not requiring a degree in “goby gook” jargon that the average American finds insulting and patronizing. Equally they are silent about this being codified in legislation but to remain just a promise. (Wink wink)

Adhere to the Constitution now gee that would be a novel idea. Is that like I won’t cheat on you with your sister? Again, Washington seems to be clueless as to what is “in” the Constitution. Why do I think the only change will be that the government will buy stamps and ink pads with the the words "commerce clause" so the the legislation will look offical. It does not address the overeach of the courts in defining that constitutional clause. (Their eyes are wandering the room while I sneer under my veil)

Advance legislative issues one at a time? Again why does that idea not fill me with warm emotional succor? Perhaps because it is similar to my significant others telling me they will only cheat with one mistress at a time. Again I have to ask where is the legislation that is going to be proposed to not just keep Republicans to that pledge but all members of Congress. (My knees are weak but not for the wedding night)

This pledge has gums not teeth and the fact that many reforms are missing (Tax, Tort, Union and Corp lobbying) makes me wonder if my ring bearing knights in shining armor are bigamists. Have they already slyly created a back door to the wedding by trying to fool the Tea Party Movement? Can they later trot out the other wife (special interest) then claim that they lived by their agreement but alas the marriage is not valid?


Okay I will say I do. I will hope we have a long and happy life with more pledges to come. I will wait and watch in optimistic expectation that they will be faithful. I shall give them my trust once we settle in to our new congressional nest. Please don’t blame me however if I continue to eavesdrop on their phone conversations. Don't blame me, if I decide to pop into their Washington Offices under the guise of taking them to lunch while spying the number of attractive lobbyists. I must make this marriage work for the many long years ahead.

“Trust but verify.” My first conservative love taught me that, his name was Ronald Reagan. His pledge to me was never broken and he did not have to write it down on paper. (Wink,wink)

Thursday, September 9, 2010