The big problem with the the Contract in ‘94 is that they had no follow through. It was a fine sounding plan, but then they did nothing and lost all the gains.
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find only things evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelogus
>> The big problem with the the Contract in ‘94 is that they had no follow through. It was a fine sounding plan, but then they did nothing and lost all the gains. <<
We got the power and fumbled it badly, “Full belly, empty mind” syndrome kicked in full force.
The American Health Care Act: Perhaps Massachusetts voters have already taken care of this, but Republicans should pledge to repeal ObamaCare in full. The Democrats want a victory on this issue, and they will still likely pass something. But Republicans must also pass meaningful health care reform of their own -- reform that adheres to conservative principles: Real health care reform would include the uncoupling of health insurance from employment, the ability to purchase insurance across state lines, the ability to legally purchase a la carte (or "non-Cadillac") health insurance, along with further medical malpractice limits.
The e-Congress Act: The 1994 Contract with America included a "Citizen Legislature Act" that called for term limits. Federal term limits did not pass, but technological innovations unavailable to Gingrich's guerrillas could now be used to foster an environment conducive to members staying connected to the citizens who send them to Washington. One promising idea (previously discussed here) would require Congress to hold some of their votes electronically -- the goal being to keep them in their districts more -- and away from the lobbyists, perks, and other temptations of Washington.
The Limited Government and Transparency Act: From Day One, Republicans should end the practice of congressional earmarks -- one of the Republicans' undoing when they last held power -- and they should also pledge to support zero future bailouts, and force the immediate federal divestiture of all auto-industry holdings. They should also pledge to allow C-SPAN cameras to cover any and all votes, including those taking place now in the highly secretive House-Senate conference committees. Republicans should once again call for an amendment that would require a balanced budget, unless sanctioned by a three-fifths vote in both houses of Congress. Lastly, Republicans should commit to reduce the absolute -- not proportional, but absolute -- size of federal spending by 10 percent in their first year.
The Energy Independence Now Act: For decades, politicians have talked about energy independence, but nothing has happened. In 2008, Barack Obama said he was focused on putting resources "into solar, wind, biodiesel, geothermal . . . and [developing] a highly fuel efficient car." John McCain favored all those conservation measures -- and more -- but he also looked at the hard facts and called for the U.S. to authorize the immediate building of 45 new nuclear power plants, which he noted would only be a start toward energy independence. Our guy was right. Nuclear power is a sustainable source of energy that does not create air pollution or generate greenhouse emissions. Republicans should up the ante and call for 100 new nuclear power facilities, promise tax credits for conservation, and pledge to immediately lift bans on offshore drilling for oil and natural gas exploration in all federal lands and coasts.
The Strong National Defense Act: Republicans should take bold steps to reassert American power in the world. This would include passing an explicit resolution that an Iranian nuclear weapon is a casus belli justifying regime change in that nation, by force if necessary. Republicans should also offer the kind of explicit and active support for the Iranian democracy movement that President Obama has refused to give. Republicans should reassert that the goal for the war in Afghanistan is to win, with winning being defined as the death or capture of every al Qaeda leader active on September 11, 2001, starting with Osama bin Laden; and the establishment of an Afghan-government ability to hold off the Taliban. Republicans should also insist on reviving missile defense for our European allies, and pass a statute explicitly allowing enemy combatants to be tried in military tribunals.
Secure Our Borders Act: Republicans candidates would pledge to vote to secure U.S. borders next year, and then follow that measure with common-sense solutions to deal with people already here. Once our borders are secure, Republicans should insist on a complete rewrite of American immigration law to eliminate "chain migrations" that reward lawful applicants who have desired skills, or who come from nations with historic ties to the United States -- ranging from Ireland to Mexico.
The Free Campaign Speech and Workplace Act: In the wake of the last week's landmark Supreme Court free speech decision, Citizens United v. the Federal Elections Commission, Republicans should pledge to repeal whatever remnants of the ill-considered McCain/Feingold legislation that limit the free exercise of political speech. Contract with America 2.0 should also distinctly oppose any return of the so-called "Fairness Doctrine," and Republicans should pledge to support the rights of union members to have a secret ballot.
The Science and Final Frontiers Act: Republicans should dare the nation to once again do great things. John F. Kennedy challenged America to go to the moon in a decade, but many of today's Democrats would refuse to follow such a call. Republicans should carry the torch of vigorous endeavor, starting with a goal of putting a man on Mars by 2019.
Republicans should also pledge to pass legislation to make eradication of cancer the nation's top national health priority. Some 20 percent of Americans die from this disease. Attacking it head-on would require the United States to foster a once-in-a-generation push in research and development that would make America the envy of the world -- and would benefit the entire world as well.
The Savings for the Future Act: Republicans would champion legislation allowing Americans to redirect up to 15 percent of Social Security contributions into a personal retirement account.
The Educate America Act: Too many inner-city, poor, or otherwise at-risk children are doomed to attend failing schools. Republicans should support vouchers and tax credits for families who wish to send their children to private schools.
Whoa!
My recollection is that the GOP majority in the House did everything they promised to do.
They promised to reform the House rules. They did.
They promised to bring a number of legislative items to a vote. They did.
They didn't promise to pass every bill -- just bring it to a vote. But they actually passed every measure in the Contract -- save one. Term limits, which did come to a vote. But failed to pass -- rather narrowly, as I recall.
As it happened, much of this legislation failed to clear the Senate -- thanks to the filibuster rule and Tom Daschle.
Recall also that the GOP Senators were not signatory to the Contract with America -- only the House candidates.
I'd say that Gingrich and his crew did everything that could be reasonably expected of them. They hardly deserve the accusation that they "did nothing".
“The big problem with the the Contract in ‘94 is that they had no follow through. It was a fine sounding plan, but then they did nothing and lost all the gains.”
Wrong. Congress passed many elements of the contract.
Read for yourself.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contract_with_America