Minority party syndrome

The Washington Times ^ | March 6, 2004 | Richard W. Rahn

[neverdem]

"There are two political parties in America, the stupid party and the evil party," goes the old adage. This is about the stupid party -- the Republican Party.

The majority of Americans consistently tell pollsters they prefer lower taxes and less government spending. More Republicans than Democrats consistently say they believe in smaller government and lower taxes. Given these statements of belief, the Republican Party should be the permanent majority party, but it is not.

[sauropod]

Agree with one proviso. Limiting the growth in government is not just limiting the growth in spending. It's cutting spending.

Let's start with Pills for Grandma.

[neverdem]

Let's start with Pills for Grandma.

That's going to be tough. Means testing for the "safety net" is more realistic, but the rats will still squeal like stuck pigs. But I don't see that happening until we have 60 reliable votes in the Senate, or they change the Senate rules.

[luckydevi]

Good post

[trek]

No, great post!

[KantianBurke]

damn good article. The GOP needs to be cleansed of RINOs once and for all.

[Brandon]

The majority of Americans consistently tell pollsters they prefer lower taxes and less government spending. More Republicans than Democrats consistently say they believe in smaller government and lower taxes. Given these statements of belief, the Republican Party should be the permanent majority party, but it is not.

That because most people believe in lower taxes for themselves and less government spending on other people. Like the old saying goes:

Don't tax you; don't tax me.
Tax that guy behind the tree.

[neverdem]

LOL

[GeronL]

Republicans pride themselves on being better stewards of the public purse and providing more honest government than their Democrat competitors

Not anymore

[wylenetheconservative]

The GOP is the stupid party because we play nice while the RATS kick us the groin, because be are undisciplined while the RATS stick to their message, and because we refuse often times to even speak negatively of our opponents while they cheat, lie, steal, and murder in order to defeat us. Its time for all of that to change.

[AM2000]

My feelings exactly, when I read that sentence. So given that being the case, what exactly is our new Unique Selling Proposition? Just terrorism?

[GeronL]

The ultimate one-issue campaign.

If the other party comes out against terrorists (not likely) their sunk.

[Consort]

Don't wait for or expect government to get smaller or less powerful. This is a big country with big challenges, internally and externally, and the world is not a safe place. Government will continue to grow; that's the way it is. The question is: Who do we want in control of this big and growing government — Democrats or Republicans (forget about Third Parties)? Personally, I don't want Democrats in control of anything.

[GoldenStateConservative]

So optimistic! We don't need a big government just because we are a big country. Personally, I will not settle for either of your options. I want a Republican in control of a small and shrinking government, and I think that that is a perfectly reasonable expectation. Remember Ronald Reagan?

[greasepaint]

Why are Republicans so stupid?
Republicans specialize in laws eveybody hates.
Example, the 55 MPH speed limit.
Every person I knew at the time hated it.
But the moron Republicans in Congress did it anyway.
Traffic cops wanted it.
Democrats secretly LOved the 55limit.
Some polls indicated that people supported the 55limit.
(why was that, you ask)
Cuz many of the people who answered the poll were
Democrats whose motive is to offer an answer that would temp Republicans to make an unpopular decision.
Natureally, the popular press credits the Republicans with the unpopular 55limit. Natureally, the smart party, in the
background, did everything it could to oppose repeal of the 55limit.
Nowadays, consider the post 9-11 anti-freedom laws.
The individuals of the smart party SAY they like the
anti-freedom laws, cuz the know those laws are VERY unpopular.
The poster moron of the smart party, Geo. H W Bush.
Did Geo. W Bush learn anything when he touched the third rail?

[wylenetheconservative]

STUPID PARTY MOMENT OF THE WEEK: The GOP Senate allows Senate RAT's to attach amendments that extend an unconstitutional "assault weapons" ban and unconstitutional gun show background checks to a tort reform bill. 10 RINO's vote for the amendments, allowing Feingold, Landrieu, and RATs from other swing states to vote against them and say that they voted against gun control when they actually support it. Good job, Stupid Party. Thats the most incompetent Legislative move we've seen since the Hillary Care fiasco.

[Consort]

So optimistic!

Reluctantly realistic. Even Rush said (a few months ago) that it's natural for government to grow....the pace of growth is what should be controlled. Again, if a big powerful government makes you angry, then prepared to be angry for the rest of your life.

[AM2000]

Or move to Afghanistan ;) Their government is still pretty small. Especially outside Kabul :D

[Consort]

Yep, and Haiti has a small and not very powerful government. The place must be crawling with Conservatives.

[GoldenStateConservative]

It is perfectly realistic to expect a more limited government. Ronald Reagan (as CATO often points out) reduced non-defense discretionary spending by 13.5% during his first three years. He was reelected by a landslide. Why can't I expect the same from today's politicians?