Posted on 05/16/2006 9:27:24 AM PDT by Reagan Man
A few weeks ago, I promised you an adventure. For me, the adventure is bringing new ideas and new solutions to you, the American people -- visiting your towns, your businesses and occasionally even your homes, and discussing how to win the future for our children and grandchildren.
This week took me from the streets of Newark to the Pittsburgh Convention Center, and from the Wrigley Mansion in Phoenix to the studio of "Meet the Press" in Washington. And the common theme I consistently heard from the people I spoke with, whether in the Pittsburgh airport or the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, is that Americans want change.
Not just any change -- conservative change.
When we hear from the former head of border enforcement that America's border is an invitation to illegal entry, we know something has to change.
When we hear that a single bill sent up from Congress to the President contained more than 6,000 earmarks for pork-barrel projects, we know something has to change.
And when we discover that our government is paying contractors $1.75 a square foot to lay blue tarp on storm damaged roofs in Louisiana but the people actually doing the work are being paid only 10 cents per square foot, we know something has to change.
Tough Love for the Republican Majority
Some think my message of change is too hard on my own party. But nothing could be further from the truth. My position is simple: I want to create a strong governing Republican majority. I want a Republican presidency. I think that means we have to recognize that things aren't working, we need to fix them before the American people decide they have had enough and replace our majority.
It's time for an intervention.
America is hungry for conservative leadership. I don't believe Americans want to go back to a left-wing Democratic majority. We want a Contract with America, not a Contract with San Francisco and Vermont. The Republican leadership has an opportunity now -- in May, June and July -- to change the terms of the debate for the coming November elections.
In my first message to you, I warned you that our Republican majority is in danger. But I also believe that movement conservatives are ready to reassert themselves in order to return our party to its roots of smaller government, innovative ideas and common sense solutions.
As I mentioned last week, House Speaker Dennis Hastert's (R-Ill.) declaration that the pork-laden "emergency" spending bill passed by the Senate was "dead on arrival" in the House was a good start.
That was a declaration of war on the big spending that has become business as usual in Washington. We need to continue this campaign for real conservative change.
Here's an idea for real change: Instead of joining in the chorus of Democratic scapegoating of oil companies over high gas prices, we should be more aggressive about not relying on dictatorships in Venezuela, Nigeria, Iran and
Saudi Arabia for our energy needs. The President should call a renewable fuels summit in a place where they know a little something about producing clean, renewable sources of energy: Iowa State University. We should bring all the best minds and major players together. And then, within the next 30 days, conservatives should introduce a major renewable fuels bill that will reduce our reliance on unstable dictatorships overseas.
'Speaking Honestly, Plainly and Sympathetically'
Yesterday, on NBC's "Meet the Press" I discussed these ideas with Tim Russert (video), along with the lessons America has learned in Iraq and the emerging threat from the genocidal Iranian dictator.
I also detailed how we can control our borders and make America safer, beginning by sending the message to immigrants that breaking the law is not acceptable and will not be tolerated.
I believe we must put border security first. The President should reject the Senate's immigration bill that sets up a nonsensical three-tiered amnesty program where those who broke the law the longest are most rewarded. Moreover, Robert Rector from the Heritage Foundation says the bill as proposed would allow more than 100 million new legal immigrants over the next 20 years. That plan, as I told Human Events last week, is unworkable. As I've said before, this is a great opportunity for the President to re-bond with the overwhelming majority of Americans, and I hope he will take that opportunity tonight in his address to the nation.
In response to my "Meet the Press" appearance, I heard from many of you, but I would like to share one very thoughtful and encouraging email:
"You are in a rare position for a public servant: you have found a way to make telling the truth a convincing political strategy. I think it really works on foreign and domestic policy, and I think it works when you talk about your own personal history in the face of hostile questions. When you do America the simple courtesy of speaking honestly, plainly and sympathetically, you tap huge reserves of goodwill and in the process make Americans feel better about themselves."
I wish I could say all the email I receive is this complimentary. But I'll take these kind words less as a commentary on past performance and more as wise guidance for the future. I will endeavor to continue to give you the simple courtesy of speaking honestly, plainly and sympathetically -- not for my political future but to win the future for America.
I was one of the foolish who voted for W, then a straight Libertarian ticket.
Which one was more foolish? LOL
So you want to be among the first to just throw in the towel and surrender?
I say there are plenty of "world financial syndicates" for all politicians of varying ideas and philosophies. Let 'em rip. This omnously sounds like a throwback to old time royal families and the peons they ruled.
And that's exactly what I was saying. Perhaps I wasn't clear! My point once again, is to not look around for "who can win" but who you WANT to win because he/she is the BEST for the job.
Well ok, a test for English. Just don't make the test too hard.
I agree with wholeheartedly with everything you wrote up until this point.
Newt is one of the few politicians on either side who actually has ideas. All of the others are one dimensional or getting by on their personality and pretty faces.
Immigration is a wedge issue to split the "ultra right wing" of the republican party.
The illegal problem has been with us for twenty years. Why all of a sudden is it the primary issue just before this particular election ?
Not at all. One does not follow the other. We do not have peons in this country. Everyone has an equal opportunity to make money. What they do with that opportunity is up to them. The Gov't has no responsibility to guarentee equality of outcome just equality of opportunity.
Are you a supporter of CFR? You sound like it. Do you want to somehow "level the playing field"?
I have the right to speak my mind. I have the right to buy a printing press with my money to print what I speak. I have the right to hire people with my money to help me with the printing press. I also have the right to donate money to those who share similar opinions as I do and print speech that I agree with.
LOL!!!!
I'll agree with you there, but you know it does often come down to compromise and the lesser of two evils (weavils?) and we shouldn't demonize those who acknowledge that reality.
I think that would be Newt.
<< Well ok, a test for English. Just don't make the test too hard. >>
LOL. Can you imagine what an "English test" created by the typical college English professor would look like?
What provisions did he go back on?
Miss the recent illegal alien marches waiving Mexican flags and demanding their "rights"?
"waiving" = waving.
Wait, I thought all spending bills had to originate in the House.
Newt sees a political future for himself...?
Everyone has an equal opportunity to make money. What they do with that opportunity is up to them. That is a nice sounding theoretical position, and it is true that there are opportunities for everyone, but the opportunities are not equal. That is why those of us with an advantage "pull strings" to stack the deck in our favor. That is why the foul smelling Kennedy line keeps stinking up our politics, why the both clintons may occupy the Oval Office, it is why dad & son did occupy the Oval Office, and it is why so many Americans feel they have to vote for the lessor of two evils.
Are you a supporter of CFR? You sound like it. Do you want to somehow "level the playing field"? You said that everyone has an equal opportunity to make money. That implies that the playing field is level, but we know it is not and never could be unless the field is constantly reset, which would be impractical and also unfair. CFR is a dirty word spawned by dirty politicians, so that word does nothing other than cloud the discussion. But if the playing field is supposed to be equal, then American people should have an equal chance to compete in American politics with world financial syndicates.
I resent that.
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