Pork, Entitlements Killed the GOP

Human Events ^ | 11/21/06 | Michael Lewis

[NormsRevenge]

Republicans were elected to the House in 1994 on a grand promise to cut taxes, government, and spending. They were elected to rein in the government largess after 40 years of one-party rule. It was a revolution for the Republican Party. The movement started by Barry Goldwater had finally reached the pinnacle of politics—a majority believed in the conscience of Conservatives.

The intentions were good, and the 12-year era of Republican rule accomplished some enormous tasks. Welfare reform under a Democratic president has cut the welfare rolls by nearly half since 1996. The economy is strong, thanks to much needed tax cuts enacted by the Bush Administration. Unemployment is at a record low 4.4%, and the Dow continues to perform well. Fully 70% of Americans own their home, and according to the latest report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, wages are rising.

However, the party that established a Contract with America has strayed far from that document. After a few years, Republicans began to trade principles for power, which is never a good choice, no matter what party is in power. Pork became king, and deals were brokered to ensure re-election by bringing home the bacon.

In 1994, 1,500 pork projects were stuffed into Democratic spending bills. In fiscal 2006, Republicans allowed 15,000 such projects to be inserted into the appropriations bills by members of both parties, at a cost of more than $10 billion according to the Wall Street Journal, which is approximately 24% of our current budget deficit of $248 billion. This figure doesn’t even take into account the amount of money that has been “borrowed” from the Social Security Trust Fund in the past several decades to pay for pet projects. Through their spending policies, Republicans have disenchanted their conservative base by acting like Democrats on steroids. The Wall Street Journal reported that even after Sen. Ted Stevens’ (R.-Alaska) “Bridge to Nowhere” was exposed, “Republicans” continued to defend the pork.

Perhaps most disappointing was the Republican sponsored Medicare prescription drug act. This new entitlement program was the largest expansion of government since the 1960s. The vote on the bill was kept open for an unprecedented three hours while “Republican” leaders twisted the arms of reluctant conservatives in an effort to get them to vote yes. The Medicare Part D program was a source of discontent for the conservative base.

The No Child Left Behind Act didn’t help the GOP either. By inserting Washington bureaucrats into local school systems, the GOP sold out the principles of state control of local affairs. NCLB rubbed so many the wrong way that the Republican-dominated Utah legislature enacted a law that placed achievement of standards set forth in NCLB second to achievement of state standards. Several other states are considering similar laws. So much for the party that once wanted to abolish the Department of Education.

Republicanism, not conservatism, lost on Election Day. Republicans were elected to govern as conservatives, and they became liberals. Power for the sake of power was placed above all else-a bad situation for any party. Republicans may find it prudent to know that a poll last week reported by the Wall Street Journal found that most voters were for less government and lower taxes. If the GOP reinstitutes the ideals and principles that made them a majority, and again become the party of Goldwater and Reagan, the sky is the limit in 2008.

[Athwart]

Someone please remind me why I vote republican, because I'm beginning to forget.

Because the democrats are even worse, and not by a small margin. If you've forgotten that, they'll remind you soon.

[justshutupandtakeit]

That is not going to reform anything. It would only keep things from getting worse.

[Eccl 10:2]

"I welcome the failure of the GOP. Besides the war the GOP was not very conservative. Without Ann Coulter and Rush we would have been stuck with an unknown on the SC. The GOP is now socialism lite."

While I'm not sure I welcome the failure, we can certainly make the best of it. Conservatism did not fail - our "Republican lite" candidates and actions did as you said.

I decry those who clamor for a return to the "Center". What we need is clarity and vision. I was impressed with Newt Gingrich on CSPAN the other day. As long as he walks his talk...

[TChad]

It wouldn't surprise me if the Miers debacle caused some Republicans to say "screw politics" and stay home on election day. The nomination set the base at each others throats in a way that the Roberts and Alito nominations did not. This was easily predictable and easily avoidable.

It is possible that she would have been a competent justice (though I doubt it), but it seems obvious that the nomination was a mistake, if only for the pointless infighting it caused.

[Czar]

"one more whack at the old dead horse submitted for your consideration.."

And yet the party-above-principle Big Tent RINOs continue screeching that the reason for the GOP loss was that we had moved "too far to the right".

What utter fools...

[Moonman62]

Not only that, but $10 billion is nothing in a budget that is trillions of dollars.

[sanjacjake]

I am probably in the top 5% of Freepers(agewise) and I
want to say this: How in hell can people with good
educations, socially advantageous, etc. be elected
to a seat in our Congress and then screw up themselves
and, unforunately, their fellow Cngressman, with the
juvenile, stupid, greedy actions that end their career
in public service?? and live a degraded life from their
own stupidity...Youy all know who I am referring to..
and they are not the Democrats..who profitted from their
dumb, assinine actions. Jake

[John Lenin]

Sad part is the GOP stuck with the same losers who brought them to this point. The future of the GOP is in Gen X and younger, they should have picked at least one fresh looking face for the leadership.

[BlackbirdSST]

There was no "out of control" spending. In fact, the deficit is going down because of Bush's economic policies. There are no "open" borders since millions are returned every year and the problem with Illegals is WILDLY exaggerated. There is no "tied" hands of American troops. Destroying those we are trying to protect is not a solution to anything. Harriet Miers became a debacle because the Loony Lynch Mob torpedoed her. There was nothing wrong with her as a Justice except in the eyes of the Loony Lynch Mob. She was a conservative, fundamentalist Christian and long-time, trusted associate of the President. So yep it was all an illusion. Particularly when compared with the REAL successes of the GOP: the taking the War on Terror to our enemies, the reform of taxes and the appointment of conservative Justices. But now you don't have to worry about ANY future successes since the GOP is "being taught a lesson." Another fabulous success by the Wingnut wing of the party.

You are as delusional as they come. You belong in the column of those that just don't get it. Blackbird.

[BlackbirdSST]

Because the democrats are even worse, and not by a small margin. If you've forgotten that, they'll remind you soon.

If that's going to be the GOTV effort for '08, prepare yourself now for continued losses. It worked so well for '06 didn't it!? Blackbird.

[slowhandluke]

I am in need of no logic lessons from people who cannot even recognize their own best interest.

So, no logic, but plenty of arrogance about knowing my best interest.

[justshutupandtakeit]

Speaking the Truth often has me charged with "arrogance" but I don't really care.

[dfwgator]

Everybody hates pork, except for the pork that goes to THEIR district.

[spacecowboynj]

Yeah. Everyone except me of course. And I mean that. Americans lost that independent attitude a long time ago though. Me personally, I would never accept workers' comp, I would opt out of Social Security (READ: other people's money) if I could, and I would never hold any job on the public dime save for being in the military. I wouldn't even be a cop or a fireman because I'm at the point where that should've been privatized a long time ago.