Replies

We offer a plan to stop out-of-control spending and reduce the size of government.

With common-sense exceptions for seniors, veterans, and our troops, we will roll back government spending to pre-stimulus, pre-bailout levels, saving us at least $100 billion in the first year alone and putting us on a path to balance the budget and pay down the debt. We will also establish strict budget caps to limit federal spending from this point forward.

We will launch a sustained effort to stem the relentless growth in government that has occurred over the past decade. By cutting Congress’ budget, imposing a net hiring freeze on non-security federal employees, and reviewing every current government program to eliminate wasteful and duplicative programs, we can curb Washington’s irresponsible spending habits and reduce the size of government, while still fulfilling our necessary obligations. We will also prevent Washington from forcing responsible taxpayers to subsidize irresponsible behavior by ending bailouts permanently, canceling the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP), and reforming Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

Instead of pushing off our long-term fiscal challenges, we will reform the budget process to ensure that Congress begins making the decisions.

http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2010/images/09/22/gop.pledge.to.america.pdf

With common-sense exceptions for seniors, veterans, and our troops, we will roll back government spending to pre-stimulus, pre-bailout levels, saving us at least $100 billion in the first year alone and putting us on a path to balance the budget and pay down the debt. We will also establish strict budget caps to limit federal spending from this point forward.

I like the idea behind the Pledge in general, and I certainly was glad to see reference to the 10th Amendment, but I was quite underwhelmed by this part.

"Rolling back" spending to levels that already had Americans angry doesn't seem like a very bold pledge. The "common-sense exceptions" provide a rather large loophole as well.

So, basically, they're promising more spending than we saw under a Democrat Congress in 2007-2008. Given the current anti-spending mood in the country, I don't think it's wrong for us to expect more out of the GOP than that.

I don’t like this:
“- Cancel all future TARP payments and reform Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac”

They should be abolishing Freddie and Fanny not simply “reforming it”. We are suppose to be pushing back Not simply consolidating Government gains already made.

“Repeal small business mandates in the new health care law.”

They should be repealing the health-care law Not simply reducing its impact.

or this:
“- Allow small businesses to take a tax deduction equal to 20 percent of their income”

As to reforming congress if you want real reform they need abolish the incumbency advantage in getting positions.

Congressmen should NOT be rewarded for being reelected a great many times.

saving us at least $100 billion in the first year alone and putting us on a path to balance the budget and pay down the debt.

$1.3 trillion in deficit and $100 billion in cuts???? Wow! This aught to do it!