Laura Ingraham
"10 for 2010"
Laura Ingraham
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(Although this was written for 2010 it is still relevant today)
Remember the days when the press ooohed and aaaahed every time Barack Obama
and Michelle went out to dinner? The President's jump shot ... the First
Lady's arms ... the adorable kids ... the dog search ... the vegetable
garden ... it was Operation Razzle Dazzle run by an image machine working
overtime. Team Obama believed that if people saw the First Family as cool
and fun, they would be more likely to think Obama's "remaking of America"
was cool and fun, too. Of course, it didn't work out this way.
Americans, it turns out, are sophisticated enough to separate their personal
appreciation for the Obamas from their views on the President's policies. At
this point, the entire White House operation is starting to have the look
and feel of a tired Vegas lounge act. The economic forecast looks grim to
most of us, who wonder why Washington can't cut back on spending in the same
way our own families have. Everything Obama proposes carries a hefty price
tag -- which ends up further burdening already beleaguered taxpayers and
small businesses, who sooner or later pick up the tab for this profligate
spending. The health-care debate has turned out to be a referendum on how
well Washington manages big programs. The answer? Not well.
Clearly, there is a genuine opportunity today for any politician who is
willing to stand with these Americans who feel Washington just doesn't give
a damn about them. These people are looking for a voice of reason amidst the
chaos and insanity of a world where numbers like $10 trillion are casually
tossed around.
This feels like 1993, the last time I recall such widespread, intense anger
with Washington. Back then, Gingrich's Contract with America tacked its sail
to these prevailing winds, helping a demoralized GOP coast to a stunning
54-seat congressional coup. We need a new blueprint for a new age that our
fellow Americans can read and think about. I suppose we could just sit back
and hope to beat Democrats by default, but that would be foolhardy. Obama is
a master campaigner and loves competition. The GOP needs to outline a
coherent platform of specific ideas that every Republican candidate can run
on in 2010 -- that way there's a clear post-election agenda that, assuming
big GOP pick-ups, brings its own mandate. Call it "10 for 2010."
1) Taxpayers' Bill of Rights (TABOR). Limit federal spending growth
to the percentage in population growth plus the rate of inflation; provide
taxpayers the option of filing a post-card sized return using a low, flat
tax rate of 25%
2) End Tax-funded abortions. Stop federal payments to Planned
Parenthood and prohibit any taxpayer-subsidized health insurance plan from
covering abortion
3) Defend American Borders. Complete America's border-protection
initiatives using remaining funds from the so-called stimulus bill
4) King Dollar. Preserve a strong dollar so that Americans' savings
aren't wiped out by inflation and the U.S. dollar remains the world's
reserve currency
5) Empower American Business. Immediately slash corporate tax rates
to 15% and scrap the corporate capital-gains tax altogether
6) Defend America. Strengthen America to defend our homeland and
fully fund an operational, layered missile-defense system
7) Statism Exit Plan. De-fund czars; immediately cease bailout
payments to failed companies; ban future bailouts
8) End Generational Theft. As few believe America's entitlement
programs will be able to pay benefits to future generations, provide younger
workers the choice of diverting payroll/Social Security taxes into personal
retirement accounts
9) Restore America's System of Justice. Introduce British-style
penalties for frivolous lawsuits, where those who launch unsuccessful
lawsuits are liable for the defendants' legal bills
10) American Energy Independence. All-of-the-Above strategy that
embraces alternatives, expands and accelerates exploration and production of
oil and natural gas, and jumpstarts dramatic increases in nuclear power
