Opinion: The GOP's 'Pledge' to Revive Failed Policies

(Sept. 22) -- The Republican Party, hoping to relive 1994, is about to introduce its "Pledge to America," the 2010 version of the "Contract on with America." The introduction says it's time to "reclaim the government for the people." I believe it was actual "people" who elected Barack Obama in 2008 and put Democrats in control of both houses of Congress. These "people" controlled their own limbs when they went into voting booths and pressed levers. And the people elected by the people did what they told the people they would do: provide health care, reform Wall Street and stimulate the economy, for starters.

Some highlights of the "Pledge" (are they going to add "under God" like they did to that other "pledge" to make sure people know we're not commies?):

• Stop job-killing tax hikes.

The only planned "hikes" are actually reversals of the Bush cuts for the rich, which didn't create jobs. Bill Clinton created more jobs than George W. Bush, and Obama is far surpassing Bush in terms of job creation.

• Require congressional approval for any new federal regulation that would add to the deficit.

You know what would add to the deficit? Keeping the Bush tax cuts for the rich.

• Repeal and replace health care reform.

It's the party of "no!"

• Require that every bill have a citation of constitutional authority.

Here's one that covers health care: Article 1, Section 8, which says, "The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the United States ..." You don't think health care provides for the "general welfare"? See you in court.

• Give members of Congress at least three days to read bills before a vote.

OK, but what about those really long bills that have lots of words in them, many polysyllabic?

• Provide resources to troops.

Wow! I wish liberals had thought of that! Would that include properly equipped Humvees and body armor that were lacking in Iraq?

• Fund missile defense.

Yeah, that'll save money. Shouldn't we be talking about cutting the military rather than building it up at this point?

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Republicans claim they want budget caps while proposing that we increase military spending, repeal and replace health care (with what?) and extend tax cuts, all of which add to the deficits they claim they want to eliminate.

The needs of the country are very different than what they were when the GOP issued the Contract With America. The National Bureau of Economic Research has declared the recession over. The stock market has risen consistently since Obama has been in office. And the majority of Americans want the Bush tax cuts for the rich to expire.

The "Pledge to America," a cheap imitation of its 1994 forerunner, is fiscally irresponsible and out of touch with what America needs and wants. It's a pledge to reclaim something, all right. It wants to reclaim the failed policies that energized the electorate to replace the thinking of those who made this "pledge." More progressive Americans have been taking America in a new, better direction, in spite of them.