When I woke up this morning and first launched my browser, two things caught my eye on the msn.com home page: first, a big headline that said "GOP Pledges to Cut Taxes, Spending." Hmmmm. Republican leaders are circulating a draft of a new "Pledge to America." OK. A couple of lines below that? Another link that said, "Analysis: 'Pledge' Unlikely to Inspire Voters," that led to a Newsweek article that - surprise, surprise - didn't think much of the new Pledge.
Since I am somewhat familiar with the political slant of Newsweek, i.e., if you offered me a free copy, I wouldn't bother to walk across the street to get it, that suggested to me that I might, indeed, find this new pledge inspiring.
So I did what I would urge everyone to do - I read it for myself. It's only 21 pages long (less than 1% the size of, say, the ObamaCare bill), so it didn't take me all that long.
Over the coming days and weeks, lots and lots of people are going to try to tell you what it says and why it should, or shouldn't, matter. Ignore them all and read it for yourself, then draw your own conclusions.
My personal reaction to it? If I could have presented a document to Congress in a big red binder labeled, "PLEASE - just do these things for me, and I'll be content!" this is the document I would have written. Yes, I know it's only a draft at the moment. Yes, there's a little, cynical voice in the back of my mind that whispers, "Yeah, it sounds good, but will they really follow through?" But it's being drowned out by the louder voice that's saying, "My God, if they actually do these things, it will make such a difference!"
OK, OK, here are a couple of teasers:
In a self-governing society, the only bulwark against the power of the state is the consent of the governed, and regarding the policies of the current government, the governed do not consent...Got your interest yet? By the way, Newsweek really didn't like that last point, for the very convoluted reason that it somehow encroached on the power of the judiciary, which is supposed to determine whether or not legislation is constitutional. But, dang, if I didn't know better, I'd think they (the GOP, not Newsweek) had been reading this blog!
We pledge to honor the Constitution as constructed by its framers and honor the original intent of those precepts that have been consistently ignored – particularly the Tenth Amendment, which grants that all powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people...
The American people know that to boost the economy, spending must be slashed, tax increases must be prevented, and small businesses must have certainty that the rules won’t change every few months so they can get back on their feet. The constant threat of new taxes and new regulations prevents investors and entrepreneurs from putting capital at risk. These private sector employers must be given the certainty that if they take a risk to expand their company or hire a new employee, Washington won’t yank the rug from under their feet...
We will ensure that bills are debated and discussed in the public square by publishing the text online for at least three days before coming up for a vote in the House of Representatives. No more hiding legislative language from the minority party, opponents, and the public. Legislation should be understood by all interested parties before it is voted on...
We will require each bill moving through Congress to include a clause citing the specific constitutional authority upon which the bill is justified....
Please. Just read it. Don't take anybody else's word for it - not even mine. Read it for yourself, then make up your mind.
Thanks for listening.
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