Not Negotiable

A contract reminder to fellow Republicans.

REPUBLICAN CONTRACT WITH AMERICA

As Republican Members of the House of Representatives and as citizens seeking to join that body we propose not just to change its policies, but even more important, to restore the bonds of trust between the people and their elected representatives.

That is why, in this era of official evasion and posturing, we offer instead a detailed agenda for national renewal, a written commitment with no fine print.

This year's election offers the chance, after four decades of one-party control, to bring to the House a new majority that will transform the way Congress works. That historic change would be the end of government that is too big, too intrusive, and too easy with the public's money. It can be the beginning of a Congress that respects the values and shares the faith of the American family.

Like Lincoln, our first Republican president, we intend to act "with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right." To restore accountability to Congress. To end its cycle of scandal and disgrace. To make us all proud again of the way free people govern themselves.

On the first day of the 104th Congress, the new Republican majority will immediately pass the following major reforms, aimed at restoring the faith and trust of the American people in their government:

* FIRST, require all laws that apply to the rest of the country also apply equally to the Congress;

We can see how effective this policy has become, with the recent Patches Kennedy, and Cynthia McKinney incidents. [strike]

* SECOND, select a major, independent auditing firm to conduct a comprehensive audit of Congress for waste, fraud or abuse;

So, you just apply some more fraud and abuse, by wasting money on an auditor, to turn around and point the finger at you, for attaching millions in pork to your recent military spending plan.
[strike]

* THIRD, cut the number of House committees, and cut committee staff by one-third;

How many committees are there now? 20?. Back in 1993, there were 22 standing comittees.Wow. Way to go. A whole two committees cut. Wan't to take bets on that staff reduction figure? (A figure I did not bother to check) [strike]

* FOURTH, limit the terms of all committee chairs;

I guess, back in 2002, some Republican's decided they didn't like the idea. I guess when you are moistening that chair with your own ass, it's not such a good idea. [?]

* FIFTH, ban the casting of proxy votes in committee;

You made good on this one. [check]

* SIXTH, require committee meetings to be open to the public;

Except when the committe members vote to make it private. This is mostly done for national security reasons, so I am ok with this one. [check]

* SEVENTH, require a three-fifths majority vote to pass a tax increase;

You made good on this one. [check]

* EIGHTH, guarantee an honest accounting of our Federal Budget by implementing zero base-line budgeting.

With spending gone wild, I cannot seriously believe this one. [strike]

Thereafter, within the first 100 days of the 104th Congress, we shall bring to the House Floor the following bills, each to be given full and open debate, each to be given a clear and fair vote and each to be immediately available this day for public inspection and scrutiny.

1. THE FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY ACT: A balanced budget/tax limitation amendment and a legislative line-item veto to restore fiscal responsibility to an out- of-control Congress, requiring them to live under the same budget constraints as families and businesses. (Bill Text) (Description)

So, do we have a fiscally responsible, in-control spending policy in Washington? If Insol managed a business or family budget like you guys, his assets would be forfeit. [strike]

2. THE TAKING BACK OUR STREETS ACT: An anti-crime package including stronger truth-in- sentencing, "good faith" exclusionary rule exemptions, effective death penalty provisions, and cuts in social spending from this summer's "crime" bill to fund prison construction and additional law enforcement to keep people secure in their neighborhoods and kids safe in their schools. (Bill Text) (Description)

I'm glad those death penalty provisions were tested recently on a murderous terrorist. Moonbat jurists still have carte blanche, here. It's also nice to see the Americans living on the Mexican border, feeling safe and secure in their neighborhoods. [strike]

3. THE PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY ACT: Discourage illegitimacy and teen pregnancy by prohibiting welfare to minor mothers and denying increased AFDC for additional children while on welfare, cut spending for welfare programs, and enact a tough two-years-and-out provision with work requirements to promote individual responsibility. (Bill Text) (Description)

We'll just provide black market welfare to illegal criminal invaders and their citizen anchor babies. That's how our Washington solons discourage illegitimacy. [strike]

4. THE FAMILY REINFORCEMENT ACT: Child support enforcement, tax incentives for adoption, strengthening rights of parents in their children's education, stronger child pornography laws, and an elderly dependent care tax credit to reinforce the central role of families in American society. (Bill Text) (Description)

So, when are we going to see the rights of parents, not to see their children indoctrinated with gay propaganda, in our public schools?

When will parents be given priority over political correctness?

When will parents be empowered to take their education dollar elsewhere, to a more competitive system? [strike]

5. THE AMERICAN DREAM RESTORATION ACT: A S500 per child tax credit, begin repeal of the marriage tax penalty, and creation of American Dream Savings Accounts to provide middle class tax relief. (Bill Text) (Description)

Got this one done, except for the savings accounts. [check (sort of)]

6. THE NATIONAL SECURITY RESTORATION ACT: No U.S. troops under U.N. command and restoration of the essential parts of our national security funding to strengthen our national defense and maintain our credibility around the world. (Bill Text) (Description)

Can't really complain about this one. [check]

7. THE SENIOR CITIZENS FAIRNESS ACT: Raise the Social Security earnings limit which currently forces seniors out of the work force, repeal the 1993 tax hikes on Social Security benefits and provide tax incentives for private long-term care insurance to let Older Americans keep more of what they have earned over the years. (Bill Text) (Description)

What I see, is a system heading towards bankruptcy and politicians using the Ted Kennedy approach to crisis managment: "I'll drive off that bridge, when I get to it." [strike]

8. THE JOB CREATION AND WAGE ENHANCEMENT ACT: Small business incentives, capital gains cut and indexation, neutral cost recovery, risk assessment/cost-benefit analysis, strengthening the Regulatory Flexibility Act and unfunded mandate reform to create jobs and raise worker wages. (Bill Text) (Description)

It will be pretty difficult to raise those worker's wages with 20 million criminal wetbacks pulling the money away through black market labor. [strike]

9. THE COMMON SENSE LEGAL REFORM ACT: "Loser pays" laws, reasonable limits on punitive damages and reform of product liability laws to stem the endless tide of litigation. (Bill Text) (Description)

I continue to see hospitals going bankrupt and doctors go out of business, because of the John Edward's of this world. I still see businesses being bent over a sawhorse like Marcellus Wallace in Pulp Fiction, by ignorant juries, while losers walk away unscathed by their failed accusations.

I know you guys tried hard on this one, but letting a minority of selfish, tort lawyer toe sucking liberals, block reform of the public economic rape of our medical system, without a knockout fight, is not trying hard enough. [strike]

10. THE CITIZEN LEGISLATURE ACT: A first-ever vote on term limits to replace career politicians with citizen legislators. (Description)

Well folks, what do you think we have in Washington, career politicians or citizen legislators? Yes, it is a rhetorical question. [strike]

Respecting the judgment of our fellow citizens as we seek their mandate for reform, we hereby pledge our names to this Contract with America.

Well, how many breaches of contract do we see here?

C'mon guys! This was a manifest recipe for success! The wine harvest of Republican political prosperity is shriveling to raisins on the vineyard, because you have strayed from this simple recipe.

Here is a re-print of the first paragraph of the contract:

As Republican Members of the House of Representatives and as citizens seeking to join that body we propose not just to change its policies, but even more important, to restore the bonds of trust between the people and their elected representatives.

When you look at your base, do you see trust in their eyes?
When you look at your base, do you see bonds strengthening, or bonds breaking?

Here is a re-print of the second paragraph of the contract:

That is why, in this era of official evasion and posturing, we offer instead a detailed agenda for national renewal, a written commitment with no fine print.

When you rush out, with sloppy thinking to play the demonizing game over oil prices, is that not posturing?

When you rush out, to offer amnesty to lawbreakers, rather than enforce the law, is that not evasion of constitutional duty?

Here is a re-print of the third paragraph of the contract:

This year's election offers the chance, after four decades of one-party control, to bring to the House a new majority that will transform the way Congress works. That historic change would be the end of government that is too big, too intrusive, and too easy with the public's money. It can be the beginning of a Congress that respects the values and shares the faith of the American family.

How many of you can raise their hands, with a straight face, and tell your base that the government has been curtailed, has been rendered un-intrusive and is responsible with the public's money? On social issues, how have you restored the respect for the values and faith of the American family?

The difference between then and now, is crystal clear. You had no power then. There was no D.C. media and lobby culture to tempt you, to blind you, to tickle your fancies with the trappings that corrupted your Democrat contemporaries.

Stand firm once again, Republicans. Use that hammer we forged for you, through that voting booth, and drive every single nail of this contract, flush to the surface. Complete the construction of the ownership society, within safe, secure and prosperous borders. Forget those lobby goblins.

Do this for us.

We would be honored to invite you back, to the house you built, with our votes.