Republicans "Scramble" For Ideas, Find Old Ones
I see via Politico that House GOP Whip Eric Cantor (R-VA) has put together an online "Solutions Center," which purports to answer the four big questions Americans are asking. Patrick O'Connor and Mike Allen see this as the GOP scrambling "to show it has ideas," which suggests, perhaps, that they didn't spend too much time on the site. Because in all their scrambling, House Republicans didn't come up with much that hasn't already cost them the last two elections.
Here's an abbreviated version of the problems Americans face, and the solutions the GOP is positing.
Q: How will I keep my job? A: We'll give your boss a tax cut!Also included in there is a pitch for the House GOP's failed alternative budget--so it's not just about cutting taxes. It's also about freezing spending. Let's see--where have I heard this all before.Q: How should we use taxpayer money?
A: By giving it back to you through tax cuts!Q: How will I grow my savings?
A: We'll toss out capital gains tax on new assets. And then we'll let you write off up to $10,000 in losses on your taxes.Q: How will I keep my house?
A: With a $5,000 refinancing tax credit, of course. We'll also give your lenders a tax credit if they help you out. But just in case they don't, we'll make it harder for you to sue them.
I'll keep an eye on the site for updates...but not while holding my breath
Josh
Matt
Eric
Brian
In this Time article on the GOP toilet swirl, Dick Armey has this diagnosis, which conveniently a) comes from someone not currently in government and b) completely absolves Boehner, McConnell, and their Congressional companions from voting for Bush's deficit spending in the first place.
First step toward recovery? Admit you have a problem...
April 14, 2009 5:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
The repuglicans admitting they have a problem?
HA!
That'll be the day!
April 14, 2009 8:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
Aw cmon, the GOP is full of new ideas...let's see, they have a new glbt advocacy group called GOProud, because the Log Cabin Republicans didn't hate themselves enough. This new group will insure that its members wear pink triangles at the next GOP convention.
And, of course, tomorrow is GOP teabagging day, where all sorts of pro-testes-ters can have a ball (so to speak) whining about the current George Bush tax structure they are saddled with.
I still cannot believe that the GOP came up with this 'teabagging' idea. This makes the whole event the butt of an enormous joke. And many do not get it. Watching Rachel Maddow and Schuster (filling in for Olbermann) cover the story has been totally hilarious.
What's next, protesting pork in legislation, with a day of porking?
By the way, if you want to see the Maddow coverage of 'teabagging' from the other day, I have the video posted:
http://scootmandubious.blogspot.com/2009/04/rachel-maddow-republican-teabagging.html
April 14, 2009 5:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
I have to admit I've passed over the tea bag thing until now because it just didn't make any obvious sense, and, really, why do I care? But you shamed me, scootmandubious, into watching the Rachel Maddow coverage and I watched all 6 minutes. I can now say with some authority: It still doesn't make any sense. Maybe as they wave their little tea bags around what they really mean is, "I am powerless and confused, but I know it's all your fault!"
April 14, 2009 6:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
It's true that simple answers often seem to be preferred by Americans, but these 'answers' are infantile.
Tax cuts won't help us improve our schools, competitiveness, technical knowhow, or inventiveness. Tax cuts won't solve our trade issues. Tax cuts won't rebuild a reliable infrastructure that will allow people and goods to flow safely and reliably. Tax cuts won't regulate the financial industry, insurance companies, our food and water supply, the environment--things that must be assured for us to grow and prosper. Tax cuts won't provide a social net for disasters like health problems or job loss.
To answer these questions with a simple meme like 'tax cuts' dodges the complexities of our problems, oversimplifies their scope, and portrays a party way out of touch with reality.
April 14, 2009 5:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
Wait, is this real? It can't be real.
April 14, 2009 6:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
I saw the article over on Politico earlier today and left a message. Those questions Cantor had are a no brainer (to me anyway). They are sad, and getting sadder
April 14, 2009 7:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
The Republicans are paving a new path. Goodbye 19th Century hello 20th. Just one more century until they catch up.
April 14, 2009 9:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
You left out question number 5: How will you reduce the Federal budget deficit?
Ans. That's not our problem. That's Obama's problem, even though the problem was created and festered during 8 years of Bushenomics.
April 15, 2009 3:56 PM | Reply | Permalink