The GOP Is on Probation

For nearly two years, the tea parties have warned the Ruling Class there would be serious consequences to ignoring the will of the people, and that day finally arrived this past Tuesday, Nov. 2. The tsunami was felt at all levels of government as a majority of House, Senate and Governor races were won by candidates who had substantial support from tea party voters. Previously the tsunami had been felt within the GOP when tea party voters ousted many incumbent and “establishment-preferred” Republicans in primaries.

Now it is important that Republicans read the right message in the tea leaves: “You are on probation!”

It seems paradoxical that a political party could win such commanding victories, yet be held in such low regard by voters. A recent NYT/CBS poll (10/26) found the favorable rating for the Republican Party was 41% and a recent AP poll (10/18) pegged the job performance approval rating for Congressional Republicans at 28%. As my parents always used to say, “trust must be earned” – and it is earned with actions, not pledges.

Republicans have failed us miserably in the recent past by failing, among other things, to curb spending and debt, reform entitlements, or tackle illegal immigration. In fact, they have bloated spending, increased debt and expanded entitlement programs.

Republicans cannot afford to play politics at the margins, focus more on maintaining their power rather than changing Washington, or return us to the business-as-usual approach of “plodding along.” It isn’t often that one can claim to speak for the entire tea party movement without swift rebuke, but I feel confident in saying that the tea parties will not tolerate timid or self-motivated politics.

The stakes could not be higher. Americans are threatened with a disastrous fiscal collapse unless immediate and drastic action is taken to address the underlying causes. Neither major party has had the political fortitude to offer such a plan. The Republican Pledge to America released in September was plainly inadequate. The tea parties demand courageous action — now.

Just so there is no confusion, here are the major demands:

1) Repeal and defund the 2010 health care legislation: Even though this is in the GOP’s Pledge to America, recent news stories reported Republicans hedging on this pledge before the elections even had taken place. Make no mistake: the health care legislation was the single biggest factor in these elections. On Nov. 1, Rasmussen reported that 58% of Americans want Obamacare repealed. Republicans must do everything possible to repeal and defund the health care law. Equivocation will not be tolerated.

2) Make significant spending cuts that are deeper than the target in the Republican Pledge to America: We are sitting on a $13 trillion debt, but Congress continues to increase spending. The Pledge to America only suggests a return to 2008 spending levels. Rolling “all the way back” to 2008 spending levels is not courageous leadership. We need to see permanent spending cuts and the elimination of federal programs.

3) Reform entitlements: We are on an unsustainable path guaranteeing catastrophic failure. If Republicans truly care for the elderly and sick they will make the necessary changes and empower the participants in these programs to make decisions that are best for their future.

4) Cut taxes for job creators: If we are serious about creating jobs and getting out of this unemployment nightmare, then we must cut taxes for ALL private businesses and not just those the politicians deem worthy. Let’s face it: if you are without a job, you want as many doors open to you as possible. Why allow the federal government to narrow your choices?

The list continues: audit the Fed, enforce immigration laws, eliminate unfunded and unconstitutional mandates on states, and permanently kill cap-and-trade legislation.

The tea party movement was the political tsunami of 2010, and now we will be looking for results. We hope for bold, principled leadership from Congressional Republicans. If not, we will do our best to replace the perfunctory Republicans in 2012. Make no mistake: performance will determine re-employment.