THE ENTERPRISE--WHAT ARE REPUBLICANS FOR? AN ANSWER TO CONSIDER

THE ENTERPRISE--WHAT ARE REPUBLICANS FOR? AN ANSWER TO CONSIDER

 

A RECENT WSJ OP ED PIECE QUESTIONS "WHAT ARE REPUBLICANS FOR?”

    "Rather than what are they “against”—rampant crime (mostly in cities), lack of border control/management, progressive giveaway programs, etc. "

In the OpEd, Joseph Epstein cites English philosopher Roger Scruton’s essay: 

"Those tasks that only governments can perform—defense of the realm, the maintenance of law and order, the repair of infrastructure, and the coordination of relief in emergencies—are forced to compete for their budgets with activities that free citizens, left to themselves, might have managed far more efficiently through the association of volunteers, backed up when necessary by private insurance.” … 

Scruton continues, "Conservatism should be a defense of government against its abuse by liberals.”….and closes with “The true message of the Republican Party, then, is not that it is the enemy of government but the advocate of a far better government, one that is both necessary and yet comports with the freedom of the citizens."

 

I'LL SAY IT MORE SIMPLY: "GOVERNMENT IS INTENDED TO SERVE & WORK FOR THE PEOPLE (NOT VICE VERSA), TO DO ONLY THOSE THINGS THEY CAN’T DO BETTER FOR THEMSELVES.”

 

SO, "What Republicans Are For?" (or at least this Republican)

1. Freedom & Rights —from excessive regulation, & for following what is stated in the US Constitution
2. Opportunities —to work & succeed, not to be reliant on government largesse or unearned welfare
3. Fiscal Responsibility —to reasonably spend within means, & limit excessive indebtedness.
4. Free Enterprise Capitalism—to create & accumulate wealth, benefit from it, & keep the gains, without excessive taxation
5. Minimize Government Interference —in American citizens' lives, but including rules & regulations, consistent with maintaining law & order
6. Responsibly managed Elections w/secure voter IDs —to ensure voting is only done by legally eligible American voters
7. That the “American Dream” of Prosperity —is within reach of families at all socio-economic levels 
8. A strong National Defense —to protect America and Americans and our collective & individual welfare & freedoms
9. Secure Borders and entry ID's —where coming in illegally is a crime, & entering legally offers a path to citizenship … over time.
10. Good Schools, public and private —teaching facts, untainted by political agendas
11. America-First Foreign policy —protecting America’s economic, social & human rights, beliefs & freedoms, via working with allies & without using appeasement
12. Elected Government of competent/qualified people —to lead & manage municipalities, states & the country, by these principles, but term-limited to assure periodic turnover
13. Elected Leaders who can and do speak in understandable, complete sentences—without reading from Teleprompters scripts—who "say what they mean & mean what they say," about what & how they intend to do (or not do) things, and are held publicly accountable for what was promised.

OF COURSE THIS LIST COULD BE MUCH LONGER, BUT IF ALL REPUBLICANS WOULD UNIFY ON THESE THIRTEEN  POINTS, I BELIEVE MOST AMERICANS WOULD AGREE. 

 

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

 

ON THE LEADERSHIP ISSUE:

The question being tossed around is whether Donald Trump is the leader of the Republican Party (and should he run again in 2024)? In many respects, as the last President, one might quickly say YES, but considering Trump's (bad/questionable) behaviors both while in office, after he felt the election was stolen from him, many would say NO—Hell no! 

 

This is a pivotal issue, because so much of what Trump did or caused to happen was positive and right, it’s tempting to choose him to run again in 2024. He set the stage for both the Operation Warp Speed and the strongest, economy in years—until Covid and shut downs crippled it. The current recovery was to be expected when Biden and Democrats and the Fed dumped trillions in stimulus into the USA. Bidenomics put the USA economy on a “sugar high” unprecedented in history. It’s downer, will come, but when and with what causes, remains to be seen. Face it, President Biden is an embarrassment to the USA and a huge risk in foreign policy.

 

WhetherTrump might be better than Biden, based on results, the answer is maybe YES, but based on his behaviors, it’s now a no-win question to answer. Biden has done so poorly, in so many areas, and his Democrat “puppet masters” have steered him so wrong, he’s a weak and vulnerable leader and candidate (and this VP choice has been even worse). However, Donald Trump’s abhorrent personal behavior spawned an army of "Trump haters,” who can’t imagine him back as President.

 

Will either man change much? At their ages, and with ther track records—you know that answer—NO WAY!

 

My conclusion is that 1) the Republican Party must settle on a series of policies and behaviors and philosophies that it can unify behind and 2) get the American people to unify behind too. Only then can Americans like you and I start deciding who’s best to lead America for the next decade.

 

Mid-term elections will tell a lot of this story—but not all of it. Let’s start a dialogue with our elected leaders as citizens with strong positive views and hope for the greatness of America—and unify by choosing a leader worthy of our Country.

 

JOHN