A pretty good post from FireDogLake:
I hear it all the time on the news or in public from my Republican friends about taking back the house and senate from the “socialist” “liberal” Democrats which I guess is code word for “The Democrats are the new Al-Qaeda” or something like that.
Anyways, I hear Republicans in the house say they are going to take back congress so they could do the work of the people. But wait a minute, didn’t the Republicans have a majority between 1995 and 2007. And yet, they increased the deficit by passing the Bush Tax Cuts and other budget-busting bills as well as starting two undeclared wars against two nations that had nothing to do with 9/11 because none of the hijackers came from Afghanistan. Then they passed Medicare Part D the same way: through backroom deals and so-called bribes. How can I or anyone trust the GOP now after the fact that they destroyed the trust of even their own supporters?
The answer is, we don’t because they and the Democrats increased the deficit and continued to print money out of thin air. How can the Republicans say with a straight face that they will fix Washington if we only elect good candidates. Wrong GOP, unless you stand on principles the way Ron Paul does, you will lose and your party will be reduced to nothing and go the way of the Whig Party.
How is accepting earmarks principled? Don't get me wrong, I love Ron Paul, I just don't see how you can say he stands on principles when he is known for taking billions back to his district.
What should be the duty of a rep in congress when it comes to tax money? To leave it in the hands of the executive branch (which is what happens without earmarks), or to try to get as much back to the rightful owners as possible in their own district? I think the latter. you?
Actually, they increased the deficit by simply spending too much money. Taxes are (were) already too high.
Other than that, nice post.