Ripon Forum


Vol. 44, No. 4

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Editor’s Note: In This Edition

by LOU ZICKAR

Ripon Society Holds Post-Election Briefing to Review Mid-Term Results

WASHINGTON, DC — The Ripon Society hosted a breakfast briefing on Thursday, November 4th to review the results of the mid-term elections and discuss the reasons Republicans had, electorally speaking, one of the most successful years in the history of the GOP. The breakfast featured some of the leading political minds in Washington, including: Congressman […]

“What Do We Do Now?”

“Simple, unadorned ‘opposition’ is mistaken, from both the policy and political perspectives.”

“What Do We Do Now?”

“Stop this spending spree.”

“What Do We Do Now?”

“Extending tax cuts isn’t a political slogan – it’s an economic necessity to our country.”

“What Do We Do Now?”

“We expect Republicans to be focused on the People’s agenda, not the party’s agenda.”

“What Do We Do Now?”

“Be Brave.”

“What Do We Do Now?”

“This is the moment for Republicans to define our party once again…”

On This, We Can Agree

After a divisive election, the Maine Senator argues that Republicans must focus on the many issues that unite the party.

Working Together in a Partisan World

With Washington divided by the political extremes, the former New Jersey Governor makes the case for across-the-isle problem-solving.

A Recovery Shipwreck: Can it be avoided?

At one level, the politics and the economics of 2010 appear daunting. Pundits claim that the recent election will only divide government, the two major political parties can’t get along, and government shutdown will be the only real issue discussed.

Divorce and the Deficit Commission

Stacy relates the reasoning behind why voters divorced from the Democratic party to that of a marriage; “They divorced the Democratic Party over more than money. It was also the uncertainty caused by intrusive, coercive fiscal policies.”

The Case for Michigan

Sandy discusses the underrated importance of the state of Michigan, pointing out a correlation between the state and the country as a whole saying, ” The challenges faced by this great American city and this storied state are the precursor to the challenges of our nation. As goes Michigan goes America.”

A Lesson in Job Creation from the Hoosier State

Jay discusses the success of Governor Daniels, and brings up the question of whether or not he will throw his hat in the ring of the 2012 Presidential elections. “During the last decade, Tommy Thompson and a crop of innovative GOP governors proved that some of the nation’s best policy innovation comes from the states.”

Republican Heart and Soul: The Definitional Battle for the 2012 Presidential Nomination

“In recent history, presidential aspirants win by leading ideological factions to dominate their party, while simultaneously attracting independents to their candidacies.”

The Coming Generational Shift on Capitol Hill

“When Republicans won control of the House of Representatives on November 2nd, it represented not just a partisan shift on Capitol Hill, but a generational shift, as well.”

Ripon Profile of Tim Scott

“I believe that the people should control their own destinies, not the federal government, and I will fight for the fundamental values and rights on which our country was founded.”

“What Do We Do Now?”

“Stop this spending spree.”

If 1994 was the year of Newt Gingrich and 2008 was the year of Barack Obama, then 2010 is undoubtedly the year of the American people. This year the people stood up and said enough is enough. The question is – will we listen this time?

Democrats thought they were listening after 2008. They believed the 2008 election was “transformational.” In their estimation, an American electorate that had been suspect of big government since its inception had suddenly changed its mind. Democrat leaders believed that Americans were calling for more government, more entitlements, more mandates and more spending. Driven by this false assumption, Nancy Pelosi and President Obama pushed through an ambitious agenda that not only grew the size and scope of the federal government but grew our national debt to once unimaginable levels. They were wrong.

The new Republican majority has a tough road ahead of them and they must get it right. Democrat leadership turned a mess into a complete disaster and our immediate priority has to be returning stability to our economy and with that, an increase in private sector job creation. I strongly believe that Americans want measured, fiscally responsible policies returned to Washington, D.C.

When I practiced as a CPA, I learned to look at both sides of the ledger – both revenues and expenditures. If Congress is to take fiscal discipline seriously, that means we must first stop this spending spree. The first step should be to take the nearly $400 billion of the failed stimulus bill that has not yet been spent and use it to reduce our $1 trillion deficit and impose some much needed fiscal discipline.

If Congress is to take fiscal discipline seriously, that means we must first stop this spending spree.

The second step should be to get the federal government out of the way so the private sector can get America back to work. The reduction in federal expenditures will help to reduce the prevailing belief that higher taxes are coming. However, to drive this point home, Congress must permanently extend both the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts. With a $3.8 trillion tax hike looming over American families and small business, is it any wonder the Nation’s economy has been frozen by uncertainty?

Finally, during my years in public accounting I learned that the first step to overcoming a financial crisis is to obtain a complete understanding of one’s financial situation and then craft a budget. To ensure continued stability and job growth it is imperative that the next Congress begin to practice responsible budgeting. That means passing a budget and placing a hard cap on discretionary spending and returning all spending to pre-stimulus and pre-bailout levels.

As I said, Republicans have an uphill battle ahead, but hopefully those of us representing the new class of conservatives have learned from mistakes in the recent past and will listen to the American people. I look forward to working side by side with my colleagues in the House to get this Nation back on the right track.

Lynn Jenkins represents the 2nd Congressional District of Kansas in the U.S. House of Representatives.