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?”

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

There has been much chatter about the Tea Party activists and Republicans. That is great theatre for Capitol Hill, but a harsh reality will soon crest over all House members, Democrats and Republicans, Tea Partiers and coalition moderates.

That reality: we are worse off than we have been in a very long time. We imperatively need new ideas and determination to help our country.

This is the moment for Republicans to define our party once again, as Lincoln did, as liberators of a people. This time it will be for all Americans who face a future as uncertain and shackled as those the party stood for at its birth.

Our problems are ALL OF OUR problems. Many of them – poverty, education, the deficit – have no partisan claim. We are brothers and sisters in this journey. The pain of hunger feels the same in a Democratic stomach as it does in a Republican stomach. The frustration of illiteracy manifests with the same intensity in the heart of a moderate, a conservative and a liberal.

We must have a new coalition for the Republican Party. It must not just be a coalition of people, but a coalition of new ideas.

We must have a new coalition for the Republican Party. It must not just be a coalition of people, but a coalition of new ideas.

Members of Congress take an oath to defend the Constitution and to protect this nation. But we let ourselves get defeated from within when our population is left adrift with hunger and poor education. Those are the true foundations of a strong, forward looking nation.

Look in the faces of those who will be helped and see that the overwhelmingly number are ready – are hoping – to become part of the society of contributors.

Taxpayers have shelled out $15.9 trillion on means-tested welfare programs since 1964. After adjusting for inflation, welfare spending is 13 times higher today than it was in 1965. This is growth more rapid than Medicare, Social Security and defense. Yet, after decades of massive spending, politicians of both parties failed to address the collapse of marriage – which is the root cause of child poverty.

We can better attack poverty by ending outdated policies that foster high unemployment. We can assist fathers who have the desire, but not the means, to pay child support by forging an environment for the wage provider to create a job and the wage earner to have the skills required to do the job. Let’s review regulations that inhibit competition in services to the poor and create an “Anti-Poverty Expenditures Category” in the federal budget to bring all the anti-poverty programs into one cohesive area.

Today, many in government ask which problems are fundable. They should be asking which problems are solvable.

As Republicans and Democrats move forward, we will all need to tighten our belts. Our resources are limited and we must use innovation, competition and think transformation to create ways to make our citizens resources, not a drain on resources, especially considering we are broke and are paying over $1 billion per day in interest on our national debt.

We have been dreadfully slow to recognize the crisis in our classrooms and even slower to act. American students learn less than their counterparts because they’re actually being taught less.

Americans aren’t going to be able to compete in the job market if we can’t compete in the classroom. So we need to develop rigorous standards that at the very minimum are comparable to the lessons being learned by kids in other countries.

The strength of America is in her people. Our first line of defense is restoring the ability of all Americans to dream AND believe again.

J.C. Watts represented the 4th District of Oklahoma in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1995 to 2003. He currently serves as the Founder and Chairman of J.C. Watts Companies.