What exactly is your Contract with America

Griff · 10-06-2006, 06:41 AM

REPUBLICAN CONTRACT WITH AMERICA
As Republican Members of the House of Representatives and as citizens seeking to join that body we propose not just to change its policies, but even more important, to restore the bonds of trust between the people and their elected representatives.
That is why, in this era of official evasion and posturing, we offer instead a detailed agenda for national renewal, a written commitment with no fine print.

This year's election offers the chance, after four decades of one-party control, to bring to the House a new majority that will transform the way Congress works. That historic change would be the end of government that is too big, too intrusive, and too easy with the public's money. It can be the beginning of a Congress that respects the values and shares the faith of the American family.

Like Lincoln, our first Republican president, we intend to act "with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right." To restore accountability to Congress. To end its cycle of scandal and disgrace. To make us all proud again of the way free people govern themselves.

On the first day of the 104th Congress, the new Republican majority will immediately pass the following major reforms, aimed at restoring the faith and trust of the American people in their government:

FIRST, require all laws that apply to the rest of the country also apply equally to the Congress;
SECOND, select a major, independent auditing firm to conduct a comprehensive audit of Congress for waste, fraud or abuse;
THIRD, cut the number of House committees, and cut committee staff by one-third;
FOURTH, limit the terms of all committee chairs;
FIFTH, ban the casting of proxy votes in committee;
SIXTH, require committee meetings to be open to the public;
SEVENTH, require a three-fifths majority vote to pass a tax increase;
EIGHTH, guarantee an honest accounting of our Federal Budget by implementing zero base-line budgeting.
Thereafter, within the first 100 days of the 104th Congress, we shall bring to the House Floor the following bills, each to be given full and open debate, each to be given a clear and fair vote and each to be immediately available this day for public inspection and scrutiny.

1. THE FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY ACT: A balanced budget/tax limitation amendment and a legislative line-item veto to restore fiscal responsibility to an out- of-control Congress, requiring them to live under the same budget constraints as families and businesses. (Bill Text) (Description)

2. THE TAKING BACK OUR STREETS ACT: An anti-crime package including stronger truth-in- sentencing, "good faith" exclusionary rule exemptions, effective death penalty provisions, and cuts in social spending from this summer's "crime" bill to fund prison construction and additional law enforcement to keep people secure in their neighborhoods and kids safe in their schools. (Bill Text) (Description)

3. THE PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY ACT: Discourage illegitimacy and teen pregnancy by prohibiting welfare to minor mothers and denying increased AFDC for additional children while on welfare, cut spending for welfare programs, and enact a tough two-years-and-out provision with work requirements to promote individual responsibility. (Bill Text) (Description)

4. THE FAMILY REINFORCEMENT ACT: Child support enforcement, tax incentives for adoption, strengthening rights of parents in their children's education, stronger child pornography laws, and an elderly dependent care tax credit to reinforce the central role of families in American society. (Bill Text) (Description)

5. THE AMERICAN DREAM RESTORATION ACT: A S500 per child tax credit, begin repeal of the marriage tax penalty, and creation of American Dream Savings Accounts to provide middle class tax relief. (Bill Text) (Description)

6. THE NATIONAL SECURITY RESTORATION ACT: No U.S. troops under U.N. command and restoration of the essential parts of our national security funding to strengthen our national defense and maintain our credibility around the world. (Bill Text) (Description)

7. THE SENIOR CITIZENS FAIRNESS ACT: Raise the Social Security earnings limit which currently forces seniors out of the work force, repeal the 1993 tax hikes on Social Security benefits and provide tax incentives for private long-term care insurance to let Older Americans keep more of what they have earned over the years. (Bill Text) (Description)

8. THE JOB CREATION AND WAGE ENHANCEMENT ACT: Small business incentives, capital gains cut and indexation, neutral cost recovery, risk assessment/cost-benefit analysis, strengthening the Regulatory Flexibility Act and unfunded mandate reform to create jobs and raise worker wages. (Bill Text) (Description)

9. THE COMMON SENSE LEGAL REFORM ACT: "Loser pays" laws, reasonable limits on punitive damages and reform of product liability laws to stem the endless tide of litigation. (Bill Text) (Description)

10. THE CITIZEN LEGISLATURE ACT: A first-ever vote on term limits to replace career politicians with citizen legislators. (Description)

Further, we will instruct the House Budget Committee to report to the floor and we will work to enact additional budget savings, beyond the budget cuts specifically included in the legislation described above, to ensure that the Federal budget deficit will be less than it would have been without the enactment of these bills.
Respecting the judgment of our fellow citizens as we seek their mandate for reform, we hereby pledge our names to this Contract with America.

As we get ready to fulfill our end of the contract and throw them all out, shouldn't we ask the Dems to lay out their intentions?

Spexxvet · 10-06-2006, 09:08 AM

Promises, promises. They won't cum in your mouth, either.

This shows just how hypocritical right wing conservative relligious fundamentalists are.

10-06-2006, 09:52 AM

I'm not impressed. They go on and on about fiscal responsibility, yet our national debt has INCREASED under the current Republican President, mainly because he chose to fight a senseless foreign war. Now the Republicans propose to save money by throwing young girls and their babies out on the street. I agree that its better for people to be self supporting, but the best way we can achieve this is my education and training for the Mom's and making the male parent accountable for the support of his offspring. The big loser under the Republican "Contract" is going to be the innocent child.

I also notice it says nothing about getting out of the Middle East - a HUGE drain on the tax payer, nor does it say anything about returning the civil liberties lost in "The War on Terror."

I'm voting Democrat myself (big surprise, right?

)

Griff · 10-06-2006, 11:51 AM

Umm.. in case some folks don't remember, this is what the GOP ran on way back when they were the minority party. I want the Dems to give me an indication of their goals if we entrust them with power. If people don't have a memory the entrenched Democratic Party wasn't any great shakes either. I'm all for tossing the GOP but I need reasons to vote (D).

Flint · 10-06-2006, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Griff

I'm all for tossing the GOP but I need reasons to vote (D).

Sadly, we're entrenched in the idea of there only being two choices.

glatt · 10-06-2006, 11:58 AM

As I was reading that contract this morning, it was actually pretty funny. In a sad sort of way.

I don't think the Democrats are going to offer much of anything but gridlock and obstruction. Personally, I think both gridlock and obstruction would be absolutley wonderful right about now.

Griff · 10-06-2006, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flint

Sadly, we're entrenched in the idea of there only being two choices.

Who is we? I'm a registered Libertarian.

Griff · 10-06-2006, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glatt

Personally, I think both gridlock and obstruction would be absolutley wonderful right about now.

I might vote for that!

Flint · 10-06-2006, 12:05 PM

I won't vote "against" either of them, because it's a ping-pong game. I will only vote third party, any third party. I opt out of the politics of boogeyman-ism. They can't run the scam on us if we refuse to participate, and I personally refuse. If enough of us vote "neither" they'll notice something is up.

Voting for either of the two major parties guarantees we will get something that nobody actually wants, and I can't imagine a better definition of "throwing your vote away" than that.

Flint · 10-06-2006, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Griff

Who is we?

"we" = society at large, "the masses" etc.

Spexxvet · 10-06-2006, 12:21 PM

While both the Sharks and the Jets are pretty poor choices, I believe that what the Democrats "stand for" is more closely aligned with my personal philosophy.

glatt · 10-06-2006, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flint

If enough of us vote "neither" they'll notice something is up.

They will notice that it's even easier to screw you than they had hoped.

Quote:

Voting for either of the two major parties guarantees we will get something that nobody actually wants, and I can't imagine a better definition of "throwing your vote away" than that.

Voting for anything but the Democrats is a vote for more of the same. If you think we are on a good track right now, then go ahead and vote for a third party.

The ideal government is when there is a balance of powers. It was true 200+ years ago when our founding fathers came up with our government, and it's true today. The only way anything gets passed is if it actually makes enough sense to appeal to most people on both sides of the aisle. Having one party control everything is the worst thing that can happen in our country. It's in the country's best interests to have the Democrats take back control of the Congess. Then the courts will be mostly conservative, the White House will be Republican, and the Congress will be Democrats.

Gridlock. It's the American way.

Spexxvet · 10-06-2006, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glatt

...
I don't think the Democrats are going to offer much of anything but gridlock and obstruction. Personally, I think both gridlock and obstruction would be absolutley wonderful right about now.

I would agree if there weren't a war in Iraq. If there's gridlock, NOTHING will get done. Remember the Clinton impeachment.

It's funny how the repubicans blame Clinton for not accomplishing anything (like killing Bin Laden) when they were the ones who were wasting their, his, and our time chasing him. He was so busy defending himself that he didn't have the time or the public opinion to get anything done.

Torrere · 10-06-2006, 12:36 PM

That sounds awfully idealistic for an entrenched group. Some of the stuff that sounds nice is stuff that you know would never pass.

Flint · 10-06-2006, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glatt

They will notice that it's even easier to screw you than they had hoped.

In this scenario, you admit that one way or the other, you're still screwed.
That is the present system. We, the voters, need to work on changing that.

Quote:

Originally Posted by glatt

Voting for anything but the Democrats is a vote for more of the same.

Voting for either Republicans or Democrats is also just "a vote for more of the same"

Quote:

Originally Posted by glatt

If you think we are on a good track right now, then go ahead and vote for a third party.

And if you think Democrats are the magical solution, then vote that way. I don't think voting "against" is a solution.
We need to be voting for something. I will be voting for more and better options. Both of the "same old choices" stink.

Quote:

Originally Posted by glatt

Having one party control everything is the worst thing that can happen in our country.

Our present system functions as if there is only one party. It's a fixed game.
The voters have no real choice in this system. I will not vote to perpetuate this broken system.

10-06-2006, 06:41 AM	#1
Griff still says videotape Join Date: Feb 2001 Posts: 26,813	What exactly is your Contract with America REPUBLICAN CONTRACT WITH AMERICA As Republican Members of the House of Representatives and as citizens seeking to join that body we propose not just to change its policies, but even more important, to restore the bonds of trust between the people and their elected representatives. That is why, in this era of official evasion and posturing, we offer instead a detailed agenda for national renewal, a written commitment with no fine print. This year's election offers the chance, after four decades of one-party control, to bring to the House a new majority that will transform the way Congress works. That historic change would be the end of government that is too big, too intrusive, and too easy with the public's money. It can be the beginning of a Congress that respects the values and shares the faith of the American family. Like Lincoln, our first Republican president, we intend to act "with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right." To restore accountability to Congress. To end its cycle of scandal and disgrace. To make us all proud again of the way free people govern themselves. On the first day of the 104th Congress, the new Republican majority will immediately pass the following major reforms, aimed at restoring the faith and trust of the American people in their government: FIRST, require all laws that apply to the rest of the country also apply equally to the Congress; SECOND, select a major, independent auditing firm to conduct a comprehensive audit of Congress for waste, fraud or abuse; THIRD, cut the number of House committees, and cut committee staff by one-third; FOURTH, limit the terms of all committee chairs; FIFTH, ban the casting of proxy votes in committee; SIXTH, require committee meetings to be open to the public; SEVENTH, require a three-fifths majority vote to pass a tax increase; EIGHTH, guarantee an honest accounting of our Federal Budget by implementing zero base-line budgeting. Thereafter, within the first 100 days of the 104th Congress, we shall bring to the House Floor the following bills, each to be given full and open debate, each to be given a clear and fair vote and each to be immediately available this day for public inspection and scrutiny. 1. THE FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY ACT: A balanced budget/tax limitation amendment and a legislative line-item veto to restore fiscal responsibility to an out- of-control Congress, requiring them to live under the same budget constraints as families and businesses. (Bill Text) (Description) 2. THE TAKING BACK OUR STREETS ACT: An anti-crime package including stronger truth-in- sentencing, "good faith" exclusionary rule exemptions, effective death penalty provisions, and cuts in social spending from this summer's "crime" bill to fund prison construction and additional law enforcement to keep people secure in their neighborhoods and kids safe in their schools. (Bill Text) (Description) 3. THE PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY ACT: Discourage illegitimacy and teen pregnancy by prohibiting welfare to minor mothers and denying increased AFDC for additional children while on welfare, cut spending for welfare programs, and enact a tough two-years-and-out provision with work requirements to promote individual responsibility. (Bill Text) (Description) 4. THE FAMILY REINFORCEMENT ACT: Child support enforcement, tax incentives for adoption, strengthening rights of parents in their children's education, stronger child pornography laws, and an elderly dependent care tax credit to reinforce the central role of families in American society. (Bill Text) (Description) 5. THE AMERICAN DREAM RESTORATION ACT: A S500 per child tax credit, begin repeal of the marriage tax penalty, and creation of American Dream Savings Accounts to provide middle class tax relief. (Bill Text) (Description) 6. THE NATIONAL SECURITY RESTORATION ACT: No U.S. troops under U.N. command and restoration of the essential parts of our national security funding to strengthen our national defense and maintain our credibility around the world. (Bill Text) (Description) 7. THE SENIOR CITIZENS FAIRNESS ACT: Raise the Social Security earnings limit which currently forces seniors out of the work force, repeal the 1993 tax hikes on Social Security benefits and provide tax incentives for private long-term care insurance to let Older Americans keep more of what they have earned over the years. (Bill Text) (Description) 8. THE JOB CREATION AND WAGE ENHANCEMENT ACT: Small business incentives, capital gains cut and indexation, neutral cost recovery, risk assessment/cost-benefit analysis, strengthening the Regulatory Flexibility Act and unfunded mandate reform to create jobs and raise worker wages. (Bill Text) (Description) 9. THE COMMON SENSE LEGAL REFORM ACT: "Loser pays" laws, reasonable limits on punitive damages and reform of product liability laws to stem the endless tide of litigation. (Bill Text) (Description) 10. THE CITIZEN LEGISLATURE ACT: A first-ever vote on term limits to replace career politicians with citizen legislators. (Description) Further, we will instruct the House Budget Committee to report to the floor and we will work to enact additional budget savings, beyond the budget cuts specifically included in the legislation described above, to ensure that the Federal budget deficit will be less than it would have been without the enactment of these bills. Respecting the judgment of our fellow citizens as we seek their mandate for reform, we hereby pledge our names to this Contract with America. As we get ready to fulfill our end of the contract and throw them all out, shouldn't we ask the Dems to lay out their intentions? __________________ If you would only recognize that life is hard, things would be so much easier for you. - Louis D. Brandeis Last edited by Griff; 10-06-2006 at 09:12 AM.

10-06-2006, 09:08 AM	#2
Spexxvet Makes some feel uncomfortable Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 10,346	Promises, promises. They won't cum in your mouth, either. This shows just how hypocritical right wing conservative relligious fundamentalists are. __________________ "I'm certainly free, nay compelled, to spread the gospel of Spex. " - xoxoxoBruce

10-06-2006, 11:51 AM	#4
Griff still says videotape Join Date: Feb 2001 Posts: 26,813	Umm.. in case some folks don't remember, this is what the GOP ran on way back when they were the minority party. I want the Dems to give me an indication of their goals if we entrust them with power. If people don't have a memory the entrenched Democratic Party wasn't any great shakes either. I'm all for tossing the GOP but I need reasons to vote (D). __________________ If you would only recognize that life is hard, things would be so much easier for you. - Louis D. Brandeis

10-06-2006, 12:05 PM	#9
Flint Snowflake Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Dystopia Posts: 13,136	I won't vote "against" either of them, because it's a ping-pong game. I will only vote third party, any third party. I opt out of the politics of boogeyman-ism. They can't run the scam on us if we refuse to participate, and I personally refuse. If enough of us vote "neither" they'll notice something is up. Voting for either of the two major parties guarantees we will get something that nobody actually wants, and I can't imagine a better definition of "throwing your vote away" than that. __________________ **************** There's a level of facility that everyone needs to accomplish, and from there it's a matter of deciding for yourself how important ultra-facility is to your expression. ... I found, like Joseph Campbell said, if you just follow whatever gives you a little joy or excitement or awe, then you're on the right track. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Terry Bozzio**

10-06-2006, 12:21 PM	#11
Spexxvet Makes some feel uncomfortable Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 10,346	While both the Sharks and the Jets are pretty poor choices, I believe that what the Democrats "stand for" is more closely aligned with my personal philosophy. __________________ "I'm certainly free, nay compelled, to spread the gospel of Spex. " - xoxoxoBruce

10-06-2006, 09:52 AM	#3
marichiko Guest Posts: n/a	I'm not impressed. They go on and on about fiscal responsibility, yet our national debt has INCREASED under the current Republican President, mainly because he chose to fight a senseless foreign war. Now the Republicans propose to save money by throwing young girls and their babies out on the street. I agree that its better for people to be self supporting, but the best way we can achieve this is my education and training for the Mom's and making the male parent accountable for the support of his offspring. The big loser under the Republican "Contract" is going to be the innocent child. I also notice it says nothing about getting out of the Middle East - a HUGE drain on the tax payer, nor does it say anything about returning the civil liberties lost in "The War on Terror." I'm voting Democrat myself (big surprise, right? )

10-06-2006, 11:58 AM	#6
glatt ™ Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Arlington, VA Posts: 27,717	As I was reading that contract this morning, it was actually pretty funny. In a sad sort of way. I don't think the Democrats are going to offer much of anything but gridlock and obstruction. Personally, I think both gridlock and obstruction would be absolutley wonderful right about now.

10-06-2006, 12:36 PM	#14
Torrere a real smartass Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Kirkland, WA Posts: 1,121	That sounds awfully idealistic for an entrenched group. Some of the stuff that sounds nice is stuff that you know would never pass.

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