# Build Your Own 2010 GOP Contract With America! **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [June 6, 2010, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/build-your-own-2010-gop-contract-with-america/542164 "2010-06-06T14:28:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![cckerberos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f0a364/32.png) [@cckerberos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cckerberos)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2010, 7:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/build-your-own-2010-gop-contract-with-america/542164/61 "2010-06-11T07:18:47Z")
> [@septimus](#): > > What principles would _I_ like to see Republicans endorse? No one asked. ---
**Author:** ![Boozahol\_Squid\_P.I](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/d9b06d/32.png) [@Boozahol\_Squid\_P.I](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boozahol_Squid_P.I)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2010, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/build-your-own-2010-gop-contract-with-america/542164/62 "2010-06-11T20:38:25Z")
> [@septimus](#): > > What principles would _I_ like to see Republicans endorse? How about, for starters: > > 1. I declare that Barack Obama was born in the U.S.A. > 2. I denounce any and every public figure who pretends to believe that Barack Obama might not have been born in the U.S.A. > 3. I am saddened that lying clowns like Beck and Limbaugh have much success influencing gullible voters. > 4. I agree that a President describing himself as a “Unifier” should not choose federal judges using the criterion that getting more than 51 Senators in support implies the nominee was too moderate. > 5. I thank the Obama Administration for recognizing the severity of the present credit and employment crisis and pursuing fiscal stimulus. > > There’s more, but let’s start with these. > > Can you _unequivocally_ endorse these statements, **Curtis**? If so, I’ll give attention to your political views. If not, I’ll just treat you as part of the problem. I know I’m not CLM, but as a conservative member of the board, can I say that I’ll give you 1-4, but not 5? 1-4 seem to be statements of fair play. 5 is a support of a specific policy, and a rather controversial one, at that. ---
**Author:** ![Boozahol\_Squid\_P.I](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/d9b06d/32.png) [@Boozahol\_Squid\_P.I](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boozahol_Squid_P.I)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2010, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/build-your-own-2010-gop-contract-with-america/542164/63 "2010-06-11T20:46:13Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > If I had to write one, it would go like this: > > 1- We will propose an alternative to the Obama health care plan that will provide more coverage to more people for less money. > > 2- We will abide by the findings of a bi-partisan committee for ways to balance the budget in the next four years. > > 3- We will seal the Mexican border and work with Democrats to enact sensible immigration reform. > > 4- We will use the military sensibly to protect legitimate American interests only. > > 5- We will restore NASA to the forefront of manned space exploration. 1. That goes against the fundament of conservative ideology. Expanded government, even if better government, isn’t something any of the many components of potential Republican voters will go for. Outdemocratting the Democrats is a losing strategy. Plus it goes against one of the basic aspects of production: better, cheaper and faster, you can pick two. Cheaper and more widespread leads to slower and worse coverage. 2. I love it 3. Working with the other guys isn’t a politically savvy move as a message for either party. If you’re trying to sell your voter base on working with the other guys, why should people vote for you? 4. Love it 5. Huh? Where’d that come from? It’s not a popular demand, nor is it the sort of attention grabbing issue that could vault the Pubs over the top. ---
**Author:** ![septimus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/septimus/32/410_2.png) [@septimus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/septimus)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2010, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/build-your-own-2010-gop-contract-with-america/542164/64 "2010-06-11T20:47:11Z")
> [@Boozahol\_Squid\_P.I](#): > > I know I’m not CLM, but as a conservative member of the board, can I say that I’ll give you 1-4, but not 5? 1-4 seem to be statements of fair play. 5 is a support of a specific policy, and a rather controversial one, at that. Fair enough. It’s mean-spiritedness and lies that turn so many of us off to the right-wing, not legitimate policy differences. By the way, _have you actually denounced_ birthers and mischievous commentators like Beck? ---
**Author:** ![UltraVires](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ecccb3/32.png) [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2010, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/build-your-own-2010-gop-contract-with-america/542164/65 "2010-06-12T02:31:59Z")
The contract should denounce Bush as a terrible president and apologize for the increased spending that took place under his administration. It should admit that the Iraq war was an intelligence failure of the highest order and that the GOP will make sure (however they do that) that it won’t happen again. It should demand a Congressional Declaration of War before we commit troops overseas in a non-emergency situation. A Balanced Budget after a few years, and then sticking with it except in times of great emergency. No businesses can be “too big to fail” (however we want to control that). Don’t say “states rights” but use another term that doesn’t imply racism. Local Control of seat belt use, drunk driving BAC, open container laws, drinking ages, marijuana laws, abortion (see how I snuck that one in there), and end of life care. Make a statement that “interstate commerce” only applies to things that are commerce and cross state lines. And if their dicks are really swinging in the wind that morning, talk about how the New Deal programs and their successors suck ass. Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid. Promote freedom from government control of healthcare and institute market reforms to bring the prices down. Tort Reform. Break up the Doctors’ monopoly. Reform the drug laws. Give consumers power in healthcare. Take that SS tax and invest it in a private IRA that is personally owned and can be passed onto your kids should you die early. My main point is that the GOP has to do more than simply be a more conservative version of Obama. There is no groundswell of support for continuing the same thing. In 1994, it worked because people believed in less government, but Newt and the boys just couldn’t get it done. People I know still believe in that, and it can be made to work with the right marketing. ---
**Author:** ![Boozahol\_Squid\_P.I](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/d9b06d/32.png) [@Boozahol\_Squid\_P.I](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boozahol_Squid_P.I)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2010, 6:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/build-your-own-2010-gop-contract-with-america/542164/66 "2010-06-14T06:44:15Z")
> [@septimus](#): > > Fair enough. It’s mean-spiritedness and lies that turn so many of us off to the right-wing, not legitimate policy differences. > > By the way, _have you actually denounced_ birthers and mischievous commentators like Beck? Denounced? I mean, not officially. Do I have to salute the flag, and hold one hand on the bible, and cross my right testicle over my left? I think I burned a copy of The Fountainhead in college: does that count? ---
**Author:** ![septimus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/septimus/32/410_2.png) [@septimus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/septimus)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2010, 9:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/build-your-own-2010-gop-contract-with-america/542164/67 "2010-06-14T09:36:26Z")
> [@Boozahol\_Squid\_P.I](#): > > Denounced? I mean, not officially. Do I have to salute the flag, and hold one hand on the bible, and cross my right testicle over my left? I know you think you’re being funny, but standing on the sidelines silently smirking while assholes like Beck and the Birthers pollute the political debate? Thinking “They’re assholes, but they’re _my_ assholes!”? Would that make you part of the solution, or just part of the problem? ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2010, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/build-your-own-2010-gop-contract-with-america/542164/68 "2010-06-19T15:20:25Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > There is a [Contract From America](http://www.thecontract.org/the-contract-from-america/). Here’s its proposals: > > 1. All laws have to identify a clause in the Constitution which authorizes Congress to legislate in that area. > 2. No “cap & trade” environmental regulation. > 3. Balanced budget and supermajority needed for tax increases. > 4. Single-rate income tax. > 5. Taskforce to identify government programs that should be eliminated. > 6. Statutory upper limit on government spending. > 7. No public health care. > 8. Loosen regulations on drilling and nuclear power. > 9. Supermajority needed for earmark budget items (pork). > 10. Repeal recent tax increases. Love good luck making that work. Cut taxes and balance the budget. Gee .it seems so logical doesn’t it ? It is not. The debt is equal to the Bush tax cuts and the cost of waging wars at the same time. What did you think would happen when he did that, a budget surplus? ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2010, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/build-your-own-2010-gop-contract-with-america/542164/69 "2010-06-19T16:17:21Z")
> [@](#): > > Love good luck making that work. Cut taxes and balance the budget. Gee .it seems so logical doesn’t it ? It is not. > The debt is equal to the Bush tax cuts and the cost of waging wars at the same time. What did you think would happen when he did that, a budget surplus? I assume you’re aware I only posted this platform. I didn’t write it and I don’t endorse it. In fact, I pointed out the same thing about its economic contradictions you did. ---
**Author:** ![Boozahol\_Squid\_P.I](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/d9b06d/32.png) [@Boozahol\_Squid\_P.I](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boozahol_Squid_P.I)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2010, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/build-your-own-2010-gop-contract-with-america/542164/70 "2010-06-19T16:25:13Z")
I’m not seeing the economic contradictions, particularly consdiering that a focus on limiting government spending is also part of the proposal. ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2010, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/build-your-own-2010-gop-contract-with-america/542164/71 "2010-07-17T15:52:37Z")
> **[Republicans divided on the importance of an agenda for midterm elections](https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/07/16/AR2010071606245.html?hpid=topnews)** > > Sometime after Labor Day, House Minority Leader John A. Boehner plans to unveil a blueprint of what Republicans will do if they take back control of the chamber. He promises it will be a full plate of policy proposals that will give voters a clear... The repub platform is to not have one. They have been against everything Obama has done. Their aim is to run against Obama and not tell anybody what their plans are. That is a good plan. They do not want to reveal who they work for anymore than they already have. ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Midnight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/977dab/32.png) [@Captain\_Midnight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Midnight)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2010, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/build-your-own-2010-gop-contract-with-america/542164/72 "2010-07-30T17:36:20Z")
O.K.------------------------ 1.) The United States gets the hell out of Iraq and Afghanistan. Like tomorrow. The same with Korea. 2.) Take half of the troops and deploy them on the Mexican border. Send the other half home. If they went to Iraq or Afghanny and they are poor, send them to University. 3.) Build a secure border wall on the Mexican/American border. A wall where it would be nearly impossible to enter the country by foot. 4.) Any invasion or intrusion of another nation needs to be met by a Declaration of War. No more invading nations like Iraq without clear purpose. Be in the right before declaring it. 5.) Stop foreign aid to other nations unless that aid is for a national emergency. 6.) USA has the UN on their soil. Let’s use the bastards. I have no problem with the UN. I 89% believe in what I was taught in school that the UN was created to talk over problems and differences instead of immediately picking up arms. One could say there has been a lot of killing before the UN, but think about how many wars were stopped because of them. 7.) The sanctions against Cuba are lifted. Go to Cuba. Tomorrow. Spend some money. The sight of regular Americans wearing ugly shorts on the beach demanding cheeseburgers and cheap weed will transform the nation much more than the CIA could even imagine. I would even support a small range tax credit for major western and Japanese companies to sell the Cubans applainces and conveniences at cost ot less. 8.) Talk to Iran. Maybe not diplomatic relations, but they can be communicated with. The idea is to try to steer the nation from a hostile nation to one that is nuetral, whose problems with us can be solved or discussed. However, this might conflict with 9…) 9.) Human rights is very important in our relations with other nations, especially the rights of women, minorities, and the execution of children. Domestic Agenda 1.) Stopping abortion. It’s murder. Pure and simple. It’s not a fetus, its a developing human life. Any “doctor” preforming abortions would be subject to murder charges and a federal death penalty. 2.) Gun control. Get the handguns off the street. Only allow people who are military or police, or who honorably retired from either service. Long barrel guns like rifles would be available to hunters after a background check, a class and licensing. 3.) Legalize marijuana. The money saved by law enforcement from arresting marijuana smokers and dealers can go after the “bad shit” of cocaine, heroin and crystal meth. 4.) Pay down the deficit. The deficit is $11 trillion dollars and rising. There needs to be a Marshall Plan like effort to get this deficit under control. 5.) One small measure would enforce a balanced budget. It would be illegal to go into deficit for any reason except in a national emergency when war is declared with another nation. 6.) Curtail and eventually abandon the IRS. I hate the IRS. They are the gestapo of the country and curtails Americans from making money. 7.) Privatize the Post Office, NASA and many other organizations that offer a service that can be better serviced by private enterprise. 8.) Get rid of the Department of Education. Allow local school districts the flexibility to do what they want. Saying that, give the parents the right to send their child to any school they choose. And make it easy to kick out a malcontent student after the age of 16. 9.) Welfare means work. There is work to do. 10.) Give good high school students the chance for a free ride college education, inreturn for four years in either teaching, government service, or law enforcement. 11.) Gay marriage. No problem. Domestic contract. Write it up, sign it, have it signed by a lawyer and stamped by a notary. The end. What to desolve it? Reverse the process and get a lawyer if needed. Gays would have the same right as the sick, twisted people who enjoy the sexual organs of the opposite gender. 12.) Tax the churches on income made outside of Sunday services and charities. Many megachurches run seminars and crap and make lots of money that is exempted from taxation. 13.) Slowly, but surely do away with Social Security. Pay off everyone who has paid into the system, then make the system voluntary. Unfortunately, the Federal government would have to have work cards and work permission because of all the foreign invaders. 14.) Most welfare handouts will cease, except veterans who were hurt, the disabled who cannot work (mentally disabled, mentally ill, quads etc.). No more mamas with no daddies with five kids who run to the welfare office. Sorry, government is broke. Can’t ask people who have actually worked, recieved an education, have kids and jobs to shell out more taxes. 15.) Fuck and shit will be allowed on TV after 9 PM on public TV. 16.) Speaking of public Universities, a probe on why in the hell it is so freaking expensive. I cannot speak for private schools, but public Unis should be relatively inexpensive. Books, a classroom, a teacher, maybe a computer 17.) I do not believe in Universal Health Care. At least not now with the USA carrying such a huge debt load. However, one can see how Fed. govt., medicare, lawsuits and insurance has made medicine so freaking expensive. The answer is not UHC, it is regulating better these forces that make right of care out of reach for a majority of citizens. 18.) Do away with the electoral college. Some doofus named Al won in 2000. ---
**Author:** ![Digital\_Stimulus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@Digital\_Stimulus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Digital_Stimulus)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2010, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/build-your-own-2010-gop-contract-with-america/542164/73 "2010-07-30T18:28:00Z")
For those who haven’t heard of it, you might want to check out the DNC’s “The Republican Tea Party [Contract on America](http://my.democrats.org/page/content/tpgop)”. 10 items: > [@](#): > > 1. Repeal the Affordable Care Act (Health Insurance Reform) > 2. Privatize Social Security or phase it out altogether > 3. End Medicare as it presently exists > 4. Extend the Bush tax breaks for the wealthy and big oil > 5. Repeal Wall Street Reform > 6. Protect those responsible for the oil spill and future environmental catastrophes > 7. Abolish the Department of Education > 8. Abolish the Department of Energy > 9. Abolish the Environmental Protection Agency > 10. Repeal the 17th Amendment Honestly, while spun negatively, it’s not that far off. There are a (small) number of SDMB posters who advocate some combination of these positions. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2010, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/build-your-own-2010-gop-contract-with-america/542164/74 "2010-07-30T20:04:06Z")
All quotes from **Captain Midnight** : > [@](#): > > 3.) Build a secure border wall on the Mexican/American border. A wall where it would be nearly impossible to enter the country by foot. There’s no wall that can do that. The only role a wall has in a border defense is to make it easier for the guys in the machine-gun nests to gun down the folks trying to cross. Do we really want to go there? > [@](#): > > 1.) Stopping abortion. It’s murder. Pure and simple. It’s not a fetus, its a developing human life. Any “doctor” preforming abortions would be subject to murder charges and a federal death penalty. I see the sentiment, and logically, an opposition to abortion is something that the Republicans should be focusing on (the nation’s very divided on it, and both sides are large enough that one party’s going to inevitably take each side), but you need to work a little more incrementally, there. Trying to jump straight from the status quo to “death penalty for abortionists” is just political suicide, and will end up getting you nowhere at all. > [@](#): > > 6.) Curtail and eventually abandon the IRS. I hate the IRS. They are the gestapo of the country and curtails Americans from making money. It’s inherent in the nature of government that you need to collect at least some taxes, and there has to be some bureaucracy involved with collecting them. Reform the IRS, sure (and be prepared to list specifically what you want to reform), but you can’t abolish them. > [@](#): > > 7.) Privatize the Post Office, NASA and many other organizations that offer a service that can be better serviced by private enterprise. There’s no private enterprise that’s demonstrated an ability to do all of what the post office does, nor one that’s demonstrated an ability to do almost any of what NASA does. UPS and FedEx can only stay afloat by using the USPO for packages that would be unprofitable for them, and all satellite launches, even those done by private companies, use government hardware that they’ve bought. Some others of your suggestions would require a Constitutional amendment, which is unlikely, but OK, it’s fine to aim high. And several others are a major break from the current Republican position, which I don’t have a problem with, but it might be more politically feasible to just not talk about those issues at all for now, and save an actual reversal for later. ---
**Author:** ![SmartAlecCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/67e7ee/32.png) [@SmartAlecCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmartAlecCat)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2010, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/build-your-own-2010-gop-contract-with-america/542164/75 "2010-08-07T12:49:12Z")
> [@gonzomax](#): > > > [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > > > There is a [Contract From America](http://www.thecontract.org/the-contract-from-america/). Here’s its proposals: > > > > 1. Balanced budget and supermajority needed for tax increases. > > 2. Repeal recent tax increases. > > Love good luck making that work. Cut taxes and balance the budget. Gee .it seems so logical doesn’t it ? It is not. And tell us how you will accomplish that… I believe there are really only two choices at this point: 1. Cut defense 2. Cut medicare For me to really believe the GOP positions (described by 3 and 10 above), they have to tell me specifically which/how they plan to cut either defense or medicare. Nothing else in the budget has a prayer of affecting a balanced budget.. ---
**Author:** ![DanBlather](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f4b2a3/32.png) [@DanBlather](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DanBlather)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2010, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/build-your-own-2010-gop-contract-with-america/542164/76 "2010-08-07T15:10:10Z")
Here is what I’d like to see: Get rid of govt-paid medical insurance for elected federal officials until it is available to all Americans. Eliminate any pension programs for the above other than those like IRAs that are available to all Americans. Only pay Congress for the days it is in session , documented meetings with constituents, and three weeks of vacation. Refuse to accept any campaign contributions over $100 per contributor. Abolish anonymous holds and eliminate the filibuster. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2010, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/build-your-own-2010-gop-contract-with-america/542164/77 "2010-08-08T15:35:33Z")
> [@Captain\_Midnight](#): > > 7.) Privatize the Post Office . . . We Await Silent Tristero’s Empire . . . ---
**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2010, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/build-your-own-2010-gop-contract-with-america/542164/78 "2010-08-10T14:11:19Z")
1:[Republicans see balanced budget amendment as potent campaign weapon](http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/113229-gop-sees-balanced-budget-amendment-as-potent-campaign-weapon) > [@](#): > > Senate Republicans are planning a new push for a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution when lawmakers return to Washington after the August recess. > > GOP Sens. Jim DeMint (S.C.), Lindsey Graham (S.C.), John McCain (Ariz.) and Tom Coburn (Okla.) will lead the charge in the fall, when Democrats plan to debate raising taxes on families that earn more than $250,000 a year. 2: [Bush Pushes Back Memoirs So GOP Isn’t Hurt In Midterms, Friends Say](http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/08/04/bush-pushes-back-memoirs-past-midterms_n_671187.html?ir=Politics) > [@](#): > > George W. Bush pushed back publication of his memoirs, “Decision Points,” out of fear that a public reminder of his presidential legacy would hurt Republicans heading into November’s midterm elections, Bush’s friends tell the Financial Times. > > The FT reports that Bush refused to allow publication in September, which would have been a better time to unveil his book from a sales perspective. Instead, it’s slated to hit stores on Nov. 9, one week after Election Day Hide Bush, and make up some fiscal responsibility snake oil. It’s all they need. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/build-your-own-2010-gop-contract-with-america/542164.md?page=3)