# Things A Smart Republican Would Do Now **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [November 7, 2012, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-a-smart-republican-would-do-now/640247 "2012-11-07T17:20:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![drewtwo99](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d07c76/32.png) [@drewtwo99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drewtwo99)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2012, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-a-smart-republican-would-do-now/640247/41 "2012-11-07T21:46:27Z")
> [@Typo\_Negative](#): > > 1. Nominate a Non-Mormon Non-Dweeb > > Seriously guys, us Dems ought not be patting ourselves on the back. They ran the whitest man they could find, without any real convictions and no real plan, and came very close to beating us. Makes me wonder how well Jeb Bush would have done. Or Governor Christie. I will 2nd, 3rd and 4th this all in one post. Obama was an extremely vulnerable president. Romney was a laughably awful candidate, way, way WAY worse than Bush. I mean, honestly, Romney just really was that bad. And Obama squeaked by. This was not a Democratic victory as much as it was a Republican loss. But that doesn’t matter to me, I’m very, very glad that a slim majority in our country voted for Obama no matter what the reason. > [@gazpacho](#): > > The people of moderate Republican beliefs are basically in control of the country. After the Reagan and Bush I presidencies the Democrats decided to adapt rather than die and turned very hard towards the middle to take a large chunk of the non moonbat vote. Don’t be hung up on names the moderate Republicans have basically taken over the Democratic party. This is an extremely insightful post. There are still some liberal Democrats, but there are essentially no moderate republicans that go by that name anymore. They are all now called Democrats. All that’s left on the republican side of the aisle (at least nationally) are extremists. ---
**Author:** ![Knorf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/58956e/32.png) [@Knorf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knorf)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2012, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-a-smart-republican-would-do-now/640247/42 "2012-11-07T21:47:31Z")
May I suggest that we NOT help them? Let the GOP figure out their own damn problems. I, for one, actually hope that they continue pandering to the tea-party troglodytes forever. Thump those Bibles, lower those taxes for rich people, spread that fear of cultures and people different from your own! That’s the ticket! Good work, keep it up. ---
**Author:** ![Pleonast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pleonast/32/1183_2.png) [@Pleonast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pleonast)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2012, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-a-smart-republican-would-do-now/640247/43 "2012-11-07T21:56:07Z")
> [@gazpacho](#): > > The people of moderate Republican beliefs are basically in control of the country. After the Reagan and Bush I presidencies the Democrats decided to adapt rather than die and turned very hard towards the middle to take a large chunk of the non moonbat vote. Don’t be hung up on names the moderate Republicans have basically taken over the Democratic party. This is exactly correct and why I’ve been voting Democratic more and more lately. And it’s exactly where the Republicans need to go back to if they want to be winning national elections ten years from now. And they will to, unless the anti-corporate wing of the Democrats start a new party first. ---
**Author:** ![That\_Don\_Guy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/that_don_guy/32/538_2.png) [@That\_Don\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/That_Don_Guy)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2012, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-a-smart-republican-would-do-now/640247/44 "2012-11-07T22:00:08Z")
> [@Pleonast](#): > > As a Republican who voted for Obama a second time and a straight-Democrat ticket (not counting propositions) for the first time ever (because the party has collectively jumped that deep into the batshit), here are my comments. > > 1. Remember that our priorities are advancing our policies, not stopping their policies. Er, what are “our” policies? (BTW, I am also a Republican.) > [@](#): > > 1. Reform the U.S. Senate filibuster rules. Put a time limit on blocking a vote, or allow a simple majority to end it, etc. Something that makes the majority party in the Senate responsible. Make Harry Reid be the problem, not Mitch McConnell. The entire point of filibustering is to prevent a bare majority vote from taking place - and neither side wants to get rid of it, as they know they will need it some day. That being said, if the Democrats can get 55 votes in the Senate, I wouldn’t be surprised to see them change the rules to reduce the percent needed to end debate from 60% to 55%. > [@](#): > > 1. Stimulate the economy later by starting infrastructure projects we’ve been putting off for decades. Capital costs are at an all time low–let’s invest in our own networks. Labor costs are also very low. Our economy depends on the efficient movement of people and goods. Let’s make it easier. Don’t forget the power grids. Can anybody agree on what needs to be done - and what needs to be done first? How about a nationwide fiber-optic network effort? And how many “bridges to nowhere” are going to be built? > [@](#): > > 1. Plan budgets that start reducing the debt within five years and pay off the debt in fifteen. We’re the party of fiscal responsibility, not anti-taxes. This will be painful for everyone, so take the lead by matching budget cuts with tax increases (dollar for dollar). This lets us choose the taxes to increase, instead of them choose. Quickly move the argument to what to cut instead of who to tax. Er, how does the argument move away from “who to tax” if the Republicans choose the taxes to increase? > [@](#): > > 1. Get the federal government out of the social issues–gay marriage, abortion, drug enforcement, immigration, gun control. We’re the small government party; let’s prove it. Move those politics to the state level and open up the national party to more diverse positions. Translation: pretend Roe v. Wade never happened. What’s next - pretend Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka never happened either, and let states handle school integration? ---
**Author:** ![gaffa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e68b1a/32.png) [@gaffa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gaffa)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2012, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-a-smart-republican-would-do-now/640247/45 "2012-11-07T22:02:17Z")
> [@Pleonast](#): > > As a Republican who voted for Obama a second time and a straight-Democrat ticket (not counting propositions) for the first time ever (because the party has collectively jumped that deep into the batshit), here are my comments. Are you sure you are a Republican? Because I’m a liberal Democrat, and I agree with everything you said. And I’m pretty sure Rachel Maddow and Chris Hayes would as well, as I’ve heard them say the same stuff, particularly #3. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2012, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-a-smart-republican-would-do-now/640247/46 "2012-11-07T22:03:19Z")
1. Commit to the fact that it is the Constitution and not the Bible that runs the United States. 2. Understand that a party should be inclusive and not exclusive. Why be dismissive of Pubs that are pro-choice, pro-SSM or pro-regulation? 3. Introduce a comprehensive budget that involves tax reform (cuts where needed and increases where needed) for an overall tax increase and spending cuts. 4. Return to the federalist system. It will never be like it was pre-New Deal but instead the Feds help states with their programs rather than mandate that every American is doing the exact same thing. 5. Develop an immigration policy that makes sense. Not open borders but allowing people that are hard workers and law abiders to live here and contribute. Set up a worker program so that there is a way for people to come here and work for hard-to-fill jobs. For the existing illegal immigrants, do not offer amnesty-\>citizenship but instead a way to apply for legal residency. Amend the Constitution to prevent anchor babies yet (like in the case of Wong Kim Ark) babies born to legal residents have citizenship jus soli. Actually patrol the border. Use the army and drones if you have to. 6. Understand that personal liberty is not a bad thing as long as it doesn’t interfere with the rights of others. 7. It is possible to be tough and compassionate (see immigration reform). For example, require everyone to vote to prove citizenship _and provide cheap easy ways to do that_. Have Voter ID laws _and make sure everyone who wants one has government photo ID_. 8. Clone Theodore Roosevelt. ---
**Author:** ![redtail23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/3e96dc/32.png) [@redtail23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/redtail23)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2012, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-a-smart-republican-would-do-now/640247/47 "2012-11-07T22:21:27Z")
> [@Pleonast](#): > > As a Republican who voted for Obama a second time and a straight-Democrat ticket (not counting propositions) for the first time ever (because the party has collectively jumped that deep into the batshit), here are my comments. > > 1. Remember that our priorities are advancing our policies, not stopping their policies. > > 2. Reform the U.S. Senate filibuster rules. Put a time limit on blocking a vote, or allow a simple majority to end it, etc. Something that makes the majority party in the Senate responsible. Make Harry Reid be the problem, not Mitch McConnell. > > 3. Stimulate the economy now by reducing taxes on those who spend nearly all their money (that is, the poor and lower middle classes). There’s a surplus of capital right now (note the record low costs for borrowing) so reducing taxes on the investment classes does little good. Our economy depends on consumer spending–let them spend. > > 4. Stimulate the economy later by starting infrastructure projects we’ve been putting off for decades. Capital costs are at an all time low–let’s invest in our own networks. Labor costs are also very low. Our economy depends on the efficient movement of people and goods. Let’s make it easier. Don’t forget the power grids. > > 5. Plan budgets that start reducing the debt within five years and pay off the debt in fifteen. We’re the party of fiscal responsibility, not anti-taxes. This will be painful for everyone, so take the lead by matching budget cuts with tax increases (dollar for dollar). This lets us choose the taxes to increase, instead of them choose. Quickly move the argument to what to cut instead of who to tax. > > 6. Get the federal government out of the social issues–gay marriage, abortion, drug enforcement, immigration, gun control. We’re the small government party; let’s prove it. Move those politics to the state level and open up the national party to more diverse positions. > > 7. Stop griping about Obamacare. It’s a market solution to the problem. Healthcare has always been regulated and always will be. > > 8. We’re going to permanently lose a large part of the electorate. The Democratic Party dumped them when they approved civil rights. It’s our turn. We couldn’t win with them this time and we won’t be able to win with them in the future (they’re going to be less in the future). We need to dump them now; the sooner we do, the sooner we can reclaim the center. When the social issues are no longer national issues, our fiscal responsibility position will appeal to a large swath of the center. And for this plan, I would register and vote Republican for the first time in 30 years. Pleonast 2016! ---
**Author:** ![Fotheringay-Phipps](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/d9b06d/32.png) [@Fotheringay-Phipps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fotheringay-Phipps)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2012, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-a-smart-republican-would-do-now/640247/48 "2012-11-07T22:25:02Z")
Which brings to (what I understand to be) That Don Guy’s first point: ISTM that most of these proposals for the Republican party are so popular here because they amount pretty much to “become Democrats”. So I think people who believe this to not be the case need to distinguish between their proposals for the Republican party and what they see as the mainstream Democratic party positions. Otherwise the whole thing is pointless. The Democratic Party already exists. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2012, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-a-smart-republican-would-do-now/640247/49 "2012-11-07T22:28:29Z")
> [@Fotheringay-Phipps](#): > > Of course, the counterargument is that Democrats don’t go completely off the deep end in their primaries, while Republicans do. I disagree. And that’s where it gets hopelessly subjective.I disagree with this. Romney was the best candidate available. Nobody is perfect, and it’s natural to focus on the flaws of the guy who just lost (or of the guy who won the nomination, if you happen to support the other guy). But it was going to be an uphill battle in any event. Had another candidate been nominated, there would have a been a huge focus on that guy’s flaws, and you’d be saying the lesson for the Republicans is to not nominate someone with those particular flaws. > > Romney fought a good fight and made it closer than one might have expected a year ago. Fell short in the end, but he was the right guy. What “uphill battle” are you talking about? Six months ago, everyone was saying “no incumbent president has ever won re-election with an unemployment rate above 8%”. The conditions were very favorable for a Republican victory. The one who faced an uphill battle was Obama. Your failure (and that of others like you) to recognize that is the first step toward losing in 2016, too. ---
**Author:** ![Fotheringay-Phipps](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/d9b06d/32.png) [@Fotheringay-Phipps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fotheringay-Phipps)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2012, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-a-smart-republican-would-do-now/640247/50 "2012-11-07T22:33:20Z")
Nonsense. Obama has been ahead in the polls almost throughout. Surveys have consistently shown that most people believed that he would win. And Intrade’s odds have always had him at over 50%. At no point has Obama not been the favorite. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2012, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-a-smart-republican-would-do-now/640247/51 "2012-11-07T22:47:33Z")
> [@Fotheringay-Phipps](#): > > Obama has been ahead in the polls almost throughout. Surveys have consistently shown that most people believed that he would win. And Intrade’s odds have always had him at over 50%. At no point has Obama not been the favorite. That has nothing to do with my point. Obama was fighting uphill with tanks and mechanized infantry; Romney was coming downhill with horses and bows-and-arrows. Of course the polls would pick Obama in that battle. It doesn’t mean the ground was sloped in his favor. ---
**Author:** ![Fotheringay-Phipps](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/d9b06d/32.png) [@Fotheringay-Phipps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fotheringay-Phipps)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2012, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-a-smart-republican-would-do-now/640247/52 "2012-11-07T22:49:24Z")
Appropos of my prior post, I’ve dug up a couple of my posts on the subject from previous years: 4/29/09: > [@Public Support for Obama: A Challenge to Critics (especially Shagnasty)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/public-support-for-obama-a-challenge-to-critics-especially-shagnasty/494136/35): > > What Obama has going for him in winning a second term is the widespread perception that the economy is in an unprecedented crisis, and the natural fluctuations of the economic cycle. Whatever Obama does for good or for bad, it’s highly unlikely that the economy will be worse in four years then it is now. Obama will say “yes we still have our work cut out for us, but look how far we’ve come under my administration - just give us four more years so we can continue to build on the progress we’ve already made”, and it will make sense to a lot of people. > > If I was setting odds, I would say he’s about 80% likely to win in 2012, at this point. 9/1/10: > [@When will the Democrats decide for or against Obama for 2012?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-will-the-democrats-decide-for-or-against-obama-for-2012/552245/11): > > Incumbent presidents have the upper hand, in general. Obama in particular is a bright guy with a likeable personality, which is a huge huge advantage, IMO. He’s not too popular now because 1) the economy has not recovered, and 2) he’s spent an enormous amount of money and made huge changes with no apparant positive results. > > But the economy goes in cycles. By 2012, it’s likely to be better than it is today regardless of anything Obama does, and Obama will remind everyone again and again that in 2008 we were about to go into a Great Depression due to the Bush policies, until he came along and saved the day. And he’d like to have solved even more of our problems but when you consider how truly disastrous the Bush policies were you realize how far we’ve come. Plus if the Republicans win control of the House, that will be another reason why Obama has not made as much progress as he would like to have, but look how much he’s actually accomplished in the face of these obstacles. > > Add it all up and my money is on Obama, regardless of the ideology of whoever runs against him. Though obviously a tea-party oriented person will find it even harder. Which is exactly how it played out. So it’s always been pretty clear to me, in any event. ---
**Author:** ![Pleonast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pleonast/32/1183_2.png) [@Pleonast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pleonast)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2012, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-a-smart-republican-would-do-now/640247/53 "2012-11-07T23:03:37Z")
> [@That\_Don\_Guy](#): > > The entire point of filibustering is to prevent a bare majority vote from taking place - and neither side wants to get rid of it, as they know they will need it some day. That being said, if the Democrats can get 55 votes in the Senate, I wouldn’t be surprised to see them change the rules to reduce the percent needed to end debate from 60% to 55%. And it’s counter-productive to keep such rules because the majority party can blame the minority of obstructionism. Better to give it up now when no one can call it a power grab than to take it later. > [@That\_Don\_Guy](#): > > Can anybody agree on what needs to be done - and what needs to be done first? How about a nationwide fiber-optic network effort? And how many “bridges to nowhere” are going to be built? We have a bureaucracy to manage priorities and a lot can be delegated to the states (who are fiscally constrained against a providing stimulus when it’s needed). > [@That\_Don\_Guy](#): > > Er, how does the argument move away from “who to tax” if the Republicans choose the taxes to increase? Because if the Republican-sponsored tax increases are anything close to reasonable, the Democrats won’t waste political capital arguing against them. > [@That\_Don\_Guy](#): > > Translation: pretend Roe v. Wade never happened. What’s next - pretend Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka never happened either, and let states handle school integration? You’ll have to explain what your point is, because I’m not seeing one. > [@gaffa](#): > > Are you sure you are a Republican? Because I’m a liberal Democrat, and I agree with everything you said. And I’m pretty sure Rachel Maddow and Chris Hayes would as well, as I’ve heard them say the same stuff, particularly #3. I’ve been Republican since I started voting in the early 90s. My views have remained mostly constant, but the parties have moved around a lot. The use of “liberal” and “conservative” don’t mean much to me, and the parties used to have members of both labels. I would consider myself “liberal” in the same sense that _The Economist_ uses the term, but no one really uses it that way in the U.S. (I’m not familiar with the two people you mention.) > [@Fotheringay-Phipps](#): > > Which brings to (what I understand to be) That Don Guy’s first point: > > ISTM that most of these proposals for the Republican party are so popular here because they amount pretty much to “become Democrats”. > > So I think people who believe this to not be the case need to distinguish between their proposals for the Republican party and what they see as the mainstream Democratic party positions. Otherwise the whole thing is pointless. The Democratic Party already exists. That’s because the Republicans have allowed the Democrats to take over our former positions. We need to be focused on policy not denying legislative wins to the Democrats. By the way, I agree that Obama has been the favorite to win reelection for a long time. Some Republicans (the ones in lala land) ignored the evidence (and still are). Some Democrats ignored it because they wanted to keep their electorate worried enough to vote (and now are pushing an against-the-odds narrative to strengthen their mandate). And the media ignored the evidence in order to keep viewers watching the horse race. ---
**Author:** ![Fotheringay-Phipps](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/d9b06d/32.png) [@Fotheringay-Phipps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fotheringay-Phipps)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2012, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-a-smart-republican-would-do-now/640247/54 "2012-11-07T23:15:38Z")
> [@Pleonast](#): > > I’ve been Republican since I started voting in the early 90s. My views have remained mostly constant, but the parties have moved around a lot. > [@](#): > > That’s because the Republicans have allowed the Democrats to take over our former positions. These don’t compute. Few if any of the policy recommendations you outline represented mainstream Republican positions in the early 90s or any time since. ---
**Author:** ![Kimmy\_Gibbler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Kimmy\_Gibbler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimmy_Gibbler)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2012, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-a-smart-republican-would-do-now/640247/55 "2012-11-07T23:17:51Z")
> [@Fotheringay-Phipps](#): > > These are all subjective judgments that don’t lend themselves to objective proof, or useful debate IMO. I’ve given one perspective. YMMV, obviously. Hey, I’m enough of an egoist that I want to be right. But I’m also a loyal enough Democrat that I’m not gonna clue the GOP in to what they can do better forever. But, it’s all subjective, as you say. Saying _Obama won and the Republicans couldn’t capture seats that should have been foregone conclusions_ is just “one way of looking at things,” right? Ok, GOP, i’ve said my piece, but you know better. Keep on keepin’ on. Ain’t no skin off this Democrat’s ass. ---
**Author:** ![Fotheringay-Phipps](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/d9b06d/32.png) [@Fotheringay-Phipps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fotheringay-Phipps)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2012, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-a-smart-republican-would-do-now/640247/56 "2012-11-07T23:27:02Z")
> [@Kimmy\_Gibbler](#): > > Hey, I’m enough of an egoist that I want to be right. But I’m also a loyal enough Democrat that I’m not gonna clue the GOP in to what they can do better forever. I actually find this type of thing amusing. It’s like in your head you have this notion that if you posted the _Secret Formula to GOP Success_ on this MB, eager Republicans who hang on to your every word will immediately report up to the senior levels of the party that “Kimmy\_Gibbler has just revealed the way to the Promised Land” and they will spring into action implementing your suggestion as to what they can do better, with disastrous consequences for the Dems. I might almost find this egotistical. Oh wait, you already copped to that … ---
**Author:** ![Kimmy\_Gibbler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Kimmy\_Gibbler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimmy_Gibbler)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2012, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-a-smart-republican-would-do-now/640247/57 "2012-11-07T23:32:33Z")
> [@Fotheringay-Phipps](#): > > I actually find this type of thing amusing. > > It’s like in your head you have this notion that if you posted the _Secret Formula to GOP Success_ on this MB, eager Republicans who hang on to your every word will immediately report up to the senior levels of the party that “Kimmy\_Gibbler has just revealed the way to the Promised Land” and they will spring into action implementing your suggestion as to what they can do better, with disastrous consequences for the Dems. > > I might almost find this egotistical. Oh wait, you already copped to that … Common ground at last! The GOP will be the party of snark, devising nicknames like “O’Bozo” and putting on variety shows on Fox News and at House of Representatives hearings. The Democrats will be the party of the Presidency (check), the Senate (check), and the federal judiciary (filled by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate — or in other words, check and mate). ---
**Author:** ![Fotheringay-Phipps](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/d9b06d/32.png) [@Fotheringay-Phipps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fotheringay-Phipps)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2012, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-a-smart-republican-would-do-now/640247/58 "2012-11-07T23:35:47Z")
Is that the _Secret Formula_? I mean, I’ll report it up the chain of command of course, but … umm … I’m not really sure if … OK, let’s see … ---
**Author:** ![gaffa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e68b1a/32.png) [@gaffa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gaffa)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2012, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-a-smart-republican-would-do-now/640247/59 "2012-11-08T00:00:46Z")
> [@Pleonast](#): > > I’ve been Republican since I started voting in the early 90s. My views have remained mostly constant, but the parties have moved around a lot. The use of “liberal” and “conservative” don’t mean much to me, and the parties used to have members of both labels. I would consider myself “liberal” in the same sense that _The Economist_ uses the term, but no one really uses it that way in the U.S. > > (I’m not familiar with the two people you mention.) Maddow is the most popular of the MSNBC hosts. She was the first openly gay Rhodes scholar, getting a Phd in Political Science. Hayes hosts 2 hour political discussion shows on Saturday and Sunday in MSNBC. He is the author of “Twilight of the Elites”, a book I recommend and an editor of The Nation. Two very bright liberals. ---
**Author:** ![Wargamer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/df705f/32.png) [@Wargamer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wargamer)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2012, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-a-smart-republican-would-do-now/640247/60 "2012-11-08T00:03:04Z")
> [@Pleonast](#): > > As a Republican who voted for Obama a second time and a straight-Democrat ticket (not counting propositions) for the first time ever (because the party has collectively jumped that deep into the batshit), here are my comments. > > 1. Remember that our priorities are advancing our policies, not stopping their policies. > > 2. Reform the U.S. Senate filibuster rules. Put a time limit on blocking a vote, or allow a simple majority to end it, etc. Something that makes the majority party in the Senate responsible. Make Harry Reid be the problem, not Mitch McConnell. > > 3. Stimulate the economy now by reducing taxes on those who spend nearly all their money (that is, the poor and lower middle classes). There’s a surplus of capital right now (note the record low costs for borrowing) so reducing taxes on the investment classes does little good. Our economy depends on consumer spending–let them spend. > > 4. Stimulate the economy later by starting infrastructure projects we’ve been putting off for decades. Capital costs are at an all time low–let’s invest in our own networks. Labor costs are also very low. Our economy depends on the efficient movement of people and goods. Let’s make it easier. Don’t forget the power grids. > > 5. Plan budgets that start reducing the debt within five years and pay off the debt in fifteen. We’re the party of fiscal responsibility, not anti-taxes. This will be painful for everyone, so take the lead by matching budget cuts with tax increases (dollar for dollar). This lets us choose the taxes to increase, instead of them choose. Quickly move the argument to what to cut instead of who to tax. > > 6. Get the federal government out of the social issues–gay marriage, abortion, drug enforcement, immigration, gun control. We’re the small government party; let’s prove it. Move those politics to the state level and open up the national party to more diverse positions. > > 7. Stop griping about Obamacare. It’s a market solution to the problem. Healthcare has always been regulated and always will be. > > 8. We’re going to permanently lose a large part of the electorate. The Democratic Party dumped them when they approved civil rights. It’s our turn. We couldn’t win with them this time and we won’t be able to win with them in the future (they’re going to be less in the future). We need to dump them now; the sooner we do, the sooner we can reclaim the center. When the social issues are no longer national issues, our fiscal responsibility position will appeal to a large swath of the center. And admit that scientific reality doesn’t always conform to what you want it to be, and I’d swap affiliation too. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-a-smart-republican-would-do-now/640247.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-a-smart-republican-would-do-now/640247.md?page=4)