A Return To Common Sense Is What We Need
By David Anderson
04/27/08

Our elected leaders can take some words of wisdom from the person who brought Communism to its knees, ended stagflation and set this nation up for the largest economic growth in its history.

Government can be brought under control if enough people are willing to

stand the gaff and take the heat, and fight for common sense solutions. -

Governor Ronald Reagan, Speech, Oct. 15, 1974.

Those words were as important in 1974 as they were in 1980 as they are today. Difference is that there were people willing to do what was right then but in todays political realm it is everybody out for themselves. That is not to say that there are not some very good elected leaders as there are. I have been blessed to have worked with some of them and they work just as hard for the liberties, rights and policies now as then.

But the GOP lacks them in many areas across the country. At the local, state and federal level there seems to be a void of candidates willing to stand up and do what is right. When Ronald Reagan took the office of President he had some tough choices to make but he made them without thinking about a popularity contest or how he might be perceived but because he believed in a vision and the expertise of those he surrounded himself with.

Taxcuts and Spending - Unlike our current President who I believe attempted to reinvent the policies of Reagan and did so with tax cuts and increases in defense spending which made sense but was unable to couple that with spending cuts. Not because so much I think that he didn't want too but Congress has too much of an appetite with ear marks, pork and spending for reelection they forget that it is the taxpayers money not some endless piggyback they are drawing from.

Global Warming - Perhaps the issue I am biggest disappointed in with the GOP how they have jumped in head first because global warming is the new catch phrase of populism. Governor Tim Pawlenty has endorse energy policy in Minnesota that will cost taxpayers billions - all in the name of global warming. We now have global warming policies just passed the House and we will see what the Senate and Governor do with it. Along with the studies will come future restrictions on property rights, liberties, and freedoms that will be unprescendented in how they will be restricted if not eliminated in some cases. All based on scare tactics and lies which has been fueled by the media.

Nanny State - From the locals through the federal government we have given up on personal responsibility and now rely on the state it appears for everything. From nuisance laws, administrative ordinances at the local level to teen driving restrictions, primary seat belt, and mandatory booster seats forever at the state level to the feds continue to infringe on states rights and bribe them with funding to get their way - money they should get back with no strings attached.

Where all this will end is anybody's guess but one thing is for sure that no matter who is elected President it is likely to continue until many are willing to step forward, take the heat for doing the right thing and advocating for common sense solutions - which in most cases is NOT THE GOVERNMENT!

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Note -- The opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions, views, and/or philosophy of GOPUSA.