Comment Rescue –a few GOP proposals for America
May 4th, 2009 by David Anderson
“I would appreciate it if you could give a brief outline on what the Repubs, if they were in power, would do on the economy, for starters. Then we have the wars, the healthcare shortfall, global warming and education. Where are the Repubs on these issues as well?” -Perry
“Tim, you are speaking in generalities, not specifics. Please, what are some of these “interesting” bills?” – Perry
Okay, for some specifics, I’ll give and example or two of bills proposed by Republicans relating to each of your subjects. I am listing these bills, not to show that they are the perfect, or comprehensive solutions for the various issues you mention, but to show that Republicans have not gone silent or stopped trying to address these areas of concern. Perhaps it isn’t that they have stopped talking but that someone is not listening. Hmm that seems to be a problem on both sides of the asile.
First, on the economy there are ongoing proposals for a Flat Tax, a recent one, SB 932 introduced by Sen. Richard Shelby [R-AL], as well as the Fair Tax championed by Rep. John Linder [R-GA]. I also want to include some less heard of legislation proposals. For example I like the general concept behind H.R. 2169 Limitation on Government Spending Act of 2009 which was proposed by Rep. John Duncan [R-TN] in order to limit government spending to a percentage of GDP which would decrease by 1% each year over the next three years. I also like the idea of H.R. 2063, which is to amend the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 to use repaid Troubled Asset Relief Program funds to pay down the public debt, and for other purposes.
Here is a foreign policy one. H.R. 1206, the Syria Accountability and Liberation Act, proposed by Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen [R-FL] this will provide a diplomatic strategy for dealing with Syria.
Here is one for domestic policy. S. 84, a bill to close the loophole that allowed the 9/11 hijackers to obtain credit cards from United States banks that financed their terrorist activities, to ensure that illegal immigrants cannot obtain credit cards to evade United States immigration laws, and for other purposes. It was introduced by Sen. David Vitter [R, LA].
Here is one related to the environment, H.R. 53, Bad Polluters Act of 2009, sponsored by Rep. Mark Kirk [R, IL-10]. The bill amends the tax code to deny companies polluting the great lakes the ability to expense the offending refineries. Rep. Kirk is also the lead sponsor of the Green Schools Act, to promote green school construction through matching federal grants.
Here is one related to health care, America’s Affordable Health Care Act of 2009, sponsored by Rep. Jeffrey Fortenberry [R, NE-1]. The bill increases funding for state high-risk health insurance pools.
Here is one to help out education the Teacher Tax Reduction Act of 2009, proposed by Rep. Judy Biggert [R, IL-13]. This bill would help take some pressure off of teachers by doubling their tax deduction for teaching expenses.
Anyways the point of listing a few of these bills is to show that Republicans in Washington are still serving their constituencies and their country. They aren’t just showing up to vote no on every piece of Democrat proposed legislation. They are also writing their own. On the other hand they also aren’t there to write legislation for the Democrat agenda. Nor are they simply voicing their differences on Democrat proposed bills then rolling over and voting for them. That wouldn’t be real opposition.
Thanks for the re-post. I think its my first time being on the front page here.
Well deserved!