The GOP's new "pledge" looks more like a "Contract on America"

[ProSense]

Tax, spending cuts top GOP campaign-year 'Pledge'

By JULIE HIRSCHFELD DAVIS, Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON – Six weeks before midterm elections, House Republicans vowed to cut taxes and federal spending, repeal President Barack Obama's health care law and ban federal funding of abortion as part of a campaign manifesto designed to propel them to victory in November and a majority in the next Congress.

The "Pledge to America," circulated to GOP lawmakers Wednesday, emphasizes job creation and spending control, as well as changing the way Congress does business. It steered clear of controversial issues such as Social Security and Medicare, big drivers of deficit spending.

It pairs some familiar Republican ideas — such as deep spending cuts, medical liability reform and stricter border enforcement — with an anti-government call to action that draws on tea party themes and echoes voters' disgruntlement with the economy and Obama's leadership.

"Regarding the policies of the current government, the governed do not consent," reads a preamble to the agenda. "An arrogant and out-of-touch government of self-appointed elites makes decisions, issues mandates, and enacts laws without accepting or requesting the input of the many."

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Republicans' New 'Pledge:' Spending, Tax Cuts, Health-Law Repeal

Now, what's the difference between the above and the following summary of the GOP agenda created earlier this year by the DNC:

[chowder66]

1. Provide resources to troops....didn't they just block that???

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-20017335-503544.html

Members of the Republican House leadership, from left to right, Michigan Rep. Candice Miller, House Minority Whip Eric Cantor, Illinois Rep. Peter Roskam, Washington Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, California Rep. Kevin McCarthy and House Minority Leader John Boehner, introduce the party's new "America Speaking Out" campaign at the Newseum May 25, 2010, in Washington.
(Credit: Getty Images) CBS News has obtained a final draft of House Republicans' legislative agenda for the next Congress, a 21-page "Pledge to America" that they will formally unveil Thursday morning at a Virginia hardware store.


"The need for urgent action to repair our economy and reclaim our government for the people cannot be overstated," the introduction says.


It continues: "With this document, we pledge to dedicate ourselves to the task of reconnecting our highest aspirations to the permanent truths of our founding by keeping faith with the values our nation was founded on, the principles we stand for, and the priorities of our people. This is our Pledge to America."





For a breakdown of the document, check out "Pledge to America: The New Republican Agenda," by CBS News Senior Political Producer Jill Jackson. Below are some highlights, and the full document is at the bottom.

Jobs:

- Stop job-killing tax hikes

- Allow small businesses to take a tax deduction equal to 20 percent of their income

- Require congressional approval for any new federal regulation that would add to the deficit

- Repeal small business mandates in the new health care law.


Cutting Spending:

- Repeal and Replace health care

- Roll back non-discretionary spending to 2008 levels before TARP and stimulus (will save $100 billion in first year alone)

- Establish strict budget caps to limit federal spending going forward

- Cancel all future TARP payments and reform Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac


Reforming Congress:

- Will require that every bill have a citation of constitutional authority

- Give members at least 3 days to read bills before a vote


Defense:


- Provide resources to troops

- Fund missile defense

- Enforce sanctions in Iran

[ProSense]

3. Yup, it's filled with lies. On page 7,

they claim, "Since the trillion-dollar stimulus was signed in to law in February 2009..."

It was a stretch when they claimed it was $800 billion, but a trillion?

[zbdent]

2. Remind people that Republicans refer to Social Security as "Socialism Security"

and why in the world would the Republicans try to save something that smacks of SOCIALISM???

(Unless it's socializing the costs for businesses, and privatizing the profits ...)