How Will the GOP Keep Its Promises?

As of Monday, November 8, 2010

Seventh of a Series

This is the seventh of a series in which Moore County’s Republican and Democratic party chairmen will address various political issues. Today's issue deals with the recent Election Day results. Jim Heim is chairman of the Moore County Democratic Party. Robert M. Levy is chairman of the Moore County Republican Party. Click here for Levy's take on the issue.

The future, Yogi Berra noted, is hard to predict. And it’s getting harder. Never has there been a House of one party and a Senate and White House of the other.

Closer to home, the General Assembly will be Republican for the first time since Reconstr-uction. How they will handle a budget shortfall in the billions, without federal help, will be fascinating to watch. Too, one can expect a newfound fondness for gerrymandering now that they are going to be designing new electoral districts in the wake of the census.

Nationally, this is the third administration in a row to suffer the loss of one or more houses during its term. The electorate seems increasingly frustrated and impatient with progress solving the nation’s problems. The trouble is, we can’t decide what those problems are.

Conservatives feel overtaxed, though taxes are at their lowest rates in generations, and Obama has lowered them further with the largest middle-class tax cut ever. Republicans complain about the deficit even as the president has posted the largest single-year reduction of the federal deficit — more than $100 billion. These same Republicans were silent when Presidents Reagan and Bush tripled the national debt and George W. Bush doubled that number.

Older voters favored Republicans, whose Pledge to America would slash future Social Security benefits by nearly half.

Republicans I spoke to during the early voting period complained about fraudulent voting, but none could cite a case — ever. Others were angry about illegal immigrants, though the San Francisco Federal Reserve recently reported that they contribute $6,000 a year to the average household from economic activity generated by their presence. Another mentioned earmarks, a subject the GOP Pledge is strangely silent about.

Democrats seemed dispirited by the administration’s apparent failure to stem job loss even though private-sector employment has risen for the past nine months. And economists at Princeton and Moody’s found that the stimulus package prevented the loss of 16 million jobs by heading off a full-blown depression.

Part of the disconnect between administration accomplishments and public perception can be blamed on an onslaught of cash. Outside interests spent $15 million supporting Democrats and $95 million for Republicans. In all, more than $4 billion went into campaign advertising this year — a record amount.

The Citizens United decision opened the floodgate for corporate spending and emboldened Fox News to drop its nonpartisan stance and make direct cash contributions to Republican groups.

Which takes us to the primary lesson from this election: Democrats must learn better communication and find improved ways to take our message to the people. Conservative organizations have been quietly spending hundreds of millions of dollars to get their message out. And they’re really good at sloganeering; “Cut Taxes” and “Obummer” fit nicely on bumper stickers, but real solutions are more complicated.

Sadly, GOP programs seem to be all slogan. Ask them how they plan to make the changes they campaigned on and Republicans find themselves at a loss for words.

The fact is, there are no easy solutions, no magic bullets for our problems. The post-World War II boom that made us the world’s greatest industrial power is over. Flawed international trade policies (by both parties) and the ill-advised Bush tax cuts have hollowed out our manufacturing base. The jobs that create wealth have been sent overseas, and American corporations have learned how to make record profits without employing Americans at home.

The GOP promises to cut the federal budget by 20 percent, but since 80 percent of it is untouchable (interest on the national debt, Social Security/Medicare, defense), what’s left is pretty much National Parks, the Education Department and Congress itself. Someone clearly hasn’t thought this through.

Moreover, without control of the Senate, where the filibuster (and its stepchild, the anonymous hold) makes it a dysfunctional mess and renders the House largely irrelevant, meaningful legislation is unlikely. Of the bills enacted by the House during the current session, 450 were never acted on by the Senate.

With an incoming freshman class of right-wing ideologues pledged to avoid compromise, we’re facing gridlock at the worst possible time.

Our economy is stalled, and dramatic government action is required to get it moving again. No other entity has the resources to do it. If Republicans follow through on their threats to bankrupt the government by refusing to increase the debt limit, and to cut federal spending for the relief of the states, we will surely tumble into a deep hole.

Protecting Social Security and Medicare is a Democratic priority. Recent reports suggest that Americans are $6 trillion short in saving for retirement at a time when wages are declining and property values on which many depend are continuing to fall. Keeping our elders out of poverty is imperative, and any attempt to balance the budget on the backs of retirees must be resisted.

Tough choices lie ahead, and cooperation is vital. Unless Republicans (especially tea partiers) can bring themselves to work with Democrats, the solutions we need will remain out of reach. And that benefits no one.

Jim Heim is chairman of the Moore County Democratic Party. Contact him at democrat@heim.us.

More like this story

sailor 2 years, 6 months ago

Unfortunately, the first 4 paragraphs of your article is flat out untrue. I didn't bother reading the rest since it would be of no use. When are you liberal journalist's going to open your eyes and see what is going on? If you base your arguement on the assumptions you make in your article, it would surely indicate that Republicans need to do nothing....and I am guessing that is your main goal. Republicans/Conservatives want to: Reduce taxes (really reduce them) not cut taxes while raising the cost of everything else repeal or defund healthcare, it would have been better to just change the laws how insurance carriers operate, tort reform, drug co.....etc stop stimulus which has been completely ineffective increase jobs to the public, not increase government jobs. Over 3 million jobs were lost in the first year of Obamas administration. We have not gotten them back. Obama certainly didn't "save" jobs either! stop earmarks, favorite way all politicians like to fund private projects. stop endless entitlements, make it harded not easier. and finally no republican has ever lessen social security benefits, democrats have. I think you know that...so why bring up that old over used liberal lie?

blake 2 years, 6 months ago

The Pilot editors should be ashamed to allow the outright distortions presented by Mr Heim. The Pledge to America makes no reference to slashing social security. The Moody and Princeton study credits the Wall Street bailout, the bank stress tests, the emergency lending and asset purchases by the Federal Reserve, and stimulus program for saving 8 million jobs. There could be an additional 8 million jobs lost to the 8 million actually lost (totalling 16 million). He spouts absolute lies that should be retracted/corrected. I am fine with allowing his opinions but the lies are unacceptable.

fugitiveguy 2 years, 6 months ago

"The Pilot editors should be ashamed to allow the outright distortions presented by Mr Heim."

I disagree. I hope they keep printing his works of fiction. I think it helps if the masses know what the liberal leadership has rattling around in their brains. Of course to them, they just need to communicate their plans more effectively.

bigD 2 years, 6 months ago

Bassman- Are you saying that all the new benefits are going to result in higher insurance costs? How could it be I thought it was going to be all peaches and cream?

Pacer 2 years, 6 months ago

Thank you again Jim for stating the facts. I am so tired of the hype. I appreciate that you see and state things exactly as they are. I pray my husbands cancer does not return before we have a health care plan that will help him. He lost all of his insurance after a cancer diagnosis and no one will insure him now, at any cost.

sgmartin 2 years, 6 months ago

Thank you Mr. Heim. I am dishearted by what I see as continued right wing hyperbole in Pinehurst. As someone said earlier, grab your popcorn, we are in for quite a show.

blake 2 years, 6 months ago

Mr Heim writes: "Democrats must learn better communication and find improved ways to take our message to the people." If he is leading by example, I guess this translates to distort and lie.

@ Pacer, stating the facts? He outright misstated the conclusions of the study he cited and lied about the Pledge.

JimHeim 2 years, 6 months ago

I find the comments so far quite amusing. Faced with facts contradicting the teabaggers assertions, the fainting couch gets overused.

I see that the Republicans are against earmarks. Really? Find me one word about them in the Pledge. Knock yourselves out.

Health care costs going up? That's the point of reform. They've been spiraling out of control for decades. Why would you expect that reforms that haven't even taken effect would help that? Maybe if Republicans had advanced ideas to help instead of simply obstructing Democrats, the law would be more to their liking.

Take away message: We Democrats are not about to back down or apologize. We're in this fight for keeps.

fugitiveguy 2 years, 6 months ago

"I find the comments so far quite amusing."

My guess is about as amusing as the election results, case of hemmorhoids, jock itch, root canal...

Behan 2 years, 6 months ago

Take away message: You've already lost and you either don't realize it or refuse to admit it--a bit of Baghdad Bob syndrome on a local scale.

The current administration, through their complete and utter ineptitude and dishonesty, have set back the left a good 50 years. With the media-backed disdain for the last administration, the DNC was poised for a lengthy period of control. But now?

Now the left will be lucky to survive the next two without the current CICN impeached, Pelosi imprisoned, Reid run out in shame, and every facet of government controlled by the right for the next few decades.

Apologize?

Hell, we don't want Democrats to apoligize. In fact, I wish I could give every inept twit on the left a great big smooch for tanking their own cause! The left had a brief opportunity to show how clueless they could be and to prove why they should never be trusted with power, and they did not disappoint!

madstork 2 years, 6 months ago

Rules for Radicals 101.

Create an enemy..Heim is a master at following the rule

hotdiggity 2 years, 6 months ago

Here in the great State of North Carolina, lets hope that the new Republican led House and Senate do not follow the failed course of the democrats. There will be no more stimulus money to bail out this train wreck. Prepare for the hard cuts needed to clean-up the mess, and let us all, no matter the party, do whatever is necessary to give our children the future we once had.

coffecreme 2 years, 6 months ago

Oh my goodness... my insurance premiums have raised every year ever since I have had it going on 10 years. Every year they go up and I hardly use it.

coffecreme 2 years, 6 months ago

mauiman, I have had to adjust my policy a few times to make the premiums lower. This is nothing new.

JimHeim 2 years, 6 months ago

Well, I stand corrected. The Republican raid on Social Security comes not from the Republican Pledge to America, but from the Republican A Roadmap for America's Future revealed last January and still on the Republican's website. Worse, it was introduced in the House as HR 4529. Luckily we still have a Democratic Senate and Democratic president to protect future retirees from this deep cut in benefits.

And speaking of earmarks, I see that Kentucky's clown prince, Rand Paul, has flip-flopped on earmarks and is now pledged to see that his state gets its share. That sell-out didn't take long.

marathonman 2 years, 6 months ago

Mr. Heim, I am appalled at the gross misrepresentations in your piece. They are to numerous for me to pick them all off. Soooooo, voting machine malfunctions - favoring Dems - happened in early voting with all touch screens throughout the country. Noteworthy in Nevada, surprise, and in Charlotte, NC. Social Security will expire naturally in some year in the future; there are so many different ideas as to which year it is useless to name one specific. It must be repaired. The best idea is to privatize it to the extent that folks wish, you know self reliance. Medicare is so fraught with fraud and abuse that it must be reformed. Dems will not do either as they believe it to be in their sole interest to demonize anyone who suggests changes. You know the lefties line: 'its free, I am going to give it to you and you do not have to work"! In sum, those for whom you profess to be speaking should fire you summarily for gross incompetence.

JimHeim 2 years, 6 months ago

"There are so many errors I can't pick just one" is the most frequent, and lamest, excuse for not having any evidence to refudiate the charge. Rightwingers never tire of using it, but it fools only their followers.

Ross 2 years, 6 months ago

Behan - you are delusional - must be a republican requirement.

blake 2 years, 6 months ago

"Protecting Social Security and Medicare is a Democratic priority.....and any attempt to balance the budget on the backs of retirees must be resisted" I would love to hear Mr Heim justify the $500 billion in Medicare cuts in order to pass Obamacare. His hypocrisy is ludicrous.

fugitiveguy 2 years, 6 months ago

Democ rats have been using social security to scare older Americans into voting for them for decades. Nothing to see here. And they call Conservatives "fear mongers"

soccermom 2 years, 6 months ago

Nice work here folks, you're the epitome of what's wrong with society (particularly politics) today - lack of civility! If we can't come to our senses and put all this finger-pointing insanity behind us, we're F@@@@d. Enough already- please get a grip, and stop the diatribes.

None 2 years, 6 months ago

hotdiggity says..."There will be no more stimulus money to bail out this train wreck."

The unemployment line for educators starts a half-mile down the road. Please someone explain why the county commissioners voted for 4 million in stimulus funds for water projects in Pinehurst. Isn't that what this is all about - federal money. Just wait and let's see what our elected repub's do for school funding ~ that should be interesting. That funding will be cut as well.

It's time to enact the Boehner/Kevorkian Health Care Program for those who have lost jobs and unemployment benefits....Representatives are going to be the only people who can afford health care through their PAC contributors and lobbyists...Go Heim.

marathonman 2 years, 6 months ago

Soccermom, Clinton is no longer pres. and we dealt with civility in another piece. J. Heim, I gave you examples and in your piece there are many more that others have picked off. Are you daft?

Arestorer 2 years, 6 months ago

maui & marathon; HE'S A POLITICIAN!!!!

soccermom 2 years, 6 months ago

marathonman says... "Soccermom, Clinton is no longer pres. and we dealt with civility in another piece."

Oops, sorry. Didn't know you were in charge of establishing content here. But thanks for proving my point. Too bad when 'you dealt with civility' in another piece, you didn't grasp the concept. But thanks for setting me straight, next time I'll check with you before posting anything.

None 2 years, 6 months ago

mauiman says..."We have had the show for the last two years. The Obamaites had two years to do anything to help the economy but he did nothing."

November 8, 2010 at 7 p.m.

Only to avert another Great Depression ~ words from President George W. Bush on the Oprah show yesterday....

http://www.oprah.com/oprahshow/Inside-the-Mind-of-Former-President-George-W-Bush

Two years to clean up Washington corruption and Wall Street control of legislative malfeasance with respect to a total lack of economic oversight by governmental agencies over the past 8 years.

blake says..."I would love to hear Mr Heim justify the $500 billion in Medicare cuts in order to pass Obamacare. His hypocrisy is ludicrous."

http://www.physorg.com/news163271156.html

"The fact that nearly 50 million Americans are uninsured and tens of millions more cannot afford adequate health care was chiefly raised to point to the added costs of unpaid emergency room visits."

"The cost of his plan—estimated to be a trillion dollars over the next ten years—would be “budget neutral,” he said, and would be funded through cuts in Medicare and Medicaid, along with “modestly limiting the tax deductions the wealthiest Americans can take to the same level it was at the end of the Reagan years.”

"The president plans to cut $313 billion over the next decade from the two federal health programs by limiting the growth of Medicare reimbursements to hospitals and health care providers. He also said he was open to expanding the role of the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission—a body set up by the Newt Gingrich-led Republican Congress in 1997—to save another $200 billion."

Savings of 20 million a year would come from active enforcement where Medicare and Medicaid fraud exists. Store front locations whose presence is just to fraudulently steal taxpayers money.

Obama’s' medical reform proposal will transition over a period of 10 years. Not overnight! It is so interesting how spin takes over logical thought and succumbs to didactic party line mantras.

Over the last three decades, every president including Regan has campaigned on providing quality health care for all Americans. And when POTUS'O takes a step in that direction, even to the point of implementing recommendations from John McCain, the naysayers come out in droves.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/10/06/mccain-plans-to-cut-medic_n_132169.html

So when a Republican supports cuts to Medicare and Medicaid, no one seems to chaistise John McCain...wonder why? hypocrisy - perhaps!

marathonman 2 years, 6 months ago

Soccermom......we're F@@@@d. Enough already

you have your nerve and you made my point.

JimHeim 2 years, 6 months ago

Hilarity ensues. All of these shrill posts and not one fact to contradict my points. When all your side has are ad hominem attacks, you've lost.

I continue to stand by my column.

fugitiveguy 2 years, 6 months ago

"You lied about Social Security and the Pledge and you lied about the job numbers saved."

Got to give those crafty libs credit. Inventing the fictional category "jobs saved" that cannot be verified or refuted was a stroke of genius.

OBXNC 2 years, 6 months ago

How will the GOP keep it's promises? If they can keep one they will be well ahead of the current bunch.

fugitiveguy 2 years, 6 months ago

It would appear I have worn out my welcome here. I cannot access my profile. That usually means an am firing squad.

Ross 2 years, 6 months ago

OBXNC - if the past is any clue - then they will be hard pressed for even that!

marathonman 2 years, 6 months ago

J. Heim, you represent those who would govern by threat, carrot and stick and just plain lies. You obviously can not read as many of your spin points were raised by more than a few in this list of entries and countered. Should you and those like you prevail, we are doomed to much much more of the same; election cycle to election cycle unless or until tyranny is born here in the USA.

madstork 2 years, 6 months ago

Calling out Heim's mis-statements feeds the beast. If you knew Heim, you would know you he loves confrontation.

Sally244 2 years, 6 months ago

I think everyone should back off. No one believes the other but everyone thinks they're right. Something for the Tea Partiers to think about is how you were used in Arizona to create a new business for the private prison corporation. They loved the way you were so upset about the Hispanic population and fueled your fears so the Governor could establish a law that would make criminals out of any Hispanic who tried to leave the state. The winners were..(drum roll).... the private prison corporation!!! Apparently the Hispanic issue wasn't really that bad but you were used by politicians to get what they wanted!!!!

So.... maybe the fighting should stop and possibly we all might consider doing more research and be a little more cautious about attacks. All of us are being used by the polititions so keep a look out for the untruths.

blake 2 years, 6 months ago

Heim:"And economists at Princeton and Moody’s found that the stimulus package prevented the loss of 16 million jobs by heading off a full-blown depression."

Quoted from the actual study: "Nonetheless, the effects of the fiscal stimulus alone appear very substantial, raising 2010 real GDP by about 3.4%, holding the unemployment rate about 1½ percentage points lower, and adding almost 2.7 million jobs to U.S. payrolls."

There is a large discrepency between 16million and 2.7 million. @Sally, now whom do you believe?

JimHeim 2 years, 6 months ago

blake,

Look two paragraphs up in that report.

blake 2 years, 6 months ago

The quote came from the 3rd paragraph. There are no numbers in the 1st paragraph. You are misrepresenting the conclusions of the study.

JimHeim 2 years, 6 months ago

blake,

Although there are only three paragraphs on the first page, the report runs 23 pages. Here's the part I wanted to highlight (which you've carefully tried to avoid):

"For example, we estimate that, without the government’s response, GDP in 2010 would be about 11.5% lower, payroll employment would be less by some 8½ million jobs, and the nation would now be experiencing deflation."

So much for the "the stimulus didn't work" trope.

blake 2 years, 6 months ago

As I stated above, the study credits the Wall Street bailout, the bank stress tests, the emergency lending and asset purchases by the Federal Reserve, and stimulus program for saving 8 million jobs. The stimulus as stated by the study was credited to with 2.7 million jobs. Neither number is near 16 million. Your credited the stimulus with saving 16 million.

blake 2 years, 6 months ago

In contrast to Mr Heim's claim about the Roadmap and Social Security: From the CBO analysis on the Roadmap: Under the current plan, Social Security funds would be exhausted in 2042. "In general, total annual benefits provided by Social Security are projected to be slightly higher under the proposal than under current law for each of the first 20 years and also in the long run."

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