GOP Is Addressing The Tough Issues

As of Friday, June 3, 2011

I take issue with the cartoon in Sunday’s Pilot depicting the GOP elephant threatening the U.S. economy by taking a stand against raising our country’s debt ceiling. The message is that Republican insistence on tying spending cuts to any increase in the debt ceiling will destroy the economy.

In fact, the opposite is true. Our economy is not threatened by halting the federal government’s spending binge. It is threatened by out-of-control government spending, by President Obama’s desire for a “no strings attached” increase in the debt ceiling, and by the Democrats’ refusal to accept the reality that changes in our entitlement programs are needed.

Republicans have taken the politically difficult but “adult” position that changes in our entitlement programs are needed if these programs are to survive. Virtually everyone with any knowledge of these programs knows they are on a fiscally unsustainable path.

But the Democrats, led by the president, refuse to accept the inevitable, instead using this issue for short-term political gain.

Their actions are incredibly irresponsible, placing political gain ahead of the country’s economic survival.

Nearly everyone wants this issue to be resolved so the country can avoid defaulting on its debt. But if we default, why would it be the fault of the Republicans for sticking to their position, rather than the Democrats for sticking to theirs? Aren’t both parties responsible for finding a solution?

In next year’s election, voters will have a choice between the Republicans, who are willing to address the country’s tough issues and tell the voters what they need to hear, and the Democrats, who will tell the voters what they think they want to hear, even if it’s wrong. I know which choice I’ll make.

John Rowerdink

Pinehurst

More like this story

bigD 1 year, 11 months ago

President Obama wanted the Republicans to "go first" regarding Social Security and Medicare. The GOP came up with a proposal (not perfect) now we need to see something from the other side that is more than just rhetoric. The problem is that our President knows how to campaign but has no real solutions. He is more like an infomercial that promises to lower your golf score and help you lose 15 pounds all by purchasing one little widget with just three easy payments of $99.98....

marathonman 1 year, 11 months ago

"But the Democrats, led by the president, refuse to accept the inevitable, instead using this issue for short-term political gain." How sad it is that the left who are so entrenched with hate for conservatives allow themselves to be deceived into believing that we can continue to spend like addicts without a thought for what happens eventually; a loss of everything our country has worked for and achieved over time. Thanks John! Great piece. Lets hope that the Dems will begin to see the light and come to their good common senses. Spending cuts such as each household must face when in down times, lower taxes to help industry retool and create jobs, less go'mint to allow industry too to be competitive internationally and, allowing oil companies to drill, produce and refine petroleum products and possible be interested in overcoming foreign oil companies monopoly. Address the future of Social Security and Medicare with reforms. Finally, take down Obamacare with needed reforms to the medical industry.

Scoot 1 year, 11 months ago

What is an entitlement program. Is it the disablity payment someone recieves because they are no longer able to work??? Is it Mediaid, for that person because nobody will insure them because of their Illness or Injury????

MikeNC 1 year, 11 months ago

Excellent response to a jack ass cartoon. Diane

SH59 1 year, 11 months ago

Oh brother! I'm getting tired of the same old rhetoric being spewed, without good thoughtful suggestions, it's lost it's power. I just don't understand this equation: lower taxes and cut spending equals more money? How about cut spending and raising taxes equals paying down the debt. How about asking everyone to pay their fair taxes, no exceptions? Small businesses are categorized as a company with up to 499 employees, how about adding a sub category for cottage industries and Mom & Pop business with under 5 employees so they don't have to pay at the same corporate levels but a fair tax according to their size. Give people a chance to make a living without having to join big business with benefits. It's hard not to feel like a worker ant on a tread mill.

TreadLightly 1 year, 11 months ago

You will never understand the tax situation by looking at a spreadsheet. SURE, raise taxes, and MORE MONEY should come in. It does NOT DO THAT, and it has nothing to do with spreadsheets.

The real issue is INCENTIVES. No one works for nothing. For 8 hours of work, you can draw a wage in line with your ability and labors. You can live on it. You can plan on being home with the wife and kids.

IF YOU WANT MORE MONEY, you have to work HARDER, work LONGER, and possibly RISK some money or property. When those people do all that, they get more money, and therefore PAY MORE TAXES.

Take away the INCENTIVE, and see what happens. If a man works harder and longer, and his extra income is eaten up to PAY TAXES, he will likely find some other way to spend his time.

Getting people to WORK is like herding cats. But when you put out some fresh fish, you don't have to herd the cats - they come on their own. You can't herd men to work or to the tax office, but put out the INCENTIVE and they come running.

Ross 1 year, 11 months ago

Yes - The "republicans" can do no wrong....smiles.

These can't be the same republicans that had record deficits under bush, invaded a country that cost thousands of lives for absolutely nothing, and were in power when the depression hit a few years ago. Nah - can't be!