GOP Needs to Stand and Fight

As of Wednesday, November 21, 2012

President Obama claims that he has a mandate to raise tax rates on higher income earners due to his re-election. Not so fast, Mr. President.

The GOP-led House retained their majority and we still have a gridlock in the Senate. So it would seem that the only way to get tax hikes is for the GOP to cave. As a conservative I believe that now, more than ever, we need to hold fast and not cave in to these extreme leftists and their job-killing agenda.

What we have in Washington is not a revenue problem, but rather a spending problem. We need real baseline cuts across the board along with entitlement reforms to Social Security and Medicare. Then we need to close loopholes while at the same time lowering the marginal rate for everyone. Then we need to reduce the corporate tax rate, and the capital gains rate. This conservative approach will work.

Three times in the last 60 years or more, we have seen tax rates cut. Each time we saw massive economic growth and higher revenues to the federal government. The problem is that Washington, instead of cutting spending, went on a spending binge that destroyed any lasting success from these tax cuts.

If we cut taxes for all Americans, and at the same time reduce our spending and reform our entitlement programs, we can fix this fiscal crisis. The economy will start to grow again. More revenues will flow into the treasury, and we will have less spending. This is the path to prosperity and fiscal sanity.

The GOP needs, now more than ever to stand fast and fight for these conservative principles. Stand fast, fight on, and no retreat.

Joe Garrison

Pinehurst

More like this story

kzowens 5 months, 3 weeks ago

What is obvious to the "extreme leftists" and the majority of Americans is that the GOP needs to remove Rush Limbaugh as the de facto head of the Republican Party and minimalize the remaining Tea Party legislators. The extreme rightists and the Tea Party needs to accept the fact that America is a democracy, and that the role of the minority party is help govern for the good of the country. This means to do something positive rather than wasting all their efforts of dead-end projects

JD 5 months, 3 weeks ago

The GOP needs, now more than ever to stand fast and fight

That's tough to do when all the sensible Republicans are mute and the rest are too busy being one legged and getting their butts kicked in a contest.

dustyrhoades 5 months, 3 weeks ago

Here's what's going to happen if the Republicans continue the path of obstruction Mr. Garrison suggests:

The Bush tax cuts expire. Everyone's taxes go up. The House Democrats introduce the Senate bill raising taxes on the wealthy and restoring the cuts for the middle class. The House Republicans face having to vote against a middle class tax cut because the bill lets tax cuts expire for the wealthy. If they vote for it, they lose the fight. If they vote against it, they lose the House in 2014.

Their only choice is which battle they want to lose.

fatboy 5 months, 3 weeks ago

Unless the Liberals can come up with a definitive plan to reduce wastful spending, other than defense cuts, the Republicans should hold their ground. This regiem is notorious for blowing money, with no positive outcome. Four more years of this, and the debt will be double what it is now.

Yukonjohn 5 months, 3 weeks ago

Republicans have a sound fiscal policy. It is their social issues that are beating them and will continue to beat them. As long as you continue to want to be in my bedroom, my living room, even my kitchen with your morality rules, you will lose the bulk of Americans.

I hope everyone had a fantastic Thanksgiving holiday!! We had a gorgeous one here, nice and sunny for the few minutes it is sunny and cool, but great food and good company.

kzowens 5 months, 3 weeks ago

"Republicans have a sound fiscal policy" Oh, really? So, why do you think that President Obama won even though the economy was barely improving and unemployment rate was high? The answer is because the majority of Americans believed that his policies were more sound than candidate Romney’s.

Yukonjohn 5 months, 3 weeks ago

kzowens, I disagree. I feel that many Americans thought that Mitt Romney had a much better fiscal policy, but cound not get over his religious right choice for VP, or the intrusion that govt. is making in our personal lives. The Dems are not much better in this area....they appear to be, but still spy on American citizens and inhibit rights that are given by our creator.

jat 5 months, 3 weeks ago

The Republicans don't have a sound fiscal policy. They want to turn all the reigns loose on businesses without any regulations. They want to get rid of all unions. They want the upper class to make money regardless of what happens to everyone else. If there policies worked so well, North Carolina, under Republican control, wouldn't be in the bottom ten in employment. If their policies worked so well, there wouldn't have been an event called the great recession. It amazes me to see people think that this party is capable of helping anyone except their own self serving interests. By the way, the democrats aren't much better. It's time to get off of the Republican and Democrat band wagon and look for truly fresh ideas. The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. This country is in a mess because of Republicans and Democrats. If we aren't careful, this country of ours will either become a true democratic socialistic country or a democracy with the quality of life in China were a few people make lots of money and the rest of the population suffers.

Yukonjohn 5 months, 3 weeks ago

Actually kzowens, I think that the President won due to the 47% that Mitt talked about is really 53%. Don't get me wrong, I did not, nor would never vote for Mitt, but I also think that four more years of the President will be an unmitigated disaster. I do not believe that our economy will withstand even next year. Once the economy fails, the country falls into anarchy soon thereafter. While, so far, Alaska seems protected from alot of the bad stuff I feel sure will happen, my wife and l are looking at other countries to escape to when it all goes down.

kzowens 5 months, 3 weeks ago

You might be right about American's opinion about Paul Ryan, but it is an indisputable fact that Americans did NOT believe that Mitt Romney had a much better fiscal policy. As far as intrusion in to priviate lives, if the Republicans would decide to drop their plank on abortion and stop making such stupid remarks about "rape," they might be better legislators.

AFCHIEF 5 months, 3 weeks ago

Kzowens Obama does not have 1 lick of business sense. Now he wants to create a new cabinet position Secretary of Business. How pathetic is that! America had a chance to put a real business leader in charge but instead American freeloaders didn't want this to happen!

Yukonjohn 5 months, 3 weeks ago

AFChief, As a vet, l am sure we feel the same about our President and his lack of foreign experience, but l am far less militaristic today than l was when l got out. l also believe that the President has zero business experience. My Dad used to tell me that if we distributed all the money in the country equally, in six months, the same people would have the same amount of money that they do prior to distribution. I did not understand it then, but do today and totally agree. The Repubs are losing, IMHO, because they are not libertarian enough. As long as they keep the same platform, they are going to continue to lose, and lose badly.

kzowens 5 months, 3 weeks ago

Republican Govenor Jindal says that "Repulicans have to stop being the stupid party". This first step to do this is to stop listening to and quoting Rush Limbaugh. The second step is to stop watching Fox News. If your only source for news is Fox News, you are better off and better informed watching no news at all. Gov Jindal also says it is is wrong to claim that President Obama won reelection because of "gifts" to minorities and young voters. Gov Jindal may be the next Republican for President of the United States. And, guess what? His skin is as brown as President Obama's.

AFCHIEF 5 months, 3 weeks ago

I'm really worried about the cuts in the military. It's already started with Tricare raising rates, out of pocket costs, and now if you live more than 40 miles from a base provider you are getting the shaft and being downgraded to Tricare standard. In addition the dems are wanting to freeze military pay and just like Clinton mess with our retirement. All the while continue to allow the freeloaders all of their free perks.

dustyrhoades 5 months, 3 weeks ago

I see the losers are still whining and blaming "those people." I swear, I don't see how they keep from sticking their heads in the oven out of sheer despair.

Yukonjohn 5 months, 3 weeks ago

What is going to happen when the "payers" get tired of paying the "payees"? Some day, once the incentive to work has been totally taken away, the payers are going to either revolt, leave, or quit working. Either way, the payees are going to be left holding an empty bag with no way to fill it. We will see......

moonchild7 5 months, 3 weeks ago

President Obama ran for re-election with one message and one objective...to raise taxes on the wealthy. And guess what? HE WON. He won the Electoral College and the Popular Vote. When asked as they left the voting booth's on election day if said voters approved of raising taxes on the wealthy, 60% responded YES. What's so difficult to understand about that? If you guys continue to stay in the FOX NEWS BUBBLE, well, you're just a little bit more than sad and not very smart. America Yukonjohn, for the last time, is not on her way down the drain. Can't say the same for the Republican Party though; they are quite leaderless and still stuck in the past. The problem with "working a job" in this country these days can be best seen through the eyes of those Hostess Employees who have decided it is better to be UNEMPLOYED than to continue to work for THIEVES. A Hedge-Fund Type Co. called Ripplewood bought Hostess and proceeded to suck it dry. They stole a Billion or more, and the employees were tired of having to continuously make concessions, while the Executives continued to make millions. I thought this sort of thing was illegal but I guess somehow our congress made laws to protect such thievery. There's a lot to be done and actually going off the cliff so to speak actually looks like the best thing to do. Oh, the stupidest thing I've read here lately is that "The Republicans have a sound fiscal policy." Yukonjohn, I think you've been out in the cold too much lately. George Bush's "Fiscal Policies" were far from sound and were darn near catastrophic.

fatboy 5 months, 3 weeks ago

Yukonjohn5 hours, 56 minutes ago

Actually kzowens, I think that the President won due to the 47% that Mitt talked about is really 53%.

The President didn't win the election. Romney lost because he tried to give jobs to people who don't want them.

moonchild7 5 months, 3 weeks ago

I think it's a little bit funny but in my family the two (that we know of and who admitted to it) who voted for Romney are a RETIRED Military Person and A Small Business Owner (who's actually almost out of business)...i.e.they pay little to NO TAXES. The rest of us who voted for President Obama all have jobs and pay lots of taxes. Gee, do you think it's possible that actually a lot of people who work jobs and pay taxes voted for the President? I think so.

fugitiveguy 5 months, 3 weeks ago

"So, why do you think that President Obama won ..."

The same reason Marion Barry and Ray Nagin were re-elected. It has nothing to do with accomplishments or lack thereof. There has never been a US president elected with a thinner resume.

dustyrhoades 5 months, 3 weeks ago

There has never been a US president elected with a thinner resume.

You've been flogging that thin resume thing for months, fuggy. Didn't work, did it?

Apparently the resume suited 53 percent of the American people just fine.

Rmoney looks like he's going to end up with 47 %. Cosmic justice...

AFCHIEF 5 months, 3 weeks ago

Mc7 I'm retired military and now have 3 different jobs and pay taxes, so what is your point. Mu point is that I'm frustrated with a govt who wants to take my hard earned money and give it to someone who does not want to work for their own money!

AFCHIEF 5 months, 3 weeks ago

Mc7 I'm retired military and now have 3 different jobs and pay taxes, so what is your point. My point is that I'm frustrated with a govt who wants to take my hard earned money and give it to someone who does not want to work for their own money!

fugitiveguy 5 months, 3 weeks ago

"You've been flogging that thin resume thing for months, fuggy."

And for months no one, including yourself can refute the claim. Obama is the least qualified person to ever hold the office. Its like letting the tallest kid in first grade drive the school bus.

Yukonjohn 5 months, 3 weeks ago

MC7, I do believe the Repbus have a sound fiscal policy. Geo Bush was the worst example of a Republican. As far as taxes, I work and pay a serious amount of taxes. I was raised poor, real poor. I went into the military and through hard work, and longevity, l now make a comfortable living. I am also close to retirement. I am most seriously considering some warm country to spend my winters, but very possibly not the US. We are really glad we live where we do. We are all armed up here, we know how to feed ourselves, and know how to survive if we had no stores and the such. I know you think the country is doing just fine, we could not disagree any more. All China has to do is "call in the bill" and we are done. We are also ripe for a takeover from some other country or countries that band together and take us. Hopefully you are right and l am wrong, but l do not think so....a short amount of time will tell.

moonchild7 5 months, 3 weeks ago

Abraham Lincoln is the President that most historians consider to be the least qualified when he was elected. He had only served ONE term in the US House of Represenatives. He was never a Senator, Governor, Vice President or Cabinet Member. Abraham Lincoln is also considered our GREATEST President so fugitiveguy you need to stop repeating the same lies. It's getting very OLD and MUSTY. The Chinese really need us more than we need them and if they decide to "call in our debt" the answer will be "You'll Get Yours, When the World Pays us Back." We still have more weaponry than any other Country on the face of this Earth. I don't like to ever put things like that in those terms but, it's the truth and it works every time. If G. Bush was the worst example of a Republican then why were the Republicans so supportive? A bunch of Democrats were also too supportive and I found that to be beyond disturbing. It will be interesting to see how the votes go this time around. Not holding my breath though as many Democrats leave a lot to be desired.

Yukonjohn 5 months, 3 weeks ago

MC7, The reason some Dems supported GB is because he was one of them. You are a smart lady, and l am still surprised that you do not see that both parties are driven by the same people. That is why it has made no difference in who in the the WH. Even President Obama is driven by these same forces. Big business, the media and big money is what drives all of these people. That is why we will never get out of this rut until we wise up and put in someone that is counter to their desires. I honestly believe that they would try and take out someone like RP or Gary Johnson or any other person that gained a foothold with the people and was going to shut down some of their money-making schemes.

fugitiveguy 5 months, 3 weeks ago

"so fugitiveguy you need to stop repeating the same lies. It's getting very OLD and MUSTY. "

Oh, there is no lie. BHO, absolutely, positvely the least qualified person ever to become a US president. It wouldn't sting as much if it weren't true but what the heck, you guys won. Thats all that mattered, right?

Toda 5 months, 3 weeks ago

"extreme leftists and their job-killing agenda." That has to be the most asinine statement in print!

After 10 years of Bush tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans, where have the jobs gone? For the most part, corporate profits have ballooned over the past 10 years.

Joseph perhaps one should refrain from making erroneous statements until looking at data on those corporate profits that are killing jobs:

The Making Work Pay Credit, a tax credit that was in effect in 2009 and 2010, is better targeted towards low- and middle-income families than the payroll tax cut in effect today, at half the cost. It is dramatically more targeted to these families than the Bush tax cuts, at just over a sixth of the cost. Prominent Washington figures and media outlets have suggested in recent days that either the payroll tax cut might be extended or the Making Work Pay Credit might be revived...Bad idea ....

Here's your link Joe

A politician (in waiting) is not your forte'. You crossed that bridge in the past showing how immature your antics are in the public arena by outlandish statements as Joesph Garrison and Cooldaddy. Nice to have access to two IP addresses fooling the IT folks at The Pilot.

Toda 5 months, 3 weeks ago

"the capital gains rate" FYI ~ Cooldaddy, North Carolina passed legislation during Richard Morgans term in office to abate Capital Gains tax restricting CG to sale of personal residences.

Bonds, Investments, and other transferable instruments are restricted to minimal gains on financial returns.

Toda 5 months, 3 weeks ago

AFCHIEF => Freeloaders putting him back in office ... ? That must have been Mitt's 47% and a few million more! The people voted to have his experience in a crisis for four more years.

dustyrhoades 5 months, 3 weeks ago

And for months no one, including yourself can refute the claim.

At last count, 64,430,488 Americans refuted it. And they're still counting in CA.

Face it, fuggy, that line of attack LOST. You keep repeating it, I'll keep mocking it until you're just too sad and pathetic to make fun of any more.

dustyrhoades 5 months, 3 weeks ago

if this were not true then explain why Obama received the majority of Black and Hispanic voters,

Because Republicans like you went out of their way to alienate them, and are still doing so.

Keep this up, and you'll turn Texas Blue.

nothingspecial 5 months, 3 weeks ago

Very interesting take on this topic by Victor Hanson in this week's National Review - if folks desire compromise:

http://www.nationalreview.com/articles/333894/let-obama-be-obama-victor-davis-hanson

dustyrhoades 5 months, 3 weeks ago

you didn't see race baiting in the romney/ryan/republican campaign.please!

by dustyrhoades

moonchild7 5 months, 3 weeks ago

Yes, yukonjohn it's the same bunch of money grubbing, power grabbing "repub-locrat rich folk" running this country. And of course they don't want it to get away from them; except this time President Obama's MANDATE from the minorites, youth and women gives him a reason to try. Better wages, better working conditions and HEALTH CARE for ALL is what's needed to bring America back from the depths of the VAST thievery that WALL ST inflicted on us. And make NO MISTAKE...they were the perpertrators. They've managed to do it rather often actually but maybe this time they'll be stopped somewhat in their tracks. The people have to rise up though and make sure we keep those sicko's at bay. A lot of people still don't vote and it can all fall backwards again in 2014 if we fail to vote again to keep those wachos out of office. We've got two years though to make a difference for those of us who are the 99% and who want our country to be great again. She re-elected President Obama, so yes Virginia, there is HOPE.

Yukonjohn 5 months, 3 weeks ago

MC7. My question still remains: What happens when those who make the money lose incentive to work or take their money somewhere else to protect what they have made? I am barely middle class, and l am looking at going overseas to protect what l have. I know if l were of much more means....l would have long ago placed the bulk of my assets overseas to protect it.

JD 5 months, 3 weeks ago

What happens when those who make the money lose incentive to work or take their money somewhere else to protect what they have made?

It's called retirement and they move here? Or maybe Florida or Arizona. Or another place where a lot of old people go to die. And in said process of dying they spend a lot of that hard earned money to maintain quality of life, helping the area economy.

moonchild7 5 months, 3 weeks ago

Yukonjohn, have you ever been to NYC, South Western CT, Westchester Co., NY, Boston, Beverly Hills, Aspen, CO, etc? The wealthy in America have become so wealthy and have so much excess now, that for them to say they need to take what they have "overseas" should actually be treason. Americans are the hardest working people in the world no matter what you think. To ask the wealthy to "give" a little more of their "hard earned" monies isn't the "thievery" that many of you righties exclaim. I have put my "very hard earned" monies here in America in Real Estate, Art and Antiques. I got rid of (before Wall Street tred to steal it all) my 401k's and Money Markets. America is worth every penny you might have, so keep it here. Unless of course we end up with another Civil War, that's just so crazy to even have to consider at this point. How much wealth is enough for one person? Go to the NorthEast and even you will say, yes, you've worked hard and long for this but it's more than evident you can let loose of some more and you'll nevef know the difference. We MUST reduce the cost's of War and excess Miilitary, reform the tax code and bring down the cost of health care(salaried Doctors and socialized pharmacies)will help. If the people who want to keep the "Status Quo" don't realize that the FUTURE is here now, then perhaps yukonjohn, we will have anarchy.

Yukonjohn 5 months, 3 weeks ago

I'm sorry MC7. but l just do not believe in socialism, and that is what you are desiring. If someone makes a fortune honestly, they should be able to keep ALL of it if they choose. Even if they make ten fortunes, and make it honestly, they should be able to keep it and even make more if they desire. They work for it. And yes, l have been to all those places except Aspen. Miami is another wealthy place. Socialism is not part of America, or at least it has not been in the past. I guess times have changed according to the new 53%ers.

pgericson 5 months, 3 weeks ago

I hope the GOP does stand and fight. I would hate to see the GOP agree to higher taxes to deal with a deficit problem. I can't figure out why Presidents Reagan and Bush the elder agreed to do so: it must have been a moment of insanity when Reagan agreed to tax captial gains and dividends as ordinary income in the interest of fairness. Geez, Newt Gingrich and the Republican House had a similar slip in agreeing to work with Clinton to raise taxes in order to end deficits. I guess tghe only Republican President who didn't deal with deficits by raising taxes was Bush the younger.

moonchild7 5 months, 3 weeks ago

Yukonjohn, all you want is for everyone to be an "Island" and totally Independent? That time has passed for the majority here in this quite populated America. The 18th and 19th Centuries are gone. You're in the right place though, there in Alaska and if you ever need help with anything, I don't like saying this but I hope it never comes your way. The wealthy cannot be Independent...they need too much help. And help costs money, the rich need to want everyone who's working to be paid a decent salary with benefits. A lot of them are very "cheap and stingy" to say the least. I've survived thru Carter, Reagan, 2 Bushes, and a Clinton. I did what most successful people do, work hard, save money and invest it wisely. I'm not a 1%er at all and never wanted to be one, but have still done well by myself. I hope you understand that I did all of that even while I paid a lot of taxes to our Governments(Feds, County and State). I like what I get for that money and when I don't I make complaints and get out to vote. That's how the Greatest Democracy the World has ever known has been so successful. You do know that don't you?

Yukonjohn 5 months, 3 weeks ago

The wealthy cannot be Independent...they need too much help

MC7, I do not understand this? The wealthy that l know do not need help from anyone. They are totally self sufficient. I do have alot of gold miner friends that used to be "hard working" struggling miners, but with the price of gold, they are quite wealthy. Honestly, they are the least needy people l know. They receive nothing from the govt, but ask nothing of them, except for them to stay away from them. By the way, they all meet compliance with all EPA regs, irregardless of their dislike of those folks.

packwilleat 5 months, 3 weeks ago

Moon ~ don't worry there wont be many of wealth floating around with "helicopter" Ben at the helm of the fed. This is what inflation means to everyone..........

http://www.creators.com/lifestylefeatures/business-and-finance/savage-truth-on-money/bit-by-bit-inflation-takes-a-crushing-toll.html

packwilleat 5 months, 3 weeks ago

by Randy

moonchild7 5 months, 3 weeks ago

Oprah gives over $50 Million away each year to many charities. If Mitt gives away 10% of his net worth each year, then I guess he gives $20 million away? Does most of that go to The Mormon Church? That's not charity, that's self serving. You just don't understand what I'm saying Yukonjohn about the wealthy. They have to pay a lot of people to help take care of them and their stuff. If you're talking about the Backwoodsmen with wealth, that's a totally different story and their "needs" vary. Making enough money to be able to be "self-sufficient" is one aspect of course. There are more than enough hardworking people out there who would be more "self-sufficent" instead of being the WORKING POOR, if they just worked for companies that paid a LIVING WAGE. That's what I'm talking about. The Bakers from the Hostess Bakery Unions decided it was better to be unemployed than to work for THIEVING VULTURE CAPITALISTS anymore and so refused anymore concessions. There seems to be little to NO respect for hardworking Americans by the BIG Business Owners anymore. You just aren't understanding the Class Warfare that's been going on here in America for sometime now. It isn't about the "Needy Class", it's about the DISRESPECTED CLASS.

Yukonjohn 5 months, 3 weeks ago

MC7, I know you are sincere in your position and life. I respect that. It is just that we disagree on this whole thing. I did find it rather amusing that in those places that you mentioned earlier....they were all very liberal areas. Wealthy AND liberal. It just struck me as comical. I hope l never "make light" of your opinion, as you absolutely have just as much right to an opinion as myself or anyone else!! If sometimes l might seem to, trust me, that is never my intention.

Yukonjohn 5 months, 3 weeks ago

P.S. But we do have a completely different situation up here in regards to so many things. Heck, Alaska is too much a red state for even me. I do not particularily like the Repubs anyway....we share different philosophies. Best Wishes from the absolute frozen north....it has not been above zero here at my house in weeks, and most of that time was down near 30-35 below!! See, and that works perfectly to keep us isolated, and folks not wanting to come up here to mess stuff up.

packwilleat 5 months, 3 weeks ago

Americans didn't vote against Mitt because he's rich???? SPUW is already on the path to rewriting history.

Reggie_Mantle 5 months, 3 weeks ago

Why the hell are you 'tards arguing about Oprah? She's not running for anything and doesn't have f-all to do with leading either party.

J, M & Joseph, you people are so dumb it makes my head hurt.

packwilleat 5 months, 3 weeks ago

SPUW ~ glad to see you own a dictionary. While you're in there look this one up, ignoramus.

JD 5 months, 3 weeks ago

I certainly hope that it does not come to the Chinese invading this country and taking over

Toda 5 months, 3 weeks ago

JD ~ Live Trees is a good one...can be compared to the Republican Party's analogy of why Mitt lost the race to the White House where a man of color resides. It was those pesky Mexicans and black people who took the time to vote as Americans!

Yukonjohn 5 months, 3 weeks ago

It was those pesky Mexicans and black people who took the time to vote as Americans!

I know Toda, what are we going to do with them?

pinewoodnc 5 months, 3 weeks ago

The one question I have concerning spending is why no one seems to ask the question of why do we continue to send billions of dollars to other countries? We borrow from China to support other countries while our deficit continues to grow. To me it is like a man who works and gets his pay to support his family but instead gives all his money to his neighbor. I'm sure it has something to do with establishing or continuing a good relationship with certain countries, but with our country in such a bad state, I would think it would be time to think more about our welfare over others.