New GOP Direction

[Dennis]

I think part of the problem is that they don't bounce their principles off reality. I think many of their principles are actually very sound and could be appreciated by the general population, particularly the libertarian ones, but they don't apply them to reality (this is the reason why the LP has never taken off and why Ron Paul is never taken seriously).

Take abortion for example. If research could show that abortion rates actually increase in countries who outlawed abortion (I don't know if this is true; I'm just using this as a demonstration of how principle can be applied to reality), wouldn't the principle of keeping abortion as low as possible be better applied by keeping it legal? From there, the principle could be further applied to disallowing federal funding for abortion, which is something far less extreme then outright outlawing abortion and failing to recognize the reality of how your principle is applied (again, this is just a principle/reality example and not a legal abortion = less abortion claim). Federal monies previously spent for abortion could then be spent on increased educational awareness of what abortion entails and how ya might not want to do it, or just saved and not spent at all...both actions that support conservative principles! Then, boom, ya might pull in that female vote afterall.

The same can be applied to immigration and a resulting hispanic vote. And on and on.

[OGPhilly]

Libertarianism has a certain appeal, but the second you try to bounce it off of reality it necessarily disintegrates.

[eynon81]

[eynon81]

[Dennis]

[eynon81]

[Yrkoon]

[Divinity11]

Perhaps it is not in our country's best interest to tell the GOP how to win the next presidency. This last one demonstrated perfectly the GOP propensity for outright lying to the American people on several occassions, and continuing that message despite being called out on it (Jeep shipping jobs to China, for example), and still garnering votes. Who's to say next time around they blatantly lie about everything, to every constituant, and win the presidency.

[Professor]

- Reduce the size of Federal government by returning the "operations" of many departments to the states, but keeping Federal standards. For instance, a state may run Medicare as it wants (privatize, expand, whatever) so long as it meets certain criteria (has to cover currently eligible people, cannot discriminate, etc.). Federal regulation, state administration and execution.

- Simplify the tax code but ensuring that the "rich" pay fair share on ALL income, regardless of the source. Increase highest tax bracket to 60%, which is still well below the average since 1930.

- Drop stances on most social issues. Take no stance on abortion, since it's a state matter. Take no stance on pot. Take no stance on religion.

- Revise immigration policy to embrace immigrants. Grant all aliens currently in the coutnry amnesty (so long as they're not criminals). Encourage immigration by granting anyone (not everyone, but a larger percentage) who comes here temporary visas if they have a job and housing lined up. Embrace Cuba and open trade (which will get rid of Castro faster than current policies).

- Revise foreign policy by not wanting to meddle in foreign affairs as much. In other words, adopt Obma's stance toward Iran, Syria, etc.

That's a good start. And, please don't nitpick the above points. No, I didn't think out EXACTLY which social issues should be dropped or which regulations Medicare should meet. It's a general statement.

[OGPhilly]

It is definitely in our country's best interest to have more than one reasonable political faction.