I was 11 years ago yesterday that Newt Gingrich and the Republicans in Congress dazzled the "look, it's a shiny thing" electorate with the
Contract with America.
I was 11 years ago yesterday that Newt Gingrich and the Republicans in Congress dazzled the "look, it's a shiny thing" electorate with the
Contract with America. It's a good read, and were it a diary on Dkos, I'd recommend it. Not as a diary of substance mind you, but as a lesson on how to win elections without even trying.
But as Tom DeLay lies and accuses the accuser; and as Bill Frist wonders if a "The Apprentice" spin-off is at the other end of his insider trading; and as Karl Rove drips as he spins, like a pig on a spit; and while Halliburton stock continues to rise at the same rate as dead Americans slip quietly into Dover AFB; and while America remembers the last time a drunk, oil-carrying captain ran his vessel aground; it is interesting to note a few key parts of the Contract with America.
Some of my personal faves:
That is why, in this era of official evasion and posturing, we offer instead a detailed agenda for national renewal, a written commitment with no fine print.
...oh, and this is a good one...
This year's election offers the chance, after four decades of one-party control, to bring to the House a new majority that will transform the way Congress works. That historic change would be the end of government that is too big, too intrusive, and too easy with the public's money. It can be the beginning of a Congress that respects the values and shares the faith of the American family.
I actually cry when I read this part...
we intend to act "with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right." To restore accountability to Congress. To end its cycle of scandal and disgrace. To make us all proud again of the way free people govern themselves.
Numbered for easy comsumption...
On the first day of the 104th Congress, the new Republican majority will immediately pass the following major reforms, aimed at restoring the faith and trust of the American people in their government:
- FIRST, require all laws that apply to the rest of the country also apply equally to the Congress;
- SECOND, select a major, independent auditing firm to conduct a comprehensive audit of Congress for waste, fraud or abuse;
- THIRD, cut the number of House committees, and cut committee staff by one-third;
- FOURTH, limit the terms of all committee chairs;
- FIFTH, ban the casting of proxy votes in committee;
- SIXTH, require committee meetings to be open to the public;
- SEVENTH, require a three-fifths majority vote to pass a tax increase;
- EIGHTH, guarantee an honest accounting of our Federal Budget by implementing zero base-line budgeting.
Yes, the Contract with America is a beautiful document. Not "Bill of Rights" or "Gettysburg Address" beautiful. But Prosecution's "Exhibit A" beautiful.
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