GOP CONTRACT WITH AMERICA - 2009 Republicans Must Define A Visionary Action Agenda That Comprehensively Addresses America's Problems
Republican Action Agenda Summary
Action Agenda for Reducing Oil & Energy Prices
Reduce government barriers and create major tax incentives for the accelerated construction of new nuclear plants, new clean coal plants, new refineries, new wind energy facilities and the accelerated development of alternative energy sources. Similarly incent the rapid conversion to electrically powered transportation.
Pass a congressional resolution committing America to maintain a credible ground force deterrent in Iraq, Afghanistan and the Middle East to defeat Al Qaeda, deter Iranian ambitions and ensure the free flow of Middle East oil at reasonable prices.
Negotiate for the investment of $50 billion in Iraq to help accelerate the development of Iraqi oil production capacity with a goal of increasing Iraqi oil export capacity from 2.5 million barrels per day to its 8 million barrels per day potential.
Remove the oil and gas drilling ban from ANWR, offshore USA and in the Western oil shales. Pass laws and safeguards to insure that all drilling and production meet high environmental standards. Use the federal lease proceeds to fund alternative energy development incentives.
Create tax incentives to encourage oil companies to eliminate dividends and reinvest in accelerated drilling and alternative energy development.
Create tax incentives for the construction of new offshore drilling rigs, and electric powered bullet trains between cities.
Increase Federal highway funds to the states but mandate that at least a third of total funds be used to build or expand electric powered mass transportation systems.
Democrats will oppose this agenda and compain about the tax incentive costs, but they will more than pay for themselves by increasing energy and oil supply that will reduce the $600 million annual increase in oil costs that have emerged since the Democrats took control of Congress. Just the congressional commitment to the above action agenda should trigger a significant oil price decrease. Much lower oil and energy costs will also stimulate economic growth that will greatly increase income tax revenues. The Democrats are offering no credible alternatives. Instead they are resisting practical energy development and offering a global warming, green energy, windfall profit taxes and Iraq withdrawal agenda that would force oil prices much higher to the direct financial detriment of all Americans. The Democrats created the oil price crisis and they offer no serious solutions.
Action Agenda for Economic Growth
The almost $1 trillion increase in annual USA oil costs since May 2003 is the primary factor in the economic problems America is experiencing today. Therefore, passage of the entire "Action Agenda for Reducing Oil and Energy Prices" above should be the first priority for the U.S. Congress.
Make the Bush tax cuts permanent, and avoid any new tax increases. Increase Federal revenues through strong economic growth.
Further reduce income taxes for the middle class.
Eliminate spending earmarks, and get serious about reducing wasteful government spending by mandating little or no growth spending limits for government agencies other than the Pentagon, intelligence and law enforcement activities.
Reduce the corporate income tax rate from 35% to 28% to help limit the exodus of businesses overseas, and to leave firms with more cash for capital investment that stimulates economic growth and creates jobs.
The above actions would stimulate a huge surge in economic growth that would increase federal income tax revenues, and eventually eliminate the Federal deficit. Strong economic growth would also increase dollars available for consumer spending that drives economic growth. It would also relieve financial pressure on mortgagees and their lenders, and reverse the downward spiral in real estate values and bank capital that is constraining economic growth.
Action Agenda for Education
Use partial withholding of Federal education and highway funds as a wedge to pressure states to pass $.03 increases in vice, gasoline and other carbon fuel taxes to fund improvements in education facilities and teacher pay. Include a requirement for the establishment of free college or trade school tuition for students that maintain a 3.0 GPA. Possibly include higher tuition and fee subsidies for kids majoring in math, science and education. The implementation of the "Action Agenda for Reducing Oil & Energy Prices" would produce reductions in energy costs that would more than offset the higher fuel taxes. This is an estimate. A study
of the actual cost impact would have to be done versus the revenues to
confirm financial feasibility, and adjusted appropriately.
Action Agenda for Healthcare
Block the Democrat's disastrous "Universal Healthcare" scheme that would create a massive and costly Federal entitlement program at the precise moment that baby boomers are retiring and placing a huge financial burden on Medicare and Social Security. "Universal Healthcare" is a direct threat to the financial standing of the USA and every American as well as a costly burden on an already struggling economy. It is a luxury America cannot afford.
Increase Federal gasoline and fuel taxes by $.02 to provide a pool to subsidize actual medical care costs that uninsured people incur above $20,000 per occurence. The implementation of the
"Action Agenda for Reducing Oil & Energy Prices" would lower energy costs by amounts that would more than offset the higher fuel
taxes. This is an estimate. A study of the actual cost impact would have to be done versus the revenues to confirm financial feasibility, and adjusted appropriately.
Action Agenda for Global Warming
Block the Democrat's disastrous carbon tax scheme that would further imperil the economy to solve a man made global warming problem that probably does not exist.
Immediately enact the "Action Agenda for Reducing Oil & Energy Prices" above. The accelerated conversion to electric fired transportation systems will significantly reduce carbon emissions by 2050 as agreed to in the recent G8 summit.
Action Agenda for Iraq
Block the Democrat's self-destructive plan for an unconditional withdrawal of almost all U.S. forces from Iraq which would unleash chaos that would imperil Iraqi oil exports and trigger huge further increases in oil prices.
Negotiate a long term strategic deterrence presence in Iraq similar to what the USA has in Korea. This force must be large enough to deter Al Qaeda and Iranian ambitions in Iraq and the greater Middle East. 75,000 U.S. troops in Iraq and Kuwait should be considered a minimum deterrent force.
Negotiate the investment of up to $50 billion in the accelerated development of Iraq's oil production and export capacity. This would benefit Iraq and help reduce the global price of oil by amounts that would far more than offset the $50 billion investment. Additional investments should be considered if agreeable terms can be reached with the Iraqis.
Action Agenda for al Qaeda & the Taliban
Execute the Action Agendas for Iraq and Oil Prices. This will defeat Al Qaeda in Iraq, deter their return and prevent an oil price explosion that would ignite if the USA abandons Iraq to chaos. Lower oil prices will reduce cash available to their funding sources.
Redirect 15,000 U.S, troops from Iraq to Afghanistan for as long as it takes to eradicate the Taliban and Al Qaeda.
Invest significantly more in economic development in Afghanistan.
Relentlessly keep the heat on Al Qaeda and reject the Democrat's demands for a return to their failed pre 9/11 legalistic approach to terrorism.
Action Agenda Summary
American voters are searching for new leadership that offers credible solutions to the problems that Americans all face together. The Democrats are offering nothing more than platitudes, obfuscations, demagoguery and failed liberal policies of the past. Their destructive pacifist/socialist/green agenda largely created the big problems Americans are facing, and their policies are a formula for a national security and economic catastrophe.
By extreme contrast, the above action agenda directly addresses America's problems with effective, real world solutions that would ensure America's national and economic security. In substance, it represents strong leadership and a positive vision for America's future, and a blue print for a big Republican victory in November if Republican candidates embrace the concepts.
