Newly-elected Republicans, TAKE HEED!

You know you weren't elected because we love the Republican Party, right?

You were elected because either a) you said you supported the Constitution, were dedicated to fiscal reform and restraint, and would work for a smaller government that got out of the lives and business of citizens, or b) you pretended to support those values.

For those in the first category: Keep the faith. Hold fast. Stay strong. America may be a generally center-right country, but you are on trial - and you must show yourselves to be persons of integrity and honor who follow through on your stated principles. I, personally, don't care for you to "get a lot done" in D.C.; we don't need MORE rules, regulations and laws. What I want you to do is the best you can to defund Obamacare, restrict spending, lower the deficit, balance the budget, and get rid of as many un-Constitutional laws as you can.

I don't want you to DO as much as I want you to UN-do!

For those in the second category: We're watching you. As a matter of fact, we'll be watching you very closely. And, if y'all will forgive me for the poor language, we will primary your ass and kick you OUT if you step out of line. Therefore, you'd better straighten up and fly right - or your tenure in Washington will be extremely brief.

We're very skeptical; the Republican Party has betrayed its base before, and we will not tolerate it again.

Here are a few articles from this morning you should read carefully (all emphasis mine) - 

From Douglas Holtz-Eakin at the Corner:

Today represents the beginning of answering the most interesting question: Will Barack Obama, for the first time, put action behind his words regarding bipartisanship and willingness to reach across the aisle, and work with Republicans? Or will this continue to be rhetoric only, with actions guided by his liberal instincts?

For Americans, this will matter greatly. But for Republicans, it should matter little. Their gains reflect the fact that voters want government based on first principles — a small, contained, efficient government — and Republicans campaigned on this. Voters also want accountability, so Republicans should cast every vote from a small government, efficiency perspective regardless of the agenda the White House presents. 

From Paul Hseih at Pajamas Media:

The 2010 vote was a powerful message from Americans rejecting the socialist policies of President Obama, Nancy Pelosi, and Harry Reid — including the bailouts, the out-of-control federal spending, the higher taxes, and the nationalized health care scheme.

Voters elected Republicans to halt and reverse these policies — not compromise to pass watered-down versions of those same bad ideas.

Some Republicans like Congressman Mike Pence appear to understand this:

[T]here will be no compromise on stopping runaway spending, deficits and debt. There will be no compromise on repealing ObamaCare. There will be no compromise on stopping Democrats from growing government and raising taxes.

In contrast, others like Congressman Darrell Issa appear willing to compromise:

It’s pretty clear the American people expect us to use the existing gridlock to create compromise and advance their agenda. … They want us to come together [with the administration] after we agree to disagree.

Whichever philosophy takes hold amongst the Republicans will determine whether they succeed — or fail.

Americans don’t expect the impossible from the GOP. We understand that Obama still wields the presidential veto. But we do expect the Republicans to fight as hard as they can for principles of free markets, fiscal responsibility, and limited government.

From Erick Erickson at Redstate:

Many members of Congress will begin whispering sweet nothings in your ear wooing you to vote for them and their rules for the House and Senate. Remember that these same men are the exact same people that the voters rejected in 2006 and again in 2008.

Remember that every poll showing a Republican landslide on Tuesday also shows that the public hates these men.

And finally, from Jim DeMint, in an op-ed at the Wall Street Journal:

Many of the people who will be welcoming the new class of Senate conservatives to Washington never wanted you here in the first place. The establishment is much more likely to try to buy off your votes than to buy into your limited-government philosophy. Consider what former GOP senator-turned-lobbyist Trent Lott told the Washington Post earlier this year: "As soon as they get here, we need to co-opt them."

Don't let them. Co-option is coercion. Washington operates on a favor-based economy and for every earmark, committee assignment or fancy title that's given, payback is expected in return. The chits come due when the roll call votes begin. This is how big-spending bills that everyone always decries in public always manage to pass with just enough votes.

But someone can't be bribed if they aren't for sale. 

Don't be for sale.

You have two questions, and two questions only, that you must consider for any vote you make:

1. Is this Constitutional?
2. Can we actually afford this?

Stand firm. Fight the good fight. Live and think and vote so that at the end of each and every day, you can honestly say:

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

And having done all, you stood firm.

BE THAT PERSON!

 

 

 

 

Comments

[ChrisWarren]

1.

I live in Colorado which was bombarded with national advertising. In said advertising existing house members were 'blamed for bailouts'.

The advertising clearly over-simplified the TARP 'bailout' funds -- which were essentially a two-year interest free loan to Bank of America, Chase and Chrysler by the U.S Treasury. Those creditors have since returned funds to the Treasury. The over-simplified advertising with blood-red messages acted to squelch intelligent debate and scare the uniformed.