Republicans Should Seize the Agenda

Cal Thomas | Syndicated columnist | Published: Apr 05, 2006

Republicans Should Seize the Agenda

April 6, 2006

With the resignation of Congressman Tom Delay, Republicans have another opportunity to reclaim an agenda and the momentum they have lost. Or they can hunker down and play the “Democrats are worse than we are game” and hope that will preserve their majority. Right now they are doing the latter. They should do the former.

As a Wall Street Journal editorial noted yesterday, they can start with taxes. House Republicans are afraid of the heat they’ll take from making the president’s tax cuts permanent. They shouldn’t. The results of those cuts, especially on investment income, have caused the economy to boom. Why can’t republicans take credit for that and ask if the public thinks government can spend our money better than we can.

Second, Republicans need to complete the budget reform process, including eliminating earmarks for special projects. The journal thinks reforming the endangered species act, which is a huge issue in the west, would also be a boon to Republicans.

So how about it? Are Republicans going to freeze the ball, or go on offense? A lot is riding on heir decision.


Cal Thomas is a nationally syndicated columnist based in Washington, D.C.


 

Republicans Should Seize the Agenda