They are back on the road together – Reps. [crscore]Paul Ryan[/crscore] and [crscore]Kevin McCarthy[/crscore] – the original “Young Guns” who helped transform the House of Representatives into an increasingly conservative body. This time they are promoting in the House of Representatives and nationwide a project to develop good policies and programs for America’s future in order to respond to the popular demand to restore American exceptionalism and to make the most of the majority they have created.
It is time we injected greater certainty into this election’s environment and gave voters a reason to retain conservatives in the House and Senate, and put one in the White House. We must hold out a policy — a direction sign for voters now, and obtain a popular mandate for 2016-2017. That’s what Ryan, McCarthy, and conservative policy enthusiasts nationwide are pursuing.
This project will help guide the eventual Republican nominee for president. And if that person turns out to be someone who is only superficially knowledgeable on the issues and the very best conservative positions, solutions, and policies, then this project will be worth its weight in gold. This project will be an extension of the “Roadmap for America” that Paul Ryan designed when he was chairman of the House Budget Committee a few years ago, with input from this article’s co-authors.
Ryan and McCarthy recognize that business as usual in Washington won’t cut it. We must have real policy solutions and changes to address fleeing jobs, falling earnings, sluggish economic growth, runaway Presidential “legislation” (regulation), an unpredictable role of the United States in an increasingly unstable world, explosive deficits while the military is downsized, government spending on auto-pilot, jobs shrinking to part time, the “poverty trap” and government handouts out-pacing self-sufficiency, uncertain and costly healthcare, and crippling of the energy industry threatening frightening increases in home utility bills.
These are real problems that deserve serious policy and program solutions. To that end, Ryan and McCarthy are bringing key House players together – and the National Tax Limitation Committee, Heartland Institute and other “partners” are joining in to help with outside experts, national and state-based think tanks, grassroots organizations and others – forging six key Working Groups on the following issues:
- Major tax reform to stimulate rapid economic growth and job creation.
- Eliminate poverty and dependency by sending “safety net” programs to the states with finite block grants and a work requirement, as in the fabulously successful 1996 “Reagan-style” Federal Welfare Reforms.
- Stop executive overreach and invasion of Congress’ legislative authority – restore the separation of powers and the rule of law.
- End Obamacare and replace it with a private sector plan that emphasizes the doctor / patient relationship.
- Grow America’s energy industry through deregulation.
- Improve National Defense to assure a safe and strong America.
These are top priorities and will define the Republican policy direction for the balance of this year and, hopefully, the new president and new Congress. Grassroots outreach and voter education around the policy solutions will be key to creating a legislative mandate for 2017 and beyond (other key issue – area Working Groups will be meeting privately and report later, including: controlling Federal spending and the size of government, education choice, monetary reform, infrastructure reform, social security and medicate private accounts and immigration reform).
The “Young Guns” – now our House Speaker Paul Ryan and Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy who have grown into “Senior Policy Sharpshooters” – are intent upon leading America out of its policy wilderness. They deserve everyone’s help and support as we pursue key policy mandates from voters across the land.
Lew Uhler is Founder and President of the National Tax Limitation Committee and the National Tax Limitation Foundation (NTLF). Peter Ferrara is a Senior Policy Advisor for Budget and Entitlement Policy at NTLF, and Senior Fellow for Budget Policy and Entitlement Reform at the Heartland Institute.