The Pledge

Drudge links to an early copy of the new Republican "Pledge to America" published by CBS news. My first quick review is that this is a home run. Much of what I asked for is in place, and little of what I feared. They hit for the cycle, to use another baseball analogy, striking back on the lack of constitutional government, high taxes, high spending, high debt, bailouts and excessive regulation. They call for the repeal of Obamacare. They also hit on process as well, with a pledge to give lawmakers three days to read any bill. (Congratulations Dean, they were listening.) Best of all they make the case that these ills are at the root of the continued high unemployment and economic crisis.

I am impressed and thankful that they have adopted so many of the Tea Party's issues. But of course I have some disagreements.

1. The commitment to secure the border is almost in the fine print, not quite, but not prominent enough and mixed in with a bunch of other national security issues.

2. Too much time is spent on the national security stuff. Not that it's not important, just not as important as constitutional government. It risks coalition building.

3. They just had to insert a "traditional family values" paragraph at the start. I am not against, just think this might be the year to deal with weightier issues. Fortunately, they don't make a big deal with any new policy proposals of a social nature.

Summary from CBS news:

Jobs:

- Stop job-killing tax hikes

- Allow small businesses to take a tax deduction equal to 20 percent of their income

- Require congressional approval for any new federal regulation that would add to the deficit

- Repeal small business mandates in the new health care law.

Cutting Spending:

- Repeal and Replace health care

- Roll back non-discretionary spending to 2008 levels before TARP and stimulus (will save $100 billion in first year alone)

- Establish strict budget caps to limit federal spending going forward

- Cancel all future TARP payments and reform Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac

Reforming Congress:

- Will require that every bill have a citation of constitutional authority

- Give members at least 3 days to read bills before a vote

Defense:

- Provide resources to troops

- Fund missile defense

- Enforce sanctions in Iran