Tag: Republican Party

Mixed Signals or Consistent Appeal: Reviewing Election 2012

Americans went to the polls, re-elected Barack Obama, returned control of the Senate to the Democrats and control of the House of Representatives to the Republicans.  In other words, it seems voters opted for “no change, stay the course.” And political pundits are making their profound pronouncements, explaining to those who still care to listen in the aftermath of one of the most expensive and vicious campaigns to-date why the election turned out as it did … without really having any better idea than any of the rest of us.

One particularly vexing question is, of course, why Americans would seemingly  vote to continue years of gridlock in Washington.  Is the typical voter simply inane? Utterly confused? Ill-informed? Or is there something in each political party ~ or more precisely, perhaps, each political ideology ~ that appeals to the broad spectrum of America?

Foolish as it may sound to some, the “typical American” likely desires government that is both pro-business and  pro-labor; in favor of maintaining an exceptionally strong military while at the same time proactively working for peace around the world; supportive of industry and environmentally sane; dedicated to defending the sovereignty of the country while at the same time genuinely and cooperatively working within the international community; leaner and more efficient but also large enough…

Can we put a label on it? Maybe conservatively, or sanely, progressive? I don’t know, but is this even possible, or is it just a matter of Americans “wanting their cake and eating it too?” Again, I don’t know, but one name comes to my mind:  Theodore Roosevelt, whom the Viscount Lee of Fareham claimed was “the most potent influence for good upon the life of his generation.”

Roosevelt was certainly pro-business. His “trust-busting” ensured greater access to and competition within the American economy. He was pro-labor as well; witness his “Square Deal” and the Federal Employers’ Liability Act for Labor. He was renowned as a great huntsmen, yet he was decidedly conservationist, designating 150 national forests, over 50 federal bird preserves, five national parks as well as initiating over 20 reclamation projects.

Teddy Roosevelt was dogged in establishing the United States as an international power, and in that vein built the American Navy into his “big stick;” yet he actively sought peace, negotiating an end to the Russo-Japanese War, for example. (For this he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.)  Along the same lines,  Teddy the “Rough Rider” Roosevelt was beyond all dispute a patriotic American who never once thought of comprising the integrity of his country, yet as a world leader he could bring a conflict to the Court of Arbitration at The Hague.

Maybe we cannot “have our cake and eat it, too,” but I think most Americans are actually saying this should not be an “either-or” proposition, but “both-and.”  Who knows? When all is said and done, that may not be possible, but I for one believe that this election (like so many before) has not been one of mixed signals, but really a consistent appeal that goes back several generations…  In this light, at least, the results of Election 2012 are comprehensible, not to mention something Republicans would do very well to ponder before the next go-round.

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What It Will Take: The Jack Noble Plan

Some pretty damn good ideas from my father, written by him and only lightly edited (at his request). He asked me to type them up, post them here and send copies to various elected officials, specifically Republican. Hope they’re listening because I have a notion he’s not alone in his sentiments…

JDN

I am now an 84-year-old pastor emeritus with 5o years experience in the ministry, over two decades experience in education ~ including service as a guidance counselor, history teacher, principal and administrator ~ and proud U. S. Army veteran.

For most of my life, I was also a conservative Republican; now I am simply an independent conservative who will, nevertheless, likely be voting for the Republican candidate for President in 2012.

My “bottom line” conviction is that I will not vote for any candidate, Democrat or Republican, who puts party above principle, specifically the fundamental principles of our Constitution.

Having said all of this, it is my strong conviction that should President Barak Obama be reelected Americans will not have, at least authentically, another free election in this country again.

This may sound extreme, but given our current economic crisis, in which we are careening toward irreparable disaster, as well as the social malaise that grips our society, I believe my assessment is well within the bounds of reasonable possibility, if not probability.

It is, then, with a deep sense of urgency I would like to offer some salient thoughts relevant to our current situation as a nation, particularly focusing on what will be required to win the next election.

In 2012 the Obama campaign, along with “hard-line” Democrat supporters, will likely wage an all-out offensive in order to deflect voter attention away from this President’s administrative failures, ineptitude, and near-dereliction of duty.

While it would be relatively easy for Republicans to counter these tactics by consistently focusing on the fiasco ~ i.e. you said, “yes we can,” and maybe we could have, but we sure as hell didn’t ~ it will be imperative to rise above these tactics.

Rather the Republican Party should prepare and passionately offer a truly positive, constructive program the other party is forced to recognize and counter, if possible, thus keeping as much attention as possible focused on the serious problems we face.

Perhaps it might be well to list Obama’s many initiatives that failed to offer real solutions; how his administration added exponentially to our difficulties; how the man himself has fallen far beneath the level and quality of leadership required in the Presidency…

Perhaps it would do well to list Obama’s appointments by name, expose their background and political philosophy, their inexperience and failure to adequately carry out given responsibilities so fundamentally important to the health of this country.

However that may be, getting into a “pissing contest” is not what will win the election. Above all, the Republican Party must tackle the grave problems we face with very clear and specific answers, and in doing so there can be no “sacred cows.”

Take Medicare for example. Instead of speaking in generalities, offer specific measures to be employed in an overhaul of the whole system. Have a committee of physicians and medical personnel sit down and enumerate what constitutes the basic needs of people are currently on Medicare.

Approach the issue as one of meeting these basic healthcare needs and eliminate all amenities, such as nice but otherwise quite expensive scooters, which are constantly advertised as being covered by Medicare. (Oftentimes, just a good old-fashioned wheelchair would do quite well for those who really have need of one!)

Personally, I receive many advertisements that claim some product or service is covered by Medicare; hardly any of them, if any at all, truly constitute a basic healthcare need. Bottom line: there is certainly money to be saved in this one area alone and can be done without jeopardizing the health and well-being of Medicare recipients.

In another related area, cap what will be eligible in a malpractice suit and limit by law what percentage of settlement an attorney can receive. Also, limit the number of tests requested by physicians, who often only do so in order to protect themselves against frivolous lawsuits. This would surely save billions and, consequently, lower the cost of insurance.

As a retired minister, obviously I have known many patients through the years ~ in close association in six states, in fact ~ and I have heard the same story over and over again. They had batteries of tests performed before an operation but afterwards, when they asked about those tests, they were told by the doctor that s/he had never even looked at them!

On a more personal note, I experienced the same with my late wife, Phyllis, who suffered from pulmonary fibrosis, so I know without doubt there must be billions of dollars we can save in this area as well … and quite reasonably, it would seem.

One other means of savings in the Medicare program is to “put some teeth” in laws dealing with fraudulent (read “opportunistic”) medical treatments of Medicare patients. (Going through my own records one day, I found I had actually been billed for office surgery by a doctor with whom I had never had any physical contact!)

Overhaul of Medicare and legal reform are only two of many areas, though. As a veteran and patriot, I certainly appreciate our Armed Forces and honor the men and women who serve. At the same time, however, I recognize we need to cut costs in military/defense expenditures, and this is something from which Republicans should certainly not run…

This is something we can do without compromising the defense of our country, and we should begin by bringing our troops home from NATO. Our troops are now transported by air, which takes hours not days as it did when we transported them in troop carriers. We could keep equipment at bases in Europe should we need to return; this would save billions of dollars while still remaining committed to the Alliance.

In southeast Asia, the economy of South Korea is much stronger than our own and certainly far more robust the economy of North Korea, which maintains a strong military on little-to-nothing. Surely the South Koreans, our friend and ally, could help “foot the bill” for our protective presence in their country. And the same should apply to Japan.

Finally, focus more on the defense of this country and less on policing the world. After all, the primary purpose for the Armed Forces of the United States is to defend and protect this great nation and its people. Keep “first things first” and, as may very well be necessary, let the rest go!

These are only a few ideas of my own ~ we could add the fundamental necessity of becoming energy independent via lifting unreasonably restrictive regulations of gas and oil companies ~ but again I reiterate the need to address the grave problems we face with very clear and specific answers, leaving no area untouched for special, political interests.

Anything less will mean defeat for Republicans in 2012 … and possibly for the whole nation. Now is time, perhaps, to recall the words of two great leaders, words to live by:

“Damn the torpedoes! Full speed ahead!”

And…

“Never, never, never give up!”

Signed,

Jack E. Noble