The Dos and Don'ts for Republicans

Now that the Republicans have taken over control of the House, here are some Dos and Don’ts as they begin to govern as the leadership party.

•Do make the economy priority number one.
•Do appeal ObamaCare but it must be replaced with a better plan. Otherwise the GOP will continue to be labeled as the Party of No.
•Do propose legislation to privatize Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
•Do repeal what money has not been spent on the Recovery Act and use it to pay off the debt.
•Do keep legislation simple – bills should not be over a couple hundred pages. Create multiple bills if legislation is getting too long and complicated.
•Do hold any congressional members responsible for any ethical violations including adultery.
•Do propose a budget with cuts to reign in out of control spending.
•Do include Democrats in your transparent legislative discussions.
•Do block any Democrats plans to implement a carbon tax of any kind, card check, and amnesty immigration reform.
•Do extend the Bush tax cuts.
•Do take on entitlement reform.
•Do allow states to enforce federal immigration laws.
•Do push for stronger action to be taken against both Iran and North Korea.
•Do block any attempt for Democrats to move enemy detainees on U.S. soil.
•Do provide U.S. generals what they need to win the war in Afghanistan.
•Do pass fiscally responsible legislation.
•Do provide small businesses with lower taxes.
•Do force the Senate and the President to filibuster and veto Republican legislative ideas to paint them as the Party of No.
•Do, as a sign of compromise, agree to cuts in military spending.
•Do not open widespread investigations into the Obama administration. Yes, maybe they took some liberties, especially in the Department of Justice, but this activity is divisive, it is expensive, and when the Democrats are back in power they will return the favor.
•Do not place any earmarks or pork barrel spending in any legislation.
•Do not let lobbyists dictate exceptions (carve outs) to provisions in legislations.
•Do not get into a continuous war of words with Democrats, take the high road – try to unite not divide. In other words, do not criticize and insult adversaries just because you do not agree with their ideas.
•Do not impeach President Obama unless he has broken the law. Being misguided is not a crime. Do not pursue the birth right argument.
•Do not become overconfident and arrogant in the leadership role – what comes around goes around. Do not be a sore winner.