Finally, Real Hope and Change!

Obama campaigned on hope and change. And once in office Obama did not waste any time invoking his vision of hope and change for the country. Americans have endured unprecedented spending that has failed to alleviate unemployment. In fact, unemployment figures look better than they should. Remember, unemployment statistics do not show that the work force has decreased substantially and those figures fail to account for underemployed people as well as those individuals that have settled for lower paying jobs. Americans have endured a government takeover of the healthcare industry that will ration healthcare and ultimately lead to higher medical and insurance premium costs. Americans have endured the expanded powers of the executive branch that include the appointment of czars with no congressional oversight. Americans have endured the funding and implementation of projects that have never been approved by congress (the Race to the Top and EPA restrictions on carbon emitting corporations are a few examples). Americans have endured an administration that has been passive and weak when dealing with rogue nations trying to obtain nuclear weaponry. Americans have endured an administration that has made us less safe against terrorism by granting enemy combatants more rights than our own servicemen and women. Yes, this only scratches the surface of the type of hope and change that the Obama administration has forced onto the American people.

Just when we thought it could not get any worse, finally the American people revolted at the election polls. They voted in 63 new Congressional Republicans, 6 new Senate Republicans, and 5 new Republican governors. Hence, the Democrats no longer had the filibuster proof majorities to pass porous legislation that they themselves do not read. But what has been a pleasant surprise has been the fact that those Republicans voted into office are putting forth ideas to cut both massive federal and state budget deficits.

In Congress, Republicans have agreed on a budget that will cut 100 billion dollars in discretionary spending. They have voted to defund czars, healthcare, and other power grabs by the Obama administration. And Republicans have pledged to tackle those “untouchable” entitlement programs. Senate Democrats and the President will block these efforts, but the American public will know which party is working in their best interests.

In 2009, a glimmer of hope came about when Republicans won the Virginia and New Jersey governorships. Both Bob McDonnell (Virginia) and Chris Christy (New Jersey) have set a great example for other state legislators to emulate. They have taken on special interests and worked diligently to cut into their massive state deficits. Other rookie governors are following suit. Even New York Democratic Governor Andrew Cuomo is seriously taking on special interests and working vigorously to reduce the New York budget shortfall. In Wisconsin, the President and Democrats are taking a stand by blocking Republican legislators, and newly elected Governor Scott Walker, from reforming union benefits and pensions. Thousands of union protestors have gathered in the state capital, Madison, meanwhile Democratic legislators refuse to go to work and vote on a budget reduction plan.

Republicans are doing exactly what they need to be doing (going on the offense), and in doing so they are putting pressure on Democrats to react. And Democrats have been reacting in a negative manner by not showing up to work and by selfishly protesting for more free handouts at the expense of private sector workers. Democrats are working vigorously with special interest groups to block budget reforms that the American people voted for in the 2010 midterm elections. Even if Democrats are successful at blocking Republican budget proposals, Democrats can expect even further losses in the 2012 elections. Finally, real hope and change!