My dream is that they come up with a plan to slowly shrink gov't in all forms. They would actually make hard decisions about specific prisons and military bases that will close. They also would be dialing back nutrition and Welfare programs at the same slow rate. (They'd have to find a way to keep the president from getting the agencies to cut high-profile things to make the move seem Draconian.)

The nice thing about this notion is it forces the other side to defend gov't.

I wish one party would do this.

Absolutely. Have to be able to twirl,oops, too much scotch.

This is fairly abstract, but...

Reduce taxes and regulation on production (truly stimulate the economy) and initiate federal sales and/or value-added taxes on consumption to get us out of debt (for as long as it takes). Our national debt is everyone's problem whether we approved of it or not.

A national sales tax with exemptions for basic food items ought to satisfy the left's welfare instincts. Grade the sales tax if they want - I have no problem paying sin taxes for my alcohol and cigarettes - I really need to cut back anyway - Wouldn't that pacify the left? Tax the crap out of yachts, private jets, luxury vehicles and other luxuries - The left should love that. VAT "might" make local businesses more competitive with chains (by taxing all the middle-men) and bring communities closer together - I can’t imagine either party not wanting to claim credit for that. VAT seems like a hassle though. It could just be rolled into sales tax by removing sales tax exemptions for resellers.

Imagine how quickly individuals and businesses could get out of debt and build wealth if their income weren't taxed at all and they chose not to spend under this model. Imagine how much less it would cost to produce, and how many more jobs would be created by reducing the burdens on employers. Now imagine all that rapidly saved wealth invested in new business endeavors, and/or capital investments by existing businesses to improve production.

Incidentally, the IRS would become irrelevant, and quite a few accountants, lawyers, and government employees would end up looking for more honest work, but hey, it would probably be better for their self-esteem. Really, who wants to be associated with the IRS anyway?

On other issues:

If they come out too strong and too early against the ACA, O will just wall off and pout for 2 years with his veto stamp close at hand.

I think choosing which agencies to defund, and in what order is vital to the shrink agenda. If they are too aggressive and cause a swing back in the favor of the left, what will they get accomplished that won't be undone? The same holds true for impeachment - most people will just see it as an abuse of power no matter how justified it might be. Give O more rope to hang himself, and start subtle.

Freedom, refute is certainly not the best word to use, but if you've repealed the Fed, you've also said that fiat money is no good. Since your debt is fiat monies with various manipulated relationships to real commodities, how can you owe repayment in such. We might be able to negotiate repayment to some in gold/silver, but I doubt that we have enough left to make much of a dent.

It seems to me that if we repealed the Fed, we've essentially crashed the world's economy. Canceling all debt seems small potatoes in that case. Personally, I don't have a big problem with that since no-one's bothered to recompense the US for the cost of being the world's policeman for the last 68 years.

But in reality, I'm actually talking about a rebellion anyway. It's a complete reset. Pull the surface Navy back to defend all sea approaches, the Army back to defend the North and South land approaches, the submarine forces patrolling as the preventive threat for any that try a missile attack, and let the rest of the world deal with their own affairs. During the next 10 to 20 years, we would have to concentrate on our own conversion to a truly free country.

Maybe pie in the sky and too draconian for many, but as far as I'm concerned we're at our last opportunity position for the next several generations. It's either do it now, or give up on the entire concept of individual liberty and responsibility in the US.

lively music

I thought the Contract With America was one of the greatest political gambits of all time, and it worked.

Depends on the amount of McCallam's scotch and the music.

No, I think we'd be fine if we use all the various forms of ID that are already required to cash a check or buy booz. The citizenship proof requirements at the point of registration need to be seriously reviewed, and possibly subject to periodic 'spot check' to make sure everyone registered is actually eligible to vote.... but no, no national ID needed.

Yes to voter ID not necessarily a national ID. State ID or another form of government ID that is verifiable satisfies me.

YES!!!!

# 2 is problematic. I would like nothing more than to see Obama impeached but it may not be the answer. First you have Biden, second we don't have 60 votes to pull it off, second the public will give dems a sympathy vote and it will destroy any chances for republicans to regain The White House. The black community would claim racism. Obama now is irrelevant. He has to switch to defense now and he will fail because he has lost all credibility. Obama is possibly the greatest gift to the conservative cause . The more he talks the more he slits his party's throat. Everything he touches fails and could set Dems back for a generation or two.

In Wisconsin Dems thought they would get Scott Walker and started a recall. It backfired big time. Walker got public support, people thought Dems were sore losers and they are still paying the price in this State. Meanwhile Walker is emboldened and he is stronger today than before. The recall brought out the base and big money started to flow his way. As a result of that there is a good chance he will run for President.

Yes I agree with you.

Well, you have many "firsts" there. I agree with them, by the way.

My first would be to slash taxes - both personal and corporate. My second would be to abolish the current tax code. There is so much work to do here...

Sorry, not familiar and google search came up empty. Link, please?

That works! I have no objection. There must be some penalty.... some disincentive.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p14tIBa1f...

Push, push, push. Republicans have to actually do something (or make Obama the bad guy by vetoing their proposals). Otherwise people will say that the Republicans didn't accomplish anything and vote Democrat for the presidential election.

Zen's concept of refuting debt

but you have to figure in time. we are running out of it. and people actually want bold unique thinking. We need another Contract with America to get America back

Because the stability of the nation and its leadership is paramount to the security, safety, and continuation of government, and to the promotion of the principles of the government, and to the sanctity and stability of the office of the president of the United States, I, (insert current Potus here), on this date, do hereby sign this executive order forbidding the impeachment and removal of office an incumbent or former incumbent of the office of the President of the United States, a cabinet member or other governmental employee appointed, assigned, or employed by the President of the United States, or the possibility of filing of criminal or civil charges of any person who is following the letter or spirit of any law, decree, or decision handed down from the President of the United States. By this order, to insure the safety and security of the United States, I also hereby indefinitely suspend all portions of the Constitution of the United States, and all relevant laws, judicial decisions, and codes contrary to the meaning and intent of this executive order and further, declare that any person attempting to subvert or nullify the provision of this, or any other executive order past, present, or future, located anywhere on the planet, shall be declared an Enemy of the State, and shall be subject to any and all penalties reserved for and assigned to such a classification of peoples. Signed this XX day of XX, 20XX.

One of the **very** first things would be to sponsor a constitutional amendment to remove the unbridled and irresponsible practice of these "Executive orders" to circumvent the law, the constitution, and congress. Without that all the changes can be "re-executive-ordered" back, with a clever failsafe worded into each and every one.

Without that - whatever else you do, from killing Oblammascare to stopping the migratory influx of illegals to reconstituting the military from a band of yessayers to a Military - will be for naught.

Hahahahaha +1 for kilt-off.

Which thing are you referring to causing hyper inflation, kh?

That would be a very painful thing. Immediate hyper -inflation. I say you change the legal tender laws first. That would immediately take power away from the fed

I agree but in my opinon we have to make sure we are aware of perception. The bull in the China shop may be short lived if we dont play it right. That should not be interpreted and being soft. I agree we have to act and act soon. I just want to make sure we have good counter aurguments to the spin Obama will put out. We have to be extemely agressive in attacking the spin. Then we can be even more sucessful if the public is on our side. So I agree with your point. How we do it has to be carefully planned to maintain public support.

are you advocating a national ID card?