Republicans on Thin Ice Because of Healthcare Choices

It seems that the budget compromise has given the Republican party a 'Catch 22' situation. Because of the national debt limit, businesses who donated before will now be apprehensive. Since the Republicans voted for Medicare and Medicaid cuts, the older citizens will now swing toward the democrats. Since the party could possibly be all scapegoated, each individual must tread lightly when speaking, as to secure their own standing with the voters.

“They’re right to be nervous about it,” saidJames A. Stimson, a University of North Carolina political scientist and a co-author of the recent book “Mandate Politics.” By his measure, the resistance of Democrats who still control the White House and Senate means Republicans cannot claim a mandate any more than Mr. Obama could upon taking office in 2009.

 The problems with making promises verbally and in writing, is that it is documented and will be remembered by supporters. Any falter will result in a loss of faith and loyalty. Although obviously flawed, The American people indulge in the fantasy that they can have all of the benefits without any consequences. Receiving pressure from investors and everyday voters, it is clear that healthcare was an animal for which they did not fully prepare.

A Battle for Unions Lost in Wisconsin

In recent weeks, Governor Walker of Wisconsin put forth a bill to limit state workers' right to form unions for bargaining. Knowing that the Democrats would lose against the Republicans in the state senate, the democrats moved to undisclosed locations to prevent a quorum. Without the required number of senators, the bill could not be passed, until today. Through certain technicalities and rearrangement of aspects of the bill, the senator requirement was changed.

The Republicans control the Senate but had been blocked from voting on the issue after Senate Democrats left the state last month to prevent a quorum. But the Republicans used a procedural maneuver Wednesday to force the collective bargaining measure through: they removed elements of Governor Walker’s bill that were technically related to appropriating funds, thus lifting a requirement that 20 senators be present for a vote. In the end, the Senate’s 19 Republicans approved the measure, 18 to 1, without any debate on the floor or a single Democrat in the room.

The people of Wisconsin and the Democrats who uprooted themselves, feel cheated by this maneuver. Governor Walker feels that this cut is for fiscal reasons and that this will generate new jobs. Democrats however feel the Republicans have a personal vendetta.

  “To pass this the way they did — without 20 senators — is to say that it has no fiscal effect,” said Timothy Cullen, another of the Democratic senators. “It’s admitting that this is simply to destroy public unions.”

Whether Republican or Democrat, the citizens of the US can agree that taking away people's rights is exactly the kind of action that the founding fathers revolted against. Settling a budget over the interests of the people, has a greater cost than Governor Walker cannot yet see.

The Republican Party: Strengths and Weaknesses

The free enterprise system is the most productive supplier of human needs and economic justice. Fiscal responsibility and budgetary restraints must be exercised at all levels of government. The federal government must preserve individual liberty by observing constitutional limitations. Peace is best preserved through a strong national defense.

The Republican Party, or GOP, has received much criticism in the recent years. After George W. Bush, the stereotype of old, stupid, and greedy Republicans has pursued through the young generation. Although there are some individuals who are affiliated with the Republican Party that are extremist, like the Tea Party, there are good core values. Republicans recognize that spending is not without its consequences and they also have a strong national pride which is evident in their defense policy. Some areas of bad lighting for the Republicans include attacking the right to unionize and same-sex marriage. These examples present a hypocritical aspect because what their actions are saying is that "they will defend your right to lower taxes, but you cannot marry who you wish or fight for rights in your work place".