Opinion: Are Republicans prepared to govern?

OPINION – This has been an exciting week! The people who call themselves Republican won back control of the Senate, because Americans finally shouted out their rejection of Obama’s policies. That’s what really happened during this midterm election.

After all, neither party ran on a positive agenda. Actually, Republicans are really negative about everything Obama and his party have done. From wreaking havoc on our health care system, to allowing waves of illegal immigrants to swarm over our border, and developing an awful economy accompanied with a foreign policy that, well, doesn’t exist.

But who can blame them really?

They’re not making this up and we all feel the painful effects of what he has done.

What concerns me is whether or not Republicans are ready to or are even capable of talking about and creating solutions to these problems.

The real question is: Do our present crop of political leaders have the right stuff? Can they set a positive plan that is comprehensive and easy to understand so that every American can embrace it?

Right now, the Republican voices are scattered and that could be a problem.

One thing I respect about Democrats is their ability to rally around their positions so that they all appear to be on the same page. That’s not been the case for Republicans in recent times.

I know the tea party has created great fear in the Republican establishment, but where is the statesmanship? How are these two opposing groups trying to compromise?

Do you remember how Democrats and Republicans negotiated in the 50s, 60s, and 70s and to a certain amount in the 1980s? Both sides crossed the aisle and compromise was reached that kept the country moving forward – and it showed in our economy and our standing in the world.

Part of the reason for our present state of affairs is that the “Establishment” Republicans have wandered away from Constitutional principles. Grass-roots Americans see this and they are against it. Just observe how Republicans have let Obama ignore the Constitution. And it is incomprehensible that they are unwilling to fight back against these attacks on our founding documents.

I’m sure our Founding Fathers would be shocked to see that the carefully crafted separation of powers within our three branches has broken down. How could they imagine that the values of our leaders would sink so low that they would refuse to defend their branch?! That’s why there is a tea party! Ordinary citizens recognize the problem the Republican power brokers are ignoring.

Right now the Republican mandate is to stop Obama. That’s what Americans said they wanted Tuesday. And Republican leaders need to work 18 hours a day to reverse the destructive policies he has created.

But that is not enough. Stopping Obamacare is not enough. Republicans must offer a positive alternative to repair the health care system or they will surely fail.

And so it is with our sluggish economy, our leaking borders, our incredible debt, our weak foreign policy and our failing educational system. Nationally this country spends $13,000 per year per student. That is nearly more than any other country, but we have declining test scores. These kids are our legacy and the key to a bright future for America.

All these problems require creative aggressive solutions that must be carried out at he same time we reverse the terrible legislation that we now suffer.

Republicans are now in a position to set up their run to regain the White House in 2016. The Americans who have restored a Republican majority in Congress are looking for results soon. The work must begin now so that when the new Congress is sworn in, in January 2015, they will have a robust plan in place to take back the White House. The plan has to be aggressive, easy to embrace, and positive.

Americans are starving for leadership that is centered in the common sense values that they grew up with. For the majority of Americans, the Constitution matters and God is in their lives. The Republican leaders must acknowledge this and have the courage to confidently lead all Americans forward because they desperately want to feel the greatness of what we have done together and can accomplish tomorrow.

Written by Bob Ural.

Bob Ural is a developing columnist with St. George News. The opinions stated in this article are his and may not be representative of St. George News.

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Twitter: @STGnews

Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2014, all rights reserved.

 

 

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30 Comments

  • Big Guy November 7, 2014 at 9:11 am

    Obama has repeatedly demonstrated that he is completely unwilling to compromise, unlike successful politicians of both parties. Contrast him with Ronald Reagan who Democrats correctly point out was more “liberal” than today’s conservatives recognize. That is certainly true because he was willing to compromise with Tip O’Neill and the Democrat-controlled Congress. Bill Clinton declared that “welfare as we know it” was ending as he compromised with Newt Gingrich and the Republican Congress of 1995. In stark contrast, Obama calls anyone who disagrees with his progressive obsessions as “obstructionist” and he refuses to budge. We all can hope for some compromises in the next two years but I’m not holding my breath. And as for Democrat solidarity, Mr. Ural overlooks the tectonic split between teachers’ unions–big time Democrat supporters–and increasing numbers of minority parents–big time Democrat supporters–who want their children in charter schools. Unions or children: take your pick, Democrats.

    • McMurphy November 8, 2014 at 8:52 am

      But are the Republicans prepared to govern ??

    • munchie November 8, 2014 at 6:41 pm

      Obama is unwilling to compromise? As I recall, the reublican leadership met the night he was elected and came up with a strategy to oppose everything he and the democrats proposed. Everything. And they have. Deny responsibility, make people afraid and tell them who to blame, that is the republican election strategy. And it works. Yet, Obama was elected President. Twice. Now the republicans have both houses and we’ll see if they can govern and compromise with a democratic President. My guess is we’re in for two more years of gridlock and then a democratic resurgence under President Hillary Clinton.

      • Big Guy November 9, 2014 at 6:28 am

        You can’t be serious. Democrats had complete control of Congress including a 60 seat Senate majority for two years. They passed every liberal bill they wanted. When Sen. McConnell met with the president and others in February 2009, and suggested areas of possible cooperation, Obama told him “elections have consequences” and stiffed him and the Republicans. Obamacare was passed with no Republican input–none–and hence got no Republican votes. Democrats learned what the voters thought of that when they elected Republicans to the House in the biggest landslide change of parties in history in 2010. Stop making excuses for a failed presidency, failed in every dimension and an embarrassment to Democrat office holders across the country, but apparently not to you.

  • PROTECT THE SHEEP November 7, 2014 at 9:28 am

    Everyone is excited to go back to Bush Jr policies. Massive deregulation of the banks. We can look forward to another stock market crash and bailouts and $4.50 a gallon gas. Sounds great huh?

  • Koolaid November 7, 2014 at 10:14 am

    Women, be prepared to have your bodies controlled.

    • Big Guy November 7, 2014 at 1:49 pm

      Abortions and contraceptives are legal and readily available to women in this country. “Control” is exercised by Obamacare that forces all taxpayers to pay for them regardless of their religious beliefs. The Catholic Church only asks not to be forced to pay for abortions and contraceptives. Apparently KOOLAID has bought into the “war on women” storyline that worked so well for soon-to-be ex-Senator Udall in Colorado.

  • Ron November 7, 2014 at 10:21 am

    Millions of Americans formerly shut out of health care now have insurance. Today’s news pretty much refutes any claims that Obama and the Dems have destroyed the economy. And those illegal immigrants have been crossing the border for decades. BOTH parties are responsible for failing to enforce the laws already on the books. Your argument for cooperation and compromise–who can disagree with that?–is pretty much derailed by your obvious insistence on a Tea Party platform to put us back in the 50s (which weren’t as wonderful as old, white Tea Party guys would like us to believe).

    • Big Guy November 7, 2014 at 11:37 am

      About 5-6 million Americans had their existing health insurance policies cancelled as “not adequate” by Obamacare standards. About 7 million of the 8 million who signed up last fall and winter are actually paying premiums and hence covered. Net increase = 1-2 million. And yet Obamacare was sold on the premise that “30-45 million Americans don’t have health insurance.” We’re waiting. Let’s see how signups go this fall.

    • Brian November 7, 2014 at 2:04 pm

      Ron, let’s keep score. Millions of Americans lost health insurance plans they liked and that served their needs just fine, including me. My health insurance plan went up 40% in one year! The only difference: now my non-existent uterus is covered. Millions of Americans have had their deductibles go up by 400% – 500%. Ten’s of millions of Americans now have two jobs working 29 hours a week with no benefits, rather than a single job with benefits. Millions of doctors have stopped taking insurance altogether or are retiring early. Millions of Americans will be VERY surprised next year when they don’t get a tax refund like they always have. Since you brought up the border, we have 12 dead children and dozens and dozens of sick and paralyzed children thanks to the ObamaVirus brought over our southern border (http://dailycaller.com/2014/10/31/obamas-border-policy-fueled-epidemic-evidence-shows/) thanks to horrible policies and neutered border patrol agencies. Universal healthcare is a nightmare, as are open borders.

      • Koolaid November 8, 2014 at 7:44 am

        What has Hatch presented as a viable health care program during his six terms? Pharmaceuticals pay a massive amount of money to his Utah organization, and is son is a paid lobbyist for pharmaceuticals. What has Hatch done other than make himself and pharmaceuticals richer?

        • Dana November 8, 2014 at 10:25 am

          What has Hatch done for the healthcare industry? Well, all of that botox kept some people employed. Between he and Nancy Pelosi, I’m sure they kept the industry well funded. But here’s another scary thought. In January when the new crooks take the Senate, Hatch will be the Senate president pro tempore…3 heartbeats away from the presidency.

    • PROTECT THE SHEEP November 7, 2014 at 8:47 pm

      The powerful private insurance interests watered down the original ObamaCare bill to the extreme. Otherwise everyone would be opting in to the excellent and affordable public option, which would have been like a buy in to Medicare. The profit motive won out and so that option was discarded.

  • Brian November 7, 2014 at 10:58 am

    The republicans will win or lose 2016 in the next 18 months, not the 6 months before the election. If they stab us in the back like they did when they had a super-majority in 2006, 2016 will go to the democrats. If they can band together and put clear (single topic), common-sense, low-page-count bills on the presidents desk and make him go on record as the one vetoing them, then and only then will conservatives have a chance in 2016. Put a clear bill out on exactly how to secure the border. Don’t make it about immigration, make it about security. Put a clear bill out defining the work week as 40 hours, not 29 (which is how obamacare caused so much pain and underemployment). Seriously, it should be a 1 page bill. Define all of our conservative principles in clear, simple, common-sense policies, and put them ONE BY ONE on the presidents desk. Draw a freaking line in the sand and stand on principles for once. Unfortunately, exactly the opposite will likely happen, just as it did in 2006, and we’ll be shown once again that all politicians belonging to the two parties care more about power and cronies than people and principles. I wish it wasn’t so.

    • Just Ben November 7, 2014 at 11:32 am

      Very well stated.

    • Big Guy November 7, 2014 at 1:53 pm

      Democrats elected a majority to Congress in 2006 and Republicans have not a “super majority” since just after the Civil War. I’m not sure who stabbed who in 2006. Please clarify.

    • PROTECT THE SHEEP November 7, 2014 at 8:44 pm

      I have a feeling Brian is right. The R party has a really bad track record of screwing things up. I don’t see how it will be any different this go around.

  • Koolaid. November 7, 2014 at 11:03 am

    I know I be ready WHATZ UP

  • Just Ben November 7, 2014 at 11:29 am

    Why are they already running for office in 2016? All I’ve heard for two years is “wait until 2014 when we can gain control of congress” I need to hear (and see) a LOT more progress and a whole lot less “wait until 2016 when we can have the White House”.

    You’re correct in your statement that America needs leadership. “Wait until the next election” isn’t leadership. “We’re going to do great things after the next election, but vote for us anyway” is getting old.

    To answer the question posed in your headline, No, the Republicans are not prepared to govern. I haven’t seen anything to lead me to believe otherwise, but I’m willing, now that they’re seated (as of Jan 2015), to see if they are capable of leadership.

    The Democrats have failed to lead, the Republicans are unwilling to lead, and it’s time for Americans to quit waiting for handouts, pull up their collective bootstraps, and go to work to make this a better country in spite of, and not because of, the government.

  • Koolaid. November 7, 2014 at 5:11 pm

    Is it true that democrats don’t get a round mouth from eating square mills. I am a democrat and understand that the republican presidents have gotten most of the laws passed thru while they are in office. Social services( which my family lives off for) environmental protect act (which I file for government grants for solar, natural gas, and refunds to improve the air) equal right laws ( my family always use to get jobs we are not qualified for, but we will file law suits to get) And it’s true we democrats just abuse the system put in place by the republicans and we thank you very much. Just found out another family member is prego what is 12 times $400. Thanks tax payers we love ya. WHATZ UP

  • CHJ November 7, 2014 at 5:21 pm

    I believe the Republicans won because people didn’t vote for the Democrats, not because they liked the Republican plans or because they wanted Obamacare repealed. We want people in Washington who can work together for the betterment of the country and I do not believe many in Washington, DC are there with that goal. We need legislation that repeals the Supreme Court rulings that allow unlimited money to come without identification. The few are now able to influence every elected official. Our elected officials need not listen to the general public or inquire of their interests, they only need to ask the few from whom all their money flowed. Establishing fair and transparent election funding would bring greater truth to our system than electing Republicans or Democrats right now.

  • StGeoSenior November 7, 2014 at 5:53 pm

    It’s really no longer about Republicans vs. Democrats. It has changed to the rich vs. the rest of us working people. How many people still voting the party line do not realize they are voting against their own best interests. If as a family you are making less than $200,000 per year, the favored party in this state is actually working against you. If you are making more than $200,000 per year you’d better be voting for Republicans to keep getting richer. Where are the Democrats in all this? Sleeping, or out in their own tree I would guess.

    • PROTECT THE SHEEP November 8, 2014 at 12:06 am

      In Utah everyone votes the R because their “church” tells them too, in other states it’s mostly because “we don’t want obama to take our guns”.

      • Koolaid November 8, 2014 at 7:40 am

        Another word for Republican is Retard, if you buy into Obama is a Muslim, Obama will take your guns, Obama will ruin the economy, and those many other lies told by the Utah Republican senators. Utahans think Republicans represent God. That’s why they vote for the dishonest and wretched likes of Shurtleff and Swallow, because they believe in a dishonest and wretched God.

  • Red Rocker November 7, 2014 at 6:49 pm

    The Republicans rode the ole pendulum swing to victories. Unless they are willing to give up their coalition with the Christian Right, lighten up on oppressing Women and stop saber rattling, they won’t get my vote.

  • Burton November 8, 2014 at 10:16 am

    You guys can debate all you want, but be realistic. Be truthful with yourself, are you better off now than six years ago? I know I am not and nobody I know is. Wages are stagnant, People are losing their health care in waves(whether you want to accept it or not) with another wave of cancellations on the way, and a barrel of crude is trading lower than it has in years and still fuel costs wont come down. Why is that? Red vs. Blue, Conservatives vs. Liberals, Republicans vs. Democrats and all the other things everyone wants to argue. The fact of the matter is congress(US house and senate) is ineffective, and our “commander in chief” is completely incompetent and out of touch. All they have is THIER personal interests in mind. Trickle down democracy doesn’t work, when the citizens of the USA unite and get on the same page so will our government.

    • PROTECT THE SHEEP November 8, 2014 at 9:02 pm

      Really is true both parties suck bad, but still one is the lesser evil by far. I’m not an Obama fan, but compare his track record to baby Bush and it obvious who has screwed up less.

  • bishpoul November 8, 2014 at 3:28 pm

    We need to stop the abuse of authority of the Washington county Assessors office.
    I hope this election will stop it. Bad Government.

  • bishpoul November 9, 2014 at 5:31 pm

    The Washington County Assessor’s office is broken. We need someone
    to fix it. Guilty of Abuse of Authority.

  • Koolaid November 10, 2014 at 9:04 am

    Suddenly with the election of more Republicans, Ebola and ISIS have become non-issues. Amazing how quickly they fixed that.

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