A Prescription for Congress in 2023

Although nothing is a sure bet in politics, at this point it seems that the Republicans are well poised to take back both the House and the Senate.  Unfortunately, as is often the case for elections, it will be due more to the poor performance of the Biden administration and the Pelosi-Schumer antics, than anything particularly stunning about the Republicans.  Republicans have a wonderful opportunity to change all that if, when they retake the majority, they act in such a manner as to galvanize the electorate in 2024 to vote for Republicans, rather than against Democrats.  I believe the Democrats are trying to do this now by advocating for sweeping policy changes and enormous spending packages, but I do not believe it will play out as they hope.  While roughly half of the electorate may generally agree with basic Democrat party ideals, far fewer are comfortable with how far to the left the current administration is trying to take us.  Also, the COVID tyranny seen across the United States over the past two years continues to exacerbate this loss of enthusiasm for a continued Democrat dominance in D.C. 

What do the Republicans need to do to retain and grow enthusiasm?  Two straightforward things; be bold and take action.  It sounds easy enough, but not many in Congress are accustomed to this.  Being bold and taking action are frequently at odds with being politically safe. 

We are on the precipice of a very bad time in America.  We need our elected officials to be strong, and unafraid to take political risks.  As such, I offer the following suggestions to all Republican Senators and Congressmen when they retake the Senate and House;

1. Quit putting us further into debt.  Don’t give us the usual mumbo-jumbo about how technically it’s not exactly like more debt if you look at it a certain way.  Just stop it.  Spend less.  We’re tired of you stealing from our children’s future.
2. Put a check on Federal Agencies’ administrative power.  The room for improvement here is boundless.  Reassert the power of Congress by taking back the de facto legislative power the agencies have stolen.  Start with the agencies that have been used to overstep the limitations of the executive branch with its federal COVID mandates.  Don’t stop there.  Every agency should be reined in.
3. The power of the Federal Reserve is antithetical to a free market.  Call for an audit, and reform it, if not outright abolishing it.
4. Immediately undo the harmful Biden policies on energy that are causing significant harm to America, and making us more vulnerable to international enemies.
5. Make the Trump tax cuts permanent.  They have been a boon to the economy, ironically even helping Biden’s economy look better than it otherwise would.
6. Change federal election law, putting more power back into the states’ hands while simultaneously implementing baseline Federal standards that will ensure every legal vote counts.  America must feel confident in the integrity of its elections.
7. Hold bureaucrats and agencies accountable.  We are tired of seeing these liars and cheaters get off scot-free.  Smug bureaucrats lying before Congress must be dealt with swiftly.  All possible legal action must be taken against them, and their respective agencies must be punished with selectively decreased funding.

This list is shortened from a much longer list of actionable items Congress should employ.  All of them have a common thread.  Our elected officials need to think big and act boldly.  Committee Chairmen need to be true leaders by offering significant and necessary legislation. Congress must pass these legislative endeavors without regard to how likely it is to be vetoed by the Biden administration.  Take a stand, for goodness sake!

The typical politician’s behavior before making any statement or any vote is routine; they look at it through the lens of what is politically safe and advantageous.  The first step they must instead take - and this is the one that will require the most courage - is to throw that lens away.  In fact, just smash it.  We are not interested in you being politically safe.  We are interested in you standing up for us and doing the right thing - every time.