One of the great sources that can appear in your inbox on a daily basis is The Transom, which is the brain child of Heartland Fellow Ben Domenech. Everyday, like clockwork, he has a bevy of news stories, analyses and “digging deeper” facts. Between that and my radio show, your day is pretty much complete.
This morning’s Transom pointed out Governor Rick Perry’s latest plan, entitled Uproot and Overhaul America. It is a very interesting read, and you will (unless you think Occupy Wall Street has a “good message”) find yourself nodding along in agreement. Amongst the plan, there were three subjects that jumped out as most important:
There is a lot to the plan, but these three jumped out (you may have others that jump out for you…tell me in the comments.) First, there is nothing safer than talking bad about Congress when they have an 11% approval rate. But Perry isn’t bashing, he’s proposing an interesting solution. He’s not just going after lawmakers, but making a statement regarding the amount of money we spend on the offices and staff for each lawmaker – $11 million per, according to Perry’s numbers. In addition to the savings, Perry believes that being part-time will force lawmakers to spend more time in their districts, so they will be more in touch with their constituent’s needs. (Perry thinks that the lawmakers will need to get jobs, and therefore have the same kind of jobs as their constituents….I think that is not the reality in the main.) Save money AND have an in-touch Congress….that’s a winner idea.
Second, Perry wants to rework Homeland Security and the EPA. Many of the candidates talk about the problems with the EPA, and how ideological regulations are crippling American manufacturing and growth. They are right, and Perry is very open about reducing their scope and increasing the power of the individual states. (He does not call for the outright elimination of the EPA, and attempts to reason their continued existence.) But Perry does call for a reduction in budget to Homeland Security. His reasoning engages an appreciation of history, and an understanding of what happens if government goes unchecked:
While many have given DHS a free pass on their financial statements as the department has developed, we can no longer afford to let another massive federal agency operate without financial restraint, organization, or efficiency.
Some might think that a Conservative candidate going after Homeland Security is heresy, and that it would open the candidate up to charges of being called weak. Perry is very clear throughout his plan that unchecked spending must end, and will end if he is elected. To that, he brings about his idea of requiring a 2/3rd majority to pass any tax increases on the American people. Within his entire plan, this may seem like the most likely to be called pandering. However, if the plan is to engage the Tea Party base, and turn on undecided Independents, this is the way to do it.
The plan is solid. It’s well thought out, and well presented. But is too late? Perry’s awful debate performances have knocked him solidly out of the top tier. In the latest Public Policy Polling numbers, Perry dropped from 14% to 8% in one month. Even with Cain’s “scandal” and poor response on Libya, Perry continues to drop.
This plan is more than President Obama ever gave the American people. Within it are real opportunities for the nation to get back on track, get moving forward and to be a part of a better tomorrow. However, it is very doubtful that Perry will be given the chance to implement it. It’s not Too Little, but it is Too Late.
