Republicans must earn the privilege of governing

Written by: Richard Allbritton on May 21, 2008 3:45 PM EDT

Lately among Republicans there is much talk about burnishing their Brand. These men and women just don't get it. They try to think of ways they can stay in office or get elected by resorting to tricks: let’s cut taxes (from what, no matter what the taxes are or expenditures are); let’s put an amendment to the State constitution to ban gay marriage; let’s smear Democrats; etc.

It doesn't seem to occur to them that what they really need to do is to take the business of governing seriously.

By de-regulation, inappropriate appointments, and underfunded regulatory agencies, they have enabled one fiasco after another the latest of which is the current economic meltdown. The GOP needs to acknowledge that elected officials have the obligation of governing. The federal government’s responsibilities include national defense, appropriately regulating financial institutions and business, and competently dealing with natural disasters. In addition, the Congress ought to take its oversight functions seriously and hold the appointed officials in the Executive Branch and in independent agencies accountable.

Democrats should work hard to make sure the Republicans don’t get away with repackaging. They must earn the trust of the American people.

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