Righties: what are three things Repubs have done for the middle class in 30 years

[Craig234]

Hopefully, there's a good answer to this question I don't know. But instead of my saying I don't know of them, why don't ask for them?

I'm not looking for controversial claims (why, crippling unions is good for the middle class, really!). I'm not looking for things with a token (few hundred) middle class benefit to really help the rich (Bush tax cuts).

I'm looking for any policy aimed at the middle (heck, lower too) class with any significant benefits for them, and no 'but', not things that got bundled into a bill with another agenda, to appease liberals.

I'm not looking for 'they voted no on a Democratic program we don't like', either, or airy claims that their general attitude just somehow magically good for the middle class - a marketing message.

Republicans have controlled the presidency all but 9 years since 1981, and for many years Congress.

Just grab three big things you can hang your hat on that they're not the enemy of the middle class.

I'll even take programs they made a real effort on and didn't get passed.

We just ended the decade of consevative failure, removing trillions from the middle class, worst middle class raises, stocks, houses, jobs. I broadened the time frame to include the modern conservatives since Reagan.

Hopefully, there's a good answer.

 

[Zebo]

2nd amendment preservation is all I can think of.

 

[theevilsharpie]

The Republican minority in the California state assembly prevented the Democratic majority from implementing sharp tax increases as a response to California's budget crisis last year, and finally forced California's government to trim down to a reasonable level.

Much of that was pushed by Arnold Schwarzenegger, who is sadly one of the few politicians in America who has the balls to question how Congress intends to fund its legislation. We have the Republican party to thank for funding Schwarzenegger's run for office.

Of course, I assume you're referring to Republican accomplishments at the national level.

 

[Craig234]

The Republican minority in the California state assembly prevented the Democratic majority from implementing sharp tax increases as a response to California's budget crisis last year, and finally forced California's government to trim down to a reasonable level.

Much of that was pushed by Arnold Schwarzenegger, who is sadly one of the few politicians in America who has the balls to question how Congress intends to fund its legislation. We have the Republican party to thank for funding Schwarzenegger's run for office.

Of course, I assume you're referring to Republican accomplishments at the national level.

Not only am I talking about the federal party, I specifically said I'm not interested in things they blocked, among other things. I'm not commeting on the content for that reason.

 

[totalnoob]

Government shouldn't aim to do anything for anybody (except protect them from theft and violence). If the republicans prevented government intervention and oppression in any way, they helped the middle class.

 

[theevilsharpie]

Not only am I talking about the federal party, I specifically said I'm not interested in things they blocked, among other things. I'm not commeting on the content for that reason.

Part of the Republican party's platform (at least on paper) is to keep taxes low by keeping the size of the government small. By blocking legislation that increases taxes and increases government services, the Republican party is accomplishing the goals laid out in their party platform.

You said you were looking for Republican policies that benefit the middle class. Well, one can certainly argue that keeping taxes from increasing meets that criteria. By limiting accomplishments to "programs" that they've implemented, not only will you almost guarantee that nobody will come up with anything since establishing government programs is the antithesis of Republican policy, you also demonstrate your ignorance of what the Republican party and its supporters view as beneficial.

 

[Strk]

Not only am I talking about the federal party, I specifically said I'm not interested in things they blocked, among other things. I'm not commeting on the content for that reason.

While I understand you're trying for actual proposals and such, blocking something can be quite important. I'd say look at the welfare reform under Clinton.

Then again, it can also backfire (I.e. health care bill is a joke).

 

[StageLeft]

Part of the Republican party's platform (at least on paper) is to keep taxes low by keeping the size of the government small. By blocking legislation that increases taxes and increases government services, the Republican party is accomplishing the goals laid out in their party platform.

You said you were looking for Republican policies that benefit the middle class. Well, one can certainly argue that keeping taxes from increasing meets that criteria. By limiting accomplishments to "programs" that they've implemented, not only will you almost guarantee that nobody will come up with anything since establishing government programs is the antithesis of Republican policy, you also demonstrate your ignorance of what the Republican party and its supporters view as beneficial.

But increasing spending and keeping down taxes is just fool's gold; you increase spending you increase the onus on the people to pay for it, whether now or later or by currency devaluation, there is no other way.

"on paper" the republican party is one thing, in practice they are government largess whores on as grand a scale as any democrat. And that is clearly demonstrated in the past few decades; government grows huge under republican rule.

To answer craig's question: very little. The republicans are not good for the country. I don't think the democrats really are, either.

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

I don't want the government (reps or dems) to do things for me. I want the government to allow me to do things for myself.

Therein lies the difference between you and I. When our rights (which you insist come from the government) are interfered with, then it needs to be involved. Otherwise it needs to keep a minimal profile.

The difference between myself and some others is that I understand there are people who can't work and their care is beyond what an individual family can support. I'm agreeable to the government extending help to those people with my taxes.

I also understand that corporations can be big sharks which eat people. I'm not a fan of two class societies or dangerous chemicals being tossed in the water.


As far as Reps and Dems, the only thing I'd like is to see them go away. As to government itself, provide the necessary services to those who can't work, the minimum involvement needed to accomplish what I've said, and make the maximal effort to keep out of my life while restraining it's lust for power and money.

 

[dmcowen674]

Hopefully, there's a good answer to this question I don't know. But instead of my saying I don't know of them, why don't ask for them?

I'm not looking for controversial claims (why, crippling unions is good for the middle class, really!). I'm not looking for things with a token (few hundred) middle class benefit to really help the rich (Bush tax cuts).

I'm looking for any policy aimed at the middle (heck, lower too) class with any significant benefits for them, and no 'but', not things that got bundled into a bill with another agenda, to appease liberals.

I'm not looking for 'they voted no on a Democratic program we don't like', either, or airy claims that their general attitude just somehow magically good for the middle class - a marketing message.

Republicans have controlled the presidency all but 9 years since 1981, and for many years Congress.

Just grab three big things you can hang your hat on that they're not the enemy of the middle class.

I'll even take programs they made a real effort on and didn't get passed.

We just ended the decade of consevative failure, removing trillions from the middle class, worst middle class raises, stocks, houses, jobs. I broadened the time frame to include the modern conservatives since Reagan.

Hopefully, there's a good answer.

The answer is obvious.

They've done everything they can to get rid of the middle class.

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

The answer is obvious.

They've done everything they can to get rid of the middle class.

Like the Dems are doing in NY?

 

[trenchfoot]

So far, in this thread, as well as out there in D.C. land, not a frick'in thing.....not one frick'in thing.

I guess as far as the people who actually own and operate the repub party is concerned, they're too busy trying to keep the middle class from joining them up there in the land-o-plenty and far too busy trying to grab every single bit of currency in the world for themselves. The unquenchable grab for "money/total control" is boundless.

We should let them have what they want because only then will they turn on each other and consume themselves as it's in their cannibalistic nature to do just that.

 

[Descartes]

Republicans tend to be like that one guy in every meeting that just shits on everything but never actually contributes to the ideas. They're like an anchor that can't be raised, dragging bottom while the boat marches on. Democrats tend to be like that other guy that has ideas that have no basis in reality and, though they sound fanciful, the execution is prohibitive.

But still, I too would like to hear an actual response to this question rather than dodging it by resorting, yet again, to ideological grounds. It only further shows that no one really knows what the hell they're arguing anymore and instead just resort to defending their side of the playpen.

 

[blackangst1]

Civil Rights Act of 1964. Were it not for some tricky manuvering, the Dems would have blocked its passage after some 55+ hours of filibustering.

Grant college Act

Indian Citizenship Act

19th Amendment

15th Amendment

14th Amendment

First black senator was Republican Hiram Revels

First woman mayor in the US was Republican Susanna Salter

First hispanic senator was Republican Octaviano Larrazolo

First Asian-American senator was Republican Hiram Fong

Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Act (welfare reform)

edit: added names

edit 2: oops, didnt see the 30 year thing.

 

[Descartes]

So far, in this thread, as well as out there in D.C. land, not a frick'in thing.....not one frick'in thing.

I guess as far as the people who actually own and operate the repub party is concerned, they're too busy trying to keep the middle class from joining them up there in the land-o-plenty and far too busy trying to grab every single bit of currency in the world for themselves. The unquenchable grab for "money/total control" is boundless.

We should let them have what they want because only then will they turn on each other and consume themselves as it's in their cannibalistic nature to do just that.

You give them too much credit. There's no conspiratorial activity going on here, fat cats sipping single malts in tuxedos talking about the best ways to crush the middle class. It's just the end result of their core belief system that necessarily alienates a wide demographic of people. The sad tragedy of it all is that the low-brow marketing efforts of the republicans has actually worked on that same demographic of people that gets excluded by their belief systems. It's like pre-revolutionary French, convinced that the king's excesses are good for all.

But again, they just give what the people want. Marketing is about perception, not products and the republican party knows this.

 

[drebo]

What is so wrong about pushing a platform of freedom?

As others have stated, the federal government ISN'T SUPPOSED to do things for me. As far as accomplishments of the republicans goes, I'd say that the prevention of liberal social policy which will put an unsustainable burden of tax on the middle class is by far the most important thing any political party has done in the last 100 years.

By blocking out-of-control spending by the liberal elite, the republicans are doing more to help the middle class than any of these ridiculous entitlement programs being proposed.

And, let me ask you, what have the liberals done? And don't say that they're pushing universal medical insurance. Don't cite medicare. Don't cite medicaid. Don't cite any of the social programs pushed in the last 30 years, because, guess what...real middle class American families DON'T QUALIFY FOR ANY OF THEM! The qualification bar for welfare programs is so low that no one who is "middle class" will ever qualify for them. As a result, the middle class simply ends up paying more taxes to support programs they can't use.

This bullshit about the left being "for the middle class" is complete tripe. The only thing the left wants to do with the middle class is make it so broad and encompassing that 99% of the nation's populace is considered "middle class".

Guess who that other 1% will be. Yep, liberal policymakers themselves.

 

[Carmen813]

What is so wrong about pushing a platform of freedom?

As others have stated, the federal government ISN'T SUPPOSED to do things for me. As far as accomplishments of the republicans goes, I'd say that the prevention of liberal social policy which will put an unsustainable burden of tax on the middle class is by far the most important thing any political party has done in the last 100 years.

By blocking out-of-control spending by the liberal elite, the republicans are doing more to help the middle class than any of these ridiculous entitlement programs being proposed.

And, let me ask you, what have the liberals done? And don't say that they're pushing universal medical insurance. Don't cite medicare. Don't cite medicaid. Don't cite any of the social programs pushed in the last 30 years, because, guess what...real middle class American families DON'T QUALIFY FOR ANY OF THEM! The qualification bar for welfare programs is so low that no one who is "middle class" will ever qualify for them. As a result, the middle class simply ends up paying more taxes to support programs they can't use.

This bullshit about the left being "for the middle class" is complete tripe. The only thing the left wants to do with the middle class is make it so broad and encompassing that 99% of the nation's populace is considered "middle class".

Guess who that other 1% will be. Yep, liberal policymakers themselves.

And what evidence do you have that if they were in the majority, Republicans themselves wouldn't be engaged in out of control spending? Perhaps you should review their budget proposals...

 

[BoberFett]

The sound you just heard was the Constitution whooshing over Craig's head.

 

[drebo]

And what evidence do you have that if they were in the majority, Republicans themselves wouldn't be engaged in out of control spending? Perhaps you should review their budget proposals...

Republicans, nothing.

Everyone knows that most republicans these days are just as liberal as the democrats as far as fiscal policy goes.

The difference lies in the fact that people supporting republicans have other interests at heart than their own.

The true right-wing conservatives and those who align themselves with that line of thinking are the ones pulling the strings behind the republicans. The politicians themselves are meaningless.

A politician has one goal: keep himself in office. How does he do that? Propose shit that helps his constituates. A single politician who goes in to office and says "I'm going to work on repealing that piece of legislation that caused taxes to increase" is committing political suicide...just like the politician who votes against the Patriot Act. The fact that the general public has no clue as to the ramifications of either is irrelevent. The only thing that matters is whether or not the politician is trying to help them or not, as dictated by one-sentence headlines: "So-and-So voted to strike down social policy".

You and I and most who read this forum and take an active interest in trying to find out what lies at the bottom of these policies and to try and understand the overall ramifications, regardless of how we personally feel about those ramifications, make up the extreme minority of voters. Our opinions, feelings, and rationalizations don't matter.

 

[nobodyknows]

Republicans, nothing.

Everyone knows that most republicans these days are just as liberal as the democrats as far as fiscal policy goes.

The difference lies in the fact that people supporting republicans have other interests at heart than their own.

That's funny. Did you type that with a straight face or do you really believe that?

 

[Nebor]

Seeing as how they are the conservative party, they want smaller government, lower taxes, less progress. So by necessity they don't pass many bills and changes. Instead they block progress by the Progressive party (Democrats.) That's their party platform and they're doing a good job.

 

[drebo]

That's funny. Did you type that with a straight face or do you really believe that?

As a matter of fact, I did. All the evidence I need to support my stance is in the current actions of the republican politicians who are doing everything they can to block legislation which will only HURT the middle class (because, once again, they will not qualify for said entitlement programs, only for the tax increases that will be used to fund an increasingly top-heavy government beauracracy).

I have no reason to believe that republicans would attempt to pass such a steaming pile of crap as this current "healthcare reform bill". The bill does nothing to increase availability or standards of care. It's nothing but a tax on the middle class (those with jobs just good enough to provide them with private health care plans somewhat subsidised by their employers) for no good reason. I applaud anyone (republican or democrat) who attempts to block this bill, the same as I applaud anyone (republican or democrat) who attempts to restore fiscal responsibility to the federal government.

 

[Descartes]

What is so wrong about pushing a platform of freedom?

Nothing at all. Tell me which party stands for freedom and I'd be an enthusiastic supporter. And let's not point out things that happened decades or hundreds of years ago. The parties we have now bear little resemblance to those parties.

 

[drebo]

Nothing at all. Tell me which party stands for freedom and I'd be an enthusiastic supporter. And let's not point out things that happened decades or hundreds of years ago. The parties we have now bear little resemblance to those parties.

Currently? The one that is blocking legislation which will place more undue burdens on the populace, not the one proposing the legislation, I can tell you that much.

 

[JSt0rm]

1. Cutting taxes for the wealthiest 1% allowed them to build more cubicle farms to place the peasants.

2. Going into 2 wars insured job prospects for the middle classes children.

3. A horrible energy policy, health care policy and environmental policy has insured that the middle class realizes how lucky they are just to have a job and better shut their mouths and buy more plastic from china.