OPINION:
The GOP needs a positive plan for wrestling with the economy
As the 2014 elections arrive, Americans continue to wrestle with a spotty economy. Meanwhile, leaders in Washington stay on the sidelines.
The administration has trumpeted new job-growth numbers — but has failed to mention the vast numbers of folks who have stopped looking for work. Republicans must come forward with positive ideas instead of playing the politics of “no.”
Many in Congress have filled the airwaves with proud declarations of all of the legislation they have killed, and all of the ideas they are going to stop. This hardly inspires the American people to follow them.
To make a real impact on our economy, both parties have to work together and help get our Main Street businesses get back on their feet.
It’s time our elected officials in Washington focus on how to get Americans back to work at full capacity.
When I was sworn in as speaker of the House 15 years ago, I said: “Solutions to problems cannot be found in a pool of bitterness. They can be found in an environment in which we trust one another’s word; where we generate heat and passion, but where we recognize that each member is equally important to our overall mission of improving the life of the American people.”
Those words still hold true today. We need Congress to put aside bitterness — a politics of “no” — and find a way to get things done for the good of the country.
Small-business owners — found in every single congressional district in this country — need relief from our complex tax code, the ability to hire the best person for the job, and a level playing field in the global marketplace.
Accordingly, I hope that our elected officials in Washington will work together to push through an agenda of growth — one that will stimulate the economy by creating jobs. They could start by reforming our tax code, fixing our immigration system and opening up more trade opportunities.
There may be fewer moderate compromisers in either chamber and fewer legislative tools, such as earmarks, than there used to be to get important legislation passed — but that’s no excuse.
We used to be able to work out our issues and come to solutions for the good of the country. From the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003 to the Pension Protection Act of 2006, politicians not too long ago put aside nuanced disagreements for the betterment of hardworking Americans. Just because the players, the political environment and, indeed, some of the rules have changed does not mean Democrats and Republicans cannot work together.
Wrestling has been a very important part of my life, from my time as a high-school wrestler to my time as a winning wrestling coach. I learned a lot of valuable lessons that I still live by today.
For one, in wrestling, you could do a lot of fancy stuff and still never win, so I tried to keep it simple and focus on just a few moves. The key lesson I learned was that if you could do a few things well, it would take you a long way toward success. I also practiced the action of under-promising and overproducing.
I also learned that you have to have a goal, and you need to take charge in making your way to that goal. Trying not to lose or worrying about what the other guy was doing won’t bring you success. You cannot depend on the other guy’s mistakes to make you a winner.
I’m not sure that playing the politics of “no” is the answer. While that strategy might eke out a win in 2014, the GOP needs to offer more than a constant refrain of “no” if it wants to win the White House in 2016. Our country needs a change now more than ever.
Republicans need to take a compelling economic plan to the American people and say, “There is a better way.” I truly hope my friends on Capitol Hill will get in the game with Main Street America and start wrestling with the economy. It will benefit the party, and moreover, the country.
For Rep. J. Dennis Hastert, Illinois Republican, served as the speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives from 1999 to 2007.
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