Where’d the offense go?
Watching the GOP primaries, it seems to me that the main candidates have a lot in common with the Chicago Bears; they’re renowned for tenacious defense, but when it comes to offense, they’re always a few draft picks away.
Don’t believe me? Take a look at the platforms. Do you see anything that resembles the Contract with America? See anyone (besides Ron Paul) who wants to actually close a government agency? See anyone (besides Paul or Huckabee) who really has a plan to deal with oppressive taxation?
I’ve looked at a few of them, and I really don’t see it. How many times have we heard “vote for the GOP, or else the Democrats win”? True, but does that get you out to pull a lever on a cold November Tuesday? Only while holding your nose, right?
What about “Let’s enforce the laws we already have”? Have we forgotten Reagan’s dictum that government often is the problem, not the solution?
Yes, people get vilified when they propose ending someone’s government gravy train. Don’t forget, though, that with the scathing editorials came GOP victories.
I’d like to see some offense. Maybe someone (besides Ron Paul) can propose defunding the Department of Education, or the NEA, or the BATF. Maybe someone (besides Paul and Huckabee) can propose alternative tax systems. Reagan and Gingrich did. Have we so quickly forgotten?
You wonder why no candidate is catching fire for “our” side? My take is that it’s because nobody’s serious about playing offense.