GOP Releases New Contract With America

We've been hearing for a few days now that the GOP will unveil their new "Contract with America" later today... and they've been pretty coy about what is in it. MSNBC posted what they call a draft copy of the contract last evening. And given the amount of time before the official unveiling, it is probably pretty close to the final. You can find the contract here:
http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/i/MSNBC/Sections/NEWS/A_Politics/A_Capitol%20Hill/GOPagenda.pdf

Let's look at some of the preamble:

America is more than a country. America is an idea – an idea that free people can govern themselves, that government’s powers are derived from the consent of the governed, that each of us is endowed by their Creator with the unalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. America is the belief that any man or woman can – given economic, political, and religious liberty – advance themselves, their families, and the common good.

In a self-governing society, the only bulwark against the power of the state is the consent of the governed, and regarding the policies of the current government, the governed do not consent.

An unchecked executive, a compliant legislature, and an overreaching judiciary have combined to thwart the will of the people and overturn their votes and their values, striking down long-standing laws and institutions and scorning the deepest beliefs of the American people.

An arrogant and out-of-touch government of self-appointed elites makes decisions, issues mandates, and enacts laws without accepting or requesting the input of the many.

Rising joblessness, crushing debt, and a polarizing political environment are fraying the bonds among our people and blurring our sense of national purpose. Like free peoples of the past, our citizens refuse to accommodate a government that believes it can replace the will of the people with its own. The American people are speaking out, demanding that we realign our country’s compass with its founding principles and apply those principles to solve our common problems for the common good.

Okay, the preamble sounds good. They sound like they get it, like they understand what is happening and the general direction in which we must take this country if it is to survive. My problem is, and always has been, how do we tell if this is sincere or just an attempt to gain political power? How many of these goals will they actively and aggressively pursue? That's the real rub... It sounds good, but can we trust them?

The draft plan contains many details on their proposals, and I am reading it as I write this. I'll have more to say on this later. Until then, give the document a read and let's see what the Republicans are offering.