What specifically have Republicans proposed for growing jobs and the economy?

Obama is being heavily criticized by Republican presidential candidates for the state of the economy.

I'm not clear on specific proposals from Republicans to improve the situation, enlighten me.

Ball bearings.

They propose resisting everything that Obama does, because everything that Obama does is bad for the economy... or something like that.

Um... The reintroduction of the indentured service sector maybe? :roll:

Here ya go. LINK

As stated in another thread, I'm looking forward to seeing Obama's detailed plan which is due out in September (after a much deserved vacation :P )

Please note that this post is NOT meant as an endorsement of any plan proposed by either party thus far.

From the Plan:

Begin Living Within Our Means – The explosion of federal spending and the record-setting $14 trillion debt should alarm all American families who struggle to live within their means. Washington's fiscal irresponsibility passes the problem to future generations, mortgaging the future of our children and grandchildren. This out of control spending spree creates uncertainty in the economy and stops the investment and risk taking that will fix the economy and encourage economic growth.

 Require a Balanced Budget Amendment to the Constitution. This proposal would limit the ability to raise taxes to pay for runaway spending and codify what every family and small business owner already knows: that you can't spend more than you take in.

 Require a Statutory Spending Limit. This proposal would set up a statutory process that provides a budget strait-jacket so that Congress is forced to make difficult decisions each year to live within its means, as every American family must, and turns toward a path of fiscal balance.

 Cut Spending to Immediately and Substantially Reduce Deficits. Freezing existing spending as the President has proposed is an inadequate measure of fiscal restraint. We

must cut spending relative to current levels to make a down payment on future spending restraint. This effort should also involve reforms to control entitlement spending and strengthen these programs for future generations.

Reform Tax Code To Spur Economic Growth – We must create incentives for our entrepreneurs to invest in the future, innovate and grow. Unfortunately, instead of rewarding job creators, the government penalizes their success by hitting them with sky high taxes. We should pursue policies that provide incentives for entrepreneurs to invest in plants, equipment and workers.

 Simplify and Reduce Business and Individual Tax Rates. High marginal tax rates discourage work, savings, and investment and reduce incentives for businesses, small and large, to grow and invest. The U.S. can't be competitive with the highest business tax rate in the world. We should reform both the individual and corporate tax systems to provide lower rates with fewer deductions and credits and transition to a territorial system. These changes would encourage growth and job creation. For example, reducing the corporate tax rate to 25% would create 5.3 million private-sector jobs over 10 years.

 Make Research and Development Tax Credit Permanent. This proposal would support innovation in the United States by providing the assurance and certainty that the temporary nature of the credit currently does not provide.

 Extend and Make Permanent the Small Business Investment Tax Incentive. Small businesses should be able to immediately write off equipment purchases as tax deductions.

 Reduce Taxes on Capital Gains and Dividends. We should eliminate the uncertainty hanging over investors by making lower taxes on capital gains and dividends permanent. Low rates should be pursued because capital taxation harms economic growth and productivity, and ultimately lowers wages for workers.

Unburden The Economy From Washington Regulations – Business owners are often forced to fight cumbersome rules and regulations rather than spend that time investing in their companies and creating new jobs. Reforms are needed to mitigate the impact of the increasing regulatory burden on employers.

 Codify the President's Proposal to Require Cost Benefit Analysis in the Formulation of Regulations. The legislation would ensure that regulations put forth by the Administration consider the economic burden on American businesses, ensure stakeholder input and promote innovation. These metrics should be applied to costly new mandates and burdens associated with Dodd-Frank and ObamaCare.

 Support passage of S.299 REINS Act. which would require congressional approval by joint resolution of any federal rule that may result in an effect on the economy of at least $100 million.

 Prohibit EPA from Regulating Greenhouse Gases under the Clean Air Act. The uncertainty being created by this regulatory overreach is a continuation of the failed cap and tax proposal that threatened to harm employment and economic growth.

Create Competitive Workforce – Unfortunately, U.S. workers looking to improve their skills or receive job training, get mired down as they navigate the bureaucratic complexities and red-tape of 44 different federal employment and training programs administered by nine different federal agencies. The federal government must once and for all end the bureaucratic complexities of federal job training programs. It is time for workers, taxpayers and businesses to get a better return on this investment. We also need to recognize the imperative for educating the children of today to be the innovators, entrepreneurs and workers of tomorrow.

 Reform Federal Retraining Programs. U.S. workers looking for retraining deserve better than the bureaucracy and red-tape associated with federal training programs. Instead of paperwork, forms, applications and eligibility determinations, workers should be able to quickly access relevant training that will help provide them with the skills they need to return to the workforce.

 Stop Card-Check. "Card-Check" would threaten basic rights and the viability of employers and the small business community. The approach embraced by this proposal would deny employees the ability to privately cast their vote for or against union representation and eliminate the personal and flexible negotiations between small business owners and employees on contracts and working arrangements. The result is a higher cost of doing business, and creating a one-size-fits-all approach to wages and benefits.

Increase Exports To Create More Jobs – In order to bring back jobs as our economy recovers, America's workers, farmers and service providers need access to consumers and markets around the world. American exporters do not enjoy the same opportunity for entry into new markets as their global competitors. Export agreements would reduce barriers to entry, level the playing field for our entrepreneurs and increase job growth at home.

 Ratify Three Pending Export-Opening Agreements. We should ratify the pending agreements with Korea, Colombia and Panama before July recess. This proposal is estimated to create 250,000 jobs.

 Provide Trade Promotion Authority for the President. This proposal will get the U.S. back in the business of engaging in market opening agreements.

Power America's Economy – America needs a low cost, not high tax national energy plan that ensures we have access to reliable, affordable and cleaner domestic energy. We must champion policies that responsibly harness all of our nation's natural resources – including oil, coal, natural gas, biomass, hydro, solar, wind, and nuclear – and match them with our skilled workforce, advanced technologies, and strong research and manufacturing capabilities in a way that creates more jobs and opportunities. Further, we should not single-out American energy developers through higher taxes, particularly at a time when we should be supporting efforts for American development of energy sources.

 Lift the Outer Continental Shelf Prohibitions. We need to increase access to U.S. oil and natural gas reserves on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). This will create jobs, drive investment, and reduce our nation's dependence on foreign sources of oil. A February 2006 report released by the Department of the Interior estimated OCS reserves to be 8.5 billion barrels of oil and 29 trillion cubic feet of natural gas.

 Increase Federal Loan Guarantee Authority for Nuclear Power. Furthering the nuclear renaissance would significantly enhance the energy portfolio and energy security of the U. S. by providing reliable base-load electricity, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and strengthening our manufacturing bases with good quality jobs.

 Require Greater Access to Federal Lands for Exploration of Resources. The U.S. has a natural abundance of energy resources including coal, natural gas, solar, wind, oil, bio-mass, and water resources. Expansion of access to federal lands for the development of these resources would take advantage of these resources while diminishing our reliance on foreign fuel sources of fuel.

Adopt Common Sense Health Care Solutions – Health care is one of the greatest costs and concerns for job creators. Any meaningful health reform must begin with repealing and replacing ObamaCare, which will forestall the loss of 800,000 workers from the labor force. But beyond this approach, we must pursue reforms that reduce costs further to stop the job losses occurring because of the skyrocketing cost of care.

 Enact Meaningful Medical Malpractice Reform. Such common-sense reform would lessen the wasteful practice of defensive medicine, save the federal government billions of dollars and reduce health care costs passed on to employers.

 Allow for Purchases of Insurance Across State Lines. This proposal would induce competition among insurance companies, driving down costs and improving access.

 Provide Additional Risk Pools for Small Business. This proposal would allow small businesses to benefit from the economies of scale enjoyed by larger corporations and insurance plans in the group-market.

 Strengthen Health Savings Accounts and Patient-Centric Health Care. HSAs are savings accounts for medical expenses that offer flexibility for employees and reduce costs for employers. Improving HSAs will bring down costs for job creators and encourage personal responsibility. Reforms should also build on successful state-level initiatives to strengthen the transparency and value of health care services.

The Government can't create jobs without increasing spending or cutting revenue.

Republicans want to cut spending and cut taxes. So how can they create jobs?

Here ya go. LINK

As stated in another thread, I'm looking forward to seeing Obama's detailed plan which is due out in September (after a much deserved vacation :P )

Please note that this post is NOT meant as an endorsement of any plan proposed by either party thus far.

Planet_Pluto

That link doesn't really have any specifics, it just talks about the general goals of a bipartisan energy saving bill. I'm reading the jobs plan link from that page now.

[QUOTE="Planet_Pluto"]

Here ya go. LINK

As stated in another thread, I'm looking forward to seeing Obama's detailed plan which is due out in September (after a much deserved vacation :P )

Please note that this post is NOT meant as an endorsement of any plan proposed by either party thus far.

superfluidity

That link doesn't really have any specifics, it just talks about the general goals of a bipartisan energy saving bill. I'm reading the jobs plan link from that page now.

The Government can't create jobs without increasing spending or cutting revenue.

Republicans want to cut spending and cut taxes. So how can they create jobs?

Blue-Sky

*lots of stuff about plan*

Planet_Pluto

Interesting, looked through that post and there are some very good proposals in there alongside some absolutely godawful ones. Couldn't support that but it does contain some good ideas.

I've heard some vague calls for tax cuts, but in all honesty I haven't seen anything material come from the House in terms of a jobs bill. What a shock...chessmaster1989

[QUOTE="Planet_Pluto"]

*lots of stuff about plan*

chessmaster1989

Interesting, looked through that post and there are some very good proposals in there alongside some absolutely godawful ones. Couldn't support that but it does contain some good ideas.

thing is, when George Bush Jr. was president he eliminated lots of regulations on corporate america...they then ran rampant and contributed to the fear of a a depression which tricked Bush jr. into signing that 750 billion dollar bill which no one, not even the oversight committee knows where it went. Thats when Golden Parachutes were really being given...that was the economic disaster stemming from eliminating regulations for the past 25 years from Reagan to Bush Jr. (including Clinton).

Also its funny there plan is on living within means, increasing exports (which means increasing production and lessening our consumption), and questioning that which we use for energy is exactl what Jimmy Carter spoke of in his final speach, known as the "malaise" speech. He spoke of the exact things and than Reagan fought him on that and won, and now the Republicans want to use that as part of there plan!

Welcome to politics.

those who seek power are never deserving of it

repealing obamacare is always up there on the list and i happen to agree. won't be anytime soon though unfortunately.

The Government can't create jobs without increasing spending or cutting revenue.

Republicans want to cut spending and cut taxes. So how can they create jobs?

Blue-Sky

Wait. Do you think the only way for a government to create jobs is doing it themselves?

Begin Living Within Our Means – The explosion of federal spending and the record-setting $14 trillion debt should alarm all American families who struggle to live within their means. Washington's fiscal irresponsibility passes the problem to future generations, mortgaging the future of our children and grandchildren. This out of control spending spree creates uncertainty in the economy and stops the investment and risk taking that will fix the economy and encourage economic growth.

 Require a Balanced Budget Amendment to the Constitution. This proposal would limit the ability to raise taxes to pay for runaway spending and codify what every family and small business owner already knows: that you can't spend more than you take in.

A vastly better solution would be to reinstitute PAYGO as in the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990, which George Bush allowed to expire so he could pass his tax cuts and Medicare Part D.

In any case, this has nothing to do with jobs.

 Require a Statutory Spending Limit. This proposal would set up a statutory process that provides a budget strait-jacket so that Congress is forced to make difficult decisions each year to live within its means, as every American family must, and turns toward a path of fiscal balance.

This would just create constant budget battles like what we've seen recently. Again, PAYGO is a better solution.

Regardless, nothing to do with jobs.

 Cut Spending to Immediately and Substantially Reduce Deficits. Freezing existing spending as the President has proposed is an inadequate measure of fiscal restraint. We must cut spending relative to current levels to make a down payment on future spending restraint. This effort should also involve reforms to control entitlement spending and strengthen these programs for future generations.

I agree that entitlements need to be cut because new global competition is bringing U.S. living standards down and entitlements are currently unsustainable.

But if anything, this will actually harm jobs now and in the near future.

Reform Tax Code To Spur Economic Growth – We must create incentives for our entrepreneurs to invest in the future, innovate and grow. Unfortunately, instead of rewarding job creators, the government penalizes their success by hitting them with sky high taxes. We should pursue policies that provide incentives for entrepreneurs to invest in plants, equipment and workers.

 Simplify and Reduce Business and Individual Tax Rates. High marginal tax rates discourage work, savings, and investment and reduce incentives for businesses, small and large, to grow and invest. The U.S. can't be competitive with the highest business tax rate in the world. We should reform both the individual and corporate tax systems to provide lower rates with fewer deductions and credits and transition to a territorial system. These changes would encourage growth and job creation. For example, reducing the corporate tax rate to 25% would create 5.3 million private-sector jobs over 10 years.

For one thing, we do not have the highest business tax in the world by any stretch of the imagination. Effective taxes are extremely low regardless of what the tax rate is because of loopholes, certainly much lower than 25%. Corporate taxes are very high in some individual states, but clearly that isn't a federal policy issue and corporations can move to different states as they see fit.

Individual tax rates are low relative to the rest of the world, and from a fiscally conservative point of view it would be irresponsible to lower them more. We already have a large deficit, and the vast majority of the spending is on the big entitlements and defense, which no serious politician besides maybe Ron Paul believe should be eliminated.

 Make Research and Development Tax Credit Permanent. This proposal would support innovation in the United States by providing the assurance and certainty that the temporary nature of the credit currently does not provide.

I thought we wanted to simplify the tax code? I'm neutral on the idea, fairly small potatoes though.

 Extend and Make Permanent the Small Business Investment Tax Incentive. Small businesses should be able to immediately write off equipment purchases as tax deductions.

I thought we wanted to simplify the tax code? I'm neutral on the idea, fairly small potatoes though.

 Reduce Taxes on Capital Gains and Dividends. We should eliminate the uncertainty hanging over investors by making lower taxes on capital gains and dividends permanent. Low rates should be pursued because capital taxation harms economic growth and productivity, and ultimately lowers wages for workers.

Again, lowering taxes further would be fiscally irresponisble, regardless of if it would help the economy.

Unburden The Economy From Washington Regulations – Business owners are often forced to fight cumbersome rules and regulations rather than spend that time investing in their companies and creating new jobs. Reforms are needed to mitigate the impact of the increasing regulatory burden on employers.

 Codify the President's Proposal to Require Cost Benefit Analysis in the Formulation of Regulations. The legislation would ensure that regulations put forth by the Administration consider the economic burden on American businesses, ensure stakeholder input and promote innovation. These metrics should be applied to costly new mandates and burdens associated with Dodd-Frank and ObamaCare.

Sounds like a good idea, but it isn't a Republican one.

 Support passage of S.299 REINS Act. which would require congressional approval by joint resolution of any federal rule that may result in an effect on the economy of at least $100 million.

This would just lead to total legislative paralysis, like what we've seen recently.

 Prohibit EPA from Regulating Greenhouse Gases under the Clean Air Act. The uncertainty being created by this regulatory overreach is a continuation of the failed cap and tax proposal that threatened to harm employment and economic growth.

Why would we ignore the global scientific consensus on climate change? Just to play armchair scientist and be irresponsible?

Create Competitive Workforce – Unfortunately, U.S. workers looking to improve their skills or receive job training, get mired down as they navigate the bureaucratic complexities and red-tape of 44 different federal employment and training programs administered by nine different federal agencies. The federal government must once and for all end the bureaucratic complexities of federal job training programs. It is time for workers, taxpayers and businesses to get a better return on this investment. We also need to recognize the imperative for educating the children of today to be the innovators, entrepreneurs and workers of tomorrow.

 Reform Federal Retraining Programs. U.S. workers looking for retraining deserve better than the bureaucracy and red-tape associated with federal training programs. Instead of paperwork, forms, applications and eligibility determinations, workers should be able to quickly access relevant training that will help provide them with the skills they need to return to the workforce.

I'm not aware of the bureaucracy involved with training programs, but by all means reduce it. Small potatoes regardless.

 Stop Card-Check. "Card-Check" would threaten basic rights and the viability of employers and the small business community. The approach embraced by this proposal would deny employees the ability to privately cast their vote for or against union representation and eliminate the personal and flexible negotiations between small business owners and employees on contracts and working arrangements. The result is a higher cost of doing business, and creating a one-size-fits-all approach to wages and benefits.

Not currently an issue.I generally agree because I understand that globalization is forcing U.S. living standards down and that unions can't magically save us.It merely results in two castes of laborers.

Increase Exports To Create More Jobs – In order to bring back jobs as our economy recovers, America's workers, farmers and service providers need access to consumers and markets around the world. American exporters do not enjoy the same opportunity for entry into new markets as their global competitors. Export agreements would reduce barriers to entry, level the playing field for our entrepreneurs and increase job growth at home.

 Ratify Three Pending Export-Opening Agreements. We should ratify the pending agreements with Korea, Colombia and Panama before July recess. This proposal is estimated to create 250,000 jobs.

 Provide Trade Promotion Authority for the President. This proposal will get the U.S. back in the business of engaging in market opening agreements.

I'm generally for anything that increases trade with foreign nations because it almost always raises GNP. However, it hasn't historically created more jobs or at least decent paying ones.

Power America's Economy – America needs a low cost, not high tax national energy plan that ensures we have access to reliable, affordable and cleaner domestic energy. We must champion policies that responsibly harness all of our nation's natural resources – including oil, coal, natural gas, biomass, hydro, solar, wind, and nuclear – and match them with our skilled workforce, advanced technologies, and strong research and manufacturing capabilities in a way that creates more jobs and opportunities. Further, we should not single-out American energy developers through higher taxes, particularly at a time when we should be supporting efforts for American development of energy sources.

 Lift the Outer Continental Shelf Prohibitions. We need to increase access to U.S. oil and natural gas reserves on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). This will create jobs, drive investment, and reduce our nation's dependence on foreign sources of oil. A February 2006 report released by the Department of the Interior estimated OCS reserves to be 8.5 billion barrels of oil and 29 trillion cubic feet of natural gas.

This will barely dent the oil market, but I'm not entirely against the idea as long as a quota system is in place so things don't get out of hand and if oil companies are 100% liable for any spills.

 Increase Federal Loan Guarantee Authority for Nuclear Power. Furthering the nuclear renaissance would significantly enhance the energy portfolio and energy security of the U. S. by providing reliable base-load electricity, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and strengthening our manufacturing bases with good quality jobs.

I could have sworn Republicans were against this kind of thing. Whatever the case, money would be better spent on reneable energy investments. China is currently set to dominate the solar market in the future, wouldn't it make way more sense to invest there so we can compete?

 Require Greater Access to Federal Lands for Exploration of Resources. The U.S. has a natural abundance of energy resources including coal, natural gas, solar, wind, oil, bio-mass, and water resources. Expansion of access to federal lands for the development of these resources would take advantage of these resources while diminishing our reliance on foreign fuel sources of fuel.

Vague and horrible idea. Squandering our natural places for short term benefit is not a sustainable or sensible solution to our problems.

Adopt Common Sense Health Care Solutions – Health care is one of the greatest costs and concerns for job creators. Any meaningful health reform must begin with repealing and replacing ObamaCare, which will forestall the loss of 800,000 workers from the labor force. But beyond this approach, we must pursue reforms that reduce costs further to stop the job losses occurring because of the skyrocketing cost of care.

 Enact Meaningful Medical Malpractice Reform. Such common-sense reform would lessen the wasteful practice of defensive medicine, save the federal government billions of dollars and reduce health care costs passed on to employers.

 Allow for Purchases of Insurance Across State Lines. This proposal would induce competition among insurance companies, driving down costs and improving access.

 Provide Additional Risk Pools for Small Business. This proposal would allow small businesses to benefit from the economies of scale enjoyed by larger corporations and insurance plans in the group-market.

 Strengthen Health Savings Accounts and Patient-Centric Health Care. HSAs are savings accounts for medical expenses that offer flexibility for employees and reduce costs for employers. Improving HSAs will bring down costs for job creators and encourage personal responsibility. Reforms should also build on successful state-level initiatives to strengthen the transparency and value of health care services.

All of these proposals are good, but would barely dent health care costs.The solutions is clear and simple; the U.S. should regulate what health care providers can charge, just like Japan.It works for them and could work for us.

Planet_Pluto

Pro life legislation and trying to repeal the health care law.

In Ireland during the famine, they didn't want people to get food for nothing so they made them build roads, often the roads led nowhere but it kept people busy.

Here ya go. LINK

As stated in another thread, I'm looking forward to seeing Obama's detailed plan which is due out in September (after a much deserved vacation :P )

Please note that this post is NOT meant as an endorsement of any plan proposed by either party thus far.

From the Plan:

Begin Living Within Our Means – The explosion of federal spending and the record-setting $14 trillion debt should alarm all American families who struggle to live within their means. Washington's fiscal irresponsibility passes the problem to future generations, mortgaging the future of our children and grandchildren. This out of control spending spree creates uncertainty in the economy and stops the investment and risk taking that will fix the economy and encourage economic growth.

 Require a Balanced Budget Amendment to the Constitution. This proposal would limit the ability to raise taxes to pay for runaway spending and codify what every family and small business owner already knows: that you can't spend more than you take in.

 Require a Statutory Spending Limit. This proposal would set up a statutory process that provides a budget strait-jacket so that Congress is forced to make difficult decisions each year to live within its means, as every American family must, and turns toward a path of fiscal balance.

 Cut Spending to Immediately and Substantially Reduce Deficits. Freezing existing spending as the President has proposed is an inadequate measure of fiscal restraint. We

must cut spending relative to current levels to make a down payment on future spending restraint. This effort should also involve reforms to control entitlement spending and strengthen these programs for future generations.

Reform Tax Code To Spur Economic Growth – We must create incentives for our entrepreneurs to invest in the future, innovate and grow. Unfortunately, instead of rewarding job creators, the government penalizes their success by hitting them with sky high taxes. We should pursue policies that provide incentives for entrepreneurs to invest in plants, equipment and workers.

 Simplify and Reduce Business and Individual Tax Rates. High marginal tax rates discourage work, savings, and investment and reduce incentives for businesses, small and large, to grow and invest. The U.S. can't be competitive with the highest business tax rate in the world. We should reform both the individual and corporate tax systems to provide lower rates with fewer deductions and credits and transition to a territorial system. These changes would encourage growth and job creation. For example, reducing the corporate tax rate to 25% would create 5.3 million private-sector jobs over 10 years.

 Make Research and Development Tax Credit Permanent. This proposal would support innovation in the United States by providing the assurance and certainty that the temporary nature of the credit currently does not provide.

 Extend and Make Permanent the Small Business Investment Tax Incentive. Small businesses should be able to immediately write off equipment purchases as tax deductions.

 Reduce Taxes on Capital Gains and Dividends. We should eliminate the uncertainty hanging over investors by making lower taxes on capital gains and dividends permanent. Low rates should be pursued because capital taxation harms economic growth and productivity, and ultimately lowers wages for workers.

Unburden The Economy From Washington Regulations – Business owners are often forced to fight cumbersome rules and regulations rather than spend that time investing in their companies and creating new jobs. Reforms are needed to mitigate the impact of the increasing regulatory burden on employers.

 Codify the President's Proposal to Require Cost Benefit Analysis in the Formulation of Regulations. The legislation would ensure that regulations put forth by the Administration consider the economic burden on American businesses, ensure stakeholder input and promote innovation. These metrics should be applied to costly new mandates and burdens associated with Dodd-Frank and ObamaCare.

 Support passage of S.299 REINS Act. which would require congressional approval by joint resolution of any federal rule that may result in an effect on the economy of at least $100 million.

 Prohibit EPA from Regulating Greenhouse Gases under the Clean Air Act. The uncertainty being created by this regulatory overreach is a continuation of the failed cap and tax proposal that threatened to harm employment and economic growth.

Create Competitive Workforce – Unfortunately, U.S. workers looking to improve their skills or receive job training, get mired down as they navigate the bureaucratic complexities and red-tape of 44 different federal employment and training programs administered by nine different federal agencies. The federal government must once and for all end the bureaucratic complexities of federal job training programs. It is time for workers, taxpayers and businesses to get a better return on this investment. We also need to recognize the imperative for educating the children of today to be the innovators, entrepreneurs and workers of tomorrow.

 Reform Federal Retraining Programs. U.S. workers looking for retraining deserve better than the bureaucracy and red-tape associated with federal training programs. Instead of paperwork, forms, applications and eligibility determinations, workers should be able to quickly access relevant training that will help provide them with the skills they need to return to the workforce.

 Stop Card-Check. "Card-Check" would threaten basic rights and the viability of employers and the small business community. The approach embraced by this proposal would deny employees the ability to privately cast their vote for or against union representation and eliminate the personal and flexible negotiations between small business owners and employees on contracts and working arrangements. The result is a higher cost of doing business, and creating a one-size-fits-all approach to wages and benefits.

Increase Exports To Create More Jobs – In order to bring back jobs as our economy recovers, America's workers, farmers and service providers need access to consumers and markets around the world. American exporters do not enjoy the same opportunity for entry into new markets as their global competitors. Export agreements would reduce barriers to entry, level the playing field for our entrepreneurs and increase job growth at home.

 Ratify Three Pending Export-Opening Agreements. We should ratify the pending agreements with Korea, Colombia and Panama before July recess. This proposal is estimated to create 250,000 jobs.

 Provide Trade Promotion Authority for the President. This proposal will get the U.S. back in the business of engaging in market opening agreements.

Power America's Economy – America needs a low cost, not high tax national energy plan that ensures we have access to reliable, affordable and cleaner domestic energy. We must champion policies that responsibly harness all of our nation's natural resources – including oil, coal, natural gas, biomass, hydro, solar, wind, and nuclear – and match them with our skilled workforce, advanced technologies, and strong research and manufacturing capabilities in a way that creates more jobs and opportunities. Further, we should not single-out American energy developers through higher taxes, particularly at a time when we should be supporting efforts for American development of energy sources.

 Lift the Outer Continental Shelf Prohibitions. We need to increase access to U.S. oil and natural gas reserves on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). This will create jobs, drive investment, and reduce our nation's dependence on foreign sources of oil. A February 2006 report released by the Department of the Interior estimated OCS reserves to be 8.5 billion barrels of oil and 29 trillion cubic feet of natural gas.

 Increase Federal Loan Guarantee Authority for Nuclear Power. Furthering the nuclear renaissance would significantly enhance the energy portfolio and energy security of the U. S. by providing reliable base-load electricity, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and strengthening our manufacturing bases with good quality jobs.

 Require Greater Access to Federal Lands for Exploration of Resources. The U.S. has a natural abundance of energy resources including coal, natural gas, solar, wind, oil, bio-mass, and water resources. Expansion of access to federal lands for the development of these resources would take advantage of these resources while diminishing our reliance on foreign fuel sources of fuel.

Adopt Common Sense Health Care Solutions – Health care is one of the greatest costs and concerns for job creators. Any meaningful health reform must begin with repealing and replacing ObamaCare, which will forestall the loss of 800,000 workers from the labor force. But beyond this approach, we must pursue reforms that reduce costs further to stop the job losses occurring because of the skyrocketing cost of care.

 Enact Meaningful Medical Malpractice Reform. Such common-sense reform would lessen the wasteful practice of defensive medicine, save the federal government billions of dollars and reduce health care costs passed on to employers.

 Allow for Purchases of Insurance Across State Lines. This proposal would induce competition among insurance companies, driving down costs and improving access.

 Provide Additional Risk Pools for Small Business. This proposal would allow small businesses to benefit from the economies of scale enjoyed by larger corporations and insurance plans in the group-market.

 Strengthen Health Savings Accounts and Patient-Centric Health Care. HSAs are savings accounts for medical expenses that offer flexibility for employees and reduce costs for employers. Improving HSAs will bring down costs for job creators and encourage personal responsibility. Reforms should also build on successful state-level initiatives to strengthen the transparency and value of health care services.

Planet_Pluto

Pro life legislation and trying to repeal the health care law.

DroidPhysX

thing is, when George Bush Jr. was president he eliminated lots of regulations on corporate america...they then ran rampant and contributed to the fear of a a depression which tricked Bush jr. into signing that 750 billion dollar bill which no one, not even the oversight committee knows where it went. Thats when Golden Parachutes were really being given...that was the economic disaster stemming from eliminating regulations for the past 25 years from Reagan to Bush Jr. (including Clinton).

Also its funny there plan is on living within means, increasing exports (which means increasing production and lessening our consumption), and questioning that which we use for energy is exactl what Jimmy Carter spoke of in his final speach, known as the "malaise" speech. He spoke of the exact things and than Reagan fought him on that and won, and now the Republicans want to use that as part of there plan!

Welcome to politics.

those who seek power are never deserving of it

The GOP's main thrust seems to be cutting spending and not raising taxes on the wealthy. I'm a conservative Democrat and I believe we need to cut spending. But I don't have a problem with having the wealthy pay more taxes, so long as the revenue is used responsibly.

Give more money to the rich, increase the national debt.

The GOP's main thrust seems to be cutting spending and not raising taxes on the wealthy. I'm a conservative Democrat and I believe we need to cut spending. But I don't have a problem with having the wealthy pay more taxes, so long as the revenue is used responsibly.

MathMattS

"conservative Democrat":x *head explodes* That goes against what I've heard the smartpeople on TV say. You mean there can be shades of gray?

Seriously though (this following isn't directed at you MathMatt), The Republicans have been trying to cut taxes for as long as I can remember. They're not trying to look for new ideas to boost the economy. They're using a bad situation to get their tired political agenda passed. If only Congressional Democrats had some backbone though...

How about we just let the economy fix itself? Why should it be the government's job to create jobs and fix an economy based on free enterprise? If anything the government will just prolong the problem the more they try to "fix it"...karasill