Ms. Rubin names some good practical suggestions. But there is an important element missing.
What Republicans need to do – and pressure their representatives to do – is to declare and show not only that they have a more practical plan for dealing with the economy but more importantly to declare loud and clear that freedom is good, freedom is moral, restricting liberty for the purpose of social engineering is inherently evil, no matter what the short-term economic data show. Arguing over whether the Feds should steal 35% of income or 39%, spend $780 billion or $820 billion is a recipe for failure.
They should declare that the Federal Government has no Constitutional or moral authority to ‘fix’ the economy. Freedom and voluntary trade are an inalienable rights, period.
When the GOP once again can plausibly reclaim the moral high ground, then winning elections will become a piece of cake.
