Martha Roby: A better way to govern

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United States Capitol Building

It’s no secret that many Americans believe our country has lost its way. A recent Bloomberg poll showed as many as 68 percent feel the United States is heading in the wrong direction. That is a very high number, suggesting the dissatisfaction with our nation’s trajectory defies partisan, demographic or geographic lines.

Across a range of issues from the economy and national security to health care and taxes, people have lost confidence in where we are heading. And, while electing a new president in November will certainly change the landscape one way or another, I believe Congress has a responsibility to lead with its own ideas rather than watching (or complaining) from the sidelines.

That’s why House Republicans, led by Speaker Paul Ryan, have come forward with an agenda of forward-thinking policy measures meant to communicate clearly and directly with the American people our plan for the future. It’s called “A Better Way,” and it is our blueprint for using responsible, conservative policy ideas to restore a confident America. Here are the basics:

Poverty: Fifty years after “The Great Society,” our welfare system isn’t working. Too many families who depend on the government for help wind up trapped in poverty for generations. Our vision is to reward work, rather than replacing it, while enhancing job training efforts that offer more Americans the skills they need to get jobs and build self-sufficiency.

The Economy: American families are feeling the squeeze of rising costs for goods and services without a rise in incomes to meet it. We believe a smarter approach to regulations can allow job-creating small businesses to thrive while also offering the protections we expect.

Tax Reform: Probably the quickest way to improve economic conditions for all Americans is to deliver a simpler, fairer, flatter tax code. Our plan would not just lower taxes, but make them more workable for families, more competitive for American businesses and better-aimed at jumpstarting job growth.

National Security: The security of the American people must always be our first priority. Our military and law enforcement agencies do tremendous work to keep us safe, but we believe we can enact better policies to support their efforts. Our vision is renewing the commitment to defeating radical Islamic terrorism overseas, securing our borders and stopping cyber attacks here at home, and bolstering global American influence through strong foreign policy that restores our geo-political leadership.

Constitutional balance: While it might not make the news every day, the slow erosion of the Constitutional separation of powers is a real threat to our government as Americans have known it for more than 200 years. Congress must reassert its Constitutional authority, and make policy and spending decisions more transparent and accountable to people we represent.

Health Care: I don’t know how high health care costs have to rise to make it plainly obvious that Obamacare hasn’t worked. We believe patient-centered reforms based on free market principles that deliver more choices, lower costs and more flexibility to consumers are a much better way.

These are mere snapshots of much more substantial policy ideas. I encourage you to read the full “Better Way” agenda online at www.Better.gop.

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Martha Roby represents Alabama’s 2nd Congressional District. She lives in Montgomery, Alabama with her husband, Riley, and their two children.

10 COMMENTS

  1. Re: “as many as 68 percent feel the United States is heading in the wrong direction”

    This is a useless question because probably equal percentages think that the country isn’t progressive enough as think the country isn’t conservative enough.

    But one thing is sure: Republicans have had control of government for the last 6 years and the approval ratings of Congress are in the single digits.

    THAT fact reveals a lot.

    When politicians like Trumplethinskin encourage people to be dissatisfied iwth “the government” – they already ARE. But, apart from the President, “the government” has been (very) rightwing – and look at the dissatisfaction levels!!!

    Always remember, the opposite of progressing is REgressing. And really, who in their right mind wants to regress???

  2. If ” Our vision is to reward work”, the best way to do that is to pay a living minimum wage.

    Need proof?

    See: “American families are feeling the squeeze of rising costs for goods and services without a rise in incomes to meet it.”

    And sleazy companies refuse to hire FULL-TIME workers just to avoid paying the commensurate compensations (yes, including health-care coverage!).

    The Trumpster says American workers are overpaid – which is utter nonsense.

    Put the blame where it belongs – on corporate ‘masters’.

  3. Re: “Our vision is renewing the commitment to defeating radical Islamic terrorism overseas”

    Terrific. But couldn’t you also do something bout radical ‘christian’ terrorism right here in America??? Their aim is to make the country a theocracy and bend to/abide by their tenets – which makes a mockery of the 1st Amendment. And, they’re extremely vocal about doing so.

    God help America if Dominionists like Mike Pence ever ascend to the Presidency.

  4. Re: ” I don’t know how high health care costs have to rise to make it plainly obvious that Obamacare hasn’t worked.”

    Such spin! It hasn’t worked as well as it could have because of SIX YEARS or Republican obstructionism and obstreperousness. HOW many Republican ‘governors’ refused Federal money to implement it? (I’m talking to YOU, Rick (5th Amendment X 75) Scott!)

    America is the ONLY developed nation without universal, single-payer healthcare. And all because rich, white, conservatives don’t want their taxes being spent to help poor sick brown people live better lives.

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