EJ Dionne’s faith in Republicans’ need to refresh and
reinvent their image is welcome. Immigration reform and decriminalization will
assist this shift toward the center. Dionne’s argument that Republicans have
pursued “insidious” anti-democratic measures in Michigan is patently untrue.
A free market of ideas means nothing for individual
employees if they are forced to pay dues into a union, whether they want to
join or not. Furthermore, these dues inevitably fund Democratic candidates and
causes, much of the time without the permission of the compelled employees. Those
same candidates and causes then hurt state legislatures’ ability to manage debt
and negotiate manageable and responsible contracts with public sector unions.
My home state of California is hemorrhaging billions of dollars every year
because of pension obligations, yet the newly-installed Democratic
supermajority has neither will or interest in curbing the generous pensions and
benefits driving my state into bankruptcy and default.
While Republicans must retool their message and reassess their
values to reach out to minorities, women and youth, they can also relax and
witness the demise of Democratic talking points, including higher taxes which
discourage investment and economic growth, along with excessive spending and
regulations which kill jobs and increase unemployment.
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