AMAC Exclusive-By Shane Harris
When Senator Rick Scott of Florida unveiled his “11-Point Plan to Rescue America” in early March, nearly everyone in the Washington establishment – on both the Left and the Right – immediately dismissed it and derided Scott himself for even releasing it. But what most pundits inside the beltway missed is that, despite a few questionable provisions, the vast majority of Scott’s plan, if reported honestly, will likely resonate with ordinary Americans. At the very least, the plan provides a forward-thinking roadmap for what Republicans could do with their newfound power if they do indeed take back Congress this November.
Soon after its release, Scott’s plan was already notable for doing the impossible in uniting conservatives and progressives against it, as the Left slammed it as too conservative while the Right seemed to believe Republicans shouldn’t put forward an agenda at all. Salon called it “Rick Scott’s loony-tunes 11-point plan,” while the normally friendly National Review called the plan “daft” and slammed Scott himself as a “howling hurler of hooey.” Republicans often haven’t sorted out their legislative priorities before gaining power – a mistake that has led to wasted time and cost the party dearly in recent years, something the reactionary media class and many elected Republicans ignore, and what Scott and GOP voters appear to recognize.
For all their electoral success in Congressional races since 1994 when Newt Gingrich led the GOP back to power for the first time in forty years (thanks in large part to having a specific set of legislative promises), Congressional Republicans haven’t exactly done a stellar job of advancing conservative policies once elected.
To be sure, the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act was a major achievement and paved the way for three years of historic economic success under President Trump, a trend that was only accelerating when the pandemic hit. But infighting and disorganization among Congressional Republicans during the Trump years also sank the effort to repeal Obamacare (the very reason that voters first handed the GOP back control of Congress back in 2010) and stalled work on an infrastructure bill – both of which have now come back to haunt Republicans. During the Bush years, Republicans were similarly mired in internal divides that frustrated much progress on initiatives that might have staved off or at least slowed down the slew of progressive legislation during the Obama years. By contrast, when the GOP did have a real and bold agenda – Newt Gingrich’s famous “Contract with America” – they were able to force a Democratic president to moderate and usher in an era of relative prosperity.
Scott, no doubt aware of this history, appears to understand the need for a set agenda this time around and calls attention to the problem by asserting in a letter introducing the plan, “We must resolve to aim higher than the Republican Congresses that came before us.” While there can and should be some debate over what the specifics of the GOP’s governing plan should be if voters hand back power this November, it’s undeniably true that no one else aside from Scott has stepped up to the plate to even make an attempt at defining what Republicans should actually try and pass.
The plan itself consists of 128 bullet points organized around 11 broad themes. While some of those points are more general statements about what America would look like under Republican leadership – like asserting that “the nuclear family is crucial to civilization” and that “abortion kills human children” – the plan contains a slew of specific policy proposals aimed at turning that vision into reality. As just a few examples among many, Scott’s plan promises to reduce the government workforce by 25% in five years, pass legislation mandating that Congress balance the budget, develop a plan to make the U.S. #1 in the world in math and science by 2030, close the federal Department of Education and send all education money to the states, put term limits on members of Congress, and end training on diversity and Critical Race Theory in the military.
Most of the outrage – from both the Left and the Right – has centered on one bullet point in Scott’s plan, which says that “all Americans should pay some income tax to have skin in the game, even if a small amount. Currently, over half of Americans pay no income tax.” That’s not exactly true – every American pays income tax, but with the way the system is currently set up, about half of taxpayers have no income tax liability at the end of the year. And admittedly, saying that the poorest 50% of Americans should pay more tax in isolation sounds like a losing strategy for any political party, particularly one that has for decades built an identity around lowering the tax burden.
In a Wall Street Journal op-ed defending the plan, Scott says that it is only unsustainable runaway spending that has allowed the current tax system to take root and that “the change we need is to require those who are able-bodied but won’t work to pay a small amount so we’re all in this together.” Scott asserts that “this may be a scary statement in Washington, but in the real world, it’s common sense.”
The wisdom of this specific point is undoubtedly debatable. But that proposal is just one sentence in a 50+ page document, yet it has been used by both the media and establishment politicians in both parties to dismiss the plan entirely, something which seems neither prudent nor productive. While Republicans are understandably reluctant to go anywhere near something that appears to be a tax hike on the poor, that doesn’t mean that the plan itself is of no value.
On every issue that matters to Americans, including many the media won’t cover, Scott has specific plans for how to address it. Moreover, he collects in one place all of the things that Republicans should be talking about heading into the midterms, a sort of first draft of one master document that Republicans can use to send a clear message to voters about what they stand for.
With the Biden administration and Congressional Democrats facing down a cascade of self-inflicted crises and a wave of public disapproval, it can be easy for conservatives and elected Republicans to settle into a comfortable pattern of attacking the Left for their failed policies and incompetent governance. That is indeed a worthy endeavor, one that must be undertaken with vigor, but not at the expense of having a real plan to implement once elected – a plan that the American people should be well aware of when they head to the ballot box. On that, the GOP may do well to follow Scott’s lead.
Shane Harris is a writer and political consultant from Southwest Ohio. You can follow him on Twitter @Shane_Harris_
The most important piece of this article was the following:
“For all their electoral success in Congressional races since 1994 when Newt Gingrich led the GOP back to power for the first time in forty years (thanks in large part to having a specific set of legislative promises), Congressional Republicans haven’t exactly done a stellar job of advancing conservative policies once elected.”
Translated into plain English for those of you out there that may not get what the author is hinting at is most Republican politicians running for Congressional office have a history of making sweeping promises when campaigning and then turning around after being elected and doing precious little in the way of delivering on those promises. Expressed in even more basic terms, a lot of old guard, establishment Republican politician types, like McConnell, Graham, and many others, morph into constitutional conservatives for the campaign process and then, as soon as they are comfortably re-elected, they return to being the protectors of the Washington status quo.
Nowhere was this more on display than the period between the 2010 midterms and the 2018 midterms. Congressional Republicans made a number of promises centered around things like the repeal of Obamacare to tax reform on a postcard size return. The people kept giving the Republicans more and more control of Congress and in 2016 even elected a Republican President willing to do all of it. Which is something the establishment Republicans never thought would happen. They never envisioned they would have to deliver on all the commitments they made.
What did the Republican controlled Congress do once they had a clear field to enact everything, they had been promising for the past several years starting in January 2017? They spent the next two years finding ways to drag their feet on almost everything. I think everyone remembers the Keystone Kops routine both houses of Congress played over what should have been a straight-forward process to deal with Obamacare and that even feeble final watered-down solution couldn’t get enacted. The only reason we even got as good a tax reform bill enacted as we did was because President Trump insisted, under threat of a veto, that it include tax relief for the middle-class taxpayer and small businesses versus just tax cuts for the major corporations that Ryan and McConnell favored. Remember McConnell and Ryan saying they would deal with small businesses and the middle class in a “phase two” of tax reform that neither member of Congress ever intended to get to? Classic kicking of the can down the road by the Washington, if left to their own devices. So aside from President Trump dragging Congress to deliver something of substance for the American people in the first two years (tax reform), Congress would have done NOTHING in terms of legislation. Everything else the President accomplished in the first two years was via executive orders. Regulatory relief, which helped lower costs in so many ways, and helped stimulate the overall economy and encourage growth wasn’t done by Congress, but by the President. Virtually everything else of positive substance for the balance of President Trump’s term in office was accomplished by the President dragging a reluctant Republican leadership to keep up.
As for the Scott proposal, to date it is the only thing that outlines anything in the way of what the Republicans “might do” if they regain control of both chambers of Congress. I view it as a rough draft, with some positives and negatives, to get a real conversation started to get the Party on a more coherent page. So far, I see nothing else of substance being put forth from any other faction within the Republican Party. Complaining about bits and pieces of Scott’s outline isn’t the same as offering a better, more well-defined and detailed alternative plan from the various factions in the Party. The talk from most Republicans of a “red wave” and a few vague talking points that say nothing, is not an alternative action plan. The Republican Party should already have a new Contract with American style plan written and being discussed with the American people on a daily basis. So far, the Republican Party is still fumbling for a coherent, concise message and set of near- and long-term deliverables and time is slipping away. Does the Republician Party want to actually take control of Congress and try to turn around some of this mess or does it just want to fund raise off of this mess like they did from 2010 through 2018? The American people want both solutions and leadership, NOT another phone call or email asking for campaign donations.
Sorry for the long comment folks, but the conversation needs to be elevated beyond the usual binary discussion of all Republicans good and Democrats bad, so send more money to Republicans which is at the unspoken heart of so many of these articles.
This report being factual, I like it. Let’s add a 12th, strike down income tax for a sales tax that the electorate must vote on.
The Republican Party better wake up!
I remember their broken promises
“The Contact with America”
Got them elected, then turned their backs on the voters who put them in office! rino’s
President Donald J Trump is the first Republican to run his campaign on what he would do if he got of elected. And did it! Simple! Do what you say your going to do!
President Donald J Trump would have got it all done if the Republican Party would have given him their full support to do so. Get the rino’s out!
We want our county back!
PaulE, I agree wholeheartedly with your statement. I am a conservative, but I got so, so tired of the “run around, bickering” that went on the last few years, that now, I listen to what is being said and I am picking the best person possible, since no one is concerned enough to ACTUALLY get the job done. I will vote, but it will not be straight Red or Blue! It will be for the person that actually wants to get the job done. NEW BLOOD, out with the old, in with the NEW!!!!
Term limits are a great idea. Most long term politicians are in it to get more and more money. They don’t care about the little people except when it’s time to vote. After they win we’re history.
Great article imo. We did elect a Republican congress to do something about Bummer care but they did nothing. So disappointing!! I personally agree with what was shared on Scott’s plan and think most of us agree. We are taxed enough for sure. Stop the spending!! I could go on and on but most get my drift!!!
The ESTABLISHMENT REPUBS ALONG WITH THE DEMOCRAT;S ARE WHAT IS WRONG WITH THIS COUNTRY, ALL SHOULD BE TRIED FOR TREASON AS THEY HAVE TRASHED ALL ARTICLES OF OUR CONSTITUTION AND HAVE SPENT THIS COUNTRY INTO BANKRUPTCY.
THEY CONTINUE TO ENGAGE IN OPEN BORDERS IN VIOLATION OF FEDERAL LAW AND ARE NOW ALLOWING AN INVASION OF THIS COUNTRY BY ILLEGAL ENTRANTS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD, PAID FOR AND DIRECTED BY THE US GOVERNMENT.
THAT ALONE SHOULD QUALIFY THIS CONGRESS FOR A TRIAL AND WHEN FOUND GUILTY OF TREASON, HUNG TILL DEAD.
A FITTING REWARD FOR THE TRAITORS THAT THIS CONGRESS AND ADMIN IS. imo
The GOP is riddled with sold out traitors including Mitch McConnell and Mitt Romney. I can’t believe McConnell endorsed Lisa Murkowski who voted for voted to confirm the racist Jackson to the SCOTUS.
There is only one fair tax! To understand the “Fair Tax”? A must read for every US Citizen! The “Fair Tax Book”!! Your copy can be found on on Amazon, and other book stores!
There is no such thing as a “fair tax” on individuals! The people at the bottom of the income scale pay no tax at all, while the people at the top of the income scale can afford to pay “tax advisors” who ensure that they will pay the least amount of tax possible. Only the middle class, that makes a living wage and, in some cases, a little more, has to bear the burden of a tax system that is rigged against them.
The RINOs block the plan like did Contract for America in ’94
The only way to truly get the swamp draining is to remove the do nothing establishment that have no backbone to do what needs to be done! If you always do what you have always done, you will get what you have always gotten. Congress has a spending problem!
How about term limits on any position in the Government that requires a civilian vote? That seems like the best starting point.
There is a group that is putting together a Continental Congress to reign in this out of control usurping gubment…we need 34 states and as of last week we now have 20. If we can pull this off, we the people can make the decisions needed to move our country forward, like term limits, downsizing the government….we do not need 18 security departments like the FBI, CSA, NSA, CIA, Homeland, etc. The Federal government is totally too damn big and needs to be brought down on its knees from We the People…Find out if you state has joined to reduce the feds and their powers….if not, find out how to propose this to your state….we have almost 2/3rds now, but we need the other 14.
I read Senator Scott’s article in the WSJ and printed the article and his “11-Points”. I keep them and the following Opinions in a file. At least one Republican has a written plan. Just like any law, it starts out with an idea and gets fine-tuned. You have to stand for something, or you don’t stand for anything.
“…what Republicans could do with their newfound power if they do indeed take back Congress.”
What would they do? They will cross the aisle, bend over, make friends with their “losing” opponent, reach their hand out, get it bit off, then do what the Dems want them to do to prove that they are “bi-partisan”. When Dems win, they steamroll. When Repubs “win”, Dems steamroll. Uniparty.
To be quite honest there is no unity among the Republicans and the Democratic party is in lunatic mode and they want power so with that said can someone have the guts to stand between the Republicans and the democrats show them how we can bring unity back in style in America?
Infighting and disorganization…..the watch words of the GOP…..for the past 40 years or more. No wonder the GOP is a failure and the Dems are on top….at least the dems have some kind of plan.
Scott’s 11 point plan, while not perfect, it is a plan and has most of the points that matter to this Republic’s survival and growth…unfortunately, the GOP and others tend to throw the whole thing out the window rather than sit down an discuss its merits and come up with something that works…..my guess is the GOP in general would like the status quo so they can butter their bread, pack their wallets and fill their power brokering treasure houses….just like the dems……maybe I am just crazy……
I would like to know where AMAC is getting these votes on comments that I am supposed to be making when I have just read the comment??!!!
Republicans, especially those of the ???? persuasion, prefer to be unorganized and remotely connected to their voters (except election time).
Like most pols who stay in office very long, they owe allegiance to numerous entities, but most importantly, their own pocketbooks.
Constituents are a drag.
SCOTT is new enough in the Senate and therefore retaining a shred of honesty. His format is a great idea that needs tweaking, but any “PLAN” is about as welcome in the GOP as Donald Trump !
I guess Scott’s plan is a bit better that the DemocRat’s plan of morphing into Communism. Things aren’t going to remedy themselves unless the voting system can be fixed so that rigging by the DemocRats allow them the power to continue the Nation’s disguised and subtle march to Communism. And as to cleaning up the voting system, I see little, or no, actions being spawned by the Republicans to fix the problem.
Rick Scott did a great job as Governor of Florida and is doing the same as a Senator. The GOP would indeed do well to follow his lead.
This author does not know what he is talking about. His statement, “That’s not exactly true – every American pays income tax, but with the way the system is currently set up, about half of taxpayers have no income tax liability at the end of the year” does not make any sense. Having a tax liability at year end is not the basis for determining if a federal income tax has been paid. Keep in mind that social Security taxes are not federal income taxes.
Some taxpayers have overpaid their federal income taxes by year end and therefore have no federal income tax liability at year end, In this case they are entitled to a federal tax refund for the year. As for requiring Americans to pay a federal income tax, I agree that every adult American under 65 years old should help pay for the protection of their liberties. They should want to. Otherwise they should be exiled from this country as they are not entitled to other people’s money.
Yes, many voters will reject this idea. They are frankly ignorant. Many ignorant people also believe corporations should pay an income tax. They do not understand that corporations just pass the cost on to consumers/customers so they are still paying the income tax but indirectly.
I like most of Senator Scott’s plan. It is a step in the right direction. However even it can be improved.
People don’t value things which are free! Why do you think government housing projects turn into rat-infested dumps? Why put out money and effort for something you don’t own? Everyone should pay some tax, even if it is a dollar a week!
As for spending: If we just FROZE spending we could eventually balance the budget, provided we went back to Trumpian economics!
Finally! Someone who is for eliminating the Dept. of Education. To me any Congressional control over education is a conflict of interest. After all many congresspeople depend on the votes of the non-educated and under-educated voters for their job security.
I would go further and demand the ending of the federal income tax — remember a direct tax by the United States upon its citizens was unconstitutional in the original Constitution. Rather I would have each state pay into the federal treasury an amount equal to the state’s share of the approved federal budget based on the state’s representation in the House of Representatives. (i.e. every state pays dues!) I think this action would also help to promote a balanced federal budget. Instead of 50+ governors/administrators sending their representatives to raid the federal treasury. they would be more likely to demand less federal spending so each state could retain and decide how to spend its citizens’ tax dollars. And of course without the federal “administrative” costs to redistribute education and other funds, each state would have more money to spend on education and other priorities.
I could go on about term limits for congress; congressional pensions vs Social Security — let them fund an I.R.A. or 4O1-k etc like the rest of us; ACA insurance for government workers and legislators, etc. but I have taken up too much space already.
Definitely agree another “contract with America” is needed to hopefully force Republicans to pursue definite goals. When they had the houses, they did nothing.
Senator Scott’s plan is a superb “first cut” at, what I believe to be essential; a commitment to fix problems and get America back on track!
Those republicans who simply deride it are exactly the folks who need to be challenged in a primary and replaced.
The income tax should be replaced with “The Fair Tax!” (See the book by Neal Boortz )
I’m sick and tired of so-called “Republicans” (RINO’s) who have contributed NOTHING to Republican ideas, and are the first to criticize efforts to define clearly what we stand for!!
Seems to me that other Republicans should be supportive of Scott’s efforts and assist in making the plan better. The knock on Republicans is exactly “what do they stand for”. This is an opportunity to tell the American people, and not just try to assume power on the premise that the Democrats are doing terribly. Have a vision and let it be known.
“one bullet point in Scott’s plan says “all Americans should pay some income tax to have skin in the game, even if a small amount. ‘. . ., over half of Americans pay no income tax.” That’s not exactly true – every American pays income tax, but with the way the system is currently set up, about half of taxpayers have no income tax liability at the end of the year.
If there is no tax liability, then how/why do they pay taxes?
“And admittedly, saying that the poorest 50% of Americans should pay more tax in isolation sounds like a losing strategy.” Nonsense, if everyone earning money paid even a few dollars, more people might feel like they have a stake in things.
In my opinion term limits is the key point that no one in Congress will allow. It would disrupt their wealth gravy train and, good Lord, their elitist power.
Term Limits would solve a wealth of issues but only a national referendum can make that happen.
I didn’t care for Rick or his wife when he was Florida’s governor. But I do like what he’s trying to do in Congress. If our representatives and senators would get their heads out of their butts, and stop supporting other countries that won’t help themselves, they might actually see the good in his proposals. Desantis and/or Trump and Scott would make a great trio and bring this country back up from her knees where Biden, Obama, Harris, Pelosi, Schumer and Ocasio, along with most Democrats, have put her.
And this is why I’ve registered as an Independent. It wasn’t my first choice, but it’s what it’s come down to.
I’m beyond disgusted with both the Democrats AND the ‘flagrant RINOs’, as well as those Republicans who remain “cloaked”. They ARE NOT representing the will of the people. How can they when “We have to pass the bill before we can know what’s in the bill.” (Pelosi) It’s more than an INSULT they think we are that stupid. Moreover, they KNOW we are largely at a disadvantage to do anything about it. So they continue writing & passing “ bills which they “pack” with “criminal pork & backroom deals” to enrich themselves ” and bankrupt us. Regardless of our race, they view us as their SLAVES!
McCarthy leans Rino, replace with Scott as House Leader to chair his MAGA plan. Set aside plan polarizing obstacles for 2022. Revisit those points in 2024 when Trump/DeSantis win.
If low income social security recipients have to pay federal income tax on 80% of their benefit… it’s a GREAT IDEA to hold people on welfare for generations to the same standard.
I would like to see his 11 Point Plan before I comment. I am only on SS and with the exorbitant increases in everything the past 2 years, I can barely pay for gas or food after paying my bills! Still, I’d like to see how the bill is constructed with my own eyes.
This is a great plan wish someone on Republican side will adopt and implement this.
“Make an attempt at defining what Republicans should try TO pass” not what They should try AND pass.it’s basic English. You lose your audience if you use poor grammar.
It would be a wise move to release this plan to the voters NOW, and encourage them to contact their Republican Representatives with their views on it. Set plans and goals go a LONG way to winning votes and confidence of the People, and I believe a LOT of Republicans like myself are fed-up with watching our elected officials do nothing to learn what WE want for America and how they can accomplish those things. The Right NEEDS a solid road to follow, beginning with strict adherence to the Constitution and consequences for any official that dares violate it.
I’ve been saying for years that everyone should pay something, even if it’s only a little bit. That’s the only way that those who don’t pay anything will care how their money is spent!
What ALL of America should do.
We should inundate the Dark Houses PHONES/EMAIL what else and IF there
PROTEST this REGIME of Comrade Biden,
Like the people did in Idaho with the Baby Cyrus CPS ordeal.
I agree with most of the provisions in Senator Scott’s proposals, some go too far, some not far enough. The major disagreement I have is I believe we should get rid of the income tax altogether. What would be better is a federal sales tax on everything except food and fuel. That way everyone pays it and everyone pays the same percentage. Poor people will pay less because they buy a smaller amount of things that aren’t food. We also need to stop the government from spend so much money and set a limit on how much can be spent on things outside our borders, as it is now, Biden is shoveling money to foreign interests faster than they can steal it from hard working Americans. I propose that no more than 2% of the total budget can leave the U.S. and then only if there is no deficit.
FLAT TAX, flat tax, flat tax…..
Abolish the IRS and institute a fair, flat tax on all goods.
Everybody pays tax.
They didn’t dismiss it because of the tax idea. No, they dismissed it due to the term limits, balanced budget and reducing government ideas. The rinos and demonrates are both as evil as the devil. They are corrupt to the core and will do anything to keep their power and money. Just look at what they did to the real president Trump, who wanted to ” drain the swamp”
2 Major Issues: Term Limits and MOST OF ALL Banning Attorneys From Running For Any Political Office! . . . Sure, they know the law, but they also know the loopholes in the laws and unfortunately, are basically dishonest people at best, because of their win at all costs profession!
While I haven’t read all of Scott’s plan, it sounds like he has some common sense, a rare commodity in politics. And while I’m not sure the very poor should pay taxes, they should at least not get all the “freebies” the government hands out, unless they are willing and able to work at something.
An extremely salient point of this article is that the Republicans, should they gain a majority in the House and Senate in November, should actually DO something this time! They have, again and again, just completely wasted any majority they’ve had in the past. It’s far past time for them to stand up for the constituents who put them in office, and if they cannot do that, they need to go. We all need to quit voting for these losers who do absolutely nothing for us when they get to D.C.
Flat tax is the answer. Then everyone pays.
I don’t see anything wrong with a proposal stating that able body persons who aren’t willing to work should pay taxes. Get to work if you are physically able. Others can’t afford to carry you
Well, it’s a great start. You have to have a map to know where you’re going, and the Republicans absolutely must develop and adopt a plan, similar to this one, if they are going to be successful when they regain control of the House and Senate. Do something is the operative phrase.
Do you need further proof that WE THE PEOPLE are being played? Both parties are against this nation. Time to wake up to that fact. It is NOT a two party system, it is now one big one. Good night Gracie.