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_
Agreed Republicans tend to waste their advantage! Hope they understand this going forward !
When Dems are in power they are (more) unified and aggressively pull our country to the LEFT. When Republicans are in power (not unified) they do nothing to pull the country back to the RIGHT. Consequently the country over time keeps moving further and further LEFT. This is the reason so many Conservatives/Republicans are frustrated. All the reasons, explanations, excuses, etc. don’t matter, this is what is happening.
The Republican Party needs to go the way of the Whigs and be replaced by a true Conservative party. I mostly vote Republican because the alternative is the party of Satan. Why do the Republicans speak against Senator Rick Scott when he had the courage to articulate a vision? One can disagree with one of his points without lambasting the entire document. Republicans never learn that you cannot beat something with nothing.
I have zero confidence that the GOP will do anything except continue to be a speed bump for the DCP and the Media, they will continue to be run over at will. This will continue until the established hack leadership of the Party is removed, McConnell, Graham, Cornyn, McCarthy, and probably many others. These corrupted hacks have played a major role in bringing us to where we are today.
For those old enough to remember the contract with America: No contract; No support.
A trillion is a big number. The U.S. of A. is thirty trillion in debt. Calculate how many years it will take for a clock to tick off one trillion seconds (about 32,500 years).
A trillion is a BIG number!
Candidates are salesmen – they are selling themselves and their plans. With no future plans proposed, they have nothing to sell. They all need to wake up!
In addition, what’s really wrong with everyone paying some tax, even if it’s only $25 or $50 on a very short form to reduce processing costs.
none of his issues matter if we don’t take democrat communism head-on and defeat it. which of “his issues” would you trade for in favor of communism?
Scott’s updated plan stems from previous proposals, none of which made it very far to address the economic issues facing the USA. But what are the alternatives? A national sales tax (or Value Added Tax if you prefer) would encourage companies and wealthy individuals to simply store their money away and not invest it in goods or infrastructure so they would owe no tax (or perhaps spend it outside of the USA!). A national flat income tax would undoubtedly soon be riddled with “exceptions” and require another army of IRS workers to administer and enforce. Congress has no incentive to reign in inflation and escalating taxation because that fuels their over-budget spending, which is the root of the whole problem. How could so many Americans be duped that the trillions of dollars of “Covid relief” funding is “free money” that will haunt our children for generations?
Most Americans are still naive about taxes. Yes, every adult citizen pays Income Tax, Businesses pay taxes, etc ….. but what seems to escape real understanding of citizens is that INFLATION is the way the Federal Government adds to its “taxing.” Ergo, we need a balanced budget amendment applied to our political leaders who, as a group, can’t confine their governing to keeping the government on a responsible spending basis …. and will continue to do so until forced by LAW to provide a balanced budget and adherence to same (and add might some meaningful penalty that forces them to do this). Otherwise, they will continue to spend recklessly hiding behind inflation.
Does Scott still adhere to enacting gun control?
If I remember correctly part of the “Contract With America” was the adoption of term limits. That was the first thing the newly elected Republican congress jettisoned.
I’m sure term limits on them was the top objection, but since that wouldn’t look good, they chose the item they knew would get potentially an additional 50% voter approval – tax for all.
The very thought that Senator Rick Scott actually HAS a PLAN is monumental. Unfortunately many in our government are more concerned with making politically correct statements that won’t offend anyone than telling the truth for the welfare of our country. Also, too many Americans only want to hear what makes them happy, not the truth. Sad to see our moral values so compromised.
Why don’t we just abolish the IRS, come up with a flat rated tax plan, with a minimum income requirement to be taxed. Thus not punishing those who make below an established level of income, while those above the threshold, pay an equal amount based on say a 15% to 18% level for personal income, and establish a corporate income level to be taxed also at a flat rate. If they sell goods in this country, they pay taxes in this country. No more ludicrous tax laws that require a Phd, or tax attorney to circumnavigate. No corporate welfare either. All the rest of Mr Scotts’s ideas can be negotiated, a fiscally responsible government with term limits is not an absurd idea IMHO. Most all of this should be delegated to the states as was the original intention of our founding documents. Governance for and by the people, not the elected reps inside the beltway that are no longer in touch with their constituents.
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.
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.
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
Flat tax is the answer. Then everyone pays.
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.
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.
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!
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”
FLAT TAX, flat tax, flat tax…..
Abolish the IRS and institute a fair, flat tax on all goods.
Everybody pays tax.
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.
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’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!
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.
“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.
This is a great plan wish someone on Republican side will adopt and implement this.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
“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.
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.
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!!
Definitely agree another “contract with America” is needed to hopefully force Republicans to pursue definite goals. When they had the houses, they did nothing.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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 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??!!!
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……
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?
“…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.
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.