When your car is rushing toward a cliff, “progress” is the last thing that is needed

Some have talked about Sen. John Thune of South Dakota as a presidential prospect. Thune so far has struck me as just another bland Republican. However, the last part of his address for the GOP this week (see video) is good. Reading it, I’m reminded of a conservative T-shirt I saw advertised the other day on the Web: “Just Undo it.” I’ve never purchased a “message” T-shirt in my life, but I’m going to buy this one.

Thune said:

… There is a reason jobs are not being created.

There is a reason too many Americans who want a job can’t find one.

There is a reason the dollar is weak and our economy is not growing as it should.

The reason is that President Obama and Congressional Democrats have led this country in the wrong direction.

Government cannot be openly hostile to American businesses, and expect them to grow and create jobs.

Government cannot raise taxes during tough economic times, and expect small businesses to grow and create jobs.

A new direction is needed.

The president likes to say that when you want to drive forward you put your car in D, and when you want to go in reverse you put it in R. It’s a clever line, but when you’re speeding toward a cliff, you don’t want to keep the car in drive.

Republicans want to reverse the dangerous course the Democrats have us on.

Republicans want to reverse Democrats’ plan to raise taxes on the 750,000 small businesses in this country that employ 25 percent of all workers. So employers have more money to create new jobs.

Republicans support policies that will grow the economy, not the government.

Republicans want to repeal the flawed health care law that has been rejected by the American public, and replace it with a new plan that actually reduces costs. We want to reverse the uncertainty in the marketplace so that small businesses have the confidence to grow and invest and create jobs.

And Republicans want to reverse this nonsense of government bailouts and takeovers of private businesses.

Republicans have proposed real, concrete solutions to the challenges we face as a country.

We have learned the lessons not only of what hasn’t worked over the past two years, but what didn’t work the last time Republicans controlled Congress. Republicans are listening to the frustration being expressed by Americans all across this country, and we are determined to take this country in the right direction.

The choice could not be more clear. Democrats are driving more of the same failed policies they have pushed for the past two years. Republicans are proposing to take this country in a different direction.

So I would like to suggest a simple question people should ask themselves to help cut through all the talk: Are you better off today than you were two years ago? I’m Senator John Thune. Thank you for listening.

Posted by Lawrence Auster at October 24, 2010 04:23 PM | Send