A Middle Class Bill of Rights

Posted September 9th, 2008 at 9.12pm in Energy and Environment, Health Care.

Rep. Eric Cantor (R-VA) dropped by Heritage this afternoon for our Conservative Bloggers’ Briefing to talk about his Middle Class Bill of Rights, a plan he’s crafted to address concerns he’s hearing from constituents in his district and across America. Cantor said for too long Democrats have claimed to ownership over the middle class. He’s hoping to change that perception with a plan that:

Brings down gas prices
Lowers the cost of food
Makes paychecks go further
Creates more jobs and ensures safer retirements
Provides health care coverage for families
Simplifies and guarantees honest and fair tax code

The GOP’s chief deputy whip said the recent 25-day protest on the House floor and John McCain’s selection of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as vice president have revitalized conservatives. He said using that enthusiasm to achieve legislative goals would be the right’s next test. On drilling specifically, Cantor said liberals have put electoral politics ahead of public policy.

With just three weeks left before Congress adjourns for the year, a handful of Senate Republicans have compromised on an energy bill known as the Gang of 10. Cantor said the legislation is troublesome for its restrictions on energy exploration in the Outer Continental Shelf. Unfortunately, it’s the one bill Democrats appear willing to consider.

Cantor was preceded at the briefing by the Wall Street Journal’s John Fund, who discussed vote fraud and its implications on the 2008 presidential election.

Author: Rob Bluey
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4 Comments

September 10, 2008 Jessica Phoenix, az writes:

I think it is great the conservative may have got their nerve back and are willing again to stand on the true conservative values that a majority of the American people are craving, especially families. I hope that the gang of ten fail and that we get real drilling and energy alternative in place and if they don’t the republicans need to place blame where it belongs, with the do-nothing democrats. The American people need to know who is really looking out for them.

September 10, 2008 Kelly, Castle Rock CO writes:

Why does just the “middle class” (which evidently, I belong to) deserve a separate bill of rights? Shouldn’t individual rights be extended to all Americans? Since when is health care a right? Since when are “reasonable” gas prices a right? And to say that any tax code is honest and fair is simply dishonest and unfair. It is never moral for the government to take my property against my will and give it to others. How is it that this country has gotten so far away from the concept of individual rights, including property rights? Eric Cantor should be ashamed of himself and to be a member of the Republican Party. The Party used to be for limited government, individual rights and personal responsibility, now it’s just another socialist party like the Democrats. People like Eric are the reason that so many of us can no longer call ourselves Republicans and why many like me are now “Unafilliated.” When is the Party going to get a clue?

September 10, 2008 Justin, WA writes:

True conservative values?

What happened to the true conservative value of limited government. A limited government doesn’t control gas or food prices… It certainly doesn’t create jobs… It certainly doesn’t grant health care.

It gets the heck out of the way and lets the market (i.e. the people) work.

This isn’t “true” conservative values… This is socialism.

September 10, 2008 Thomas Gray, South Carolina writes:

Mr Kelly and Mr Juston,,

I agree,,, The failure of most small company’s is gov meddling and monopily laws that take away our RIGHT to work. Tom.

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