We, the citizens of the United States of America, call upon those seeking to represent us in public office to sign the Contract from America and by doing so commit to support each of its agenda items and advocate on behalf of individual liberty, limited government, and economic freedom.
1. Protect the Constitution
2. Reject Cap & Trade
3. Demand a Balanced Budget
4. Enact Fundamental Tax Reform
5. Restore Fiscal Responsibility & Constitutionally Limited Government in Washington
6. End Runaway Government Spending
7. Defund, Repeal, & Replace Government-run Health Care
8. Pass an ‘All-of-the-Above” Energy Policy
9. Stop the Pork
10. Stop the Tax Hikes
We are pleased that the Republicans were so heavily influenced by the message of the grassroots Contract from America that their “Pledge to America” includes many of our Contract’s planks, including the top-voted idea to “Protect the Constitution” by requiring every bill to cite Constitutional authority, rejection of Cap and Trade, the imposition of meaningful spending limits, repeal of government-run health care, and extension of the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts.
House GOP takes a cue from the Contract FROM America and issues a “Pledge to America.” The document combines both substance and a focus on fiscal issues. While there is much to digest (it weighs in a 20 pages!), it seems they have started listening to the American people and are ready to make your priorities, their priorities.
“I think (House Republican leaders) are definitely more credible now than they were in October 2008″ when many Republicans joined with many Democrats to support the Wall Street bailout, said Ryan Hecker [founder of the Contract from America initiative]. “They gain more credibility the more they listen.”
“I think it is great that House Republicans are listening to the people and borrowing from the tea party movement and the Contract from America project,” Hecker said in a press release. A handful of GOP lawmakers and candidates have signed onto the Contract from America since its inception, including Sens. Jim DeMint and Tom Coburn.
We enthusiastically applaud the efforts of GOP leaders to actively listen to the American people. We also strongly encourage you to use “America Speaking Out” as an additional tool to make sure your voice is heard. Visit their site. Register your name. Get involved. Review the ideas. Write comments. MOST IMPORTANTLY… CAST YOUR VOTES. It can be found online at: it can be found online at http://www.americaspeakingout.com/.
Tomorrow, House Republicans are launching a new initiative to “engage Americans across the country and give them a voice in creating a new agenda for Congress.” Called, “America Speaking Out,” the effort is led by Chief Deputy Whip, Kevin McCarthy (R-CA).
Ryan Hecker, founder of the Contract from America initiative said, “I think it is great that House Republicans are listening to the people and borrowing from the tea party movement and the Contract from America project”
[In an effort that looks vaguely familiar to other online initiatives,] House GOP leaders will roll out a new initiative on Tuesday that will become a central part of designing their policy agenda. “”America Speaking Out” will be our effort to engage the American people about their priorities for a new policy agenda,” said one GOP aide.
