This column is co-authored by Joe Penland Sr. and Hon. Dave Walker.
America is at a critical crossroads in its history. We have strayed from many of the principles and values on which our country was founded and helped to make us great. Ones like a limited but effective federal government, individual liberty and opportunity, personal responsibility and accountability, rule of law and equal justice under the law, fiscal responsibility and inter-generational equity, and stewardship.
The sad but simple truth is that America has lost control of its finances and its borders. Armed international conflicts have increased and U.S. influence around the world is declining. Americans are feeling the pinch of inflation and higher interest rates. Polling shows that a significant majority of American voters are not happy with the current situation and have serious concerns about the future. A significant majority of voters have also lost confidence in its federal leaders and institutions. They believe the country is headed in the wrong direction, have a low opinion of the federal government’s effectiveness, and are dissatisfied with Congress, the President, and their upcoming choices in the Presidential election. The nation is divided politically, ideologically, and in other ways, which is evident in many ways, including in election campaigns and on college campuses.
Given the above, we have taken a page from history involving H. Ross Perot, Sr. and the previous Contract with America which was promulgated by former Speaker Newt Gingrich to help take control of the House. The Contract with America was an issue oriented and solutions-based approach that was inspired by Ross Perot. It was a stark contrast to typical campaigns because it represented a commitment to push a specific agenda and to be held accountable for doing so if the Republicans obtained majority status, which they did. This referendum style approach was effective then and can be effective again.
We have combined our effort, experience, and knowledge of recent polling to draft the Contract From the American People (Contract). The Contract includes several issues the American people are most concerned about based on extensive polling, including polling by No Labels to develop its Common Sense booklet, and our combined individual citizen education and engagement experience spanning forty-seven states and DC. It is intended to encourage candidates for President and other federal offices to focus on specific issues and sensible solutions rather than partisan points, personalities, and generalities.
The contract addresses the following ten issues:
- Reign in excessive spending and address mounting national debt burdens by adopting a statutory Fiscal Sustainability Commission.
- Adopt a Constitutional Amendment that will reduce debt as a percentage of the economy to a reasonable and sustainable level over time.
- Reform and save Social Security so that it will remain able to pay full benefits to current and future retirees.
- Control excess inflation by avoiding excessive spending and tightening eligibility for and toughen enforcement of selected government assistance programs.
- Secure the border and reign in illegal immigration while pursuing Immigration reform.
- Enforce current laws, provide equal justice under the law, and have zero-tolerance for serious crime.
- Implement diversified energy policies that will boost the economy, provide affordable energy, ensure energy independence, and address environmental concerns.
- Promote school choice, focus more on core curricula and desired outcomes, and enhance school security.
- Fight corruption at all levels of government and remove from office those who abuse the public trust.
- Adopt term limits for Members of Congress.
The Contract includes additional ideas regarding how to address the above issues in ways that should be able to garner bipartisan support. We are hopeful that millions of Americans will sign-up and support this Contract. By doing so, individuals can magnify their voice and be heard in a more effective and concrete manner to those who are seeking to represent them. This can be particularly significant in connection with the Presidential election since it is expected to be a very close race and of critical importance to America’s future. After all, ‘We the People’ are ultimately responsible and accountable for what our elected officials do or fail to do.
As patriotic citizens, fathers, and grandfathers, we want to do everything we can to help ensure that we discharge our stewardship obligation to our country and families. Please join us by reviewing and signing the Contract. You will find it at www.joefromtexas.com.
By working together to push elected officials to support and promote this Contract, we can make a meaningful and lasting difference for America and Americans.
Joe Penland is a family man with children, grandchildren and great grandchildren who has had tremendous success and lived the American dream. His beliefs are both straightforward and deeply held. He believes in God, his family, and the United States of America.
Dave is a nationally and internationally recognized fiscal responsibility and governmenttransformation/ accountability expert. He has over 40 years of executive level experience in thepublic, private and non-profit sectors, including heading three federal agencies, two non-profits,and leading a global service line for Arthur Andersen LLP. His most recent full-time federalposition was as the seventh Comptroller General of the United States and CEO of the U.S.Government Accountability Office (GAO) for almost 10 years. This was one of his threePresidential appointments by Presidents from both political parties, with unanimous Senateconfirmation each time.