Lately I've been hearing little blips and blurbs (not cogent arguments, of course) from my more conservative-leaning friends and garden-variety wingnuts on the radio about how this crisis is somehow the Democrats fault, or at least Clinton's fault [really? no kidding...]. So as a result I got a little curious and started doing a little crap-diving into the last three Republican party platforms and I found something kinda cool that I'd like to share....
Curious? Follow me after the jump:
I looked at the 2000, 2004 and 2008 GOP Platforms (links below), and did a simple cntrl+F search for the word "regulation". My results were:
- 27 matches
- 11 matches
- 8 matches
This alone is a significant though superficial observation that something caused the GOP to dramatically reduce their emphasis on the discussion of regulation. And, as you can imagine, this discussion was hardly, if ever, in favor of regulation.
But once I started reading the relevant passages, a trend definitely emerged among the three platforms.
Here are some excerpts from 2000:
The old liberal approach — using the threat of stifling regulations to redistribute wealth and opportunity — will work no better than it ever has, and perhaps much worse, in the new economy.
...the first order of business at the Department of Health and Human Services will be to eliminate regulations
High taxes and unreasonable regulations stifle new and expanded businesses and thwart the creation of job opportunities and prosperity
These initiatives are grounded in a steadfast commitment to open markets, to minimal regulations, and to reducing taxes that snuff out innovation — principles at the heart of the new economy and our party.
And then I just thought these were funny:
Make sound science, not ideological whim, the basis for regulation, with peer-reviewed risk assessments and full disclosure.
The current administration has repeatedly evaded the normal regulatory process through executive orders, some of dubious legality. Withdrawing these orders should be a priority of a new administration dedicated to the rule of law.
We oppose and will work to end taxpayer supported grants for projects and programs that promote religious bigotry in America.
And then 2004 (some of this is amazingly hilarious):
...enforcing trade agreements and laws against unfair practices, including staunch opposition to regulations that impede farm exports and improved agriculture;
America’s economy is the strongest in the world, and it is getting stronger thanks to lower taxes, fewer burdensome regulations, and a focus on encouraging investment.
We must maintain our commitment to free and fair trade, lower taxes, limited regulation, and a limited, efficient government that keeps up with the new realities of a changing world.
The President and Republican Congress have supported efforts to improve workplace safety without burdening businesses with costly and unnecessary regulations. And these efforts are showing results – overall workplace fatalities and injuries are at record low levels.
Republicans are working to reduce burdensome regulations that discourage
broadband investment
High taxes and unreasonable regulations stifle new and expanded businesses and
thwart the creation of job opportunities and prosperity.
Okay, now 2008:
Economic freedom expands the prosperity pie; government can only divide it up. That is why Republicans advocate lower taxes, reasonable regulation, and smaller, smarter government.
Our approach to regulation —- basing it on sound science to achieve goals that are technically feasible - —will protect against job-killing intrusions into small businesses.
Yep, that's it. Of course, the word "regulation" appears six more times, but always in a blatantly benign context. So what happened? What happened to all the fire and brimstone in 2000, regulation slash and burn?
I think this is a pretty clear indication of where the GOP stood pre-economic destruction; in 2000 and 2004 they were vehemently pursuing deregulation; you can almost see them baring their teeth, drooling and growling. Even in '04, there doesn't seem to be any let up on the rhetoric; in fact, to me they seem really happy and confident that their policies are "working". In 2004, these guys were in their heyday, sowing their oats and just having a blast. The 2008 message is "sorry man, the cops are here. you gotta go..."
Damn.
I would love to use this diary to build the case that the GOP caused this mess. Please post any "evidence" you can find!! My next diary will be about the wingnuts' "argument" that lending to risky minorities caused the crash... sheesh
Links:
GOP 2000 Platform
GOP 2004 Platform
GOP 2008 Platform