Lehigh County GOP on the Offense for Taxpayers?

There is one fundamental frustration that the grass roots has with GOP leaders. The base of the GOP sees a persistent lack of initiative and a constant defensive posture by the Party and most of its elected officials. And, it is quite demoralizing when many seem to consistently act out of some sort of inferiority complex or shame about GOP principles.

But in war, business and politics, initiative is a crucial ingredient for success. As the old saying goes in football, a prevent defense only allows the other team to score. The grandfather of strategy, Sun Tzu described the importance of initiative the best: "Those skilled in war bring the enemy to the field of battle and are not brought there by him".

The best military illustration of this principle can be seen in the movie Gettysburg. During the first day of the battle, Union Cavalry General Buford explains why they must fight so hard against the first Confederate units. "You know what's gonna happen here in the morning? The whole damn rebel army's gonna be here. They'll move through this town and occupy these hills on the other side. When our people get here Lee will have the high ground and there'll be the devil to pay... We can deprive the enemy of the high ground."

General Lee also understood the importance of initiative when he rebuked Cavalry General J.E.B. Stuart for his multiple day separation, and lack of communication, with the Confederate army. (This was a private meeting so the quote is historically speculative) - "You left here with no word of your movement or movement of the enemy for several days. Meanwhile, we were engaged here and drawn into battle without adequate knowledge of the enemy's strength or position, without knowledge of the ground. So it is only by God's grace that we did not meet disaster here." This was on the night of July 2nd. Pickett's charge followed the next day; which led to disaster.

How does this principle apply to politics? As a persistent advocate that the GOP MUST go on offense against Democrats, especially at the local level, two recent moves by GOP County Commissioners and candidates are heartening. The first proves the theorem; the second is a bold move with much potential. And risk. As any worthy military commander or strategist understands, any maneuver has risk. However, one cannot achieve anything other than short-term, lame advantages by risking little. As the old homily declares, "Nothing ventured, nothing gained."

I posted about a proposal by GOP Commissioner candidates. And this effort has already proven the theorem.

A more transparent, accountable government can only benefit all citizens. This proposal for increased transparency regarding campaign contributions will allow greater, and easier, scrutiny by citizens. This will only help expose and/or prevent potential favoritism and possible corruption.

How did Democrat County Executive Don Cunningham respond to the GOP proposal? Naturally, there were the typical whining charges that this was some sort of election ploy. When will politicians get it? Anything done during a campaign is some sort of election ploy and both sides do the same thing. That is why we have campaigns. However, if this is merely another bunch of empty campaign promises, the effort will backfire. Many in the grassroots tire of Republicans campaigning like fiscal conservatives but governing like Big Spending liberals.

However, County Executive Cunningham apparently has provided reluctant support for the concept and he has called for even tougher reporting standards. This can only be a victory for all citizens of Lehigh County.

The GOP chose its own ground and forced the Democrats to respond. Maybe the GOP can respond with even tougher reporting standards, or broaden the reform effort to cover other areas. If the Republican Party continually fights for open, accountable government and routinely fights for taxpayers, issue by issue, the GOP will only grow and strengthen.

Now GOP Commissioner Dean Browning has another proposal. I have heard a routine excuse to justify "uncontrollable" spending in Allentown, Lehigh County and in East Penn School District. The universal excuse runs something like, "We have little control over spending and few areas to cut spending because salary and benefits are (around) 75% of the budget." Of course, they always forget to mention that governing bodies routinely approve new positions, pay raises (via budgets) and contracts for unionized workers. Don't they have control then? But for most politicians, excuse making, and avoiding responsibility, is a high art form.

GOP Commissioner Dean Browning calls for a formal mechanism to limit wage and benefit growth for county employees by limiting increases to either an increase in property tax revenue or by using the Social Security Cost of Living increase as an index.

There are a host of questions to ask about this proposal. Would a tax hike factor into such an increase? Does this proposal only cover non-unionized county workers? If so, they will unionize as fast as possible, so it seems that such a proposal must also apply to union contracts. There are, and will be, many other questions.

But government spending must be brought under control at all levels. Controlling government employee salary and benefit expenses must be part of that solution.

However, the debate can start. And the GOP can start establishing the initiative instead of merely weakly responding to our opponents.

Hopefully, some are starting to 'get it' because this is about the strength, and possibly the survival of the Republican Party. If the GOP remains on the defensive, and merely responds to initiatives by liberals and Democrats, it will continue to dwindle in numbers and influence. Many have been shouting the warning. Maybe, just maybe, some with influence are starting to listen.

Then we can achieve not only skirmishing victories during elections, but achieve strategic victories on the policy battlefield. After all, isn't that the real purpose of political parties?