SEATTLE NEWS ARCHIVES & FEATURES

Why do Republicans win elections but never really change policy?

Aug 7, 2017, 4:40 PM | Updated: 4:41 pm

President Donald Trump (AP)...

President Donald Trump (AP)

(AP)

So, I see what’s going to be the next battleground. And I have real fears about it because the Republicans have not been doing what the left has been doing for 100 years.

The left have been operating on a strategy in which 49 percent of us fund everything, and the other 51 percent are supported by the government.

Student loans are now almost completely owned by the government. Look at the drive to overtake health care, to put doctors under government control. The Republicans have no strategy or mission statement in regards to taxation, while the left can say they have a movement that is based around fairness.

2.7 percent of tax return filers pay 51.6 percent of all the taxes. Is that fair? Is this even sustainable? What if the 2.7 percent of people die? Then what happens to the tax economy?

What is the right number of people that should support the rest of Americans? What is a fair number?

It’s a complete progressive myth that the rich don’t pay their fair share of taxes. The professional Republicans in D.C. must appoint a strategic board, a chief creative officer, a chief narrative officer, a chief ideas officer and they need to sell a strategy. They need to sell a strategy of freedom — freedom versus slavery to a government.

As always, please listen to the full audio clip for complete context.

A demonstrator holds a portrait of Iraq's top Shiite cleric, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, during...

Associated Press

As the last US troops exit Iraq, Kurdish fears rise and militias celebrate

BAGHDAD (AP) — The last U.S. troops were slated to leave Iraq on Wednesday under an agreement between Baghdad and Washington, a move celebrated by Iran-backed groups but which some other Iraqis found concerning, particularly in the Kurdish region. U.S. troops invaded Iraq in 2003 to topple Saddam Hussein. They departed in 2011, but three […]

3 hours ago

Rep. Chris Pappas, a Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate, speaks to reporters Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2...

Associated Press

Democrats want a blue wave. New Hampshire is Exhibit A for why that may not happen

HUDSON, N.H. (AP) — Five weeks before Election Day, Democratic enthusiasm is reaching a fever pitch. With Republicans struggling to overcome President Donald Trump’s low standing, Democrats are on the offensive in Republican strongholds like Texas and Florida, and even eyeing contests in deeper-red Kansas and Mississippi. Many Democratic leaders predict that the House majority […]

4 hours ago

FILE - The Hidalgo County Republican Party Headquarters are seen, Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026, in McA...

Associated Press

Republican redistricting in Texas and Florida may not turn out as Trump had hoped

HARLINGEN, Texas (AP) — Eric Flores, a former federal prosecutor and Army National Guard infantry captain, was one of the Republican Party’s prized recruits in this year’s midterm elections. With help from a redrawn congressional map in Texas, he seemed primed to dislodge longtime Democratic Rep. Vicente Gonzalez in a region that swung toward Donald […]

4 hours ago

FILE - Former NFL star wide receiver Antonio Brown walks after being released from the Turner Guilf...

Associated Press

Ex-NFL star Antonio Brown set to appear in Miami court for expected plea agreement

MIAMI (AP) — Former NFL star wide receiver Antonio Brown is scheduled to be in a Miami courtroom Wednesday to accept a plea deal will let him avoid prison time on a reduced charge in an attempted murder case, according to his attorney. Defense attorney Mark Eiglarsh has said Brown will plead no contest to […]

4 hours ago

Associated Press

Tennessee prepares to execute a woman for a crime she committed at age 18

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee is preparing to put to death Christa Gail Pike for a 1995 murder she committed at age 18 in what would be the state’s first execution of a woman in at least 200 years. Pike, now 50, is scheduled to be executed Wednesday morning by lethal injection at Riverbend Maximum […]

4 hours ago

america pnw food cities...

Jason Sutich

2 PNW cities crack top 5 of America’s best food cities

A new study ranked the cities with the best "foodie" culture, and two Pacific Northwest cities placed in the top five out of more than 180 U.S. cities.

6 hours ago

Why do Republicans win elections but never really change policy?