My last several posts have been on the role of U.S. leadership in the world.  Since the end of WWII, it has been U.S. strength and leadership that have led to relative peace in the world (no more world wars).  Now China, Russia, and Iran are working together to challenge U.S. supremacy. It is critical that the U.S. meet this challenge head-on, to deter this new axis of autocratic powers lined up against us.  For the time being, Joe Biden is in charge, and we must hope that he is capable of providing the necessary leadership to prevail over our adversaries.  In the meantime, it is critical for Republicans to act in a responsible manner by addressing our most basic problems.  Consider:

• Our biggest domestic problem by far is the rapidly growing national debt. The Republican House of Representatives can provide major leadership on this problem by insisting that Congress return to “regular order” in setting annual budgets. This means that the House and Senate each pass their own version of the twelve basic appropriation bills, and then meet in conference to negotiate any differences.  This will lead to a close look at each federal agency by “experts,” and only as much money being appropriated as is actually needed to operate the agency.  Regular order has the potential to save hundreds of billions of dollars each year by eliminating wasteful and unnecessary spending.
  In addition, it is a good idea to set up an independent fiscal commission to propose reforms of other expensive government programs such as entitlements.

  

• Republicans need to abandon isolationism and continue to financially support our strong allies, Ukraine and Israel, in their efforts to resist aggression from Russia and Iran’s proxy, Hamas.  Only by defending democracy where it is threatened, can the autocratic powers lined up against us be held in check.  In particular, the best way to deter China from invading Taiwan is to continue to help Ukraine.  If Russia is not stopped in Ukraine, it will eventually decide to invade a NATO country, and then the U.S. will be drawn into an even bigger war.
• I personally will not vote for a Presidential candidate who might abandon Ukraine. Right now, of the three leading Republican candidates, Trump, Haley, and DeSantis, only Haley is unequivocal in her support of Ukraine.

Conclusion.  In today’s dangerous world, the U.S. simply cannot afford to appear weak.  The Republican House can show strength by maintaining sufficient unity to insist on “regular order” in establishing the budget for FY 2024.  It also needs to continue support for threatened democratic allies such as Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan.  Let us hope that the eventual Republican nominee for President in 2024 will also pledge to continue support for Ukraine.

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