From Genevieve Wood’s column, a look at the issues some readers hope President Obama won’t use his “gift” on if Congress passes changes:
Your responses to my question last week asking what campaign promises you most wanted the new Congress to fulfill were very telling. What many conservatives want they fear they are not going to get.
Let’s begin with my favorite from Paul in California. All elected officials should know that there are hundreds of thousands of people across the country just like him.
1) “Because I remember campaign promises not kept, I monthly support Heritage Foundation and Heritage Action to help make sure they are not forgotten. Go Heritage!” —Paul
2) “My fear is that the people who … now have the power to do something will cave in. There are already indications of that happening. Other major issues I would like to see addressed … curtail deficit spending and reduce the size of the government.” —Larry
3) “Cancel Obamacare and start over.” —Harold
4) “Lower my taxes. I am dying out here with excessive taxation.” —Richard
5) “Stop Obama’s unconstitutional executive actions! Secure our borders!” —Kary
6) “Start prosecuting and throwing in jail the people behind Fast & Furious, Benghazi, and the IRS scandals.” —Darla
7) “We need a speaker of the House who will stand up for the people, then something might change. Right now the establishment and [Karl] Rove are standing in the way. Last chance for the RINOs.” —Carole
8) “I think the most important campaign promise would kill two birds with one stone—secure the borders first!” —Cory
9) “Pass a balanced budget. We cannot keep borrowing from the bank of China (Obama’s campaign promise), to pay for government spending. … The Environmental Protection Agency needs to either be eliminated or severely cut back. … Approve Keystone and start drilling again in this country.” —Mark
10) “Block Common Core.” —Janet
11) “Recognize that legal immigration is what made this country great. Illegal actions of any kind are breaking the law and should not be condoned (e.g., shoplifting has never been called ‘undocumented purchasing’ just as illegal immigrants should not be called undocumented workers).” —Charles
12) “Bolster religious liberty. Too many are being persecuted or put out of business simply for wanting to live out their faith. … Pass a fetal pain bill, or a rights of the unborn bill, or a constitutional amendment recognizing that life starts at conception—anything that will reduce the national disgrace of abortion. … Do what is right, not what is expedient or profitable.” —Henry
13) “Our leaders must do what is best for America and stop obsessing over recent polls, media attention and the next election. Leaders must lead based on what is right according to the U.S. Constitution, rule of law and general morality, not ignore these. All our leaders need to have long-term perspective, a big-picture wisdom and integrity that supersedes personal gain or temporary popularity.” —Mike
14) “I would like to see them actually pass individual legislative bills for each agency of the government rather than what they have been doing over the last several years through omnibus and continuing resolutions funding the full government. They need to cut wasteful, duplicative spending.” —Rich
15) “Let’s put in a requirement that all government pay raises must be approved by the voters, especially if they are elected offices.” —Ron