House Republicans would be foolish to believe they were elected because Americans view the GOP in a positive light. They would also be misguided to advance a legislative agenda intended only to obstruct President Barack Obama and completely undo the past two years.

But Republicans would be downright delusional if they fail to recognize a primary reason they were sent to Washington: repeal and replace the health care bill.

Apparently the Republicans got the message.

Wednesday, the House will vote on a two-page bill repealing the Democrat’s wildly unpopular health care overhaul.

The American public has consistently opposed Obamacare in every major public opinion poll. A recent Gallup survey shows Americans favoring repeal by a 46-40 margin, including one-in-four Democrats. The latest Rasmussen poll of likely voters has a remarkable 66 percent of independents supporting repeal.

Despite Obamacare’s marked unpopularity, critics have derided Republicans for orchestrating what they view as a pointless political stunt. While most expect the repeal effort to easily pass through the House, it will face uphill odds in a more liberal Senate. Even with approval from the upper chamber, there’s a better chance of Jim Boeheim abandoning the zone defense than the president signing a bill repealing his signature legislative achievement.

So what’s the point of even having a vote?

At the very least, it is a strongly symbolic gesture forcing lawmakers on both sides of the aisle to once again put themselves on the record about health care. But perhaps more importantly, Wednesday’s vote is a critical first step for a party looking to provide a stark contrast to two years of unbridled liberalism.

The GOP has pledged a singular focus on getting this country’s economic house in order. Makes sense. A nation $14 trillion in debt with a nearly 10 percent unemployment rate can best be described as a house in disarray.

The Democrats’ response to the economic crisis was to hyperinflate the size and scope of government. November’s election was a revolt against those policies, and Republicans have been granted a brief window of time to establish themselves as trustworthy leaders capable of governing like adults.

Enough with the reckless, out-of-control spending. Enough with the unsustainable, unaffordable entitlement programs. While it is normally politically toxic to take on untouchables like Social Security and Medicare, the economic picture is so dire that Americans just may be prepared to make the necessary sacrifices.

With numbers in the House not seen since 1946, the GOP will be able to propose legislation and demonstrate a commitment to responsible governance. In the last Congress, Democrats enjoyed massive supermajorities and were thus able to disregard the minority party — as well as public opinion. Republicans will not have that luxury.

But they will be able to drive debate — and the importance of this cannot be understated.

It all starts with repealing the Democrats’ health care bill. There is no better place to take a stand than with the prime example of government expansion forced down the throats of the American people. The repeal bill may not become law, but the foundation will be laid for Republicans to chip away at Obamacare piece by piece.

Yes, liberal lawmakers do have the power to kill Republican proposals in the Senate. And Obama has the power to employ the veto pen.

But it would be unwise for Democrats to thumb their noses at the results of the last election. Surely they recognize the need to embrace significant aspects of the Republican platform — one that will place an emphasis on smaller government and pro-growth policies.

In November, the American people handed down a vigorous repudiation of an overreaching liberal agenda. Republicans reaped the benefits by default.

From now on, though, there will be no unearned victories. The GOP will be intensely scrutinized. No longer relegated as an impotent minority party, the days of throwing barbs from the sidelines are over.

Wednesday will be the first step for a party looking to chart a new course after losing its way for the better part of a decade. Repealing a massive piece of unwelcome legislation is so much more than petty political theater.

In order to regain the trust of the country, Republicans are simply exercising the will of the people. Imagine that.

Jimmy Paul is a senior political science major. His column appears every Tuesday, and he can be reached at jdpaul01@syr.edu.

 

Published on January 17, 2011 at 12:00 pm