Ladders and Lines

In reading the biography of Winston Churchill, I came across this little gem (paraphrased):  They want to give you a line where you can wait for a handout... I want to offer you a ladder so you can reach for your dreams.

With all the hope-mongerining being pushed by the left and the media, it is important to remember that at the end of the day the best that they have to offer is a spot in a line waiting for a government handout.  

For our part, too often we miss the forest for the trees.  I can't tell you have many times I have heard the same tired catch phrases in our press releases and interviews. 

• let people keep more of what they earn
• cut red tape and regulation
• reduce the size of government

And if i had more time I could come up with a hundred more Republican catch phrases.  There is nothing wrong with their sentiment.  I agree with low taxes.  I agree with reducing the size and scope of government. 

The problem is that we have spent the last 4-6 years debate talking only about the means and have failed to articulate the end game.  Republicans have been talking about the specific highways they want to drive down instead of telling the American people the city where they plan on arriving. 

That said, I think Churchill's point on ladders and lines is a good starting point.  Republicans want America to be a land of opportunity.  We each person has the right of opportunity.