Since Republicans won't, I will...

For all the griping about the Obama Administration, I see precious little actually being proposed by Republicans. It's time for Republicans to stand up and say, "We've dug ourselves a whole. Some of its our fault, some of its their fault, but we're going to take responsibility for fixing it and here's how."

1) Commit to cutting the budget back to its pre-stimulus level this year and additional 5% per year cuts for the next 4-5 years (inflation adjusted would be fine with me so net downward in actual dollars of somewhere between 10-15%).

2) Renew the Bush Tax Cuts with the following exceptions.
a) Estate Tax @ 40% (the Dems have already said they're fine with this... that's 10% lower then the historical 50%). Keep the exemption at 5 Million (I'd be happy if it was lower but it doesn't break my heart)
b) Increase taxes on the highest two tax brackets by 1% each. I don't understand why the Dems have chosen to include people making up to $250k per year as "middle class".
c) Cap the home interest deduction at $10,000 (5% on 200,000).

3) Commit to running a surplus until the debt has been paid down to half its current level. There is no way to reduce the debt without running a surplus. It's simple math. Go ahead and stand up and say, "We won't kick and scream about 'give us our money back' when the inevitable surplus comes."

4) Commit to allocating SOME of the surplus to Social Security and Medicare (not to exceed 50%)

5) Take a long hard look at the corporate tax system and implement SIGNIFICANT simplification of that system as well as the consumer tax system.

That's the path to fiscal sanity and responsibility.