Eric Erickson from the Red State: Red State Uprising: How to Take America Back

With today's Op Ed in Politico talking about the uprising and impact of tea partiers on debates in Congress, Eric's talk coincides with this. The government should not spend more than 18 - 20% of GDP. When spending is beyond this range, issues come about. With these upcoming elections, we will not see what happened in 1994, but similar to what happened in 1976, of which the people threw "the bums out" but also did not like their guy either. We cannot allow the Republicans to do what they did in 2006 when they were removed from power. We have to move beyond people saying they are pro-life and against tax cuts and then calling themselves a conservative.

The problem is that Democrats and Republicans became good at offloading the federal government to the state government, ultimately bankrupting states. The federal government is growing, but is pushing the hiring onto state. Republicans in Washington are more likely to compromise with Democrats with a federal government program as opposed to Democrats compromising with Republicans in favor of free market reform.

Republicans are bad about showing government's on impact of society. They do not relate well to the human side. The emotional side sells better than policy, and the left are the "Masters of Emotion".

Without reducing government, we cannot have freedom. Earmarks are they main issue and they are a "gateway drug to larger government" or Congressional bribery. Ultimately, every bad piece of legislation is due to earmarks. Eric favors the Spending Amendment, with the first step being to ban earmarks. Right-sizing government is about scaling back spending.

Republicans are about advancing their political party. They need Conservatives to go to Washington and be willing to loose seats for good policy. Permanent policy exists, and we have to realize that policy makes good politics.

In 1994, Charlie Cook had 32 seats on toss up list, and we ultimately picked up 52. For these upcoming elections, 38 seats on the toss up list will probably be 41 by Monday. Eric sees us picking up 50 - 60 seats but does not think we will take back the Senate.

When tea party candidates get to Washington, they should not get comfortable. There is no reason to compromise on life issues and earmarks. The more difficult it is for people to get things done in Washington, the freer we are. Unless we are willing to cause problems, we will not get anything done

Eric is in favor of a flat tax, which are easier to explain. The rich still pay more. It is complete "Keynesian nonsense" that without the stimulus spending, the crisis would have been worse. When asked who he would like for the Presidential Candidate, Eric is going to wait and see, as he would be happy with many. Tim Pawlenty is too boring and Romney is still too eager. He thinks it will be someone not on the minds