Analysis of the Day

Robert Novak in the Washington Post about what should be the Republican Party’s 2008 contract with America, the entitlement reform plan of U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan (R–Janesville). The punch line:

Actually, to embrace Ryan's Roadmap requires more political insight than courage. … His constituents, who sent liberal Democrat Les Aspin to Congress for 22 years, are legendary “Reagan Democrats” who have soured on the GOP. Ryan believes they are far ahead of politicians in their alarm over entitlements. “Do we have the guts to act?” asks Ryan.

Ryan fears potential national disaster is ahead because we “will exceed the European extent of government and bring our economy to extinction.” He foresees the U.S. government share of the economy rising from 20 percent to a calamitous 40 percent by the time his three children (ages 3, 4 and 6) reach their 30s, requiring a doubled tax rate.