It’s time for the Blue Dog Democrats to follow their principles

The website says they stand for fiscal responsibility, a strong national defense, and transcending party lines. What happened?

In the 1994 off-year election, the House of Representatives flipped from Democrat to Republican. After 40 years in the minority, the GOP, led by Speaker Newt Gingrich, were ready to honor their Contract with America. But they would need the help of at least some Democrats.

Then-President Clinton changed his policies. The effort to pass a National Health Insurance bill, not only failed but was the primary reason the GOP won the House. Clinton and a group of Democrats known as Blue Dogs worked with the GOP

The result was that by 1996, the capital gains tax rate was cut and President Clinton said, “The era of big government is over.” From 1997 to 2001, the economy grew at a 4 ½% annual rate and the government’s budget had a surplus for those four years.

Who are the Blue Dog Democrats?

They were created in 1995 to “represent the commonsense, moderate voice of the Democratic Party, appealing to mainstream American values. The Blue Dogs are leaders in Congress who are committed to pursuing fiscally-responsible policies, ensuring a strong national defense, and transcending party lines to do what’s best for the…