Jeb’s the only GOP candidate talking policy

Against a backdrop of a Twitter-driven, celebrity-dominated political season, there is one candidate who is running a campaign that is serious, driven by policy and focused on the issues that Americans say they want address: Economic opportunity, national security and restoring America’s greatness.

That candidate is Governor Jeb Bush. Which is why his presence in the campaign for the presidency should be welcomed, not criticized. He is the only candidate who has put forward a significant amount of detailed policy proposals on issues ranging from regulatory reform to tax relief to energy exports to defeating ISIS. He will talk to anyone and answer questions thoughtfully and substantively. And he has run a campaign that is positive and hopeful, even in the face of outrageous personal attacks.

{mosads}His focus on shifting power away from Washington and back to our states and communities is a classic example of this. He has identified the federal government’s rising power under President Obama as a threat not only to the individual liberties of Americans but to the prosperity and opportunity of the entire country. For example, when Washington, D.C., chooses winners and losers in the tax code, or tilts the field of competition with regulations to protect certain companies or industries, or fails to modernize itself, all Americans suffer. And under Barack Obama, that’s exactly what’s happened — millions drop out of the work force, small businesses close up and the only people who move forward are those who are already far ahead.

Bush has a detailed plan to undo that damage. In energy, he would get the federal government out of the habit of shutting down much needed energy infrastructure projects that will create tens of thousands of new jobs and lower oil and gas prices. In healthcare, he would get the federal government out of the business of telling us what kind of health insurance we need, so we can all save on our premiums. In taxes, he would lower tax rates and simplify the tax code, making it easier for people and companies to pay their taxes simply and still have enough left over to invest, save and spend to help our
economy grow.

No other candidate can claim to have such a detailed policy program. Most presidential candidates just send out tweets or give semi-clever answers to critical questions. However when pressed for ideas, they come up short. Sometimes they contradict themselves or their past positions. Clearly, Jeb has thought through his plans and proposals and is eminently prepared to serve in the presidency — from day one. 

No other candidate can claim to have such a complete record of accomplishment. As governor, Jeb delivered eight-straight balanced budgets, even as he cut taxes in Florida by a total of $19 billion. His pro-growth reform agenda helped unleash Florida’s economy, as it led the nation in job creation nearly his entire two terms in office. He did so while cutting wasteful pork spending and reducing the size of the state government workforce. It’s a record of accomplishment that
Republican voters are just now getting to know.

Curbelo has represented Florida’s 26th Congressional District since 2015. He sits on the Education and the Workforce; the Small Business; and the Transportation committees.