December 06, 2004
Life after being "Fired!"TV
A fairly famous “loser” has just started a brand new organization called the Coalition for the Advancement of the Republic (CAR). What is the purpose of this organization?
The Coalition for the Advancement of the Republic (C.A.R.) has been created to espouse common sense conservatism matched with the conviction that progressive change must be embraced. Although our government requires progressive reform, on the balance, government should be kept as small and transparent as possible.
C.A.R is non-partisan. On such issues as conservation, immigration, environmental protection and enlightened land use policies, we are aligned with “liberals.” On others issues such as trade and regulation, we are aligned with traditionally conservative policy. On many issues, such as tort, tax, health care and entitlement program reform - we find common ground with mainstream good government advocates.
Underpinning all our positions is a consistent demand for accountable and limited (which is not to say inactive) government, and a faith in the efficacy of economic and individual freedom. The notion of individual responsibility is among the greatest assets of American society and must be passionately promoted.
A quick click on the “about us” link will reveal the fact that CAR was founded by none other than the bow tie wearing Republican Raj Bhakta, of Apprentice fame.
The website includes a series of essays that I will only assume have been written by Raj. Since foreign policy is my chief area of interest I clicked on the link and discovered an essay titled, “A Short Case for Closer Relations with India.”
One of the keys to a successful long-term Asia policy is a strong India. India is the only nation in the region that can balance the ever-developing Chinese colossus. India is a natural ally. In the future, when China could potentially threaten our vital interests, it would be very pleasing to know that an American-equipped and allied Indian Army of five million men is garrisoned on China’s border.
India has the manpower to put millions of boots on the ground in trouble spots. Indian troops, like their programmers, are cheap and effective. Imagine what a fine ally India would make in Iraq. The United States, for a few billion dollars, as opposed the hundreds of billions our own troops and contractors cost, could place several hundred thousand Indian troops in, say, Fallujah. We could then get busy with rebuilding the country’s infrastructure and showing the Arab world the great things that America can do for them.
India, at the same time, is sufficiently weak internally so as not to pose a threat to the United States for a very long time - at least seventy or eighty years.
Ummm. The above paragraph is just a rough draft I hope. There are a number of policy problems in just these three paragraphs that Mr. Trump would not be happy about (if Trump knew anything about foreign policy). Check out the other essays for yourself before deciding whether we should hire Raj for this job.
abhi on December 6, 2004 11:46 AM in TV · T·r·a·c·k·b·a·c·k address · Direct link · Email post
His heart appears to be in the right place (small govt + free market economics + social diversity) BUT his policy prescriptions read a bit too naive / simplistic.
While putting his own bow-tied spin on a frat-boy image, my impression of Raj took a downturn with his horrendously bad commerical for the NYPD. TV shows and Hollywood shoot-em-ups aside, most police officers will tell you that they are NOT the same as soldiers. Considering that cops have to fill out a report everytime they fire their weapon, they cannot go in guns blazing.
And while encouraging military cooperation between the US and India is a good idea (regardless of the role of a rising China), it's aim is not to provide H1-B soldiers for the Pentagon.
raj should read more and party less
what a loon.