“We show by our work that free people can govern themselves,” said Paul Ryan, R-Wis., in his inaugural speech as speaker of the U.S. House on Thursday. “They can solve their own problems. They can make their own decisions. They can deliberate, collaborate and get the job done. We show self-government is not only more efficient and more effective; it is more fulfilling.”
Ryan has a tough road ahead and tall hills to climb in his new, powerful leadership position. But it is a good early sign that he is already talking about politics precisely the way conservatives should.
His point was that this nation’s government can often be wrong — quite wrong — and Congress often does more to create problems than to solve them. Yet America’s people are fundamentally and inherently good, and the American constitutional system of government can do good because it reflects that goodness.
Those in power are considered the servants of the public, not lords over it. And ideally, they will not try to legislate in ways that change that relationship. Congressmen are not necessarily the wisest among their peers. But they do, as Ryan put it, have time that the average citizen lacks to do the public policy homework to make good decisions that are both sound and compatible with the will of their constituents.
Ryan, a disciple of former Rep. Jack Kemp, R-N.Y., has long been an expert in articulating a conservative vision in a way that evinces optimism and faith in Americans. Unlike his erstwhile running-mate Mitt Romney, Ryan is not the sort to write off 47 percent of Americans as potentially understanding or agreeing with him on taxes or welfare or any other issue, just because of their state in life or their economic class.
Ryan has made a career talking about conservatism as a positive and uplifting philosophy. For example, and in contrast to those who speak disparagingly of “free stuff” as an insurmountable political problem for the GOP, he has spoken and written about how government dependency and government control are most harmful to those whom they enmesh. Ryan also understands and can discuss the critical distinction between programs intended to provide economic first aid and the possibility of sustainably improving the lives of the poor through economic growth and job creation. The former merely papers over the problem of poverty — the latter can actually thin out the ranks of the poor by giving those capable of greater self-sufficiency opportunities to achieve it.
Importantly, he also understands the difference between limited government and “austerity” as it has been going on in Europe. In opeds and in interviews with the Washington Examiner‘s editorial board, Ryan has pointed out that austerity is a last-ditch measure that poorly managed governments must undertake after years of false promises to their people. Limited government, on the other hand, limits promises and helps avoid the false expectations that have led to catastrophe and austerity in countries like Greece. Ryan’s entire conception of entitlement reform is designed to change course now so that “austerity” never has to happen here.
Many have noted, accurately, that Ryan will have his hands full with an unwieldy and divided Republican majority. Some have wondered aloud whether anyone can unite the House GOP, and even whether Congress itself can govern effectively under the current circumstances.
Those remain open questions for Ryan, as they would for any other speaker. But if anyone can accomplish such a feat, it is someone like Ryan, who will pursue and talk about conservatism as a necessary tool for lifting others up and not for putting others down. We wish him the best of luck in his speakership.
