Paul Ryan: Republicans could do more to fight crony capitalism

House Speaker Paul Ryan, you’re almost there.

You said that Republicans hate crony capitalism in an interview with Politico’s Glenn Thrush. You even went one step further and admitted, “Republicans need to do a better job going after crony capitalism.”

Heck, you gave a shout-out to democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders!

“Cronyism, is in a weird way, what Bernie Sanders is railing against, which is a rigged system…big government, big business, joining in a common cause to set the rules for themselves and let everyone else stand on the outside, looking in.”

But then you stopped short and didn’t propose or talk about any solutions when members of your own party in the House have bills ready for debate with bipartisan support.

Take one example—the Restoring Integrity to America’s Elections Act—introduced by Representatives Jim Renacci (R-OH) and Derek Kilmer (D-WA) that would solve the problem of a gridlocked Federal Elections Commission (FEC). The bill would reduce the number of commissioners from six to five, limit them to one term each of six years, including the Chair who would serve a single term of 10 years. And by creating a blue ribbon advisory panel of retired federal judges, former law enforcement officials and others experienced in election law, the bill ensures that nominees to the Commission would be vetted for experience.

We need a real cop on the beat to enforce our laws on the books and make sure campaign donations don’t translate into political favors. All Americans deserve a chance to compete on a level playing field while running for office.  

Almost eight in 10 Americans are dissatisfied with the way the federal government is working, according to a recent Associated Press-GfK poll. Show them their elected officials want to unleash opportunity, upward mobility and free enterprise by allowing bipartisan ideas and legislation in Congress time for consideration and debate.