A Republican Gallatin?
While not diminishing the probability that passage of health care “reform” will further strengthen the patronage power base for Dems, the Republicans do have an historical precedent for rolling back expanding central government: Albert Gallatin, Jefferson’s Sec. of the Treasury.
After the election of 1800, Gallatin (the former Dem-Rep leader in the House and chief critic of Alexander Hamilton) implemented the Dem-Rep strategy of reversing Federalist expansionism by the elimination of specific programs, positions, and taxes. While this achieved a significant reduction in the federal debt, it also dismantled the Federalist spoils and patronage system. Consequently, the Federalists went from total control of the federal government to a slow wasting death as a party.
While current Republicans lack the integrity, vigor, and intellect of Jefferson and Gallatin, there is historical precedent for the out party to gain and maintain power by following a program of actually reducing the scope of the federal government.
If the Republicans desire to be a real and effective opposition party poised to retake power and fix real governance problems, then they should adopt Gallatin’s economy. Details about Jefferson and Gallatin’s program are covered in Ch VI “Congress and the Man of the People: Peace and Economy” in Dumas Malone’s Jefferson The President: First Term 1801-1805.
