PAJAMAS MEDIA: Thirteen ideas for the Republicans to consider for 2013.

1) Freeze the budget: Absolutely.

2) Reinvent government (again): It didn't work the first time, but okay, maybe it will slow the growth of government a little.

3) Establish a “government reform” task force to look for savings: C'mon. How many times has this been tried before? If you have to do this, keep it within the Republican party. If you let the Democrats in, they'll only muck it up.

4) Investigate the possibility of reducing American forces in Germany: Not just Germany; all overseas U.S. forces. Make the DoD justify each one in terms of specific mission requirements.

5) Consolidate and eliminate departments: Absolutely! But in my opinion, the EPA should be the very first to go. Then the Department of Education. Then Homeland Security. Then ....

6) Try to reach a bipartisan agreement on adjusting the “cost-of-living” formula for federal benefits: Yes, but forget 'bipartisan'.

7) Try to strengthen the American family: The best way to strengthen the family is to get the government out of it.

8) Make sure your members speak the language of the national interest: And speak it, dammit. Preach! even if only to the choir.

9) National Guard/FEMA upgrade: No. The National Guard is a quasi-military force, and FEMA should be returned to its original mission as a funding management agency.

10) Consider a consumption tax as a last resort to raise revenue: Never! We're trying to make government smaller, not larger.

11)Consider trading a carbon tax for a permanent reduction in business taxes: Again, never! The environment can protect itself.

12) Support bipartisan immigration reform: Forget bipartisan. Create a comprehensive Republican plan; then implement it piecemeal (border control first).

13) Create a Victoria Soto memorial: Feel-good measures are Democrat territory, but okay, maybe Republicans should poach occasionally. Don't make it a habit.