The Republican Party yesterday released their "Pledge to America," a 45-page booklet they promise will guide their efforts to reform the government Americans say they no longer trust.

House Minority Leader John Boehner said "Our pledge to America is that Republicans stand ready to get it done, beginning today," as he explained that the pledge was drafted by listening to the American people and reflected their number one priority -- jump-starting the American economy.

Although Republicans appear to have made a valiant effort, the pledge falls well short on real substance leaving their true conviction and commitment in keeping their pledge highly suspect. Remember, these are the very same individuals that are as much responsible for our problems today as liberal Democrats.

These are the very same Republicans, in many cases, who did nothing to put forth real conservative solutions over the course of the past eight years when they controlled the presidency and both houses of Congress. They lack any legitimacy and are the very same individuals Americans say they no longer trust.

The Republican Pledge lacks any substance, doesn't go far enough and is nothing more than a watered down version of their 1994 Contract with America. At least the 1994 Contract aggressively promised to enact term limits, amend the Constitution to require a balanced budget, downsize or eliminate wasteful government programs and departments, fix Social security, Medicare and cut government spending. We all know how this worked out for us!

The 2010 document softens the tone and broadens the focus to include familiar GOP proposals on health care, national security and shrinking the size of federal government but no real plan, time frame, conviction or penalty for not living up to their pledge.

Where are the term limits America wants? Where are the across the board deep cuts in government spending not just non-discretionary spending that is less than 20% of their expenditures? American people already said 2008 spending levels were unacceptable ! Where is the reform or privatization of the Social Security System?  Where is elimination of the Department of Education? Where is the repeal of governments takeover of Student loans? Where is the elimination of Omnibus bills and legislation or Pork Barrel Spending? Where is there any specifics or common sense plan and approach enabling them to live up to their pledge?

More importantly, where are their individual signatures on the dotted line that says they ALL commit to live up to their pledge or will step down from office if not?

In my opinion, this is nothing more than a veiled attempt to garner the conservative vote. An attempt to capitalize on the Tea Party's movement and Americas disgust with career politicians and government leaving us to ask the proverbial question "Where's the BEEF?"

Without a firm individual commitment with penalties for lack of performance there is NO PLEDGE!