What are the Republicans thinking?

The main drivers of the long-term economic growth of the United States are clearly going to be technological innovation (deriving largely from the application of scientific knowledge and understanding) and a well educated work force. So the Republicans are seeking to cut government funding for research and development, and they are seeking to cut the pay of teachers in order to solve short-short term balance of payment problems. On the other hand, they went to the mat to avoid restoring tax levels for the rich to previous levels.