It was reported Wednesday that Republican members of the House of Representatives are planning to vote against the economic stimulus package as it stands. They argue that Democrats have attacked too much pork to the bill and they rightfully argue much planned spending will not ’stimulate’ the economy at all.

Conservative blogggers, columnists and activists have argued for months now that Republicans should do everything in their power to oppose stimulus packages and bailouts. Supporting them, the reasoning goes, would connect Republicans to bills that are not going to work and that are opposed by a firm majority of Americans. Furthermore, Americans want Republicans to support small government and to be fiscal responsible. When they behave like Democrats, well, voters have no reason to vote Republican.

These opinion makers are correct. Supporting bailouts and stimulus packages will hurt the GOP in the long run. It will, insteasd, enable Democrats to take control both the White House and Congress for decades. Republicans will be accused of being `Democratic Light` at best. Democrats will monopolize elections.

But there are more reasons for the GOP to oppose Democratic economic stimulus plans than politics. The plan will, quite simply, accomplish nothing. It may, at best, revive the economy artificially, once again resulting in a major boom which explode several years later. The CBO affirmed this earlier this week by arguing that the plans could have a minor positive impact in the long run but would accomplish nothing in the short to middle long term. And thatś the best case scenario. Indeed, it is likely that the ’stimulus package’ will stall a revival for months even years. Not doing anything is considered better by many than doing what Pelosi, Reid and Obama have agreed upon.

Supporting the stimulus plan isn’t merely bad politics, it’s bad policy. The bank bailout was necessary because these banks would take the entire economy with them if they’d fall. And the fall wouldn’t come slowly, so people could adapt to it, but it would come suddenly, throwing society into chaos.

The intention of the bailout was not – and this has to be repeated time and again – to prevent a recession from occuring. Nor was it to artificially boost the economy to new heights. Rather, it was to prevent a sudden collapse. A recession would come, people would lose their jobs, companies would be forced to reform (and some would go out of business). These changes were and are necessary. The U.S. Economy isn’t in trouble because it’s so strong and healthy, it has collapsed because it is weak, unhealthy and sensitive. It has to be rid of its weak elements before it can become as strong as it once was – and stronger.

Republicans have to explain the above to Americans. They have to make clear why they can’t support the plan, and why they believe it’s a bad plan for America. Americans are always open to fiscal responsible and fiscal conservative arguments. Communicating these arguments with the people is what Republicans have to focus on right now; they can spend less time in the U.S. Senate and Congress and more before cameras, with print and online journalists, bloggers and simply out on the street, in neighborhoods, villages and cities to explain their views and choices. Voters are more rational than often assumed, Republican have to keep this in mind and act accordingly.