Jindal: Republicans Need To Stop Squabbling With Democrats Over Tax Rates, Start Fighting For Structural Reforms

Louisiana governor and possible 2016 Republican contender Bobby Jindal had some harsh words for Republicans fighting "fiscal cliff" debt and tax negotiations: drop the act.

In an op-ed published in Politico, Jindal warned Republicans that they're currently carving the wrong path, fighting tax increases on the wealthy when they should be organizing structural reforms and reversing the party's tarnished reputation.

"At present, any reading of the headlines over the past week indicates that Republicans are fighting to protect the rich and cut benefits for seniors," Jindal bemoaned. "It may be possible to have worse political positioning than that, but I’m not sure how."

Whatever comes of the "fiscal cliff" negotiations, Jindal surmises, will have a negative bearing on the American economy.

"Whatever deal is reached is going to contain elements that are detrimental to our economy," Jindal wrote. "Elections have consequences, and the country is going to feel those consequences soon."

The silver lining for Republicans in financial discussions, Jindal suggests, should be structural reform. Specifically, the Governor proposes a balanced budget amendment, which he notes states already have, an agreeable cap on discretionary spending, and a super majority requirement for tax increases.

Jindal's tone was unapologetic, admitting he would probably irk many in Washington -- both on the right and the left--with his comments. The possible presidential contender was stern, however, in asserting that the skyrocketing national debt is toxic to both parties and the lives of everyday Americans.

In the end, he says, Republicans should find issues worth fighting for in the "fiscal cliff" square off instead of repeatedly squabbling with Democrats over tax rates for wealthy Americans.