The Hill News

Newt Gingrich's new '21st Century Contract with America', a comprehensive policy platform that he is expected to introduce Thursday in Iowa, will provide Americans with the option to keep their health insurance, income taxes, and retirement plans similar to they way they are structured now - or opt into programs more aligned with conservative principles.

“A pledge is something you’re going to try to do. With a contract, you’re obligated. This is what you commit to. The American people, when they elected Barack Obama, they thought they were getting all these things and in turn they didn’t," said campaign spokesman R.C. Hammond to the Des Moines Register, which obtained a full copy of the document.

Under Gingrich's proposal, taxpayers could either continue to pay income taxes under the current system, or opt into an optional flat tax rate. He approaches other challenges similarly - seniors could continue to get coverage under the current Medica! re program, or opt to purchase their own health insurance from a private company, with the government reimbursing them for some of the premiums. Younger Americans could choose to continue paying into Social Security, or instead create a private investment account.

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