My case for Mitt Romney
As the most anticipated Election Day in years approaches, it's time to make my last pitch for Mitt Romney in what has been a loooooong, LOUD, and contentious process. At least fellow Pennsylvanians - on both sides of The Great Divide - can give thanks for one small advantage; we don't live in Ohio, where the Political Saturation Level is reaching the Please-Just-End-This-Madness stage.
I hold no illusions that this will change any minds, let alone sway the end result one way or the other. But if it helps anyone to firm up their position in support of Change in The Oval Office, it will be well worth the effort.
My approach will mirror that which I suspect most voters will consider when it comes time to decide which man will lead the country over the next four years:
- Are We better off today than We were four years ago?
- Has the President performed as well as We expected, and prioritized as he should have since taking office in January 2009?
- Does Mitt Romney offer Us the Vision and Leadership that would make a significant improvement in Our lives?
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Déjà vu all over again ... Are You better off today than you were in 2009?
Who has been confident in what the Economy has had to offer in the past four years? Yes, President Obama was dealt a crappy economy when he came into office, as was Jimmy Carter, as was Ronald Reagan. And yes, that comparison was deliberate! It's been four years - almost; and what have we seen? Forty-three months of unemployment over 8%, with the real unemployment rate - which includes those who have lost all Confidence in finding employment - estimated to be as high as 11%! (The recent down-tick in unemployment from 8.1% to 7.8% was most likely the result of seasonal holiday, part-time job offerings.)
Priorities has been President Obama's problem when it comes to improving the Economic picture. At a time when bailouts were needed to keep banks from failing and automakers from going belly up, when the Democrats held an eight-month stranglehold on Legislative decision-making, the focus of the Obama Administration was not on the Economy. Instead their focus was on an age-old Liberal bugaboo, finding a way to steer the American system - including its economic engine - towards Socialized Medicine. (That's not to claim that this is what the Affordable Care Act accomplishes at this point. The ACA is simply the first step in the process. A simple Google search including the words "Obama socialized medicine" will give you plenty of information that proves the point.)
All their political capital was expended in that single decision to make Obamacare the over-riding priority of those heady days of Democrat dominance over Washington, D.C.! The Economy? Not so much ...
So what it that instills Confidence in Mitt Romney? SUCCESS!
Confidence is the most powerful word one can use when describing the psyche of a successful Economy. Confidence breeds investment. Confidence encourages Business - both Big and Small - to plan bigger, to expand, and to hire more workers in the expectation of Opportunity and Success. Confidence encourages those, who have stopped looking for work, to get back out into the job market. Confidence drives the Economy.
For all the wailing and gnashing of teeth over Mitt Romney's taxes, his wealth, his reign at Bain Capital, there is a very large, very common thread ... He was Successful! He was successful at Bain Capital where 80% of the companies Bain worked with increased revenues, and investors that included pension plans, college funds, and charitable organizations realized positive returns on their investments. Check out the stories of Bain Capital and Staples or The Sports Authority or Bright Horizons (a leader in employer-provided child-care) or Physio Control (developer/manufacturer of critical care medical devices). The list goes on and on and on ...
Romney was Successful when he left Bain in 1999 to save a debt-ridden, scandal scarred 2002 Olympics. He was Successful when he was elected Governor of Massachusetts' and worked across the aisle to fix the State's budget shortfall and continue Massachusetts inroads to improving Education. Ask yourself the question, what has President Obama ever turned around that didn't require a massive infusion of TAXPAYER money?
So you have to wonder why is Mitt Romney and his Success such a target of the Obama campaign? Wealth is not what preys on the Middle Class. If Confidence drives the Economy, investment - which comes from excess wealth - feeds the Economic engine.
Economic stagnation is what kills all classes of society. It kills jobs; kills nest eggs; kills buying power; and it kills prospects of greater opportunity for EVERYONE! Wealth is what feeds the country's Economic Engine. Wealth creates investment, expansion, spending and - most importantly right now - JOBS! When the Economy is cooking properly, ALL CLASSES of society benefit!
That is the definition of a Confident Economy!
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The Lion of Ozbama
Political Courage is a short commodity. It requires Leadership in the face of difficult decisions. It requires the Vision to tackle National priorities when Populist ideals are competing for attention. It requires the Will to stand tall on the Beliefs you hold, and damn the political consequences. Political Courage is something that has been lacking in the Obama White House.
Consider the following:
- When the Economy needed Action and Leadership to jumpstart growth; to expand Opportunities; to get people back to work President Obama took to the backseat, as House Majority Leader Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid drove a legislative bulldozer towards a single-payer healthcare that did NOTHING to reign in the costs of medical care. Actions taken to sustain long-term Economic Growth: NONE
- When it came to implementation of the Affordable Care Act, President Obama ensured that it's most dramatic and costly provisions would not take effect until AFTER the 2012 election. They will not go into effect until 2014! Actions taken to promote sustained growth in Employment: NONE
- In an era that almost BEGS for the deficit-slashing approach of former President Bill Clinton, the U.S. of A. must absorb the "gift" of deficits that increased from $10 trillion to $16 trillion; 13 million disadvantaged added to the food stamps rolls; and little in Hope that the credit card spending will Change!
- During a National Debate on the question of Gay Marriage, everyone KNEW where President Obama would eventually come down on the subject. But as weeks turned into months and acrimony built, nothing was heard from The White House. Why? Because President Obama knew his position - during an election year - would cause him problems with those of his own Political Base with devout religious beliefs. If it hadn't been for VP Joe "Shoot from the Hip" Biden, President Obama would still be in the proverbial closet!
- When President Obama did "come out of the closet", it was not until the night before a fund-raiser in Hollywood - a region full of campaign cash and most decisively in favor of expanding gay rights - on the tennis courts of actor George Clooney! And that's when the Lion finally found "courage"!!
- Des Moines Register blasts President Obama for not allowing his presentation - in an attempt to win their Editorial Board's endorsement - from being released publicly to the voters of Iowa, an extremely close swing state! If only President Obama had Courage in his convictions! LATE BREAKING NEWS: The Des Moines Register endorsed Mitt Romney, the first Republican to land their backing in 40 years, this Sunday.
As you can tell, I'm not a big fan of President Obama; and certainly I believe his priorities have not been where they should be, especially when it comes to the Economy!
And what does Mitt Romney offer us?
Throughout the debate cycle, Mitt Romney has effectively cast off every wild dispersion the Democrats have attempted to heap on him. He proved he has the temperament and Vision to be a successful President. He has provided his framework for digging the Economy out its hole; for re-energizing the Job Market; and for reducing the choking debt that will eventually kill the U.S. Economy if not turned around.
Romney's plan for tax cuts across all but the highest tax brackets, combined with reductions in tax deductions is a sound solution that involves little pain. By reducing taxes, the Economy will be reinvigorated with Confidence that will encourage Investment and expansion. A more robust Economy will generate additional business, more jobs and a greater demand for manufactured goods and construction materials. This higher level of business activity begets greater tax revenue across a much broader segment of the Market, even as tax rates are lowered! The result will be an off-set of those tax reductions, lower debt aided by cuts to expenses, and fewer claims for welfare subsistence as the result of increased employment levels.
It's a simple, logical approach that will put people back to work while increasing tax revenues that can be used to pay down the deficits.
This election will be about the Economy. It must be because our continually escalating debt has become the BIGGEST threat to our National Security. Between being over-leveraged in debt to the Chinese and the enormous stress the costs of servicing that debt (i.e. interest paid), the debt threatens to choke our country's ability to provide essential social services; maintain a fully equipped, technologically advanced military; and protect the future of our children.
Regardless of what you believe about how we got into this Economic morass, you must recognize the fact that not only has the last four years yielded little - if any - progress, President Obama's policies and misplaced priorities have only worsened the situation.
Now is the time to make a change and put a man in charge who KNOWS how to reverse a desperate situation before it's too late!
Vote for a return to Prosperity! Vote for Mitt Romney!
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(If you would like to discuss my views using civility and maturity, feel free to visit my blog at www.crankymanslawn.com. Otherwise, flame away here and have a ball! - Mike)
Roman Gabriel
2:22 pm on Thursday, October 25, 2012
Vote Mitt Romney !
Jeanette Appice Zeitz
7:17 pm on Thursday, October 25, 2012
We love Mtt Romney.....Jeanette and Dana Zeitz
Lou Patti
9:45 pm on Thursday, October 25, 2012
My First Time I realized Obama was going to lose the election - Maddow and Matthews instagr.am/p/ROgRZYOHDK/
Arthur Christopher Schaper
1:09 pm on Friday, October 26, 2012
05 pm on Friday, October 26, 2012
Shortall:
You are right on the money!
Romney all the way -- I so underestimated this man! He is executive and presidential.
Get the word out on Tom Smith for US Senate, too -- Rassmussen just reported that the race is virtually tied -- imagine another "Toomey upset" in PA, just like in 2010!
Mike Shortall
1:49 pm on Friday, October 26, 2012
Believe me ... I'm on top of the Smith-Senator Zero race and my home District's Rooney-Schwartz contest.
I'll be addressing both shortly.
Mike Shortall
9:08 pm on Saturday, October 27, 2012
Just saw the Des Moines Register endorsing Mitt Romney in battleground state Iowa!
http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20121027/OPINION03/121026026/The-Register-endorsement-Mitt-Romney-offers-a-fresh-economic-vision?Frontpage&nclick_check=1
This is the newspaper that President Obama initially refused them to share the details of his endorsement presentation to the Editorial Board. They blistered him over it.
http://www.desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/artikkel?&Dato=20121023&Kategori=NEWS&Lopenr=121023043&Ref=AR
Bad move, Mr President. Bad move ...
Irene
5:33 pm on Sunday, October 28, 2012
Too bad the left leaning Intelligencer endorsed Obama. Looks like I will cancelling my subscription.
Irene
5:34 pm on Sunday, October 28, 2012
correction should read Looks like I will be cancelling my subscription
Mike Shortall
5:54 pm on Sunday, October 28, 2012
Looks like I won't even be subscribing. Kind of a weird decision, given their audience.
Jeanette Appice Zeitz
4:17 am on Monday, October 29, 2012
I just took a forced early retirement from the newspaper. For 18 years I had to deal with my political leanings and those of my employer.
Michael McCartin
10:27 pm on Sunday, October 28, 2012
It's funny how everybody criticizes obamacare when the alternative healthcare plans conjured up will be even more expensive to american consumers. A prime example of misinformation. Go replace it and see premiums be even more expensive for healthcare. Try to educate yourself before you swallow everything hook, line and sinker.
Mike Shortall
11:04 pm on Sunday, October 28, 2012
You assume way too much. I am well-educated on Obamacare; and though I agree that the way healthcare is delivered needs to change, the biggest change needed is controlling the costs of what's provided.
Not only did Obamacare fail miserably on that aspect, there was one GLARING need in this country The President and the Democrats in Washington ignored ... JOBS! Had they done that FIRST, then attacked the COSTS of healthcare, not only would they have done a REAL service, I would be voting for The President as I did for Bill CLinton's second term!
Obamacare was healthcare reform done poorly, no cost control, a boondoggle for insurance companies, hospitals and mass healthcare systems.
don dunkin
11:25 pm on Sunday, October 28, 2012
Romney would bring Bi Partisanship, something we have not seen in years.
Jeanette Appice Zeitz
4:19 am on Monday, October 29, 2012
I also voted for Clinton in his second term. Obama is no Clinton, he is about as transparent as a chunk of marble. Clinton can barely speak of him without little things slipping in that show he really doesn't have Obama's reelection at heart.
Dolores Forget
4:34 pm on Monday, October 29, 2012
Nicely put-together post in layman's terms, this basically outlines it all!
Brad W. Cooper
5:01 pm on Monday, October 29, 2012
Romney going to be just like Bush. A guy with soooo much promise and does nothing. Obama has shown he will do nothing. We need to all wake up and stop voting for the lesser of two evil or voting for one person regardless who it is just so another person/party is not in office. There is a guy running who is for personal liberty, state rights, ending the IRS, Income tax, Ending the FED, bringing troops home. That guy is Gary Johnson. Google Gary Johnson if you never heard of him. You will be surprised how much you agree with him.
Now if you say you are wasting your vote voting for him. Then your a closed mined, uneducated voter.
J. Cristea
6:57 pm on Monday, October 29, 2012
Romney is too similar to Obama. Both will continue to head this country into a downward spiral. The only true change will be to get out of the mindset of Dem/Rep and vote Gov. Gary Johnson for president! He will actually protect the Constitution and individual rights along with reducing government. Vote Libertarian! Vote Gary Johnson!
Brad W. Cooper
7:27 pm on Monday, October 29, 2012
Cristea I would love to get in contact with you. We are looking for people to help get the Gary Johnson message out and poll works on NOV 6. If you could email me at tuggy24jg@verizon.net that would be great.
D Rogers
10:23 pm on Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Turn off Fox News and join the real world. The truthful answers to your three questions are:
1. Yes, as a country, we are considerably better off today than four years ago (see #2).
2. The President has performed exceptionally, especially considering the perpetual negative onslaught of the "Tea Party" and Republicans (Regressives) in Congress. Their continued partisanship could destroy this country. See:
http://3chicspolitico.com/president-obamas-accomplishments/
http://message.snopes.com/showthread.php?t=81904
http://obamaachievements.org/list
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/10/26/1150909/-50-Top-Obama-Accomplishments-So-Far
http://pleasecutthecrap.typepad.com/main/what-has-obama-done-since-january-20-2009.html
President Obama and the Democrats put forth numerous excellent jobs plans, all blocked from even consideration by the Republicans in Congress. Obamacare is an excellent start toward reforming the healthcare system. What we really need is a single-payer healthcare system - just ask real citizens of Canada, the UK, and France.
Jeanette Appice Zeitz
8:09 am on Thursday, November 1, 2012
Canadians come to the U.S. regularly for services they cannot get in their country. I have Canadian family. I don't know about the U.K. but I definitely don't want to do whatever it is France is doing, they are a mess. Your comment to turn off Fox news means I would have to drink from the zombie kool-aid, mainstream media is so far left of center, is there such a thing anymore as investigative journalist? But then, the info they do not like they will just skew or lose before it is on air. The fact that your comment is the President has performed EXCEPTIONALLY shows you are not willing to see any negative to his time in office that is
his fault. Do you realize that there have been plans from both sides that have been ignored by the other, this partisanship goes to the Dems also. You would have a good career as a mainstream media journalist.
D Rogers
10:25 pm on Tuesday, October 30, 2012
3. Does Mitt Romney offer Us the Vision and Leadership that would make a significant improvement in Our lives? Hell, no. Mr Romney has never been introduced to the concept of truth, interesting for a supposed man of faith. From his bullying ways in Prep school, he has lived a life sheltered from the need to face the reality and responsibility of his Privilege. During the whole election season he has continuously demonstrated his mercurial ways in attempts to please whoever is in front of him at the time, rather than do or say what is right. A perfect example of Romney's bizarre behavior and attitudes is his activity today in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. His budgetary plans include a 40% cut in funding for FEMA, stating that "privatization" is the way to go for disaster relief, and we know how "well" for-profit hospitals and prisons are shaping the healthcare and penal systems. Mr Romney disingenuously retasked his "Victory Rally" in Ohio to a food collection photo-op, despite the explicit admonitions by the Red Cross that they cannot use such donations. Great for a superficial, feel-good moment, Mormon-style, but pointless and a considerable waste of resources for the receiving agency (Red Cross) on the frontlines. We cannot afford to indulge that fortunate son and return to the disasterous policies initiated by Nixon and Reagan.
Obama/Biden 2012
Lou Patti
10:35 pm on Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Help Obama Forward onto Marine one, back to Chicago, Hawaii or Paris. I don't care where as long as it isn't 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue!
Romney-Ryan 2012
Haywood Jeblomie
10:37 pm on Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Trust Obama - Absolutely NOT!
In an interview with the editorial board of the Des Moines Register, Obama was asked if he regretted his push to enact health-care overhaul legislation when he had huge Democratic majorities in Congress instead of emphasizing measures to fix the economy. “Absolutely not,” responded the president.
That must have come as a slap in the face to the 23 million Americans out of work, trapped in part-time jobs or given up looking for work; to the 50 percent of college grads who can’t find jobs or labor at doing something below their hard-earned college credentials, and to the 5.5 million unemployed women and the 27.5 million women in poverty, increases of, respectively, 500,000 and 3.6 million over the levels when Obama took office.
Obama’s excuse for “absolutely not” was GOP opposition in Congress. Early in his term, Republicans had just 40 votes in the U.S. Senate, not enough to stop legislation with a filibuster unless they had help from Democratic members. More important, the GOP opposition Obama cited wasn’t formidable enough to block his drive to pass Obamacare. In other words, he was willing to take on Republican “obstructionism” in the name of a long-cherished liberal goal of overhauling the health-care industry but not to combat the unemployment crisis.
Colter95
8:16 am on Wednesday, October 31, 2012
And my case for Mitt Romney:
http://obamalies.net/list-of-obamas-failures
http://blog.heritage.org/2012/10/18/president-obamas-taxpayer-backed-green-energy-failures/
http://lacrossetribune.com/news/opinion/patti-schmidt-list-of-obama-s-failures-is-long/article_7a139146-fec2-11e1-8e81-0019bb2963f4.html
http://www.powerlineblog.com/archives/2012/08/obamas-foreign-policy-failures-catalogued.php
http://www.facebook.com/notes/republican-security-council/the-top-10-obama-flip-flops-by-ari-fleischer/171275079638338
http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/nilegardiner/100083104/the-u-turn-president-barack-obama-top-ten-flip-flops/
http://dailycaller.com/2012/10/23/fact-check-text-of-2008-romney-op-ed-debunks-obamass-auto-bailout-attack/
http://www.infowars.com/obama-supporters-continue-threats-to-riot-assassinate-romney/
You see, it's easy to run on a slogan, like Obama did in 2008... Hope and change, baby... It's much harder to do once you have a record that can be reviewed... He also said in 2008 that if he didn't get the job done in four years, that it would be a one term deal... Well, he hasn't delivered, so time to let him keep his word... Romney/Ryan 2012
D Rogers
10:36 am on Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Quoting the Heritage Foundation, Daily Caller, Alex Jones? Give me a break. As I said previously - turn off Fox and extremists and look at the facts. It's easy to run on a myriad of lies, as Romney/Ryan are doing. The choice could never be more clear...Obama/Biden 2012
Ryan M
10:38 am on Wednesday, October 31, 2012
So what "big government" solution do you think Obama should have done to create more jobs? And you should re-educate yourself on the ACA to better understand what it is and what it isn't. It certanly isn't socialized or nationalized healthcare, nor does it set the framework for that to happen. You are right about it not having the right cost controls in place and that wasn't because of lack of effort. In the end the bill that passed was the only bill that could get pass a split Senate where neither side had a super-majority. Getting to the ACA has been a 20 year effort and I commend the Obama administration for pulling it off. It is a start in the right direction. Don't think you realize this, but healthcare IS a Jobs issue. Want to know what expense is placing the biggest burden on our economy? It's employee healthcare cost. This has been the defining issue affecting our economy and while Romney and other Republicans continue to play the straw man game of pointing to false culprits and offering empty promises, Obama keeps his eye on the ball. That's leadership. This election will be close because there are still so many ignorant souls out there who "want their country back" which is code for "I want the black man out of office." But I think ultimately Obama will win reelection because most people see his way as the way forward while Romney will take us back to the Bush years.
Haywood Jeblomie
10:48 am on Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Please...its easy to spend trillions you don't have and claim to have done something. Obama ran for office to create jobs. What is his plan? What are the specifics to get 23 million back to work?
Take us back to the Bush years? What does that mean besides some left nut sack talking point? You mean the years when Obamie and Casey voted for the spending and the deficits and to deregulate Fannie and Freddie? Is that what you mean?
Explain how Obama voting for the Bush budgets is OK with you. Last time I checked Democrats controlled both houses in 07 and 08. Did Democrats PASS THESE BUDGETS.....why yes they did....look it up!!!
Jeanette Appice Zeitz
8:19 am on Thursday, November 1, 2012
Why is racism the answer to, I want my country back. I want my constitution back along with the Republic I so love. I never want to be a socialist and my feelings are that Mr Obama is a socialist, of whatever color a socialist is, I don't want him running my Republic. I want to pledge allegiance to my flag, as one nation under God, for all Americans of any ancestry!
Colter95
8:12 am on Thursday, November 1, 2012
@D Rogers - It's not the source that matters... It's the content... If you believe there to be lies, point them out... In the meantime:
Every voter needs to read this excellent article... Very well worth your time...
http://spectator.org/archives/2012/11/01/benghazi-obamas-core-deceit/
D Rogers
9:42 am on Thursday, November 1, 2012
@Colter95 - I disagree, the source always matters and the right-wing media and blogs you cite are bankrupt of reality. Twisted speculation by Peter Ferrara? - give me a break! Turn to unbiased assessments of what is really happening:
http://www.factcheck.org/
http://www.politifact.com/
Neither side owns the truth, but it's clear that the Republicans, and Mr Romney and Mr Ryan, in particular, are quite unfamiliar with it. These two can't get their stories straight, moment-to-moment.
Colter95
12:27 pm on Saturday, November 3, 2012
@ D Rogers - Factcheck Benghazi!!
Please don't let Obama sweep Benghazi under the rug.
Lets not forget those four who were left to be slaughtered in Benghazi.
Every voter needs to read this excellent article. Very well worth your time.
http://spectator.org/archives/2012/11/01/benghazi-obamas-core-deceit/
These are pretty good as well:
http://www.gazette.com/opinion/romney-146793-obama-benghazi.html
http://frontpagemag.com/2012/dgreenfield/benghazigate-obamas-many-lies-about-libya/
http://www.canadafreepress.com/index.php/article/50657
http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Journalism/2012/10/25/CBS-Busts-Obama--and-Itself-Hidden-60-Minutes-Clip-Proves-White-House-Lied-About-Benghazi
Romney/Ryan 2012
Colter95
12:27 pm on Saturday, November 3, 2012
I saw Obama yesterday claiming the new job numbers are proof that his policies are working and that we are in an economic recovery... Fact is, that is not the truth, or even close to the truth...
First, the unemployment rate ticked up to 7.9% and the year-to-date monthly average of 157,000 payroll jobs is barely enough to keep up with population growth -- much less make up for the 8 million jobs lost during the Great Recession.
Second, the so-called real unemployment rate (U6) remains elevated at 14.6%, albeit down from 14.7% the prior month. Similarly, the labor participation rate is at 63.8%, up from its multi-decade low but still incredibly weak.
Third, average hourly earnings fell a penny in October and average hours worked fell to 34.4 from 34.5 in September.
Stagnant wages means "we're not generating income," Reinhart says. "That's a problem in terms of the durability of an economic expansion, which is usually fueled by consumption. To get consumption you've got to generate income."
Also, just look at your checkbook. We are paying a lot more for everything now than we did in 2008. The price of gas has doubled. At the same time, wages have gone down, and that's if you're lucky to have a job.
In 2008, 25 banks went out of business. In 2012, 48 banks have gone out of business. Almost double the amount. Does that sound like recovery to you? Don't believe the Obama lies!!
Romney/Ryan 2012
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