One Week From Today

I wrote this for publication this past Tuesday but then didn’t post it because of the Sandy mess. It appears that the campaign is back in full swing so I’m posting. I’m doin’ it.

Election day is Tuesday for all of you who have cut all ties to the outer world because you can’t stand one more robo-call or don’t live in the U.S. and wish we would just vote and shut the hell up.

I remember November 4, 2008 vividly. I didn’t vote for Obama but I was moved by the election of the first African-American president of the U.S. I didn’t think he was up to the job but I truly hoped he would be a good president. We needed somebody to lead us out of the mess.

Sadly, I don’t think Obama has lived up to the expectations many had for him as a leader. In my opinion (and this is my blog so I’m writing about my opinion), his policies have not helped the U.S. domestically or internationally.

The 2012 is race is coming down to the undecided voters– not independents but undecided voters. I tend to believe that if you haven’t made up your mind about who to vote for at this late date, you are either:

• not going to vote, or
• you are waiting for Obama to give you a reason to vote him in for a second term and if he doesn’t, you will vote for Romney.

Statistically undecided voters, this late in the game, tend to wind up voting for the challenger because they can’t justify voting for the incumbent again.

I think Mitt Romney is going to win and I wouldn’t be surprised if he wins pretty big. I hope I’m right and if I’m wrong, well there’s always another election.

I have never voted for a Democrat for president. That is due to the fact that since I have been voting, I have had a fundamentally different idea of what the duties of the federal government are than do most Democrat candidates. That’s not to say that I have always been supercharged voting for Republicans. Bob Dole and John McCain, while fine men, do not really inspire one to get all jazzed about voting for them. I have voted for democrats in Oregon races, as a matter of fact, I did last week when I voted my mail-in ballot. (Aside, all of Oregon’s elections are by mail. It’s a good system but I miss going somewhere to vote.)

This election is a bit of a change for me because I am actually happy about who I am voting for. Set aside the Lady Boner that I have for Paul Ryan. I never thought I would say this, EVER but I am really pleased to be voting for Mitt Romney. There is every indication, despite the tsunami of negative ads claiming otherwise, that Mitt Romney is a good man. A good father and husband and an accomplished and successful businessman, highly skilled in running huge organizations, taking action and producing results.

One of the big complaints about Romney is his changing positions on issues. Bill Clinton changed his opinions on issues, he made a swing to the center and actually got things done in Washington. Romney was the governor of Massachusetts, a Republican governor in Massachusetts is a much different animal than a Republican governor in Arizona or Mississippi. As governor of Massachusetts, he got things done. Sure he tacked to the right, during the primaries, ya gotta do what ya gotta do. Anyone who thinks politics in the U.S. or anywhere is too pure for playing to the audience, is probably too naive to be voting. And, if anyone’s going to be upset about Romney heading back to the center for the general election, you would think it would be the Tea Party and they’re votin’ for him. They are not the undecideds.

Back in 2008

“And that’s to be expected, because if you don’t have any fresh ideas, then you use stale tactics to scare voters.

If you don’t have a record to run on, then you paint your opponent as someone people should run from. You make a big election about small things.” Barack Obama

Those are Obama’s words from his convention acceptance speech in 2008. And those words are coming back to haunt him. Obama’s 2012 campaign has focused on scaring people regarding the Romney plan for changing and thus saving Social Security and Medicare, the red-herring of killing Big Bird through discontinuing PBS funding, mocking Romney’s goals for updating America’s military resources (Mr. President, the Marines still use bayonets), and harping on notebook binders.

Why am I enthusiastic about Romney?

First of all, he’s an accomplished guy.

I like his proposals to change and save Social Security and Medicare. If drastic changes are not made, there won’t be anything left in 20 years when I retire.

I agree with his proposed changes to the tax code. We need a flatter tax code with fewer loopholes. And yes, he has stated what loopholes would go. I think we need a flatter tax rate for the middle class (me) as well as those who are above and below me on the income spectrum. I don’t believe in estate taxes, either.

We need to drastically cut federal government spending. Of course, only in Washington is “cutting spending” actually cutting the rate of the growth of spending. And yes, PBS funding should go. Lots of funding for non-necessary services is going to have to go. This is a crisis and fixing it is going to be really hard. I’m willing to take the hit this generation if it means my kids will have greater opportunities down the road.

I think the changes noted above will result in a stronger economy and a recovery in the job market.

I agree with his energy policies.

I think we have faltered overseas, especially in the Middle East. The attack in Benghazi is an example of either a cover-up or a massive failure of leadership. I think Romney’s priorities over there are to continue to communicate but carry the big stick and use it, if need be.

In education, I think Romney is right that the problem isn’t necessarily not enough teachers but definitely too many administrators and too much cow-towing to teacher’s unions.

I could go on but I’m sure I have bored or infuriated you enough already.

Whoever wins the election on November 6, I really hope they can right this ship before it goes under.