It's About the Economy, Stupid

“It is the economy, stupid,” was the chant from that ragin' cajun, political guru James Carville in the 1992 Clinton campaign for president.  The Democrats urged Americans to vote their own economic self-interest and vote for the candidate who could fix the economy.  As we go to the voting booths, I suggest they were right and urge you to vote for the candidate who will most help your family survive this current economic downturn.

After four years we’ve heard a lot of talk by President Obama.  With the election upon us it is time we judged the man on what he has accomplished. President Obama said himself, if he could not accomplish his goals; his would be a one term Presidency.

First, go back to the old Ronald Reagan campaign slogan, “are you better off today than you were four years ago?”  The answer is no.  This is clear to anybody wanting to review the economic data.  Real unemployment/underemployment is now 14% and has been for four years.  Yes, there has been a recession, but a review of the history of recessions will reveal this is the slowest recovery since WWII.  There are over 23 million Americans looking for work or looking for work in their field of expertise.  It is no big deal, unless it happens to be your family and your friends.  When it affects your family, I would quote Vice President Biden who would suggest it is a big _____ deal.

Bloomberg reports Capital Spending is slowing.  This is a forward looking indicator giving us a clue to the future. When companies stop spending on investment items, those most often used for growth, it indicates there will be a slower economy.  Bloomberg also reports dividends increasing for stock holders.  Put these two items together and you see business is not interested in expanding under our current situation.  Instead, companies are paying money, which could be used for expansion, back to investors.  This leads analysts to suggest unemployment will stay artificially high.  It also means the money will stay with the wealthy and the retirement funds, not with wage earners.

In 2008 the Federal Deficit was nearly 10 trillion dollars.  It is now above 16 trillion dollars.  Basically we have borrowed money which will be paid back by our
children.  The money the next generation will pay guarantees they will, generally, have less money for investment and growth than our generation. For many kids from wealthy families this will be a concern; for far more kids, from lower income families, it means they will be deprived of many opportunities we had in our generation.  Bottom line, the WWII generation is leaving the largest wealth transfer from their investments to their children than at any time in history.  Our generation, the ME generation, will leave our children with the greatest debt in history.  It might be worth noting that since our credit rating has been downgraded, the interest rates on this debt will be higher than it might have been. 

There is the issue of Czars.  Czars have been around in the U.S. Government since WWI when Woodrow Wilson appointed Bernard Baruch head of the War Industries Board.  The newspapers used the term “industry czar.”  From time to time both parties have appointed heads of boards to handle a crisis or address a particular problem.  Never has there been an administration appointing so many people having decision-making powers, not reviewed by the Senate, at the Executive level, as the Obama administration. 

In some cases, these Czars were appointed with a clear understanding that they would not survive a Senate Hearing.  When we step away from the Constitution, we put ourselves at risk to unintended consequences.  If a President is allowed to give a person authority to affect our government and our lives without a system of checks and balances, it means a future President, without noble intentions, can put people in place to adversely affect our future and that of our children.

Bottom line, instead of assigning theories of wrongdoing to President Obama, we have to admit, the job was just too big for him.

President Obama had a great career where people assigned to him abilities he did not possess.  The President's background was in law and community organizing, with a short stay in State Government, and an even shorter stay in the Senate.

This man never met a payroll.  A few years ago, a politician said his opponent had never signed the front of a check; he had only signed the back.  This is the case for the President; he has only signed the backs of checks.

The President has never had to compromise to get things done.  In a legislative
environment, as I understand it, partisanship is the prevailing mood.  Only great leaders and people interested in getting results, ever “stoop” to working with the other side.  The President has no military experience.  This is not a necessary requirement, but it does offer experiences in leadership and command.  Since the President did not pick these up in the private sector, the military would have been most helpful to him.  It may have given him confidence to try real compromise.

As we head for the polls, I’m asking you to listen to that ragin' cajun democrat James Carville and remember, “it’s about the economy ... .”  

President Romney will bring to the table a history of leadership in business, in government and with the Olympics.  President Romney will have been elected based on his promise to work with both sides of the aisle to get our economy back on track.  This election is a clear choice between a proven failure and a leader with a vision.   

President Obama does not have a plan going forward.  He is like the captain of a ship with no maps or navigation system. He is not sure where he is, has only a vague notion of his destination, is not sure how long it will take to get there and is unsure of the proper course.  He does however, remain optimistic.

Mitt Romney has a map, has a plan, knows how to navigate and understands the sea in which he finds himself.  Leadership will save this country.  

Vote for change. Vote to give this country a chance to grow again. Vote for Romney.