Here are six reasons why I’m going to vote for Mitt Romney:
1. Size and Scope of Government
People agree that the choice between the President and Governor Romney is a stark choice for the future direction of our country. Do we want a larger and more powerful federal government, or do we want the free market system to be dominant? Historically, the United States has been a limited government country. Since the 1930s, the role of government has steadily increased.
I believe we’re at a tipping point. The size and scope of government should be reduced and rolled back. Since I believe in the free market system and a limited government, I will vote for Mitt Romney.
2. Big Ideas versus Small Ideas
Big ideas are described in principles. Small ideas are expressed in specifics.
Governor Romney has promised to reform the tax code. He plans to increase revenue to the government by lowering rates and closing loopholes. That is the principle. I acknowledge that he’s short on the specifics of what loopholes he will close. I’m OK with this, as I believe reform is necessary. Our tax code needs to be simplified.
On the other hand, President Obama says he’ll hire 100,000 math and science teachers. In my opinion, that is a small detail. How about reforming our education system from top to bottom? Or what if we introduce competition by allowing school choice? Or eliminating lousy teachers by eliminating tenure? This is all aside from the fact that the federal government doesn’t actually do the hiring – local school boards do.
I realize that comparing the tax code to education is apples and oranges. But the concept of making changes based on principles versus adding more of the same is the main point.
I will vote for Mitt Romney because he is offering more principle-based positions than President Obama.
3. Problem Solving versus Continuing to Kick the Can Down the Road
The United States has multiple structural problems that need reforming and fixing: Medicare, Social Security, the tax code, health care, education, energy, defense, the debt, spending, etc.
During his four years in the White House, President Obama has given lip service to many of these issues but has mostly given us more of the same.
With health care and energy, the President did attempt to make structural changes. Instead of fixing the problem, I believe he’s made matters worse. ObamaCare is now estimated to cost three times its original cost. ObamaCare failed to include tort reform. It was not passed on a bipartisan basis. It is not a market-based solution. And Obama’s energy policies, while having good intentions, have doubled the cost of energy and contain a lot of wasted dollars and cronyism.
More of the same and doubling down on policies that have not worked is not a solution. I’ll vote for Mitt Romney because he has a track record as a problem solver.
4. Getting Things Done Means Being Willing (and Capable) to Delve Into the Details
I get the sense that President Obama doesn’t like to bother with details. He didn’t worry about the details when ObamaCare was passed. Hence, the devil-in-the-details have revealed themselves.
By most accounts, Governor Romney is a bit of a nerd who relishes getting into the details. And Paul Ryan loves the details of the budget. Based on the big issues with a myriad of details that need solving, I’ll vote for Romney.
5. Class Warfare versus Bipartisanship
President Obama has not united the country as he promised. His class warfare rhetoric is not helpful. In fact, it has been deeply divisive.
Americans are optimistic people by nature and don’t wish each other ill. The average American simply wants an opportunity to make his or her life better. Americans don’t begrudge the success of others. And we don’t vote for revenge. Sadly, President Obama has engaged in too much hate speech, a hangover from his days as a community organizer, where such agitation is the norm.
Governor Romney has promised to work on a bipartisanship basis. His term as governor of Massachusetts seems to confirm his ability to do this. Bipartisanship will be necessary to fix the big issues facing our country. I’ll vote for Romney.
6. Taking Responsibility versus Blaming Others
It’s all George Bush’s fault … it really does sound juvenile … it does not sound Presidential.
I believe many of the problems we currently experience were created by seventy-plus years of bigger and bigger government programs. George Bush did not reverse that trend and in fact, made things worse in many ways (e.g., the Prescription Drug Plan). Now is the time for some structural reforms, fixes, and changes. I don’t know if Governor Romney will be capable of making these changes, but I’m confident that President Obama will give us more of the same. And more of the same is not acceptable. I’ll vote for Romney.
The reality is whoever is President should not greatly affect any one individual’s success and happiness.
In the United States, we all have an equal opportunity to create the life we want to live. So, whoever wins should not individually matter. But Presidents do set a tone and direction. I believe it’s now time for a different direction.
I encourage all to go vote and be part of the conversation.
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Next Blog Date: November 8, 2012