Sure, President Obama took the steps Bush didn't and now Osama Bin Laden is dead. However, the United State is still at war with multiple nations. He pushed three more "free" trade agreements that, once enacted, will likely lead to more job losses rather than more exports. Most controversial, President Obama signed off on a heath care plan that forces Americans to give more money to corporations, rather than creating the public option the nation needs.
But the country has to face the facts. Like it or not, this guy may be our best option. The idea of a third party for Progressives this nation needs is still too far of a long shot, thanks to modern politics.
Meanwhile, the Republican party is still soul searching, trying to figure out who they are as a political party. Are they theocratic? Are they Libertarian? They certainly are not the Republican party of their forbearers. Lincoln and Roosevelt would be rolling over in their graves at the lack of patriotism coming from the Republican party today.
"This country will not be a permanently good place for any of us to live in unless we make it a reasonably good place for all of us to live in." - Teddy Roosevelt
"I see in the near future a crisis approaching that unnerves me and cause me to tremble for the safety of my country; corporations have been enthroned, an era of corruption in high places will follow, and the money power of the country will endeavor to prolong its reign by working upon the prejudices of the people, until the wealth is aggregated in a few hands, and the republic destroyed." - Abraham Lincoln
Compare these to the applauds seen at Republican debates in support of people dieing in the street. Today's Republicans would read these quotes and call these former presidents anti-American or socialist, which is absurd.
With the 2012 primaries well underway, there are currently two front runners that perfectly reflect the gap between the current top two sides of the Republican Party. The Tea Party seems to be out this season, so they have Mitt Romney -- the corporatist and Rick Santorum -- the theocrat.
"If people think that there is something wrong with being successful in America, then they better vote for the other guy, because I've been extraordinarily successful and I want to use that success and that know-how to help the American people," Romney stated recently on an interview with Fox.And he has. Romney started out as a business consultant, right out of collage. In 1983, Romney left Bain & Company to head his own startup spin off, Bain Capital. The idea was, rather than consult, buy out to reap larger financial rewards. This was a win-win for Romney as the deal Bill Bain finally worked insured there would be no risk for Romney should the idea go south.
The idea payed off, likely due to the Bane notion that making money for share holders holds importance over other goals for the company. This allowed the worth of the companies to go up, and Bain Capital would sell the companies a few years later for a profit. Romney was the head of the company for 14 years, during which time their rate of return was 113 percent.
Later in 2002, Romney pulled off another win with the Winter Olympics in Utah. What started out as a project seemingly doomed as to be a disaster financially, the Games brought in $324 million.
Looking at this impressive resume, it is shocking that Romney's leading rival, currently, is Rick Santorum, the man quoted as saying;
"I would argue, this right to privacy that doesn't exist in my opinion in the United States Constitution." - Rick Santorum
Republicans, your choice should be clear. America needs someone that understands business, is willing to speak out about Asian nations' currency manipulations and focus on getting the economy back on track. He is obviously the better choice for the Republican party.
But the question will still remain, is he the right man for the office of President of the United States? Both President Obama and Romney are found wanting in their own right. However, President Obama has not made things worse. In fact, things have gotten slightly better, even if the Democrats in Congress had more to do with that than the President. President Obama is willing to negotiate with Republicans, even fully understanding that they are unwilling to negotiate with him.
The question voters need to ask is, would Romney keep working for shareholders on Wall Street, or would he listen and work with Democrats? If he is anything like his fellow Republicans in Washington today, the answer is no. They complain that the left pushes them too far if they give up just 5 percent of what they want. Their unwillingness to play well with others has seriously thwarted any chance of a quick economic recovery.
Looking at Romney's time as governor, it is clear he could be a good president. However, looking at the man running for the White House now, it is clear this is a different Romney. Should Americans chance it? It is always easier to stay with the safe bet (Obama), even if he is not doing as well as he could, than to try someone new.
Given the surprise voters had with President Obama's first term, there is really no way of telling what will happen in his second term. The nation could see Obama stand up to Republicans for the first time, or they could see him continue to back down. But, it is likely going to be more of the same giving up and giving in with any real progress coming from Democratic leaders in Congress.
Likewise, Romney is tested, but the biggest thing he lacks is consistency -- the thing Americans need the most right now. Voters have no way of knowing if he will do what is best for the nation, Wall Street or his party. If it is either or both of the latter two, the nation will continue to get worse for another 4 long years.
It is clear that neither Obama nor Romney are the best choices, but until Americans start looking outside the box, they are the best options we have. If all voters have to go on is Romney's rhetoric, it may very well be better to continue with what kind of works -- President Obama -- than with Romney's ideas that really don't stand a chance of bettering the lives of Americans.
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