We know what a person thinks
not when he tells us what he thinks,
but by his actions.
Isaac Bashevis Singer
Political Potpourri
I haven't done one of these in a while; I have to admit the results aren't encouraging at the present time with Obama approval ratings at nearly year-to-date highs and the preponderance of the polls showing a narrow edge to Obama in battleground states.. There are a variety of reasons starting with problems both with Romney and his campaign. i have published several critiques (most recently here).
Romney can't win simply based on his resume (recall GHW Bush also had "the resume", but he famously admitted lacking "that vision thing"). Romney needs to go big, go for a free markets mandate and also tackle Congressional reform. He also needs a dash of straight talk,pointing out the status quo is unsustainable and everyone, not just upper income will need to sacrifice. the fact Obama has shown zero leadership besides using accounting gimmicks like double-counting, deferred cuts in projected baseline budget increases. or health care provider price cuts (despite years of doc fixes and provider attrition at at 20-30% below market prices). I think Tanner of Cato has estimated current recipients get over $2 in benefits for every dollar paid in via payroll taxes, premiums, etc. That is unsustainable in or out of government.
I honestly believe no rational person in good faith can vote for Barack Obama. I believe the politically correct term is "mentally challenged". Here is a man, for instance, whom promised bipartisanship but engaged in divisive hardball politics,, ran specifically against the Gulf region wars where not only did he fail to improve on Bueh's negotiated withdrawal from Iraq,but he has already grossly exceeded Bush's 2 terms of fatalities in Afghanistan and vastly expanded drone attacks and Middle East meddling during the Arab spring. not only failed to close Gitmo as promised but immigration and civil liberty reforms--despite in firm control of the 111th Congress. Obama's lack of expertise and experience in business and economics has contributed to the worst jobless recovery since the Depression.leaving him with nothing but excuses, given near zero interest rates and nearly $5.5 trillion added to the public debt. over twice he inherited (the rest was Treasury instruments held by the social security trust fund), and the first debt downgrade in US history. Obama did nothing to resolve over $40T in unfunded senior liabilities. we see nothing beyond class warfare tax hikes, which narrow the tax base; in any event, there aren't enough rich people to cover existing government spending obligations. We already see the future we're heading for under Obama.whom, unlike Romney, won't be accountable to voters if he wins (because of term limits) in the European PIIGS crises
There are a few other interesting results in a couple of widely considered safe blue Senate seats--in Maine and Pennsylvania. Former Maine Gov. King, an Independent, expected to caucus with the Dems, is still the favorite,but the momentum is with the Gop candidates. We are seeing some GOP names tiptoeing into the Missouri race backing Akin against McCaskill. The Dems will continue to try to make this a referendum on political correctness.
Dick Morris and others have suggested the polls are skewed; one relevant new website claiming Romney is really in the lead is here.There are also two websites with video vignettes of mostly 2008 Obama supporters now supporting Romney: why I changed my vote and my buyer's remorse.
Around the World
- The Mark v the Euro. I'm not the only one predicting the Germans will split from the euro PIIGS bond purchases will be at artificially high prices/low yields. Will Germans bail out the PIGGS? I don't think so. I would specify other discussions but they are proprietary sources.
- One week away from Chavez liberation? I hope so. One of my references is a DBA manager at an LA area Catholic university, a Venezuelan immigrant: as I recall, not a Chavez fan. This blog is not a friend to this despot. Is Henrique Capriles the liberator? I would prefer more of a free marketer, but even a yellow dog would be an improvement over Chavez..
- Europeans are trying their hand at economically ruinous class warfare. thumbs DOWN!. They are just as illiterate in basic economics as American Democrats and Obama supporters: so much for European education! The last thing France needed with flat growth and high unemployment was to institute a 75% tax bracke (as the article notes, the French desperately need to cut spending and reform/loosen labor regulations). Some German malcontents also want to kill the goose laying the golden egg.
- Is the Russian Connection Over? No, not drugs, but the political alliance between Medvedev and Putin where the Prime Minister and President swapped positions to keep the Presidency wam for Putin, constitutionally limited to two conservative terms in office Putin has already rolled back modest reforms like decriminalization of slander; there are rumors,that Putin holds the PM ultimately responsible for the inauguration eve protests and may be ready to throw his political partner under he bus.
Where Has All Your Freedom Gone?
A recent poll shows only 1 in 3 have privacy concerns about police abuse of law enforcement access to drone utilization. How many times are Americans going to shove our liberty to be left alone under the bus if and when the statists fear-monger?
Musical Interlude: My Favorite Groups
ZZ Top, "Cheap Sunglasses"
