Romney v. Obama

I will admit it, I didn't watch the Republican nor the Democrat National Conventions. Mostly because my household isn't exactly friendly to political television, but also because my kids would prevent me from absorbing any of the information. I have, however, read the transcripts of the speeches. This is actually nice, because I can look at them side by side and see the differences in their approaches.

Romney was surprisingly straight forward. I loved that he laid a foundation of decisions and how he would go about them. They aren't terribly specific, but I suppose if he had been, the speech would have been much too long. I actually teared up a little at parts, mainly because it kills me how much I am hoping that America gets back on track, and I truly want to believe the promises he's making. I guess I can now understand what Dems were feeling when they heard Obama speak in 2008.

Speaking of Obama, where Romney was specific, Obama was classically vague. What else do we expect? He mentions "Wall Street" numerous times, first to explain that all should get a fair shot (classic Obama, right?) and play by the same rules. My first complaint? Mr President, what exactly do you mean that everyone should play by the same rules? Did you play by the rules (or by the Constitution that you are sworn to uphold) when you have repeatedly disregarded democracy to pass administrative orders from your thrown? Or how about when you spend resources of the presidency, a.k.a. taxpayer money, to attend photo shoots and such for your campaign. I don't know if you are the only one to do it, but it isn't right when the country is failing miserably under your hand. I'm astonished that you declared in your speech the U.S.'s continued support for Israel while also citing China as our closest ally.

Obama's way of covering his off-mic whispers to Putin? He says if we think Russia is our enemy, we are in a cold-war mindset. Back to my other point, though. Wall Street is repeated as a dirty word again, stating that "rolling back" regulations on Wall Street won't help small businesses. You're right, Obama. Of course! Regulations ONLY affect huge corporations!!!! I want to call him so many things, this makes me so mad! Yes, regulations hurt corporations because it is an added expense for operation, however it KILLS small business! Small businesses can't afford to have legal departments and workers dedicated to ensuring compliance with regulations. That task falls on the owners. The more regulations there are, the less owners are able to dedicate time to their business, to their workers or even to their families.

Wall Street - once again - is mentioned, when Obama claims he will fix Social Security instead of turning it over to Wall Street. He also claims that his opponent has no plan and no experience in foreign policy... I know this: he didn't four years ago and he still doesn't. His idea of foreign policy is to allow other countries to hoard nukes while we deplete our own. His idea of foreign policy is to back Pakistan and be wimpy with Iran instead of standing strong with Israel. His idea of foreign policy is to encourage Muslim extremists instead of thwarting their control.

Not only are we headed for a financial crisis, we are heading for a loss of world power. We will be owned completely by China (maybe that's what he means about them being our closest ally), we will lose Britain's respect (remember he sent back the bust of Churchill), we will have no drilling here and have to get our oil from South America and Canada and the Middle East.

Romney was not my first choice, but he is who we have now. This is definitely the most important election in my lifetime. If the country does not vote Obama out, we may not last another four years. If we do last, this country may be unrecognizable.