This election, the choice is clear as to which candidate can most effectively lead our country out of recession and into greater economic prosperity: Mitt Romney. When I think about the most important issue surrounding this debate, the words of James Carville come to mind, “it’s the economy, stupid.”
The current state of the economy is abysmal. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the unemployment rate finally dropped to 7.8 percent. This is progress, as the number has remained above 8 percent, but it’s a pathetic number if we consider all the spending Obama has done to make such a minimal improvement. Also, according to the U.S. Debt Clock, our debt has surpassed $16 trillion. To put this in perspective, this is equivalent to every citizen owing $51,441. According to the Wall Street Journal, “CBO shows that over the first three years of the Obama Presidency, 2009-2011, the federal government will borrow an estimated $3.7 trillion. That is more than the entire accumulated national debt for the first 225 years of U.S. history.”
Romney’s five-point Plan for a Stronger Middle Class is exactly what we need to get the economy running again. According to Mittromney.com, he will promote energy independence, improve education and job training programs, increase trade, cut the deficit and help small businesses. Additionally, the slogan for Romney’s tax plan is “fairer, flatter, and simpler.” According to his website, he plans to lower taxes for Americans to add more security back into the job market, which would help him create 12 million jobs for Americans.
We need someone with business experience to turn our economy around, and that is exactly what Romney can provide. Even Bill Clinton described Romney’s business career as “sterling” in an interview on CNN on May 31. Between his experience at Bain Capital and the Salt Lake City Olympics, he knows how to turn a failing business around. He also knows first hand what types of policies stimulate the growth of businesses.
One of Romney’s strengths is his ability to reach across the aisle and work with the other side. As our government becomes increasingly divided, this is more important than ever. In the debate on Oct. 16, Romney said, “I had the great experience…of being elected in a state where my legislature was 87 percent Democrat, and that meant I figured out from day one I had to…work across the aisle to get anything done.” He met weekly with members of both parties during his term. Obama has shown no interest in following suit. For example, Obama drove the health care bill through Congress without a single Republican vote.
In an interview on CNN in 2009, Obama said that if he did not turn the economy around in three years, his presidency would be a “one-term proposition.” We must make sure that happens. It’s time for a change in the White House; we simply cannot afford another four more years of President Obama. The Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan ticket is the clear choice in the 2012 election.
Contact Lindsey Hubbart at [email protected]
