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MAKING THE CHOICE IN 2008

As an independent, I, too, straddle the fence on several issues.

Qualifications

It was readily apparent, after reading a book on the eight candidates, that there was a great discrepancy in qualifications.  I could not see how it would make any sense to vote for the by far least qualified, Obama.  Romney was heads and shoulders above the others in overall capability and qualifications.

Kooky Primaries - Republicans

Then the primaries started - and there was alot of kookiness.  The Republicans nominated John McCain, a good guy but not qualified to run a government and a bit odd in some of his stances and workstyle - plus it seems obvious that death before finishing the terms would be very possible, as he would start at age 73!  So he needed a strong Vice President at least.  But, nothing against her, he chose a governor of a state with 750,000 people, having been the mayor of a small town before that.  That was incredible.

The Republicans were not acting rationally in my opinion, although we tend to think of Republicans as being older and perhaps wiser - but they appear to be emotional and to not weigh the qualifications of the candidates.  [This year, the Republicans appeared to be ready to make the same mistakes:  Cain (no governing experience, then Perry (not even close!), Santorum (limited), Gingrich (brilliant, never ran anything, erratic), even Bachman (no experience running anything substantial).     We cannot afford to do "on the job training" again, given the Obama problems based on that.]

I would prefer that all voters use "critical, fact-based thinking" and follow a clear criteria of what is needed to have the right President - not letting the "monkey mind" make the choices. 

Emotional, Appealing Democratic Primaries

The 2008 election left us with no good choice on the Republican side, so now we were left with Hilary Clinton and an inexperienced Barack Obama.  I liked Barack better.  He reached me on the basis of intellectually being smart enough to at least use smart people to run things and to develop a balance set of values for the Federal Government.  I thought he would do more of what he said, and at least have an influence that would drive us more to enlightened government. 

Promises, rhetoric, and slogans - but it turned out he could not fulfill those at all. 

The Results

He is a good person, of course, but politics have been too great a factor in making nonsensical decisions and his lack of experience (and need for on the job training) has created huge problems.  Even those working with him say things like "We're home alone.  There is no adult in the room."  He covers this up well, but posturing is not the same as performing. 

Of course, there were some correct choices, in my estimation, but many harmful ones, that he may not have realized because of his lack of understanding and/or his agenda. 

I read with interest Confidence Men, by Ron Suskind, giving factual quotes from people working with him and an interesting history of the campaign and the "education of the President."  At the end he identifies the key point:  Obama is a "brilliant amateur".  

And we failed to adequately be realistic enough to identify that even the brilliant Einstein would have not been qualified, as there is no substitute for the wisdom one can gain from experience.

So, I made a mistake, though my choices appeared to be limited to choosing the least worst of the candidates. 

We have to admit the mistake, but not to repeat it.  The only really good choice is Romney - who could be the best CEO of the United States ever in history - as he is a problemsolver, consensus builder, informer, user of the top brains, a planner, and an indisputably great implementer.

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MY VALUES RELATIVE TO FEDERAL ISSUES:

Social net - Absolute net for those who are unable to produce income for themselves.  Beyond that, people must be responsible to produce sufficiently for themselves and not slack off, for self-respect.

Education - Vital, vital, vital.  Especially in values and principles.  Unemployment is very low for those who went to high school and showed some stability due to character.  The key area to improve, for higher prosperity.

Medical insurance - At least have a system that allows for checkups with no reason to avoid and then covers the cost of those who are not capable.  It should emphasize and have financial incentives for people to be healthy and for preventive care.  

Social Security and Medicare - Absolute must for old age, reduce for people who don't need it, so pays some for others; make both solvent and solve the over $35 trillion of unfunded liabilities already incurred. (Yes, our nation in total is behind by $50+ trillion dollars, with revenue of $2.1 trillion!!!)

The debt - Few realize that the debt consists of the National Debt to bond holders PLUS the unfunded obligations to Social Security and Medicare.   The total is at least $50 trillion dollars (see Trustee reports for SS and Medicare) but our total revenue is $2.1 trillion.  No rational person would not see this as horrendous if it were the ratios in his personal situation!  Yet there is policitcal resistance to addressing this.

Balanced budget amendment - Since congress is incapable of not succumbing to various pressures to give people and special interests what they want, we must put this into law, so that only a 2/3 majority can override it in appropriate circumstances.  (The balance may be over a specified period other than one year, and might have to not start for about three years.)  No one can legitimately argue against this over the long term, except politically and inappropriately.

Pro-choice:  Roe V. Wade is a reasonable compromise.  It makes sense for the conscious entity to choose what is right for a not yet developed higher consciousness, though I respect the alternative argument and the beliefs the pro-life people have.

Gay Rights:  Absolutely, though should not trample on others, so should be called by another name, such as civil unions.  Eliminate all discrimination and make rights equal.

Unions:  Important where competition does not properly drive wage levels, but limit, as with corporations, abuses of power.  Workers have rights that shall not be infringed upon, such as the right to work (without having to join a union), without prejudice and harm.

Special program to prevent low income and save manufacturing jobs - Invest to retain manufacturing as needed, require training while on unemployment insurance (to fill jobs going unfilled due to lack of skills, create incentive to learn and earn so not dependent on others.

Good management of the Government:  Sounds like an oxymoron, but an excellent CEO can make alot of progress.  We cannot achieve low enough taxes and spending to have a balance budget unless we do this vital piece - othewise it is wishful thinking.

Wise regulation:  Where it matters and not such that it does harm.

Legal:  The loser of a complainant suit should pay the fees and costs of the winner (obviously adjusted for the situation).

Taxation:  It appears that the budget cannot be balanced by spending cuts alone.  Recognize that taxing the rich more will not fill the gap - and we don't want to discourage investing or drive it overseas.  Raise the rate above $250,000 by 4%, above a million by 6%.

Defense:  It appears to me that there are massive efficiencies and smart allocation decisions that can be made.  Protection of the citizens is a key function of government.

Illegal immigration:  Lowers wages, brings in less educated (contributing less to growth and also causing more unemployment).  Implement the E-Verify program, using a competent private contractor (as government is not competent in that area), so that the illegals could not get jobs and would "self-deport".

MY DECISION IN 2008

VOTING FOR OBAMA AND BUYING INTO "HOPE"