Posted on 07/22/2012 3:32:46 PM PDT by Peter ODonnell
This year, America needs to elect a great president, and that will require voting against the incumbent.
Mitt Romney has failed to excite conservatives, by and large, and is suspected of being too centrist, even too liberal, to bring the necessary resolve to the office that might place America back on the right path.
However, alternatives seem few and far between as there is almost no chance of anyone else being nominated for the GOP or elected as a third party candidate. So it's basically a choice between Mitt Romney stepping up to the plate, or waiting for that great president to come along in 2016 -- and that begs the question, does America have four years to sacrifice? Perhaps, things always look worse than they turn out to be, but this may be the one time where things are as bad, if not worse, than they appear.
Here's what I believe Mitt Romney must do to become a great president. I must admit that when asked to choose four topics in posting this article, I was tempted by humour, weird stuff, and miscellaneous. I'm not saying that I think Romney can improve his game this much. But at least we should discuss what he needs to do to attract the support of conservatives.
First, he needs to select the most suitable running mate. I would like to see him select Sarah Palin or possibly Newt Gingrich. America needs to have confidence that there's a substantial person at the side of this potential president, and not just substantial, but with conservative credentials. But some of the choices mentioned widely in the press would not harm the rest of this agenda, because it's mainly in Romney's hands anyway.
Here are four conservative principles that I think Romney should pledge to uphold if elected.
(1) Take all possible steps to balance the budget and to reduce the debt and deficit. As part of that, refrain from further misadventures under the heading of "green economy" and adopt sensible, realistic climate policies (meaning, accept natural variability and move on, no more expensive solar or wind boondoggles, an emphasis on clean air rather than reduced carbon dioxide).
(2) Pledge to stay out of foreign entanglements of all kinds except those which vitally affect the security of the United States. No more U.N. sponsored adventures, no costly ambiguous foreign wars, just intervention to save vital interests of this country.
(3) Preserve the principle of conventional marriage, and uphold the spirit of the First and Second Amendments.
(4) Keep taxes low and stimulate small business while doing nothing to harm the economy.
If Romney pledges to maintain these four key conservative "core values" then he would be on the road to being the great president that these times require. He must also pledge to keep the Mormon faith question a private matter and maintain the separation of church and state.
I believe he should do all this, not to enhance his voter appeal or run up larger vote totals, but to save America from becoming a failed state. The question of border security plays into this as well, and it should be expected that there would be a reversal of trends towards increased illegal immigration. What you do with the ones already here is probably open to different solutions, but these should be in the national interest.
If Romney fails to endorse a strong conservative foundation, then I don't see how he is going to be enough of an improvement over Obama to merit any special consideration from American conservative voters, who would be quite within their rights to park their vote with a more principled candidate. It's up to Romney, does he want to do the minimum (and probably lose like McCain did) or does he want to do the maximum (and probably win like Reagan did against Carter?).
To me, the choice is a no-brainer -- conservative principles can save America from the inevitable crisis that would follow any further liberal misadventures.
I disagree that Sarah’s assessment of MItt was motivated by personal ambitions and self interests.
P.S. Mitt Romney if elected president will be as reliable a conservative as Justice Roberts....
“Obama worships Obama. Romney seeks God. I will vote for Romney.”
It’s a sad thing to see conservatives turn Hopey-Changey over Mitt Gimmick 2012. Just accept the fact that we got screwed, again, and that we lost the Presidential race when Mitt won the nomination. He’s not our guy. He’s the GOPe’s guy.
True enough but the rest of the world, Europe, China and India in particular, need to sell stuff too for the same reason. Free trade, to the extent that is actually achievable, is still better than any other scheme. History tells us so.
If you actually think that we import too much "stuff" then, as a loyal American, you need to do your part and stop shopping at Walmart, Target, Fry's, Penny's, Nordstroms ... (Just kidding.)
I'm pretty sure that the manufacturing data is pretty close to the truth. Remember, we are buying plastic toys and clothing from the Chinese and selling them Boeing 747's. Don't make the mistake of equating both sides of that transaction. If I recall correctly, the last time I looked the productivity of a U.S. worker is something like 20x that of the corresponding Chinese. If not 20x it is still a very large ratio. The Chinese will not be able to match U.S. manufacturing productivity for many decades if ever.
(welcome to FR)
Just saying...
I believe the Chinese have already exceeded America exports, two years ago.
Just saying.
We still import more. Which leaves less.
I think that is overblown. GE and others are paying no tax, but exporting jobs, IBM has no unions but still outsourced. Apple makes the Ipad in China. Few corporation pay the tax rate because of loopholes. Plus we probably don't want the water and air pollution, child labor of 3rd world countries.
It's all about making the most money for Wall Street stock approval and year end bonus getting.
“1. Drop-dead collar-ad handsome with gracious, statesman like aura. Looks like every central casting’s #1 choice for Commander-in-Chief.”
—
“3. No scandals or skeletons in his closet. (How boring is that?)”
Except that he’s a proven pathological liar on virtually every issue of importance.
Because guys from Harvard Business and Law school really made this country great, and all their decisions have really left us a shining city upon a hill.
Mittens represents the “yesterday” of the 1800s when ignorant farmers believed there were Mormons on the moon and on the sun, and that despite being wrong multiple times, their prophets are still prophets because the prophet said so.
Now why would either Romney, who promised in Dec 07 that he would keep the faith of his "fathers," pledge to do something that would set aside the authority of his "prophet" and general authorities to weigh in re: his life?
And why would the Mormon general authorities -- who have already gone on record re: the inclination to engage in political overreach -- retreat from what they've said on the record?
| Lds Leader | Chronological 'Prophet' or Fundamental # (or Other Title) | Overlap Areas: Could the President of the U.S. become a 'puppet' to an Lds 'Prophet?' (The Lds Prophets -- in their own words) | |
| John Taylor | Lds 'Prophet' #3 | “The Almighty has established this kingdom with order and laws and every thing pertaining thereto…[so] that when the nations shall be convulsed, we may stand forth as saviours…and finally redeem a ruined world, not only in a religious but in a political point of view.” (Journal of Discourses, vol. 9, p. 342, April 13, 1862) | |
| John Taylor | Lds 'Prophet' #3 | The LDS Church -- in 2001 -- thought it well to pull this quote from John Taylor to emphasize it: "The Lord...is desirous to show us how to save ourselves, how to bless ourselves temporally and spiritually, intellectually, morally, physically, POLITICALLY..." (Lds Church owned Deseret News, Nov. 19, 1865, p. 2, as quoted in Teachings of Presidents of the Church: John Taylor (2001, p. 178). Also from p. 178: "The idea of strictly religious feelings with us, and nothing else, is out of the question...Our religion is more comprehensive than that of the world...it embraces all the interests of humanity in every conceivable phrase..." (Original source: The Gospel Kingdom, 1943, p. 168) | |
| Orson Hyde | President of the Lds Quorum of the 12 Apostles for 28 years (1847-1875) | “What the world calls ‘Mormonism’ will rule every nation...God has decreed it, and his own right arm will accomplish it. This will make the heathen rage.” (Journal of Discourses, vol. 7, p. 53) | |
| Heber J. Grant | Lds 'Prophet' #7 | "Elder Marion G. Romney recalled the counsel of President Heber J. Grant: 'My boy, you always keep your eye on the President of the Church, and if he ever tells you to do anything, and it is wrong, and you do it, the Lord will bless you for it.' Then with a twinkle in his eye, he said, 'But you don't need to worry. The Lord will never let his mouthpiece lead the people astray'" (in Conference Report, Oct. 1960, p. 78)." Cited in Official Lds publication Search the Commandments: Melchizedek Priesthood Personal Study Guide, p. 209 (1984) | |
| Harold B. Lee | Lds 'Prophet' #11 | ...President Harold B. Lee said: 'We must learn to give heed to the words and commandments that the Lord shall give through his prophet, '...as if from mine own mouth...(D&C 21:4-5)...You may not like what comes from the authority of the Church. It may contradict your political views. It may contradict your social views. It may interfere with some of your social life. But if you listen to these things, as if from the mouth of the Lord himself..." Cited in official Lds publication Remember Me: Relief Society Personal Study Guide I, p. 27 (1989) | |
| Spencer Kimball | Lds 'Prophet' #12 | "President Spencer W. Kimball said: '...We deal with many things which are thought to be not so spiritual; but all things are spiritual with the Lord, and he expects us to listen, and to obey..." (In Conference Report, Apr. 1977, p. 8; or Ensign, May 1977, p. 7) Cited in official Lds publication Come, Follow Me: Melchizedek Priesthood Personal Study Guide 1983, p.12 (1983) | |
| What about Marion G. Romney, cousin to Mitt's father? | Who was he in Lds hierarchy? (Title: 'President' - Top 3 of church as 2nd counselor to both #11 & #12 Lds 'prophets') | "Elder Neal A. Maxwell has said: 'Following the living prophets is something that must be done in all seasons and circumstances. We must be like President Marion G. Romney, who humbly said, '..I have never hesitated to follow the counsel of the Authorities of the Church even though it crossed my social, professional, and political life' (Conference Report, April 1941, p. 123). There are, or will be moments when prophetic declarations collide with our pride or our seeming personal interests...Do I believe in the living prophet even when he speaks on matters affecting me and my specialty directly? Or do I stop sustaining the prophet when his words fall in my territory? if the latter, the prophet is without honor in our country! (Things As They Really Are, p. 73). Cited in official Lds publication, Search the Commandments: Melchizedek Priesthood Personal Study Guide, pp. 275-276 (1984) | |
| Ezra Taft Benson | Lds 'Prophet' #13 | Benson speech given 2/26/80 @BYU. Summary: “…remember, if there is ever a conflict between earthly knowledge and the words of the prophet, you stand with the prophet…” (See excerpts re: 3 of 14 'fundamentals' below) Source: Fourteen Fundamentals in Following the Prophet | |
| Benson (cont'd) | Fundamental #5 | 5. The prophet is not required to have any particular earthly training or credentials to speak on any subject or act on any matter at any time. (My Q: Ya hear that Mitt Romney?) | |
| Benson (cont'd) | Fundamental #9 | 9. The prophet can receive revelation on any matter, temporal or spiritual. (My Q: Still listening, Mitt?) | |
| Benson (cont'd) | Fundamental #10 | 10. The prophet may advise on civic matters. (My Q: What say ye Mitt?) | |
| B.H. Roberts | LDS Historian and Seventy. Note: Roberts was an elected Democratic Congressman from Utah in 1898 -- but was NEVER seated by Congress because of grass roots uproar vs. Roberts, who took a THIRD simultaneous wife in the early 1890s. Grass roots America collected 7 MILLION signatures on 28 banners and presented them to Congress...in pre-mass media 1800s! | “[T]he kingdom of God... is to be a POLITICAL INSTITUTION THAT SHALL HOLD SWAY OVER ALL THE EARTH; TO WHICH ALL OTHER GOVERNMENTS WILL BE SUBORDINATE AND BY WHICH THEY WILL BE DOMINATED.” The Rise and Fall of Nauvoo, 1900, p. 180 | |
| Mitt Romney as POTUS??? | Aside from above prophetic impositions, why would Mitt not only honor what these 'prophets' have spoken, but what a future Lds 'prophet' may tell him to do? | The Law of Consecration Oath Mitt Romney has sworn in the Mormon temple (done before marriage/sealing in temple): "You and each of you covenant and promise before God, angels, and these witnesses at this altar, that you do accept the law of consecration as contained in this, the book of Doctrine and Covenants [he displays the book], in that you do consecrate yourselves, your time, talents, and EVERYTHING with which the Lord has blessed you, or WITH which he MAY bless you, to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, for the building up of the kingdom of God on the earth and for the establishment of Zion." Source: What is an LDS Church/Mormon temple marriage/sealing? [Q: Please define 'Zion': The LDS PR Web site (lds.org) defines its primary meaning: "membership in the [LDS] church."] |
Mitt Romney will confess that he was first "spirit born" on a planet near the star Kolob. But he won't prove that he's an alien who came to this planet to inhabit a body.
It's what he believes. (Which is pretty wacky that so many would vote for a self-confessed other worldly alien)... still, he can't prove it.
That's true. It happened in 2010. The Chinese are manufacturing more that the U.S. That's likely to continue at least into the near future.
My point is that the Chinese need to employ a very large percentage of their population to accomplish this. And they have 1.3 billion people compared to the U.S 300 million or so. That's 4 times as many people. And U.S. manufacturing, because of automation, requires a very small percentage of the population to be involved in manufacturing.
And, as noted, we are selling Boeing 747s and they are selling plastic toys. (OK, I exaggerate, but you see my point.)
Bottom line: Comparing Chinese manufacturing and U.S. manufacturing is sort of an apples/oranges deal. You have to be careful.
It’s unlikely, actually. Manufacturing in China is artificial and is even now slowing down. They can only build giant cities with no one living in them for so long. They can also only inflate their numbers fraudulently for only so long.
Yes and no.
China exports more than we do now.
China also has much lower unemployment. So we have more unemployment, and spend money to keep those unemployed fed - which china continue to sell all sorts of things to America unhindered, and continues to grow.
That is unfair, and I oppose it. We need to stop buying everything imported.
It is beyond foolish now. It is becoming dangerous.
Buy American.
Is this from the Onion?
This is like saying how Hannibal Lechter can become a great cook.
Without going into lots of details, he can’t even do those things. He can do a few, but only a few. BUT . . he’s not a Conservative. he has come up with an excuse for everything he has ever believed on every side of the issue.
If Romney is elected, Conservatism dies. We will be completely and utterly irrelevant. Didn’t we learn that under W.? Clearly, some of us didn’t.
Meh.
Gov. Sarah Palin or Speaker Newt Gingrich as VP
COULD let Mr. RomneyCARE win POTUS, BUT
Mr. ROmneyCARE, author of DEATH PANELS, would
NEVER become a great president because he
is a liberal and a liar. Mr. RomneyCARE would
nominate Democrats, install Global Warming
Fees, and Sharia Fees (oh, how he loves that word).
AQnd still miss Heaven...
Uh, I dunno, get re-incarnated as a fiscal Conservative?
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