Posted on 10/20/2011 8:14:36 PM PDT by justsaynomore
Herman Cain is the man of the hour in American politics. In the latest Zogby poll, out yesterday, he leads former Governor of Massachusetts Mitt Romney by 20 points, in the race for the 2012 Republican presidential nomination.
Enthusiasm for Mr. Cain, a successful businessman and former chairman of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, who has never held elected office, is palpable. It is, in part, a sign of voter discontent with Washington and a system which, at best, can only be termed as dysfunctional.
Herman Cain might win the Republican nomination and go on to become, as he terms himself, the first American Black Conservative to become President of the United States. If he does not take the nomination, it seems likely he will be considered for the vice presidential spot on the ticket. Cain, however, does not seem to be angling for second place. His rise in the polls is strong and his delivery on the stump is powerful.
Mr. Cain continues to successfully introduce himself to the American people. With a straw poll win in Florida, good showings in other polls and a new book out this week, titled This is Herman Cain: My Journey to the White House, it is all systems go in the former CEO’s efforts to capture the presidency.
With all that said, Herman Cain joins featured columnist Jay Bildstein and myself for an extraordinary interview covering a variety of topics, including the economic policies he would implement as president.
As followers of CYInterview know, Jay Bildstein has put forward what he terms The 50 Percent Solution to Bring America Back to Prosperity. The solution is elegant in its simplicity. Get America’s political leaders – the Congress, the president and the vice president – to accept a 50% pay cut demonstrating, no matter what side of the aisle they are on, that they are willing to lead by example.
The solution starts the process of shared sacrifice at its logical beginning, with America’s leaders. After all, real change takes hold in a society when leaders embrace change for themselves first.
Jay believes, and I agree, that if our leaders led by example, people in the United States would be far more confident about the future of the country. Unfortunately, when politicians talk about all the things that will have to be cut during these tough times, their own salaries are rarely if ever mentioned. This reinforces the feeling that they are out of touch with the economic realities of today or worse yet, that they are simply in politics for their own benefit.
Spending cuts will have to be adopted to put the United States on a path of fiscal sobriety and economic sustainability. But this will not happen, in any substantial way, if our leaders abdicate their responsibility to lead by example. They must adopt cuts and apply them to themselves first. Now is a time for leading by action, not stale words and empty rhetoric.
Jay Bildstein has been on an ongoing search to find a political figure who will endorse this 50%-pay-cut-lead-by-example solution. We at CYInterview have spoken, on the record, to members of Congress and other people in the political realm about the concept. Up until now, no elected official has been as enthusiastic about the idea as we are. Perhaps, that is changing.
As you will hear in this CYInterview with Herman Cain, Jay Bildstein has found an individual of experience, stature and media prominence who agrees with his plan in principle. Listen or read, for yourself, to find out exactly what Mr. Cain has to say about the solution. To give you some idea, he believes in leading by example:
PING to the Cain train - Listen to this interview - Cain is open to 50% pay cut as President!
In other HC news today and last night:
Behind Cain’s Humor, a Question of Seriousness [NYT: Cain a “minstrel”]
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2795600/posts
Hillary Clinton Mocks Herman Cain
http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/hermancain/index?tab=articles
Dick Morris defends 999 (stood up to O’Reilly last night too, I heard)
http://www.dickmorris.com/blog/defending-999-dick-morris-tv-lunch-alert/
Cain: ‘Darts and Arrows Never Felt So Good’ (Cain on Greta last night)
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2795507/posts
NBC News/Marist Poll 2012 South Carolina (Cain 30%, Romney 26%, Perry 9%, Gingrich 6%)
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2795021/posts
Herman Cain and Piers Morgan interview
http://www.mrctv.org/videos/herman-cain-and-piers-morgan
Herman Cain and Our 9-9-9 Plan Will Defeat Barrack Obama (email from HC campaign)
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2795242/posts
OMG! BOR gives SUPPORT for CAIN ON BOR FOX TV.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/2795277/posts?page=4
9-9-9 MAKES SENSE TO ME
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2795459/posts
Herman Cain: GOP Candidates “Getting On My Last Nerve”
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2795278/posts
Michael Steele predicts Romney-Cain ticket
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2795285/posts
_____________
As most of you know there was some confusion as to Cain’s answer last night in the Piers Morgan interview on abortion. Here is Cain’s statement:
Dear Friends,
The abortion issue is very serious. I believe strongly that this is true, and I believe that you do too.
Because the news media loves to make mountains out of mole hills, I want to be very clear about where I stand on abortion:
I am 100% pro-life, period.
Let me explain. In an interview yesterday with Piers Morgan on CNN, I was asked questions about abortion policy and the role of the President.
If you listen to the line of questioning, it is clear that Mr. Morgan was asking if I, as president, would simply “order” people to not seek an abortion.
My answer was focused on the role of the President. The President has no constitutional authority to order any such action by anyone. That was the point I was trying to convey.
As to my political view on abortion...again, I am pro-life. End of story.
As President, I will appoint judges who understand the original intent of the Constitution. Judges who are committed to the rule of law know that the Constitution contains no right to take the life of unborn children.
I will oppose government funding of abortion. I will veto any legislation that contains funds for Planned Parenthood. I will do everything that a President can do, consistent with his constitutional role, to advance the culture of life.
Friends, please know that I appreciate all of your support. Together, we will put America back on the right track.
Sincerely,
Herman Cain
____________
Herman Cain clarifies, sort of: “I am 100% pro-life. End of story.” (barf alert)
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2795823/posts
Is Herman Cain In Trouble With Social Conservatives? (hit piece)
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2795674/posts
____________
*** HUGE thanks to mnhering for posting all of these articles showing Herman Cain’s pro-life history!!!***
Alveda King Tells Voters to Get on the ‘Herman Cain Train’
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2795797/posts
Is Herman Cain Pro-Life? (Dr. Alveda King)
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2795793/posts
A Senator Cain would upset the NAACP applecart. (Archive 2004)
www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2795781/posts
Herman Cain...statement after the Senate voted to ban Partial-Birth Abortion:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2795753/posts
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2795744/posts
Cain condemns Massachusetts Supreme Court’s assault on marriage (Archive 2004)
Herman Cain: Defund Racist Planned Parenthood Abortion Biz
www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2795710/posts
Herman Cain blasts Roe v. Wade (from 2004)
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2795736/posts
Herman Cain Blasts Planned Parenthood, Abortion Biz Attacks Him
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2795705/posts
It’s going to be fun watching the socialist libtards try to spin it as racist to vote for Cain. And Cain is black. Zero is only half black. I’m going to enjoy that.
The last time this system worked, it was part-time and voluntary.
people are tired of washington games.
people want a straight shooter.
This idea, I think, is kind of symbolic.
I’ve lived in DC a long time. Staffers are paid starvation wages. The country is run by 20-somethings with low wages.
Congressmen don’t make a lot. Federal employees, however, are cradle-to-grave comfortable.
It’s the perks related to power that makes them well-off. But salaries?
Glenn Reynolds’ idea is better — if they become lobbyists, 50% of their salaries will be taxed.
Mr. Cain is a terribly interesting man. I really like him.
Oh... My... Goodness.
I wonder why no one asks Romney why he lives in NH. My guess is that he crapped up Mass and left for new pastures. Romney spouts what a great job he did as governor but moves to NH, I assume to get away from the high taxes, Romneycare, and other damage he did to the state.
Propose ending retirement too, and get their own health insurance. A deductible IRA just like the rest of us. Take the $$$ out of it, don’t let it become a career.
Lifetime benefits for 2 or 6 years or any time at all should be eliminated.
Term limits. Congress 10 year max. House 6 years. Senate 10 years - 1st term 6 years, 2nd term 4 years. House to Senate - fits 10 year max. That’s plenty of time.
Probably doesn’t drink beer often, but when he does, does he drink Dos Eckes?
Now that I do like...as our economy suffers the ones in office should take a pay cut too. Gold star on this one!
Congressmen get perks that compensate for many monetary expenses. Problem is the housing is sky high in Northern Virginia and the commute is a nightmare.
No one’s going to want to be Cain’s VP now! LOL
The salary of a congressman varies. Rank and file members of both the House and the Senate make a salary of $174,000 annually. The Speaker of the House makes $223,500 annually and the House Majority and Minority leaders both make $193,400 annually. In the Senate, the Majority and Minority leaders also make $193,400 annually. Add their perks and if they can’t live off that...tough. They should take a cut.
yep, and it’s even better when the shot also hits the bullseye
The 27th doesn't mention presidential compensation but I imagine there's something similar in federal law where it would not take effect without an intervening election.
That’s a GREAT question, and should be asked. Perhaps Cain or Newt will ask, most likely Santorum will.
And who knows how much they make under the table or skim off their re-election funds. They’re all a bunch of mobsters. They could take a 150% pay cut and still get rich in Congress.
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