I don’t envy Romney’s money. I do believe, however, that Romney’s bain methodology was unethical and, if all the details were specifically known, I think we’d find some illegality as well.
What exactly was so "unethical". The word is thrown around with no definition. If Romney had done anything illegal he would have been indicted.
Gingrich and Perry have walked their supporters right into a socialist trap. They did this to defeat an opponent none of us want. However, I'm not for burning down my home, my freedoms, and my right to pursue happiness so they can be elected.
I would strongly suggest that my FRiends look up an old movie called "Other Peoples Money" and watch the final 10 minutes. It is a good explanation of how malinvestment hurts everyone.
Also, I would ask my Newt supporter FRiends where was the outrage with Newt trading influence for millions?
Gingrich and Perry attacking venture capitalists may play well with the populists who want some entity to regulate all economic activity "for our own good" but it will fail. I wouldn't be surprised if this is what carries Romney to the nomination.
Perhaps, dear xzins. On the other hand, I think in all likelihood one would find him in squeaky-clean compliance with whatever statutes are on the books. Even if they stink.
To me, Romney is the consummate Technocrat. This is at once his greatest strength, and what makes me feel uneasy about him. He is an extraordinarily able manager of large, highly complex organizations. He sticks to the letter of the law; he follows the rules. But to me he seems tone-deaf to the Spirit that underlays our laws, the Constitution (federal and state, since as Governor of Massachusetts, he was chief custodian of the Massachusetts Constitution written by no less than John Adams).
Elsewhere you wrote that Romney had a deplorable record as governor. To me, a citizen of Massachusetts, it was definitely a "mixed bag." We Massachusetts citizens had gay marriage foisted on us — against the popular will — during Romney's tenure. The way this was done stank to high heaven.
The state legislature could not pass a bill: Few members wanted to have their name attached to a "yea" vote. Romney was threatening to veto it anyway. Perhaps they were secretly hoping that the Supreme General Court would do their dirty work for them. And that's just what happened. The Court said that the Massachusetts Constitution requires recognition of gay marriage on "equal protection" grounds. (This would probably be news to John Adams.)
I think Romney should have objected to this charade on Constitutional grounds: As an unconstitutional usurpation of legislative powers by the judiciary. But he remained silent. Now we have "gay marriage" in Massachusetts. (And plenty of "gay divorce," too.)
RomneyCare has provided coverage to the most indigent in our society, made possible by imposing an "individual mandate" on all citizens, enforced through the Department of Revenue. On constitutional grounds, Romney ought to have objected (IMHO) to this unconstitutional usurpation of the liberty of the people of the Commonwealth. Not to mention that the program is coming in way over cost projections, and the taxpayers will be tapped to make up the difference, I'm sure.
ObamaCare is basically RomneyCare Redux. I don't know how Romney can ever live that down with conservative voters....
Again, what Romney is really good at, is managing large-scale, highly-complex projects, such as straightening out the mess at the Olympic Committee, wracked by scandal and on the verge of bankruptcy. And, closer to home, the new access system to the Sagamore Bridge over the Cape Cod Canal. Since WWII, the access to the bridge has been via a rotary, which integrated both local traffic and high-speed traffic coming off a major highway in a highly dangerous "mix master" notorious for accidents and fatalities.
This was an enormous, highly complex engineering project, involving large "public takings" of long-established family businesses and other commercial interests. Eminent domain is never a fun experience; but I note the displaced holders must have been satisfied they were compensated at fair market value, for I have heard no public reports to the contrary.
In the end, Romney's beautiful new access system was built on-time and under-budget.
In the end, what troubles me about Romney is that he's a "letter of the law" guy, who is relatively unmoved by considerations of the "Spirit of the Law" of historical American tradition and experience.
Finally, this is what makes him a "Technocrat" in my eyes....