Over the past few weeks, we have witnessed a barrage of endorsements for president from a myriad of newspapers. Some, like the Orlando Sentinel, decided to take the road for Romney. Others, like the New York Times, thought it was prudent to give Barack Obama another chance to finish what he started.
Well, now it is time for the American people to choose. Which man is best fit to occupy the Oval Office?
For my personal choice, it should be President Barack Obama.
Over the past few years, Obama has worked to improve this nation’s economy while facing an unrelenting fierce Republican Congress. Take for instance, Obama’s jobs bill, or the American Jobs Act.
Heading into the winter months of 2011, Obama was up against a barrage of critics chiding him for failing to do anything to break the cycle of negative economic news. The unemployment rate was stuck above eight percent and private sector job growth wasn’t moving as fast as many would have hoped.
So, in an attempt to quiet those critics and aid hurting Americans, Obama introduced his jobs bill. Included in Obama’s proposal was $60 billion for infrastructure, a cut to employer payroll tax, and maybe, best of all for those who believe that Obama spends too much, the bill was fully funded.
The president also has a very robust foreign policy. Recently, Senator John McCain called Obama’s foreign policy “feckless,” stating that his lack of leadership in the Middle East is causing more violence.
Well, some will disagree with McCain’s assessment as either sour grapes or an overt effort to undermine the president. Obama has famously ridded the world of Osama Bin Laden, increased America’s use of drones to root out terrorism, and firmly reaffirmed America’s foothold as a military superpower.
Yet, there are a lot of things that bother me about Obama’s use of drones to go after terrorist that threaten freedom. According to a report by Stanford Law and New York University’s School of Law, over 1,500 civilians have been killed or injured by U.S. drone strikes. If there is anything feckless or spineless about that type of foreign policy, Mr. McCain will have to prove it.
Mr. Obama can also point to over 31 months of private sector job growth, an unemployment rate under eight percent and 5.2 million private sector jobs created. Now, admittedly, that is a light and weak defense of Obama’s record. I did not mention his protection of women’s rights, legislative progress regarding LGBT issues, and maybe most importantly, the Affordable Care Act.
Although what I’ve mentioned is light in nature, it swims laps around Obama’s contender.
Mitt Romney would be a wrong turn for America’s growth. As the northeast deals with the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, many news outlets are pointing to Romney’s statement that he would privatize disaster relief, or give the responsibility back to the states.
Also, during Romney’s speech at the Republican National Convention, Romney made fun of Obama about for taking a serious approach to global warning. He said that “Obama promised to slow the rise of the oceans…” Romney had to pause for laughter from the RNC crowd.
How does that sound bite play now that Hurricane Sandy has ravaged the east coast?
Next up is Romney’s inability to articulate how he would boost the American economy. He has consistently stated that he would lower rates and give a tax cut to middle class Americans. Many, including President Obama, have assessed that Romney has a $5 trillion tax cut. Romney has said that reports of his so-called cut are untrue.
That is not according the Tax Policy Center. Their data suggests that Romney indeed has a $5 trillion tax cut and he has no concrete way to pay for it.
Mr. Romney also has an issue with staying connected to his own message. He has altered his position on things such as abortion, stem cell research, Obama’s foreign policy, and Obamacare.
He has consistently stated that he would repeal and replace “Obamacare.” During the last debate on domestic policy, Romney said that he would repeal “Obamacare,” but keep the most important parts of the bill.
Basically, Romney is moving to the center, instead of hanging out on the far right.
Even with Romney’s continued evolution on many political issues, he does not deserve to be president.
Now, I know that America is a free country and we are free to vote for anyone we so please. If you believe in progress, a vigorous foreign protection program, and most of all growth, giving President Barack Obama a chance to complete eight years in office is best for the United States.
Mitt Romney is not ready to assume the duties of leader of the free world. He is feckless, an inept change agent, and will do anything to become president.
While many have been disappointed by President Obama’s policy and his treatment of his core base of supporters, he is a much better option that Mitt Romney. Not to mention that Romney rolls with Paul Ryan, a man who believes in something called “legitimate rape.”
Think about that for a second and ponder this as well: Mr. Ryan would aid in helping Romney decide who may be next to sit on the United States Supreme Court. Is that the type of clandestine extremism that we want or need?
President Barack Obama for another four years.
-JH
