National Values and Mitt Romney
By jbonham76 Posted in User Blogs — Comments (6) / Email this page » / Leave a comment »
A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to visit Washington D.C. for the first time. Among the things that impressed me the most was the WWII Memorial situated between the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial. As I sat there reflecting I began to think about how are country has changed since WWII. I particularly thought of my grandfather.
Born in 1915 he was eligible to fight in the war, yet stayed home because his services as an airplane designer were needed at a small airplane manufacturer in California he worked for, Northrop. Throughout the war, he once told me, he would get jeers and comments when he would be out with my grandmother for not being out and fighting for the US. He went on to co-create some of the very planes that would help defeat the Nazis
I will never forget how in the last years of his life, having suffered a stroke that left him without the ability to speak, he would still pull out books of the airplanes that he worked on and proudly showed me the fruits of his labors. He never expected a free ride. As the son of a hard working carpenter in Los Angeles he never considered the idea of passing the personal responsibility to hold a job and provide for his family to someone else. He died leaving a modest savings and a house that was paid off long ago to his descendants- a tribute to the work ethic, sacrifice and frugality of his generation. He was a giver not a taker.
As I sat there thinking of these things, I realized America has strayed little by little from those roots that were once so strong. While we once stood for patriotism, sacrifice, God and personal responsibility, the en vogue principles today are asserting your rights and milking the government. Which is why I decided to become involved.
I have started a grassroots organization in Illinois that can be fond at http://illinoisans4mitt.blogspot.com. It is part of a larger grassroots organization that promotes Mitt Romney for the 2008 presidential election. Mitt Romney on every issue has stressed the personal responsibility of individuals. He said "welfare without work creates negative incentives that lead to permanent poverty. It robs people of self-esteem." Unlike my grandpa who could leave this world with a feeling of satisfaction resulting from his labors, millions of americans will will not because government has created a system of dependence. Our goverment has failed it's citizens in this regard.
Romney believes in states right to decide its own fate through the legislature, not judicial order. He is pro-family, pro-life and pro-values. He has created a medical plan that shifts responsibility from the state to the individual and has shown the State of Massachusetts that fiscal budgets need to be balanced without taxing the people.
As voters become more familiar with Romney those attributes that are so desperatly needed in our nations leaders will shine through. He will inspire America to a higher cause as Regan did, and promote government agendas that will reduce government and promote a better sence of self-reliancy. He has proven he can bring Democrats along with his agenda as is becoming increasingly necessary, while at the same time promoting conservative ideals and the GOP.
I held back on being a Republican because I didn't agree with them on some issues, I felt more libertarian at heart.
I came to the conclusion that you have no voice when you stay our of politics because you don't totaly agree.
You do have a voice when you get involved in the system, as unperfect as it is, and then work towards a positive change.
As I'm sitting here, I just heard of another patient trying to get my partner (in medicine . . . no, I'm not gay) to get him out of work for an unecessary reason. I am faced with this kind of situation almost daily, and I just work with the eyes! The poor primary care specialists who deal with these moochers much more frequently have unfortunately realized that often it's less time consuming to just cave in early and give them what they want . . . TO BE LAZY!
This dynamic in our country has got to change. Unfortunately, I think it will take some massive tragedy or major depression to make us realize this.
under the Libertarian umbrella...but I'm hesitant to simply declare myself as one. It's tough to diassociate myself with democrats, though. I grew up under Clinton, so eh, and Bush isn't exactly the best example of a conservatitive administration. Maybe it'll just take more time and a few presidencies of people who better represent their stated philosophies?
I'll vote either way in 08 depending on which candidate I like more, which is really what I should be doing anyway. The only thing I can say with certainy is that I will not vote for Hilary Clinton.
Things are changing. I would argue that while change is inevitable, this seems more fundamental... though I'm not sure if the distinction is meaningful. I wrote an article about a Memorial Day in my past. We are indeed straying from our roots.
What first sold me on Romney was listening to his views on "personal responsibility" and a good work ethic. He champions these values passionately, and anyone would do themselves a service to hear it straight from him. He's a model of America from a previous generation.
His very concept of welfare is of a "hand up" not a "hand out". I can say from experience, nothing builds self confidence and work ethic like earning an honest day's pay, whereas nothing destroys it more effectively than taking money for nothing. As well intentioned as it may have been, the welfare state has been the most destructive influence upon America's work ethic in our country's history.
Another Great Depression would certainly bring Americans through the "refiner's fire"...while also doing an immense amount of harm. Can leadership and policy also be effective at this? Mitt Romney is the straightest shot.
Is fix the Massachusetts insurance laws so that I'm not paying for the risk of inner-city Boston. That has to be the most backwards thing ever. Without going on a huge rant, my insurance is 3100, and 4200 because of ONE accident. Boston's premiums can't go above a certain amount to keep it super-affordable, so the cost of risk is passed on to every other city.
Besides that, I'll vote for Romney in 08 unless the Democratic Party can grow a spine. I remember someone posting a while back that conservatism was the logical decision, and now I almost completely agree (minus a few hot-button issues)...
Anyways I'm getting off-topic. I intend to learn more about Romney as time goes on, since I never really cared about poltics in general until a year or so ago. I just wish there was a party I could vote for and not worry about also voting for some of things I disagree with, but I guess I can't have the best of both viewpoints.