Where Everything Is Free But Us

I'm convinced, as I sit here and reflect on it, that the only way to get a true sense of the power of the speeches tonight by former Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice and VP Nominee Paul Ryan is to watch them for yourselves.

Condi Rice is a great defender of American strength and leadership in the world, and the longstanding core principle of American foreign policy which is that "we stand for free peoples and free markets."  If we are not clear and consistent and do not lead ourselves, then either no one will lead and we will have chaos, or someone will fill the void and lead - someone who does not share our values.  

"When the world looks to America, they look to us because we are the most successful economic and political experiment in human history.  That is the true basis for American exceptionalism."

"Ours has never been a narrative of grievance and entitlement.  We have never believed that 'I am doing poorly because you are doing well.'  We have never been jealous of one another and never envious of each other's successes.  No.  Ours has been a belief in opportunity."

And finally, she talked about "the civil rights issue of our time" - that governments have in many cases locked minority and poor students in failing schools by not allowing parental choice and failing to reform failing schools and insist upon consistent quality expectations in our schools.



Then there was Paul Ryan.  I can say that since Ronald Reagan I've never heard a more compelling political speech and message than the conservative message Paul Ryan gave tonight.  (Bill Clinton, for all his faults, could also be compelling, but far too often fell into the liberal traps of the Left).

Just a sampling of some of his many great quotes in this speech:

"So here’s the question: Without a change in leadership, why would the next four years be any different from the last four years?"

"The first troubling sign came with the stimulus.  It was President Obama’s first and best shot at fixing the economy, at a time when he got everything he wanted under one-party rule...What did the taxpayers get out of the Obama stimulus?  More debt.  That money wasn’t just spent and wasted – it was borrowed, spent, and wasted." 

"President Obama was asked not long ago to reflect on any mistakes he might have made.  He said, well, “I haven’t communicated enough.”  He said his job is to “tell a story to the American people” – as if that’s the whole problem here? He needs to talk more, and we need to be better listeners?  Ladies and gentlemen, these past four years we have suffered no shortage of words in the White House.  What’s missing is leadership in the White House.  And the story that Barack Obama does tell - forever shifting blame to the last administration - is getting old.  The man assumed office almost four years ago – isn’t it about time he assumed responsibility?"

"President Obama is the kind of politician who puts promises on the record, and then calls that the record.  But we are four years into this presidency. The issue is not the economy as Barack Obama inherited it, not the economy as he envisions it, but this economy as we are living it."

"College graduates should not have to live out their 20s in their childhood bedrooms, staring up at fading Obama posters and wondering when they can move out and get going with life."

"None of us have to settle for the best this administration offers – a dull, adventureless journey from one entitlement to the next, a government-planned life, a country where everything is free but us."

"He helped start businesses and turn around failing ones. By the way, being successful in business – that’s a good thing.  Mitt has not only succeeded, but succeeded where others could not.  He turned around the Olympics at a time when a great institution was collapsing under the weight of bad management, overspending, and corruption – sounds familiar, doesn’t it?"

"I was on my own path, my own journey, an American journey where I could think for myself, decide for myself, define happiness for myself.  That’s what we do in this country.  That’s the American Dream.  That’s freedom, and I’ll take it any day over the supervision and sanctimony of the central planners." 

Here's Paul Ryan...you won't be disappointed...

The Genius of America

Before I post about two of the most amazing political speeches I've heard in a long time...let me talk about a third amazing speech that preceded them.  I've never seen a speech by a candidate's wife that was as strong, moving, and well delivered as the speech Ann Romney gave last night.  She was simply terrific.

A good portion of the speech was spent speaking to women as a wife and mother about their value and their concerns, and also about her husband and his strengths and character.  She also talked about the success he has had in life, making it very clear the value it would bring to our nation to have his skills and work ethic brought to bear on the problems of our day.

We celebrate success in America, she said, and know that one person's success contributes to the successes of others - a view that is deeply and truly American:

"But because this is America, that small company which grew has helped so many others lead better lives. The jobs that grew from the risks [Mitt and his partners] took have become college educations, first homes. That success has helped fund scholarships, pensions, and retirement funds. This is the genius of America: dreams fulfilled help others launch new dreams."

Here's the wonderful, lovely Ann in her powerful address:

23,000,000

If the number '23 million' doesn't ring a bell with you yet, let me introduce it.   23 million is the number of Americans who are currently unemployed, 'under employed,' or who have stopped looking for work out of discouragement.  That is a huge number, and a number that should not be nearly that high if President Obama had followed smart economic policy and principles; but he has not.

Among all the other things that could determine the outcome of this election in November, this one stands out.  The President does not control the economy, but economic policy led by the President has the power to create conditions under which the economy can flourish.  President Obama is out of his league.  It is not among his strengths, and he seems perilously close to clueless at times about how to get the economy going again.  He simply has had other priorities.

I'll post more thoughts about the Republican National Convention going on in Tampa Florida through tomorrow night, but for now, let me introduce you to two very well done, and very interesting speeches given at convention in the first half of the day yesterday.

The first is Artur Davis, who has a unique perspective and is a powerful speaker.  Artur is African-American and from Alabama.  He also was co-chair of Obama's election team in 2008.  You heard that right.  In fact he spoke in a key spot in the 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver in nominating Obama.  Four years later, he is as disillusioned as many are who voted for Obama in 2008. Here he is speaking at the Republican National Convention yesterday:



And finally, Mia Love.  A very interesting speaker and a new face for the RNC.  She is also African-American, her parents are from Haiti and came to America with "$10 in their pockets" - she is the mayor of the town of Saratoga Springs, Utah, just over a mile west of where I sit.  She is in her first major campaign, taking on Jim Matheson to represent Utah's 4th Congressional District.  Excellent speech from a unique and powerful perspective:

More than Words...

It seems to me that Mitt Romney is a fundamentally humble, polite, and private man - and compared with the typical politician (and Barack Obama, for that matter), I truly appreciate that about him.  The downside is that he's not a man who 'toots his own horn' easily, which has contributed to a situation where many voters are still trying to get a sense of the man himself.

This week, with the Republican National Convention starting in Tampa, Florida, is a chance to work to change that, or at least begin to do so.

An article discussing Romney in his personal life was just printed in the LA Times, and is worth the read.  Some excerpts:

"BOSTON — Edward Albertian had been working for only a few weeks at his new job, managing the first two Boston-area Staples stores, when he got an unnerving call from his wife. As Staples staffed up, Albertian had been poaching talent from his old company, and his former boss was piqued.

That morning, a courier had delivered papers to Albertian's wife threatening them with eviction unless they immediately repaid the $250,000 loan from Albertian's former company that they had used to buy their home.

A few days later the couple, with their newborn son and 2-year-old daughter in tow, were invited to Staples' Watertown headquarters and found themselves sitting across from Mitt Romney, whose company, Bain Capital, had invested money in Staples. He had heard about their predicament from the chain's co-founder, Tom Stemberg.

They talked for less than half an hour about the young store manager's goals and his role in the company. Then, "Mitt opened his checkbook and wrote a check for $250,000," Albertian, who is now chief operating officer of the Massachusetts-based Transnational Group, said of the 1987 encounter."

 And this...

"The Rev. Jeffrey Brown, who heads a faith-based gang intervention group in Roxbury, Mass., and spoke frequently to Romney during his governorship, saw two facets of the man — the executive and the spiritual counselor — come together after Hurricane Katrina when the Massachusetts Legislature provided shelter on Cape Cod for evacuees. Romney wanted members of the black clergy to attend to the arrivals — because he said some would rather talk to pastors than mental health professionals — and asked Brown to lead the effort.

Romney arrived a few days later, telling Brown he wanted to hear the stories directly from the victims, many of whom were from New Orleans' hard-hit Lower 9th Ward.

"He wanted to make sure that their needs were being met," Brown said. "He brought 50 state agencies down there, and everybody's needs were attended to. I'm talking about people who left their houses in such a rush that they forgot their teeth. He had dentists down there to get them their dentures.… He was on it."

But Brown was most surprised watching Romney interact with victims — praying with them, sitting with them on park benches asking about their families, scooping up children and asking for hugs.

"He was pastoral," Brown said. "He was that person with those people.""

And finally, this story:

"One of the stories friends are now telling about Romney — to get across their view of him — details the medical school loan he gave to the daughter of a deceased Bain colleague. Romney met with her every semester, according to his son Tagg, to discuss her grades and expenses. After she graduated, he sent her a Christmas card, forgiving the loan."

This is going to be an very important week to help a greater number of voters see the very decent, good core of Mitt Romney.  Take a few minutes to watch this excellent interview with Chris Wallace of the Romneys in their home.

Moon Shot

The passing of Neil Armstrong - the first human being to step foot on the moon - earlier today has stirred up emotions for me and a reflective mood.  I was born just months before Armstrong and the rest of the crew made that amazing trip.  I'm told I watched it - though my memory of the event is understandably...well...stuck somewhere in my cranium.  But being born the same year as the moon landing has always been meaningful to me.

America is a land of freedom, big dreams, and innovation.  And we can do many things at once - we've done it before.  We can pursue our own dreams while caring for one another - and work together to achieve seemingly impossible challenges.



How does this relate to this incredibly important election year?  Well, it does, and it doesn't.  It doesn't in that it's a unifying event for all Americans - for all humanity, really - regardless of political persuasion.  And it does because Obama has been shrinking NASA's budget, and our military budget as he funnels money into social/entitlement programs that are on a path to failure even then.

As I look back to the incredible American effort to land a man on the moon, it reminds me of a time when we gave greater space to church, family, and community to take care of each other.  Government did much less back then in this regard than it does today - and yet it enabled resources for a program that has fed minds and imagination and hope - which I believe we need in many ways as much as food and shelter.

So give pause and enjoy thinking back to this incredible, amazing event that occurred just 43 years ago. Not so long really, and yet in some ways it seems distant.  How about we bring that spirit back?

Ryan Makes the Case

Well stated...well worth the watch:

Deadly Dithering in Afghanistan

Headline yesterday: 

U.S. troop killed, "insider" escapes after latest attack in Afghanistan

I find it infuriating to consider that while our troops have remained at risk in harm's way in Afghanistan, their commander-in-chief has not been actively supportive.  I expect that any time we have troops in danger on a mission, they and we deserve to have our leader continually informing us of their mission and purpose and what is going on.  Our troops should never, ever be forgotten.  

Now, President Obama in his heart I'm sure cares about the troops at risk, and yet - how often do you here him talk about the troops?  Talk about our purpose and mission in Afghanistan?  Talk about the losses we sustain?  

It's not that we don't have a purpose there, but in a democracy, it is critical for citizens to hear what our purpose is - on an ongoing basis, because our troops suffer if there is a dip in support among the people, or if they are simply forgotten by many.

If you haven't heard, our troops in Afghanistan have been having increasing problems with our Afghan government/military "friends" murdering American soldiers.  

Charles Krauthammer had this to say: 

"But the question is, where is the president on that question? We heard General Dempsey say the Afghans are now seized with the issue. Fine. And I know General Dempsey and our troops are obviously seized with the issue. Is the president in any way seized with Afghanistan — in any way? Do you ever hear him speaking about it? He had to bring it up today because it’s becoming an epidemic what’s happening to our troops. 

It’s not as if it happened overnight. It’s been happening all year. A quarter of all the deaths of NATO troops over there this year are by friendlies. The president now speaks about it, you know, in answer to a question in a press conference. Where is he on this war?

He comes into office and he spends nine months dithering on it. He comes up with a policy, triples our troops — obviously, as a side effect, it increases our casualties — and [then] loses complete interest in the war. Never speaks to the people about a war, which is ongoing, in which our guys are getting shot.

Now he has a policy. I mean, is it even a policy? You ask which way does he want to go? Who knows where he wants to go other than not talk about it?

You can’t conduct a war and expose our troops and not in some way try to explain to the nation what you’re doing, why, and why it’s worth having anyone die over there under your policy — and it’s now his policy."

Amen, Charles.  America and our troops deserve better.  I can't wait 'til November to get Obama out of office.

Know This (About Medicare Plans)

Here's the scoop in simple terms so you can see the falsehoods coming from Obama and the Democrats in the upcoming days and weeks:

"Voters needs to know three things about Ryan’s Medicare reform proposal co-sponsored with Oregon Democrat Ron Wyden.
- First, no one over the age of 55 would be affected in any way.
- Second, traditional Medicare fee-for-service would remain available for all. “Premium support”—that is, government funding of private insurance plans chosen by individuals—is an option for those who choose it. No senior would be forced out of the traditional Medicare program against his will.
- And third, overall funding for Medicare under the Ryan-Wyden plan is scheduled to grow at the same rate as under President Obama’s proposals. Is this “gutting Medicare” and “ending Medicare as we know it”? In reality, it’s the market giving seniors cheaper, higher quality choices they can take if they wish, with the traditional program remaining an option."

Also you need to know that Obama has already pushed and passed a $700 BILLION cut in Medicare funding to help pay for Obamacare.  And they are trying to convince the American people that it's Republicans that are trying to cut Medicare?  Please.

As Internet humorist IowaHawk tweeted on Saturday: "Paul Ryan represents Obama's most horrifying nightmare: Math."

And Paul Ryan turns out to be an excellent teacher - making complex issues very understandable.  Get a taste of his talent here:

It's Ryan!

The more I consider Romney's selection of Paul Ryan as his running mate, the better I feel about it.  It's a brilliant move and says a lot about both Romney and Ryan himself.  I predict it will end up showing a lot about the American people as well as they hear and respond to the Romney-Ryan ticket in contrast to the Obama-Biden re-do ticket.

Ryan's speech at the time of the announcement was very good, but I almost think his campaign stop speech on his return to Wisconsin afterward is even better and gives a solid sense of Ryan and the kind of person (and politician) he is.  He's just so good.  Take a few minutes to see it for yourself:



And an excellent little bit of analysis on Ryan from Charles Krauthammer.  The Democrats underestimate Ryan at their peril: click here for the link.

Here we go!  Romney-Ryan all the way...

10,000+ show up to welcome Romney and Ryan on their first official campaign stop together.

Dirty Harry

Harry Reid, Nancy Pelosi, and the Democrats are in the midst of disgracing themselves with horribly McCarthyite tactics against Romney.  And Obama's getting slimed in the process by going along with these tactics.  This is like a freeway accident - it's awful but it's hard to take your eyes off it.  If you haven't heard what's going on, you'll get the gist of it here:

Gaffes? How About...Truth

Seeing the in-the-tank-for-Obama-and-liberals mainstream media in their harping criticism of Romney on his trip abroad to the UK, Israel, and Poland reminds me of this quote attributed to Michael Kinsley:

"A gaffe is when a politician tells the truth - some obvious truth he isn't supposed to say."

You might not believe this, listening to the media carping and repetition, but there really are only two statements on the entire trip that are being criticized, and both end up having the virtue of being true.  The criticism is that Romney spoke truths that he "wasn't supposed to say."

The two "gaffes" were:
(1) When asked if he saw any problems with the preparation for the London Olympics, Romney noted that there were some concerning/disconcerting reports about security staffing and venue preparation, etc. These are actually well documented issues reported by British media.  He was criticized for "offending his hosts" in Britain - never mind that they chose to be offended by what was a very limited and lightly stated statement.
(2) While discussing the economic success of Israel compared with Palestine, Romney noted that culture has made a difference, suggesting that Palestinian culture has held back the Palestinian economy compared with Israel.  One of the Palestinian politicians cried "racism" regarding this comment (plus the claim that Israel's "occupation" and restrictions on travel between Israel and Palestine are to blame for the differences in economic production), and this has been echoed by our own leftist media here in the U.S. And yet.  The fact is that there is a vast difference between the two cultures in terms of economic freedom and respect for law rather than terrorism as a means to accomplish political goals certainly has a lot to do with this.  As James Taranto of the Wall Street Journal wrote: "The differences between Israelis and Palestinian Arabs, or between Jews and Arabs more broadly, are in fact not racial but cultural, with "culture" understood broadly as encompassing everything from religion and politics to prevailing norms about work, family and all manner of social activity."  He also notes that not only the raw economic numbers but the trends point to culture being a major factor.  The fact is, a truly free society with individual opportunity and security in Palestine would find a path to economic success even with challenges to overcome.  And Palestinian culture also has a lot to do with the security threat to Israel, which is the reason for the travel restrictions and inconveniences.

Now, I understand the value of discretion, and one could argue as to whether it was necessary for Romney to lightly criticize the London Olympic organizers, or if he should have discussed the issue of culture in the Middle East using different words or more explanation.  These are small points.  The key is that Romney was correct, and I think this faux outrage on the part of the media and liberals is ridiculous.  Just know when you hear it that it's nothing more than politics.  Obama and his supporters are desperate and will be willing to say all kinds of distorted and even false things to try to win.

Let's not be fooled...keep our eyes on the ball.  It is critical to the future of our nation that we get Obama out and Romney in.

UPDATE: Read Romney's own explanation of the effect of culture on freedom and economic opportunity and success here.

An excerpt: "The linkage between freedom and economic development has a universal applicability. One only has to look at the contrast between East and West Germany, and between North and South Korea for the starkest demonstrations of the meaning of freedom and the absence of freedom.  Israel is also a telling example. Like the United States, the state of Israel has a culture that is based upon individual freedom and the rule of law. It is a democracy that has embraced liberty, both political and economic. This embrace has created conditions that have enabled innovators and entrepreneurs to make the desert bloom. In the face of improbable odds, Israel today is a world leader in fields ranging from medicine to information technology."