I once wrote an article here about the trillion dollar deficit he have in America. It was created for both humor and factual info about our Government spending habits. It includes and outline of the worthless agencies we have created just to use up tax money and things we may want to cut. I admit I was inspired by the “HOPE” brand Obama brought to the people. It sold him and his campaign. The campaign grew in power and eventually overshadowed everyone else running. American was hooked. I for one didn’t vote for Obama. Looking back that was a good decision, however, I not sure the outcome would have been that different though. I believe McCain would have handled the war spending better and in general made larger cuts on spending. Hardcore fans still have “HOPE” for Obama’s “HOPE” campaign and many will leave Obama high and dry. He just didn’t deliver, unfortunately.
I talk about political brands and how money buys campaigns. Because of this, I am predicting a win for Mitt Romney. He has the best brand to date and with more money you can get the exposure needed to convince the public for their vote. It’s easier for companies to invest in you (with contributions). It’s also easier to get endorsements from the other runners. If a runner up is failing in the polls/votes and realizes they don’t stand a chance, the guy with money will take care of his/her expenses for running (or debt) for their endorsement. After a few endorsements, you grow even stronger in the public eye. Sadly, this is how the game is played.
I also look at Newt Gingrich. He has a fair amount of money from doing “historian work” for Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae. Both companies were federally backed when the housing bust came as you know. He says he was just a “historian” but Newt collected 1.6 million that we know if publicly. In reality, he was hired to calm down the republicans making them turn down the heat and back off of the companies. It was a cleaver move by Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae and Newt was in on it. Unfortunately, Newt is just another politician playing all the games that the others are playing. Sad but true.
The more I read about Ron Paul in the news the more I like this guy. He has no brand and lacks the money really needed to win, however. He is not the best speaker or salesman (like Romney or Gingrich) but I truly believe this guy can get the job done. He doesn’t really care for the Federal Reserve, wants to cut five departments (needs to be done drastically), lower corporate taxes, and allow younger workers to opt out of the failing Social Security system. He won’t kiss anyone’s ass rump and he’s not a political tool like the others. He wants to cut $1 trillion from the federal budget during his FIRST YEAR in office – which is great. I am tired of hearing how we are going to cut a trillion dollars over 10 YEARS currently! We are 15 trillion in debt right now and spending over 4 billion a day. We don’t have 10 years for such a little cut. He would like to cut is presidential pay to 40K compared to the 400K it is now. There is a lot more but the point to all this is that this guy is a do’er. I truly believe he will do what he says he’ll do and won’t be bought out like the others.
My voting strategies have developed over time but now with every canidate locally or presidential, I look for a person who will put their neck on the line and make a solid decision (good or bad). A decision to cut. A decision to fire. I just want a decision on something to solve the problems. Most politicians today don’t do that and that’s part of the problem. It’s just the same old some and dance. They want to keep everyone happy by not cutting anything or firing anyone (less work means you need to let people go). They sit around and think up new ways to build revenue on a failed system. They build tolls on the roads or add traffic cams for the city. Increase street parking to $8 and hour until 8pm in Seattle. These additions continue to rise because of people wanting to keep their jobs (get re-elected) while back-dooring these little money makers. Another is tax the rich. That is a simple one because most of the voters are broke as a joke and it doesn’t relate to them “so who cares” lets just take it from them right?
Whatever your decision is for the presidential campaign pick someone who will cut and isn’t easily influenced. That is the only “HOPE” we have to turn this country around.
