The Case for Mitt Romney – Part 1

     I am a libertarian at the core, and although I love what I’m seeing from Gary Johnson, I’m not sure the message I tried to send with my vote back in 2008 with Bob Barr was well received. At the countries current pace I see little light at the end of a tunnel due to the pile of cans that had been kicked all the way down to the end of the line. We don’t know what our taxes will be this time next year, we don’t have any plan to address our Education woes, and we are still spending far too much money into our overseas military operations. After reading up on Romney including his economic plan. I am believing that Mitt is the right guy for the country at this time. I want to create a narrative to try and persuade any undecided voters out there, I'll attempt to refrain from veering to an anti-Obama rant, but I promise nothing, enjoy!

The Case for Mitt Romney – Part 1: The Fixer

     

     Bain Capital, which was founded by Mitt Romney in 1984, makes investments in companies with the hopes of growing those companies to profitability. Once an investment has been made, Bain analyzes the company, restructuring management if necessary, cuts excessive spending and puts the company on a path for growth.  Although a handful of Bain Capital's investments have not succeeded, the bulk of the companies have grown to become some of America's most recognized business names, such as Staples, Dominoes, Sports Authority, Toys ‘R’ Us, and Warner Music, Pizza Hut, along with countless others. Mitt Romney's foresight and expertise was at the center of those successes. He knows what inhibits and what promotes these industries and can use that knowledge to apply practical protections while alleviating the cumbersome burden these companies are faced with.

     When he left Bain in ’99 (before companies like AmPad went bankrupt) he went to Utah to assist with organizing an event, The 2002 Winter Olympics. The Salt Lake City Games were rocked by a scandal. The top two officials in the Salt Lake Organizing Committee had to resign. The games were facing a $379 million deficit because sponsors were pulling out. Because they were short on money and many venues hadn't been built yet, politicians, business leaders and International Olympic Committee officials were suggesting the games be cancelled or moved to another location. And don't forget they had to adapt when the 9/11 attacks threatened the games all together. The games went off without any major hitchs, and In September of 2002, ESPN reported a $100 million dollar profit for the games. He even received Geppetto markings from the Washington Post when people attempted to downplay his contribution.

     Returning to Massachusetts a national hero, he entered public service with a gubernatorial victory and an R on his name in a state that has a 3 to 1 ration of registered Democrats to Republicans that he had been denied a senate seat in previously, but I digress.  Entering the State Capitol in '02, the State faced a deficit of somewhere in the 1 to 3 Billion dollar range (some dispute in real amount due to money flowing through the Federal Government, here's a fun little packet from UMass explaining the situation) But by the time he left, once again, he went from being in the red to the black, and in '06, the State touted a surplus of over half a billion (page 32). The books looked well enough that he tried unsuccessfully to pass a tax cut at the end of his term. What's that? You saw a commercial that told you differently? Was it this one? Also, When Mitt took over as Governor of Massachusetts, unemployment was 5.6%, when he left 4 years later, it was 4.7%. If that makes him 47th out of 50 then I say fine, since I don't really know what you can do to force unemployment much lower then 4.7% short of a CCC type program where 2.35% dig a ditch and the other 2.35% fill it back up.

     So I'm feeling a little bit better about November, Crossing my fingers that no major social agendas come up if the Republicans assume/resume majorities in the House and Senate. But, I think it will take years to get our fiscal house straightened out, and I think Mitt is the guy to do it.

Coming Soon, Part 2: The Romney Plan, has it Worked Before?

Cub's June Review

I'm sitting here watching the Cubs get slaughtered by the Twins and I started thinking; what the heck, let's do another Cubs review;

Quick synopsis of the season, we stink, there I said it, we're 19-39 when I start this, will probably be 19-40 by the time I finish. So instead of trying to go through player by player and justify the few non 'F' grades I'd give out, lets do an awards style prezzy, enjoy!

Most Deserving to be pissed off at the rest of the team: Ryan Dempster - Take a look at the following two lines, one is a line for the Majors league leader in wins, R.A. Dickey, and the other is Dempster's, can you tell who is who?

ERA   G    CG   IP     H   R   ER   K   BB  WHIP

2.44    12  1      81.0  65  23  22   78  19    1.04

2.59    10  0      66.0  52  21  19   57  19    1.08

Not exactly a tie, but both very good, one is 9-1 and the other is 1-3. Runner Up: Matt Garza

Most in need for a trip back to Iowa: Carlos Marmol - He's at least gotten stuff over the plate the last couple outings, but for a looooong stretch there he was incapable of getting stuff even over the plate. Now he just hangs slides over the inside of the plate and is getting knocked around. Slight improvement over 11+ BB/9 Innings he's got going for him. Runner Up: Geovany Soto

Most deserving to go to the All Star Game: Bryan LaHair - It's tough enough for an unknown rookie to crack the bigs as a first baseman, but with a .980 OPS and only 3 errors in what has to be a highly scrutinized role has to be applauded. Runner Up: Ryan Dempster

Most Likely to go to the All Star Game: Starlin Castro - He's playing a little better then last year (F% is .968 over .961 from last year), but he was also the de facto pick last year. And let's face it, nobody is turning heads here. A decent inside infielder is a  lot harder to come by then a first baseman or even starting pitcher. Runner Up: Alfonso Soriano

Most Deserving of More Playing Time: Tony Campana - Sharing some time with Johnson and Mather in the outfield as his hitting seems to be a bit streaky, but I see no reason this guy shouldn't be a pinch runner for Soriano or anyone else in the 7th and then left in almost every day he doesn't start. Runner Up - Steve Clevenger

Biggest Surprise on the Team: Bryan LaHair - Hear me out, with an inconsistent Soriano as your protection, and with the desire to get a Pujouls or a Fielder, and a Rizzo sitting there at Iowa, the pressure on him was extreme. I accept the premise that no news is good news as far as the amount of attention this guy has gotten. Quietly on pace for 30+ Homers and a near .400 OBP and near 1.000 OPS. He needs to improve his RISP average, but who on this team doesn't? Runner Up: Joe Mather

Best Thing about Dave Sveum: Not complaining - He's having to through first or second year guys in several positions daily (i.e. Barney, Clevenger, Campana, Cardenas, Stewart, LaHair, Wood, etc.), given a very weak bullpen and an unproven rotation. the Club probably had $40 million to spend this off season and spent almost none of it save for DeJesus. Dealing with a team that every player is on the trading block and what can only be a high stress clubhouse. The expectations where low but not this low, and what do you hear in the way of complaints? Nothing, Most of the guys are running hard and playing good defense, aggressive on the bases and noting complaining a peep to the press. No screaming at the umps or breaking bats over knees. You can say removing Zambrano was a big part of that. But I think this staff has a good head on their shoulders and are not trying to kid themselves. A good environment to get a good look at these kids and hopefully find the first round of pieces to start rebuilding a competitive team on.

Next Month, a list of players from the current roster I'd like to see worked into the Long term plan. Don't worry, it's a short list.

Stimulated Stagnation

So here we are, 3 years since the official end of the '08 recession. The national economy still crawls along just strong enough to avoid a declaration of an emergency or a full blown depression. Europe's debt crisis still lingers as Greece come ever closer to a economic hurricane that is sure to result from its succession from the EU as it recreates a sovereign economic climate. The housing market troubles are still ever prevalent, as many areas across the nation still has homeowners trapped inside houses that are worth less then what is owed on them, creating a best case scenario that families are tied to their houses regardless of what employment woes they may face. Government jobs cuts that are used to stem the tied of expense caused by elongated unemployment benefits and welfare receipts, and a hangover from the financial crisis that has created such uncertainty in who can be trusted with our dollars.

My point is, what is the plan for addressing any of the countries current ails? For the next year? The next five years? Are the Bush tax cuts going to expire? The payroll tax breaks prolonged? How many more exemptions will be enacted to the Obama-care law? There is such a cloud of uncertainty it's truly scary. When Bush ran in 04, it was on a solid, though controversial, tactic in the Middle east, and he even introduced tort reform and social security reform as new ideas, granted his 2nd term was more or less a lame duck session until the financial crisis got people moving in Washington, but I digress.

Can someone please tell me the Obama plan for a second term? Education reform? Tax reform? More investment in Green Energy? Anything? It truly scares me because I think there is a very fair chance that he is going to win and will not be tethered to anything as far as what he promises before the election. Leaving the country to flounder along at it's current pace as the constitutionally questionable changed in healthcare and erratic tax policy continue to hinder us.