Voting Day!!!

Well here we are again in the month of November and on the first Tuesday of the month. It is time to vote. Being in the hinterlands of Minnesota the past four days allotted me the luxury of not hearing the last second smear tactics of the two major parties and allowed me time to reflect on all the candidates out there. Remember that other candidates will be on the ballot outside of President Obama and Governor Romney.

So, if you are in a state that is solidly red or blue then use your sacred right to vote for a candidate that reflects your beliefs, thoughts, and direction for this country as one will often find that the Democrat or Republican candidate is a lessor of two evil decision. Not to mention the fact that if a third or fourth party candidate can garner enough support they too will be able to be on the national stage with our current two-party system.

In the end, make sure you get out and vote. The state of Minnesota has a couple of extra bonus votes this  year in addition to electing our Representatives. We get to vote on amending our State Constitution.

First we have the Voter ID Amendment that would require all Minnesotans wishing to cast a vote in any election to provide a government issued ID to do so. A YES vote makes this requirement a NO vote doesn't add it to the State Constitution.

Second we have the Marriage Amendment that proposes to define marriage as being between one man and one woman. A YES vote puts it into our State Constitution, a NO vote doesn't put into our State Constitution.

While the first Amendment should be a slam dunk for everyone as it improves our process by using current technology to ensure our process is free of error. The second Amendment isn't as cut and dry; at least not for me. The reason I don't see it as cut and dry is because the concept of marriage is a rite of passage within ones religious dogma and is not a right nor should it be considered a right that the government ought to define.

In the end, again, get out and vote and if there is any indicator that has been more accurate on the Presidential stage..one can skip that vote because the Redskins lost on Sunday which means that Governor Romney wins.

The Final Debate of 2012

Last night the Presidential debates saw some competition with the NLCS in game 7 and the Lions visiting the Bears; okay no one really tuned into the football game unless you were in those markets. The debate moderated by Bob Schieffer was on foreign policy - or on Middle East policy. Much of the debate stationed itself in the Middle East dealing with the fallout from the Libya embassy attack, the threat of a nuclear Iran, the devastation in Syria and how to back our ally Israel in the area.

While there was a brief entanglement on China, there was very little discussion of foreign policy outside of the Middle East. I do agree that the unstable nature of the Middle East poses a threat to World Peace, there is a lot more going on that the next President of the United States will need to address. Namely the economy.

The United States makes up 5% of the world population yet we consume nearly 35% of the worlds goods and resources. Countries like Russia, India, Brazil and China are seeing their middle class exploding as we did back in the 50's. Combine that will a United States economy that is slowing to a growth rate of 1.3%, our government needs to assist businesses located here in trade abroad. I know many of you are wondering how can a small government person look to the Federal government to assist business in trade outside of the United States.

It is simple. The role of the Federal government is to be that buffer in trade with foreign nations along with providing a solid infrastructure, security of private property, and settle disputes between the States. Outside of that, the Federal government needs to step out of the way and allow the States to deal with other issues of the day. But I digress.

A number of polling done after the debate has President Obama beating Governor Romney but as the commentary went along the question rose - Will the performance move the needle back to President Obama as Governor Romney had gain a lot of momentum from the first debate?

With two weeks left we will find out the answer to that question. The other observation from last night's debate was the masterful pivot that Governor Romney made from the extreme Right wing aspect of his base to the center. The pivot is similar to the one that Governor Clinton made during his campaign against President Bush. Two weeks to go and it will be interesting to see where the money is being spent and the places the candidates visit.

To those that live in states that will are already decided, when you go to the poll to vote find another candidate other than the major two to cast your die for that more closely aligns with your ideals. By doing this you will potentially give that third or fourth party increased status and we may just be able to end the gridlock in Washington D.C.

Rose Garden Speech by President Obama on 9-12-12

Last night's debate touched on an array of topics and resulted in a more two-sided debate than the first one. Each candidate did their best to bring out their points and to counter the others assertions. To President Obama's credit he did go more on the attack but Governor Romney didn't waiver from the onslaught. In one exchange on the topic of Libya and the death of  the US Ambassador, President Obama did a masterful job of saying the buck stops here. Earlier in the day Secretary of State Clinton fell on the sword saying that her department, more specifically, that it responsibility and blame fell squarely on her shoulders.

Without having that tag line, Governor Romney attempted to seize on the notion that President Obama and his administration hadn't declared the attack on the Embassy a terror attack. The moderator Candy Crowley informed Governor Romney that President Obama had indeed called the attack on the embassy a terror attack. Afterward on the major channels it was discussed and video was shown of the statement that President Obama made. Yet, the clip shown and the quip used may not have been used accurately in the context of President Obama's speech that day because for the next two weeks after the attack the Administration denied the fact that it was a terrorist attack; rather they blamed it on a spontaneous riot due to a Youtube video. Here is the transcript from the September 12th Rose Garden speech given by President Obama:

“Good Morning. Everyday all across the world, American diplomats and civilians work tirelessly to advance the interest and values of our nation.

Often, they are away from their families, sometimes in great, great danger.

Yesterday, four of these extraordinary Americans were killed in an attack on our diplomatic post in Benghazi. Among those killed was our Ambassador Chris Stevens, as well as his Foreign Service Officer Sean Smith.

We are still notifying the families of the others who were killed and today the American people stand united in holding the families of the four Americans in our thoughts and in our prayers.

The United States condemns, in the strongest terms this outrageous and shocking attack. We’re working with the government of Libya to secure our diplomats. I’ve also directed my administration to increase our security at diplomatic posts around the world.
And make no mistake, we will work with the Libyan government to bring to justice the killers who attacked our people. Since our founding, the United States has been a nation that respects all faiths.

We reject all efforts to denigrate the religious beliefs of others. But there is absolutely no justification to this type of senseless violence. None.

The world must stand together to unequivocally reject these brutal acts. Already, many Libyans have joined us in doing so, and this attack will not break the bonds between the United States and Libya. 

Libyan security personnel fought back against the attackers alongside Americans. Libyans helped some of our diplomats find safety, and they carried Ambassador Stevens’ body to the hospital, where we tragically learned that he had died.

It’s especially tragic that Chris Stevens died in Benghazi because it is a city that he helped to save. At the height of the Libyan revolution Chris led our diplomatic post in Benghazi.

With characteristic skill, courage and resolve he built partnerships with Libyan revolutionaries and helped them as they planned to build a new Libya.

When the Gadhafi regime came to an end Chris was there to serve as our ambassador to the new Libya, and he worked tirelessly to support this young democracy. And I think both Secretary Clinton and I have relied deeply on his knowledge of the situation on the ground there.

He was a role model to all who worked with him and to the young diplomats who aspire to walk in his footsteps. 

Along with his colleagues, Chris died in a country that is 

still striving to emerge from the recent experience of war. And today the loss of these four Americans is fresh, but our memories of them linger on. 

I have no doubt that their legacy will live on through the work that they did far from our shores and in the hearts of those who loved them back home.

Of course, yesterday was already a painful day for our nation as we marked the solemn memory of the 9/11 attacks. We mourn with the families who were lost on that day. I visited the graves of troops who made the ultimate sacrifice in Iraq and Afghanistan at the hallowed grounds of Arlington Cemetery, and had the opportunity to say thank you and visit some of our wounded warriors at Walter Reed. And then last night we learned the news of this attack in Benghazi.

As Americans let us never, ever forget that our freedom is only sustained because there are people who are willing to fight for it, to stand up for it, and in some cases lay down their lives for it. Our country is only as strong as the character of our people and the service of those, both civilian and military, who represent us around the globe.

No acts of terror will ever shake the resolve of this great nation, alter that character or eclipse the light of the values that we stand for. 

Today we mourn for more Americans who represent the very 

best of the United States of America. We will not waver in our commitment to see that justice is done for this terrible act. And make no mistake, justice will be done.

But we also know that the lives these Americans led stand in stark contrast to those of their attackers. These four Americans stood up for freedom and human dignity. They should give every American great pride in the country that they served, and the hope that our flag represents to people around the globe who also yearn to live in freedom and with dignity.
We grieve with their families, but let us carry on their memory and let us continue their work in seeking a stronger America and a better world for all of our children. Thank you. May God bless the memory of those we lost, and may God bless the United States of America.”

Now, President Obama does not call out directly the attack on the embassy as a terror attack nor that it was planned effort by known terrorists. President Obama actually calls the attack a "terrible act". While I am sure that Governor Romney had his talking point on this one, he missed a golden opportunity to set the record straight. What are your thoughts to the parsing of words by moderator last night and the words from the transcript? Did President Obama call out the attack on the US Embassy a terrorist attack or was he talking in general terms?

Second Presidential Debate

The format for the second Presidential debate is the town hall. The town hall format allows everyday voters an opportunity to ask questions of the two major party candidates. The moderator in this format is there to ensure that the two candidates do answer the question without trying to sidestep the question. Unfortunately the cynic in me doesn't believe that the questions being asked by the undecided voters of Hoffstra University will be that tough. I suspect a lot of softball's will be thrown up.

Now the debate is to focus on foreign policy which unfortunately is not on the top five issues on the minds of Ameicans. The last Presidential debate President Obama allowed Governor Romney to rule the debate despite talking for an additional 4 minutes. During the Vice Presidential debate, Vice President Biden was more on the offensive although some of the Biden bite was lost on his snickering, smiling and overall condescending demeanor. The question is will President Obama come out "swinging"?

Both candidates need to be cautious in the town hall format as they attempt to make their points and counter their opponents as to not alienate the audience. In the past two the debates the moderator played the role of directing the conversation but in the town hall it will be the audience that will be setting the stage via the questions they ask. With the race a virtual tie and Governor Romney closing the gaps in the swing states it will be critical to the re-election of President Obama that he have a strong showing.

What will constitute a strong showing for President Obama? At the same time, Governor Romney cannot sit back and allow President Obama to dictate the tone and tenor of the debate while not looking stiff and lacking apathy for the audience. What will Governor Romney need to do for a strong showing tonight?

Unfortunately I won't be able to catch the majority of the debate and will have to rely on replays and pundits to help determine the outcome. If I were in the room and was chosen to ask a question, I'd ask:

Are you going to continue the imperialistic agenda that the United States has undertaken since participating in World War II?

First Presidential Debate Eve!!!!

Tomorrow night President Obama and Governor Romney will square off in the first in a series of Presidential debates. A lot of rhetoric has already taken place from Romney taking about 47 % to Obama claiming that Washington cannot be fixed from the inside. Per an NBC/WSJ poll recently conducted, 40% of those polled view the debates as "important" which may impact voting come November.

On my way to get my eldest son I was listening to POTUS on Sirius radio, one of the benefits to owning a new Ford Focus, and the gentleman on - show ended at 5 pm - was having people call in and say what questions do they want to see from this debate asked of the candidates. Now I am new to this channel on Sirius radio but the host, for the fifteen minutes I listened, appeared to be fair and balanced. That is not to say he was a Fox News anchor just that he seemed to be middle of the road on the partisan spectrum.

The debate tomorrow night will be moderated by Jim Lehrer and it will take place in Denver, Colorado. The main topic or theme of the night is to be the economy, health care and governing. Interestingly enough no topic will touch on gun control. That being said, here are some questions I'd like to see asked of the candidates based on the topics mentioned above. To be brief I will keep them to a top ten style list.

1. With spending at 26% of GDP and current revenues at 14% of GDP when historically revenues are between 16-18% of GDP - what plans do you have to erase the 8-10% gap between current spending levels and historically average revenue levels?
2. Since both of you have successfully passed mandated health care, can either you of you provide proof that it bent the cost curb of medical expenses?
3. The current deficit is projected to hit $16T by the end of 2012, what will you do as President to cut the deficit in half over the next 4 years?
4. England is starting to see a shortage of qualified doctors due the rate of reimbursement and pay scales set forth under their Universal health care, what assurances do we have that a similar vacuum of talent won't take place here in the United States?
5. The Supreme Court upheld the Constitutionality of the Affordable Health Care Act based on Congresses ability to tax. How can Congress use the tax code to curb unwanted pregnancies or reduce our carbon footprint?
6. We hear a lot of Presidential candidate tout that they will reform/change Washington D.C. What criteria will you employ as President to ensure lobbyist or special interest groups are not part of your Cabinet, advisors or staff?
7. The US Constitution established three separate but equal branches of Government - How will you as President use Executive Privilege to ensure equality among the three branches?
8. Unemployment sits above 8% and the number of people actively looking for work has declined by over 500,000 people - What is your plan to get the American workforce back to work?
9. For the past year we have reduced they payroll tax by 3% resulting in $105B no longer going into the SSN coffers. People in the 40's are already being told that they can expect 70% of the benefit at retirement age - What plans do you have to ensure solvency of SSN for future generations?
10. A study was done in Minnesota to see if a hospital could sustain itself on Medicare patients alone last year. The conclusion was that it couldn't. Now the Affordable Health Care Act looks to reduce reimbursement rates for Medicare patients seen. How do you propose hospital and clinics recoup lost revenues without changing level of care or raising the cost of health care for those of us not using Medicare?

Those would be ten questions I'd like to see answered. What questions would you like to see asked?