PRESIDENT OBAMA RE-ELECTED!

President Barack Obama and Vice-President Joe Biden have been re-elected to lead this nation another four years.  

Former Gov. Mitt Romney has conceded the election for himself and running mate Wisconsin Representative Paul Ryan.   

Those voters who desired this outcome can enjoy the moment.  Ohio was the state whose votes clinched the election for the Obama/Biden ticket. 

Thanks again to Ohio Elderblogger, Kay, at "Kay's Thinking Cap" whose dedicated volunteer election efforts to re-elect President Obama benefited all of us, since many of our states voting outcome wasn't as much in question.  Knowing my former home state, I'm sure the community in which she tirelessly toiled was a particularly significant one in which to make voters aware of the candidates and issue differences.  Certainly all of our states were important in the election's outcome, but Ohio voters proved to be key as analysts predicted.  Their votes clinched the necessary Electoral College votes for President Obama.   

Much work lies ahead in resolving this nation's problems.   We still have a Congress composed of political party divisions similar to those existing during the previous four years.  There will be a few new members, including women you may read about in this Huff Post.  What meaningful effect to facilitate constructive governing action they and the few added new men may have remains to be seen.  

Hopefully, all returning Senators and Representatives will seriously  reassess why we elected them, consider how they can take effective action to move our nation forward.   

We have a job, too!  That is to see to oversee and direct the actions they take for the good of all our citizens, not just a few.   Expect you already have your list of what you want accomplished.

(I've always enjoyed The Carpenters so am using this occasion as an excuse to play their rendition of "We've Only Just Begun.)



 

CAMPAIGN $$$ -- MONEY LAUNDERING?

V O T E   Tuesday November 6, 2012 if you haven't already.

If you're still uncertain about your vote, please read the preceding "Undecided" post.

Clearly I have a point of view about the candidate I hope will be elected.  Ideally we will know by Wednesday who our next President will be, but I wouldn't be surprised if a variety of voting issues result in a more prolonged determination period -- though I would hope not.

SPECIAL THANKS TO OHIO'S KAY at "Kay's Thinking Cap" .......
for all her campaign efforts !

CONGRESS:
I'm just as interested in the candidates elected to Congress -- in both the House of Representatives and Senate.   I would like to see the back broken of the legislative block that has been dedicated to preventing solving the problems facing this nation in order for them to prevent the current President Obama from demonstrating successful governing skills, but whether or not that group will be weakened is uncertain.

California redistricting has eliminated one of those long time legislators, Republican David Dreier, who exhibited such misguided non-problem solving behaviors  contrary to many of his constituents wishes, including my own.  His replacement will be determined in this election, so we'll see what contributions will be made by this new legislator.

MONEY LAUNDERING POSSIBLE:       LEGAL BUT MORALLY ETHICAL?
California officials are currently investigating the possible money laundering from other states (Arizona, Virginia) through numerous non-profit organizations to influence an important California state proposition.  The actual source of these funds is being hidden, but accusations are being made that laws may have been broken.  KNX - all news radio is reporting from their sources that allegations have been raised about whether known Republican Party supporters, including Karl Rove and San Diego oil billionaires Koch Brothers, are possibly involved.   This Los Angeles Times article provides some specifics that should concern citizens in every State:  

"...the disclosure was revealing in its own way, showing how a chain of blandly named organizations can shuttle money around the country with little transparency."

CAMPAIGN $$$ TO NATIONAL DEBT OR NATION'S NEEDS
Ban all Campaign Money.....Limit Candidate Campaign Time to One or Two Months

Maybe then our Congress would have time to do the work for which we pay them and give them all sorts of benefits and health insurance coverage so many of them  begrudge us.

When I read and hear about all the $$$ being spent by greedy self-interested individuals, companies, groups to subvert our government for selfish gain I do have to wonder how such people can claim to be moral, ethical, or dedicated to the basic tenets on which our nation was founded.   I also have to wonder how any religious groups can justify supporting and defending them. 

Frankly, I'm disgusted with all this financial manipulation -- part of which we can thank some of what is a result of  legal interpretations  by what I'm beginning to conclude are the more disreputable members of our  Supreme Court.  I think the founding fathers of our nation must be sick at heart over how some of those Justices stand law, order, common sense on it's head  in the name of the constitution to the detriment of this nation.

If all campaign monies were simply devoted to lowering our national debt, or dedicated to this nation's basic needs we could come much closer to coming out of this financial crisis brought on by the exploitation of the many by the few.  Perhaps then we could begin to move forward at a more rapid rate toward a more stable United States -- with a necessary strong middle class, making aid provisions for those of less means to change their status, and enabling those whose skills and talents result in their acquisition of great wealth to each live in a United States where we can all benefit.  

UNDECIDED - 2012 PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN

Listening to comments after the 2012 Presidential Debate at C-Span, where I viewed the event in live streaming video, I was surprised some phone callers and twitterers were saying they were still undecided about how to cast their ballots.    Perhaps some individuals may only recently have begun to examine all the significant issues. Maybe only now they’re seriously considering the desired direction for this nation in the next four years as election day draws near. 

I think there are profound differences between candidates and political parties.  Anyone viewing all the 2012  debates, including those of the Vice-Presidential candidates, carefully listening to the rhetoric, and fact checking candidates statements in those debates, could acquire sufficient information on which to make an intelligent decision about whether to vote for Democrats President Obama/Biden or Republicans Romney/Ryan, I think.  However, I’ve been a political junkie since I could first vote many years ago, so have been tracking events all along, and there are many other pertinent issues that were not mentioned that voters would be wise to learn about.

In addition to opinions formed from the debates, I would highly recommend consideration also be given to the basic philosophy and values of each candidate's political party.  Long-time straight party ticket voters should keep in mind there have been very significant changes in those two major political parties beliefs and practices from their once traditional positions as I've observed and based on the analysis of some political experts.   Unfortunately, we’re subjected to the detrimental consequences of these changes resulting in a Congress unable to come together to solve our nation’s problems.    Given these political party differences voters would be wise to carefully research the voting record and political beliefs of  current and future Congressional candidates before voting for them, too. 

Both parties used to be composed of conservative, moderate and liberal members so that coalitions across party lines were more easily formed on issues as some political analysts have said.   I would  also compare the composition of both parties in more recent years to have been altered in ways others have  described.

The Democratic Party position on many issues has become more conservative, moderate, and much less liberal than it was for many years.   

The Republican Party has become primarily extremist/ultra-conservative, marginalizing/rejecting their moderate and more liberal thinking members.

A lobbyist who is not even a member of Congress has commandeered the Republican House of Representatives members, holding them hostage to criteria he has dictated.  That’s not my idea of how an effective government of the people is intended to function.

That ultra/extremist Republican group drives their candidates, Romney/Ryan, with the extreme budget proposals (that don’t even balance), while also predicting job creation based on an approach tried before that is known to not work.  Despite generalizing rhetoric about moving our nation forward in today’s world they provide few specifics that compute accurately in dollars and cents/sense.   

I’m also very troubled by candidate Mitt Romneys waffling around about issues as he continues to do since he first began campaigning for his political party’s nomination.  He even denies making previous well-documented pronouncements when he has contradicted them in later statements.    

Here’s an original jazz recording with a title and lyrics most appropriate for candidate Romney’s "Undecided" wishy washy positions:  

“Django Reinhardt et le Quintette du Hot Club de France, avec Stéphane Grappelli Stéphane Grappelli (vln); Django Reinhardt (g solo); Joseph Reinhardt, Eugène Vées, Pierre "Baro" Ferret (g); Emmanuel Soudieux (b); Beryl Davis (vcl)
1939 August 25 – London”

“Undecided” Partial lyrics:

First you say you do
And then you don't
And then you say you will
And then you won't
You're undecided now
So what are you gonna do?
Now you want to play
And then it's no
And when you say you'll stay
That's when you go
You're undecided now
So what are you gonna do?
I've been sitting on a fence
And it doesn't make much sense
'Cause you keep me in suspense
And you know it

Now we know from Mr. Romney’s former company, Bain, that he is able to invest the money of wealthy people to make them even more money – and some for himself, too, (so what if it means collapsing a few companies, sending jobs overseas and/or workers losing jobs.)   Could we expect his business skills to translate well to national governmental office?   Well, how did he do on even a smaller governmental level – say for just one state – when he was Massachusetts Governor?   Hm-m-m…..

Gov. Romney’s state then was among the lowest in the country in job creation.

Under his stewardship they had the second largest labor force decline in the nation.

They lost double the rate of manufacturing jobs that the nation as a whole lost.

He vetoed legislation that would have prevented doing business with companies who outsourced jobs to other countries.   

His state had below average economic growth, often close to the bottom nationally.

Thinkprogress.org/economy

Romney doesn't have much to crow about and is hypocritical when it comes to what he says about health care given the program with which he was involved in Massachusetts.  These are only a few of many more less than positive facts that prevent my voting for the Republican Romney/Ryan ticket.

I believe the Democrat Obama/Biden ticket offers the most hope for continuing this nation on a road to gradual recovery in a manner that will:

create jobs,

benefit new business,

launch a rebirth of middle class America, 

institute a fair and balanced tax system

..... that doesn't place undue financial hardship on the wealthiest class,

cause the least financial and health harm to those of less means, 

provide health care to all citizens, 

preserve Social Security and Medicare with realistic adjustments,

reduce our national debt in a sane reasonable manner, 

rebuild our educational, social and physical infrastructure, 

maintain our military defense capability and national security, 

continue developing positive foreign relations around the world.

We'll need a Congress with forward thinking vision  that's willing to work for the salaries and benefits our taxes pay them to accomplish these goals for all generations today and for the future.

PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION POLITICAL DOINGS

Recently I wrote a bit about my political doings this election year.  I laud those of you who are actively aligned with the political party and candidates of your choice providing assistance by working in campaigns in the many ways of support. 

Many years past when I was single I was President of one of the “Young” political parties small town chapters, very actively soliciting more new young members.  When the election time was near we were going door-to-door, distributing literature, engaging in dialogue on the issues, offering to make-certain voters had transportation to wherever they voted, whatever their political party preference.  Feelings ran high during that election, too.

Had I known then, what I came to learn only many years later I never would have supported the candidate I did.   In the small town where I was living, all the negative information that would have caused me to probably reject that candidate was packaged and received by us, his supporters, in such a way as to indicate it was all untrue factual distortion concocted by his opposition.  But, so many years later when residing in that candidates home state where much of his chicanery had occurred, I learned the truth.

We do the best we can with the knowledge we acquire and make our choices.  In retrospect, if I had to pick one major lesson I learned from that early naive youthful political experience, it is that I wish I had listened more to the opposition, made more of an effort to check the facts about what was being said though we had limited means to do so.

I grew up in a family and a State steeped in one particular political party tradition.  Oh, there was debate alright, but mostly within that parties parameters.  Whatever the issue between parties the debate entered into always came from an almost automatic point of view that the opposing view probably didn’t have any credibility.  Keep in mind that we all thought we were being objective and openly examining all sides of each issue, but the reality was quite different as I had learned years later when I became active in college debate.  There, we argued one side of an issue one time and the next time had to take the opposite point of view, all with the goal of winning both times.  There’s nothing quite like learning the weaknesses of any point of view when one has to learn all the fine points and then argue against them. 

Even having come to the knowledge I had about issues before I became politically active, I realize now how few fact checking sources we had access to compared to today with reliable fact checking organizations readily, literally, at our fingertips via the Internet. 

The flip side of that is there is an over-abundance of so-called “news” sources regurgitating “facts” that need to be checked.  Too many times we are subjected to authoritative-sounding voices speaking in absolutes that mask the warped distortions in what they say.   “News” sources – too many of which make little or no pretense at differentiating between actual honest-to-gawd news facts, rumor, gossip, opinion, innuendo, deliberate distortion of information.  Trying to stay on top of checking out this flood of information, misinformation, for facts or downright lies and anything in between, has become a nightmare in itself.  I guess it’s better than what existed in years past, but sometimes I do wonder.  It is enough to cause some people to throw up their hands in surrender and decide not to vote at all.  Personally, I think that’s a cop-out, but to each his own. 

I’ve been giving it my level best for many years to consider all sides of every issue.  I’ve already admitted to having made some mistakes, but I have learned.   I long ago evolved a manner of viewing and living life that pre-disposes me to a point of view which would certainly be brought to bear on the issues I consider.  You know – little things like “rights,” “equality,” “values,” “ethics,” “morality,” “choice,” “freedom,” to name a few significant words in that milieu. 

So, it should come as no surprise that in this, one of the most important presidential campaigns in my life time, that part of my process (everybody has their own, no doubt) was to visit my communities campaign headquarters for the two major political parties.  Just so you won’t be disappointed if you keep reading further, nothing profound occurred when I ventured into their dens,  though I  disappointed myself by not always retaining the calm cool collected dispassionate manner I had intended.

Anyone who has read some of what I’ve written previously here and elsewhere knows I’ve pretty well determined where my vote will go, and I have even confidently, on occasion, pronounced how I’ll vote and will likely continue to do so.  Still, until my ballot is in the box, nothing is a sure thing, so I keep trying to maintain an open mind.   

My first visit was to the Republican Headquarters which opened earlier than that of the other party, several weeks before the Florida Convention.  The Headquarters is in a very prominent visible popular strip shopping center  north of and facing famous Route 66 known as Foothill Blvd. in our city.  The strip has a few store vacancies, but is anchored by a busy grocery chain whose health food products include meats, produce and organic items.  A prominent national bank is in the process of constructing a new branch there expected to open soon.

Further down the strip, on the drive’s opposite side is a long vacated stand alone building that once housed a  bank which collapsed with the Wall St. financial debacle.  On the strip are a Chinese restaurant and the administrative offices for our very unpopular water company that has continued to charge our residents obscenely higher rates than other cities pay  that they also serve (a topic for another time since in years to come cities elsewhere may find themselves subject to similar exploitation by greedy water companies.)   

Be aware that Democrats usually garner the majority of election votes in our city, but we’ve had our share of effective and respected Republican government officials.  In fact, during our state’s recent redistricting we were very pleased with the Republican chosen to represent our city and the final official plan he was instrumental in seeing was adopted.   By the same token I’ve been one of many extremely displeased with our Republican U.S.  Representative elected by others in our then district who was part of those obstinately refusing to govern.  He’s not running for office this year since redistricting, but will likely be active behind the scenes.

I was the only Republican Headquarters visitor in the middle of a mid-week afternoon not long after their national Florida convention had ended.  I gravitated to some tables on which printed leaflets of various sizes, shapes, colors and number of pages were laid out.   A middle-aged gentleman approached and asked if there was anything he could assist with.  I asked if they had a copy of the Republican Platform and he was a bit unprepared for that request, saying, finally, “No.” 

Meanwhile, a woman from further in the room injected that there would be a copy of it on the Internet (which, I already knew, but I had wanted a printed copy) and I said, “Oh, that’s okay then, I can go out and get a copy there,” as I picked up a small printed list of issue points they had for distribution.  I mentioned I had a real problem with a lie Ryan had told which I cited, that caused the woman to become all excited as she came toward me voicing in a condemning and a very accusatory tone, “You’re a Democrat!” 

I said, “No, I’m not” as I briefly recapped my voter registration and some previous political history.  She went on to say, in a sudden burst that seemed to be in confrontation-type attack mode “Well, Bill Clinton lied!” to which I responded that had nothing to do with the Ryan issue to which I was referring.   By now, my voice is irritated, I realized, as the gentleman standing off to the side, but centered somewhere in the middle of the very wide distance between the woman and I,  tried to inject a calming but defensive justifying statement, I think.  His remark was that he had checked that statement and “Ryan hadn’t said that, he had simply used innuendo.”  I made some comment questioning how honest that was, but was so disgusted, and the atmosphere was obviously so highly emotionally charged, that I decided I’d be wise to just leave there. 

My mood was befouled by that time, but I drove down Foothill Blvd. a couple of miles  into the next city to a corner intersection occupied by a stand alone national fast food restaurant and a drive-in key making stand.  I turned south into a somewhat long-declining shopping strip with a huge vacant anchor space once occupied by several different major grocery chains each of which was unable to survive for long. 

The rest of the strip included some vacant storefronts interspersed between a small popular chain electronics store, a laundromat, a drugstore, beauty supply store, auto parts store, and  a few other businesses.  Across the main wide divided street was another long strip mall with all sorts of businesses, including a popular family-owned restaurant whose genuine Mexican food many of us enjoy.  A national company gas station/store is on that corner.

At a right angle from that long vacant grocery store building, clear at the end of the first strip described here, was the rather invisible Democratic Headquarters.  They had opened the day before their national North Carolina convention which would soon begin.  They had plenty of parking spaces available, as I mentioned later to those manning the party headquarters.  They are  probably well situated to attract nearby residents, in apartment complexes, foot traffic, and bus traffic going in all directions to and from Los Angeles, plus points east.

The city of this headquarters location has quite a different demographics and higher population numbers than my next door city.  The recent primary election had shown a significant increase in Republican voters in this neighboring city which some political writers had said should be of concern to the Democratic Party. 

I saw only two individual workers in the Democratic Headquarters when I entered and walked straight ahead to tables with a variety of printed handouts, similar in appearance, but fewer in number than I had previously encountered at the other headquarters.  There clearly was no Democratic Platform brochure evident, but maybe they hadn’t yet adopted one, so I didn’t even ask. 

I did ask the woman who came forward what sort of volunteer help they would be using. 

My tone of voice and serious manner did not elicit a warm smiling greeting which I soon realized.  I gave her the benefit of the doubt by assuming it was my problem and quickly apologized, noting I had just come from the Republican Headquarters where I had become irritated and, regrettably, these feelings had accompanied me here.  She named several groups who would be coming in the days ahead to man phone banks, calling people to assist in their registration.  I asked if they were going to utilize volunteers to transport people to their voting site.  She replied, “No, not this year -- they had the previous election and no one ever called to ask for a ride.” 

I expressed concern based on having read a news account shortly after the Primary Election that Republicans had more voters cast ballots than the Democrats, though there were more registered Democratic voters in that county directly east of our own which had been described in the article.   The significant result was that two Republicans had garnered most of the votes and would be the candidates in the general election and there would be no Democratic candidate.  She didn’t seem particularly concerned that getting voters to the polls could be a problem here.

I mentioned we all help our candidates in differing ways and that I knew many were writing some strong blog content in support of theirs – particularly for President Obama.  She turned away with a slightly dismissive look and toss of her head that distinctly left me with the impression that she had little regard for blogging as a useful act.  

By this time, I had moved to a table toward the front side of the room which had a long row of stacks and stacks of different pullover tee shirt/sweat shirts – mostly black fabric with Obama’s likeness on the front, and gaudily decorated for my taste, with all sorts of bright colored sprinkles and sparkles.   Perhaps they knew this was what would appeal to those who would be seeking election souvenirs, or to wear, in the community they were attracting.  Unfortunately, they were so unattractive to me I didn’t want to purchase one.  I didn’t see any pin-on type buttons, but hadn’t seen any at the Republican Headquarters either. 

The gentleman by that table came forward and a conversation ensued in which we noted sharing the same surname, that neither of us knew, or were related to any of the other people with our same name who lived in any of the  surrounding communities.  I  reiterated my concern I had expressed to the woman I had spoken with, that while voter registration  was vital and an issue in many other States, I thought what happened in that next door County would suggest that getting people out to vote might need to be a major focus here in So Cal.  I received an explanation and reassurance that what happened was a consequence of always present internal complications in how the political party functioned there in that particular county, but was not a concern here.

Also, he noted that he had checked the figures and Obama was certain to accrue all the votes he needed in California.  This was not difficult to believe, since California has predominately been a Democratic voting State.  However, I felt compelled to caution that if they wanted to be certain their candidate won, I hoped they wouldn’t be complacent – that there had been other elections, other years, whose outcome was thought to be known and proved not to be so. 

Before I left the Democratic Headquarters the man with whom I was speaking told me of group events they would be holding there in the future, including watching some of the convention proceedings which was clearly an unspoken invitation for me to return if I wished to do so. 

My adventure into these political party headquarters occurred with my having no agenda other than curiosity as to how I would be greeted, what I might observe, the literature they would be distributing, whether there would be an effort to elicit my support via my vote and/or my volunteering to help elect their candidate.   In both instances I think the approach was one of  allowing me to initiate any interaction, that they were there to answer questions as opposed to influencing how I might cast my ballot.

My questioning or expressing distaste for what one Parties candidate had said, may have predisposed those Party representatives, or at least one of them, to respond in a none to dialogue inviting manner.  But then, I’ve been in situations much more confrontational  than that and was able to respectfully have a friendly extended conversation with the person. 

Inquiring and questioning the other Parties approach to soliciting votes was probably not as threatening as commenting on one of their candidates statements would have been.  So, maybe it was easier for them to be more cordial and want to bring me into the fold.

This activity doesn’t sway my vote one way or another, and took very little time.  I didn’t really learn anything I didn’t already know from the literature that was being distributed.  I expect our California political headquarters are pretty calm compared to many other States, especially in those States whose votes are considered to be critical. 

Our particular area doesn’t really have that many other candidates and issues to motivate political parties to aggressively promote their point of view to voters even though we had redistricting.   There is such a heavy emphasis on the Presidential tickets that I think it overwhelms everything else.   I do think there are some State issues that will heat up our population before election day.  Our two women Democratic Party Senators are expected to be returned to office without difficulty.  There may be some districts  with some candidates for other national offices and some state ones that those voters will need to seriously consider.  

I wonder what’s politically exciting, or not,  where you live?

2 rr's missing 3rd R

Our United States current Democratic Party administration of President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden learned with the rest of our citizenry last week who their primary opposition’s vice presidential candidate would be.

Given that this man has been a very visible U.S. Senator from Wisconsin, actively involved in offering very controversial budget proposals in the past year or more, I am constantly amazed when I keep hearing news reports that many in the general population have never heard of him.  I find this more than just troubling, since I am always interested in knowing what government leaders are doing, or not doing, on my behalf.

When I think of  what this nation, people in every little town and on every farm have endured during the days of Wall Street and the banking world’s upheaval – the challenges we continue to face – how could people not be aware of or concerned about individuals such as him who are potentially instrumental in formulating plans they claim are needed to extricate us from this maze?

During the approximately 11 weeks remaining until our November election, we have the opportunity to thoroughly acquaint ourselves and others with as much as we can learn about these candidates, their beliefs, past actions, and plans that will significantly affect our lives and that of our children, grandchildren, future generations.  

A most succinct fact presentation of pertinent issues with information about these  candidates has been provided at Ronni Bennett’s “Time Goes By” yesterday and the previous day (8/14 and 13.)  

Whatever ones views about how to resolve our nation’s budget crisis, or if one has no view yet, I strongly urge you to read and give serious consideration to the facts she presents about Social Security solvency, Medicare’s and Medicaid’s healthcare dismantling.  The radical surgery proposed for these programs may not only be unnecessary but if done, and this was a true medical procedure, could be considered malpractice.  

Following is a slightly edited comment I was motivated to leave at TGB on those subjects.   

There can be little doubt about the goals of Republican Party Presidential Candidate Mitt Romney, now that he’s selected Paul Ryan as his Vice Presidential running mate I concluded independently before reading here (TGB.)   [Romney has since been trying to distance himself from Ryan’s positions to keep from losing support.] 

Clearly the 2 rr’s (Romney and Ryan) every effort is directed toward channeling citizen monies to those wonderful financiers on Wall St. who did so much to bring us the Great Recession. The financiers and bankers are doing fine, but the same cannot be said for too many Americans.

I think it's incredibly naive to think this nation would have recovered much better under an administration run by the 2 rr's, or would now with what they propose.

I agree with an approach of gradually reducing this nation's debt and not at the wholesale expense of reducing/eliminating support for those whose life experiences have necessitated their needing assistance as the 2 rr's budget would impose.
.
I believe there is value in offering individuals a hand up to get back on their feet when circumstances have created such a need. After reading one comment, [possibly from a troll] I do have to wonder why anyone would assume their children and grandchildren would sit around and not work just because assistance was available to others in need?

I, too, recall family members stories that old folks feared going to the poor house before the creation of Social Security as a safety net.   They knew of those who despite  lives of hard work, had unexpected health, accident, or business upsets that destroyed their financial base leaving them destitute.

I know of individuals who suffered such life setbacks.  They would likely have ended in a poor house had it not been for the safety net of social security and/or disability with Medicaid insurance coverage.  Incredibly to me was that they continued to support  the political party and candidates who were the very ones persistently trying  to undermine those safety net programs.  Those  beneficiaries were intelligent reasonable people in other ways, though locked into their ideology, but were blind to life's realities -- their own reality, right in front of them. 

Were they living today they would probably vote for the 2 rr's who I think of as capable of readin' and 'riting but lacking a 3rd R in 'rithmetics higher functions -- those that combine mathematical complexities with practical reasoning through rational thought. 

I see nothing that the 2 rr's propose that hastens the creation of jobs and begins to return to prosperity a decimated middle class in this nation.

I believe the 2 rr’s will try to privatize portions of Social Security  -- this would be a disaster as we should have learned from the recent financial markets collapse.  

I do see the 2 rr’s power play $$$ grab to consolidate control of our government into the hands of the uppermost  % of the wealthiest citizens and corporations – however unintentionally, or intentionally.

We must ask ourselves if this is the American Dream we want to leave our children, grandchildren and future generations?