Both candidates miss an opportunity

By Jeff Orvis

We still have nearly six months before the presidential election and if what we've seen in the past few weeks is any indication, both major parties will be spending an obscene amount of money on ads trying to sell their man like he was a new and improved breakfast cereal.

The Republicans attempt to show what the first few days of a Romney presidency would be like. Please! The first three times gave me enough ammunition for a year's worth of bad dreams. The next few times you see the ad, ask yourself, “Where is there any mention of how a 'President Romney' would work with other countries?”

The president of the greatest nation on earth is not restricted to our country's borders, either ideologically or physically. Recent history (of three administrations) shows us that our president must travel abroad as readily as a major business executive. Of course, not many other executives travel with two 747s, a cargo plane carrying a limo and an entourage of more than 100 folks. But you get the general idea.

The Obama campaign is also out with repeating ads. These warm and fuzzy spots try to remind us that things are getting better, but they aren't good yet. The campaign is apparently trying to take the high road and has not chosen to directly refer to the past administration of the currently exiled George Bush. But there's still nearly six months left and who knows which direction either campaign will go?

In the past few weeks, both candidates fell short of what could have been very positive moments. Somebody uncovered the fact that Romney apparently was ahead of his time when he performed an act we might now call “bullying.” He didn't deny it, but said it was nearly 50 years ago and all but said “boys will be boys,” with no real compassion for the victim. He missed a golden opportunity to go on record against bullying. Many parents across this country, regardless of political preference, are becoming more and more concerned with how their kids are treated by others. I doubt Romney condones bullying. But he missed a chance to condemn it.

President Obama finally came out in favor of gay marriage. That was fuel for TV commentators for quite a few days after. But the president's statement sounded like a johnny-come-lately attempt to appease a certain segment of the population. He missed a golden opportunity to come out in favor of a more sensible federal civil union law. Regular readers of this column may remember that my position is that gay people who are in a committed relationship should have all of the legal rights of those who possess a “marriage” license. Many people connect that word “marriage” with a deep religious conviction. The government doesn't need to be in the marriage business. Civil union is a civil rights issue. Couples should be allowed to go to their courthouse and get a civil union certification, then if they wish, they could go on to a house of worship of their choice for a marriage.

Those are just a couple of thoughts on politics for today. I'll try to find something more pleasant to talk about next time. In the meantime, don't forget to check out the Alcoa Eagle Cam on the web. The three youngsters are peering over the edge of the nest and it won't be long now before they take flight!

Romney promises more jobs - how?

By Jeff Orvis

We've got about six months before we decide who will be the leader of the free world for the next four years. Now that the Republicans have somewhat unified and quit openly criticizing each other the Democrats can declare “open season” on Mitt Romney. It's going to be an interesting, brutal, wicked, insanely expensive six months. We can only hope that the last man standing won't be too bruised to lead us forward.

Both political parties seem to be banking on the notion that since we all live in a world of sound bytes, their message has to be brief and to the point and, hopefully, accurate. If you believe Romney, then I'd better get my work clothes rounded up, since I'll be assured of having a job on Jan. 21, 2013, if he's elected. 

Meanwhile, if Obama gets another term, the day after this whole tax inequity question is answered, we will all be in a better place, if you believe what he says.

One of the things that troubles me about Mitt Romney is his pledge that more jobs will be created if he's elected. There's that sound byte again. I have yet to hear anyone challenge him on how this is going to happen. As near as I can figure, his idea is to keep giving preferential tax treatment to the wealthy. He apparently figures that the rich folks, out of the goodness of their hearts, will use those tax savings to create jobs for the rest of us.

Pardon me if I'm a bit skeptical. We've seen this trickle down theory before and it just doesn't seem to work. I don't begrudge anyone who strives to be able to live a life of privilege. I just don't think that privileged life should be paid for on the backs of the rest of us. But I also don't think the government ought to penalize wealth with tax rates higher than the rest of us pay.

It would seem to me the best way to create jobs and reward business owners for job creation would be to first of all close some tax loopholes, make such things as property taxes on business property more equitable, then provide tax breaks to business owners when they hire more Americans. Instead of giving them the money up front in the form of unfair tax breaks, make them prove they are serious about improving the American job climate, then reward them for that good business sense.

A lot of us dream about what we'd do if we suddenly came into more money than we would ever need. If the folks from Publishers Clearing House come knocking on my door, I admit my first thought would not be “how can I go into business and hire a bunch of people?” I'd help family members, buy some things I want, then invest the rest of it in something safe, sound and conservative.

So if Romney is serious about this more jobs promise, he'd better let us know how this is going to happen. And it had better include something instead of simply cutting taxes for his rich friends.

Romney is apparently starting to look at who might be a suitable running mate. One word of caution for my Republican friends. Dick C heney has a new heart. Remember how well that went nearly a dozen years ago? Cheney was put in charge of a committee to find a vice presidential running mate for W. After several hours of exhaustive research, he had a devine revelation that he would be the ideal candidate. It will undoubtedly be years before we discover the full extent of the damage shadowy figure may have done when he was our vice president. At this writing, there might be a battery of constitutional attorneys researching whether he could run again as vice president. What a scary thought!

After the seemingly countless and pointless serious of debates by the Republican presidental wannabes I never thought I would say this. But I can't wait for the Obama-Romney debates. Obama is a great orator. Romney is slick. Romney will probably be armed with all sorts of economic statistics and accusations. His shortcomings will probably emerge when the President begins talking about world affairs.

How ever this turns out, we've only got about six months before we find out. Then the next day, the two parties will probably start looking ahead to 2016. Maybe it just seems that it never ends....