In an October 28, 2007 article published on this website, I wrote that the 2008 Presidential Election campaign had degenerated from a dynamic Roman Empire style "Circus Maximus" event to a joyless, dreary, "Theater Of The Absurd" performance.
Since then, this Election descended even one step lower—into a never-ending media game of political "Trivial Pursuit." After all,"Trivial Pursuit," launched in 1982, is the most popular board game in the world.
So, shouldn’t a Presidential Election become like a "Trivial Pursuit" game? This distracts people from all of the significant negative political and financial realities of the United States.
Then, it’s easy for "leaders" to keep raising taxes, creating new federal government programs, stimulating class envy, robbing the rich, as well as mindlessly and unconstitutionally expanding federal government control over us all in total disregard for our Constitution.
I couldn’t agree less with America’s current course of action.
The situation clearly demonstrates the flagrant financial failure of America’s federal "leaders" and the resulting unsettled, downcast spirit of our fellow Americans. Just look at the low, low approval ratings for the President and Congress!
Compared to today’s chaos in Washington, it appears that few candidates have a clear, bold, visionary and simple vision for America’s future as Ronald Reagan did, articulated in understandable and optimistic language.
Most political rhetoric today offers neither a positive long term vision of the future nor any solutions for the restoration of America’s fiscal sanity, national defense and worldwide competitive stance--driven by innovation and bold, national, strategic goals.
Instead, we hear the banal blather, trivia and wimpy whining which substitutes for intelligent political discourse about the 2008 Election.
Examples of trivia:
Should a Mormon occupy the White House? Isn’t it time for a woman to be President? Why not elect the first African-Amercian to the Presidency? After all, Oprah thinks it’s a good idea.
More trivia: Are Huckabee and Giuliani really liberals? Should all illegals be deported by noon today? Which candidate holds the strongest anti-abortion views?
Do we need a fiscal conservative, social conservative or "compassional conservative" at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue? Did John Edwards pay too much for hair cuts?
Today’s media mavens dismiss serious criticism and concerns, claiming that this is "Chicken Little" rhetoric. "Chicken Little" is a fable. The chicken thought hysterically and incorrectly that the "sky was falling."
However, in America’s case, the sky really is falling. This is no fable. It’s not hysteria, either. Sadly, it is the truth.
America’s financial situtation is dreadful, thanks to a President unwilling to use his veto power as well as legislators focused primarily upon placating lobbyists.
Dismiss all political trivia. Think for yourself.
This is not the first time America has suffered from a financial mess—then recovered. We can—and will--recover again with the right leadership.
For example, in 1907 there was a banking crisis, starting with the Knicker Bocker Trust Company in New York. By 1913, two-fifths of banks failed. This led to the establishment of the Federal Reserve.
Since then, we have lived through a 1970’s REIT collapse, especially in California. Then came a Savings & Loan Association debacle nationwide in 1980.
And now we’re working through the sub-prime disaster.
These financial failures happen because money is too cheap, money floods the system (typically to stimulate the economy), credit standards then are relaxed, and—finally—bad loans are made, loans people cannot pay back.
Those deal makers become blinded by upfront feees, commissions and greed--rather than foucusing upon good lending practices and sound investment judgment.
Not everybody gets hurt, though. Merrill Lynch lost $14.5 billion and ousted CEO Stan O’Neal. He left with a package of $161.5 million in cash, retirement benefits and options.
Charles Prince, Citigroup’s CEO, was forced out of the CEO position, too, for similar large losses. He will officially retire, taking no less than $68 million with him.
America needs to elect a fiscal conservative with Libertarian leanings as President.
Our nation’s survival and future success require such a leader now. Ron Paul, Mitt Romney, and Rudy Giuliani fit this need. At this time, Ron Paul is my preference.
That’s because Ron Paul understands and vigorously adheres to the U.S. Constitution. He is financially responsible. For these two major reasons, I believe that he should be elected our next President.
Moreover, if plans to place Canada, the United States and Mexico into a North American Union continue, connecting all three nations with a new super highway to connect the Union—President Ron Paul would be the best choice to stop such foolishness.
