The Romney Economic Stimulus Plan and More

Let's face facts, Mitt Romney knows business. He knows money. He knows the economy. John McCain, falls far behind in this. Here's a little bit about Mitt Romney's Stimulus Package:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Kevin Madden (857) 288-6390

Governor Romney's Economic Stimulus Plan – Washington Must Act Now:

Governor Romney's Economic Stimulus Plan Would Provide Much-Needed Relief To Taxpayers, Businesses And Homeowners. Today, our economy is facing unprecedented challenges both here at home and abroad. Our economy needs pro-growth stimulus, but Governor Romney believes any stimulus package should return money to American taxpayers, not increase already out-of-control government spending. To promote economic growth, Governor Romney is proposing an economic stimulus plan that would lower taxes on individuals, reduce taxes for businesses and help homeowners through the current housing crisis.

• Individuals: Governor Romney would permanently reduce the lowest income tax bracket, permanently eliminate payroll taxes on seniors and make middle-class savings tax free.
• Businesses: Governor Romney would institute immediate 100% expensing of equipment for two years and permanently reduce the corporate tax rate.
• Homeowners: Governor Romney would reform and expand Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loan portfolio limits to allow larger loans to homeowners.
  

Governor Romney Urges Our Leaders To Work Together And Immediately Debate, Pass And Sign A Stimulus Package For The American People. If our representatives in Washington can work together and demonstrate the leadership that the American people deserve, Governor Romney is optimistic that we can still turn this economy around. Washington must get to work immediately and pass a bill no later than February 19, a month from today, in order to stimulate our economy.

INDIVIDUALS: Governor Romney's Economic Stimulus Plan – Pro-Growth Tax Cuts For Individual Taxpayers:

Permanently Reduce The Lowest Income Tax Bracket to 7.5%. Permanently cutting taxes for all taxpayers will put more money in workers' pockets and stimulate consumer confidence and spending.

• Cutting The Lowest Tax Rate From 10% To 7.5% Will Provide Up To A $400 Tax Cut To Each American Taxpayer.
• Governor Romney Proposes Providing An Immediate Retroactive Tax Credit Reflecting The Lower 7.5% Tax Rate For 2007 Earnings To Employees Who Earned Less Than $97,500 In 2007. This tax cut would immediately stimulate the economy as taxpayers with the highest propensity to consume receive their increased 2007 tax refunds.
• Permanently Reducing The Lowest Bracket Is A Pro-Growth Tax Cut For The Tens Of Millions Of Americans In The Lowest Income Tax Bracket.
• Permanently Eliminate Payroll Taxes On Employees Over The Age of 65. It is not fair that seniors that have worked their whole life and earned their full Social Security benefit continue to owe payroll taxes to the federal government.
• In This Uncertain Economic Environment, More And More Seniors Are Returning To The Workforce. Governor Romney's proposal will provide an immediate tax cut to working seniors.
• Governor Romney Believes That Seniors Have Already Earned Their Full Social Security Benefit And Should Not Owe Additional Payroll Taxes For Income Earned After Age 65.
• Make Middle-Class Savings Tax Free. Governor Romney's plan will allow middle class Americans to save tax free by changing the tax rate on interest, capital gains and dividends to absolutely 0%. By helping more Americans save and invest, we can meet the challenges of an aging population and ensure the financial security of America.
• Allow Over 95% Of American Families To Save And Invest Tax Free: Any taxpayer with Adjusted Gross Income under $200,000 would pay a tax rate of absolutely 0% on all of the income they earn from their savings, capital gains and dividends.
• Expand The Investor Class: In recent years, over half of adult Americans have participated in the stock market either directly or through pension plans and mutual funds. Tax-free savings will encourage more families to build wealth by saving, investing and participating in the stock market, which will help grow the economy.
  

BUSINESSES: Governor Romney's Economic Stimulus Plan – Pro-Growth Tax Cuts For Businesses:

Institute Immediate 100% Expensing Of New Equipment Purchased By A Business For A Two-Year Period Retroactive To January 1, 2008. This plan would allow both large and small businesses to immediately invest in new equipment and capital improvements, which would immediately stimulate the economy and create new jobs.

• Boost U.S. Manufacturers And Vendors: Accelerating and increasing capital investment in equipment and other qualified assets in the U.S. will immediately provide a boost to U.S. manufacturers and vendors.
• Encourage Additional Business Investment: Entrepreneurs and small businesses, such as S corps and LLCs, which often face cash flow difficulties, will benefit greatly by the reduced cost of investment in equipment under this plan. Additional investment and expansion by these growing businesses will drive economic growth.
• Reduce The Corporate Tax Rate To 20% Over Two Years. Governor Romney believes we should immediately act to reduce the corporate rate to 25% for 2008 and 20% in 2009. A permanent U.S. corporate tax rate of 20% will attract capital, stimulate investment, and increase American competitiveness with the rapidly growing economies of the world.
• A More Competitive Corporate Tax Rate: Governor Romney has spoken throughout the campaign about the need to reduce our corporate income tax rate in order to compete more effectively against other countries with lower rates. The United States currently has the second-highest corporate tax rate in the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development.
• Encourage New Capital Flows Into The United States: Cutting the corporate tax rate will cause new capital to flow to the U.S. and make our U.S. companies more competitive by providing additional funds for research, development, innovation, and hiring of additional employees.
  

HOMEOWNERS: Governor Romney's Economic Stimulus Plan – Helping Homeowners:

Reform And Expand Federal Housing Administration (FHA) Loan Portfolio Limits:

• Lower The Amount Of Upfront Down Payment A Borrower Must Make, Allowing FHA To Help Nonprime Borrowers Who May Not Be Able To Meet The Current Requirement.
• Raise The Maximum Loan Amount Eligible For FHA Insurance, Allowing FHA To Serve More Borrowers In Higher-Priced Areas.
• Expand NeighborWorks America's Foreclosure Avoidance Initiative: Governor Romney proposes expanding NeighborWorks America's Foreclosure Avoidance Initiative to help American homeowners stay in their homes. NeighborWorks America assists homeowners by offering foreclosure counseling and identifying refinancing opportunities for U.S. homeowners.
  

Governor Romney's Pro-Growth Tax Agenda:

Governor Romney's Economic Stimulus Plan Is In Addition To His Tax Proposals Which Will Provide A Sound Economic Framework For Long-Term Growth:

• Make The Bush Tax Cuts Permanent: Making the Bush Tax Cuts permanent is the first step to ensuring that Americans are able to keep more of their hard-earned money.
• Roll Back Tax Rates For All Americans: As President, Governor Romney will cut marginal tax rates across the board, allowing all Americans to save more money.
• Kill The Death Tax: It is unfair to tax Americans three times: first when they earn their money; second when they invest it and receive income from those investments; and third when they die.
• Make The Research And Development Tax Credit Permanent To Encourage Capital Investment And Innovation: Governor Romney believes that we must encourage companies to invest more in research and development to produce the innovations our companies need to win in the global economic competition.
• Oppose Any Increase In Social Security Taxes: We can strengthen Social Security without resorting to higher Social Security taxes that will impact all Americans. Governor Romney will oppose any proposed increase in Social Security taxes.
• Prevent The Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) From Hurting More American Families: At the very least, Congress must pass a patch to the AMT that will prevent this tax from affecting more and more families in America.
  

Mitt Romney Conservative Change:



Mitt Romney at Home:



Mitt Romney with Jay Leno:

My thoughts on last night's debate, which I missed! We were exhausted from the day's activities and I was bummed to find out I'd missed it. I caught the highlights this morning.

Wow, my esteem for John McCain drops with every appearance. This man I count as an American Hero showed hints of that hair-trigger temper Washington talks about. He showed his slyness, dishonesty and willingness to perpetuate lies. I was saddened at the loss of any respect I had for this man in the past. He didn't annoy me last night, he made me sad. He is so fake, and he has never been that in the past. He sees nothing wrong with twisting the truth in order to make a point. He sees nothing wrong with this behavior on the campaign trail. I honestly ask, how can he, knowing what he fought for and knowing what the men and women of the armed forces today fight for, how can he even look himself in the mirror. No, I do not want this man as the next President of the United States.

With President Clinton, I knew he was an amoral, low down, scum sucking pig who was using the White House as a step toward running the United Nations. Yes, he wants to run the world, heaven help us. But with him, I knew he would betray America at every turn, he did, I wasn't surprised. (Read through every one of Clinton's Executive Orders to understand exactly what I'm talking about. With one hand he extended promise to the American people and behind his back he sold us out to the world.)

But with John McCain, wow, this is the first time I've seen two or three candidates in the Republican Party that actually hurt my heart. Huckabee - yeah, you know how I feel about someone that would perpetuate bigotry and hate. Paul - screw loose when it comes to foreign affairs, he actually scares me a little. But with McCain, to loose what respect I had for him because of the sacrifices he made for this country . . . that hurt.

I fear for the future of this nation with a McCain Presidency. I didn't used to, I used to think I'd be okay with him if Governor Romney lost. I am no longer okay with that, not in the slightest. Over the last several weeks, any support I would have held for him has completely dissipated. He's showing himself to be too dishonest, too willing to do anything to win, too willing to abandon values and morals to gain the White House. Not to mention that hair-trigger temper. Holy Cow! We're the last super power in the world. We cannot have him with his finger on the button, he doesn't have the self-control. Not to mention, the smarminess factor of his demeanor is becoming too much to handle.

Mitt Romney has a solid economic stimulus plan, as you have just seen.

McCain helped to get us into this mess.

Mitt Romney has a solid stance on Defense, the War on Terror and Foreign Affairs.

McCain - can't argue there, although he's I've heard "I'm proud to have supported the surge from the beginning. . ." in that smarmy voice a few too many times.

Mitt Romney has a solid stance on how to fix a Broken Washington, McCain won't even admit there is a problem or that he was part of it.

McCain is part of the problem, not the solution.

Mitt Romney is a Conservative with a true understanding of what being a Federalist is all about, small efficient, effective federal government, big state government. Let the people who live there decide what to do.

John McCain co-sponsored McCain/Kennedy (last year's amnesty bill which was shot down by the American people by the millions as they flooded Congress with phone calls, emails and faxes expressing their extreme displeasure over the course of action chosen by McCain and Kennedy. (Liberal)

John McCain co-sponsored McCain/Feingold (finance reform which has crippled some candidates and has encouraged others to break the law in order to continue campaigning, no I'm not going to name candidates, yet.) (Liberal)

John McCain voted against making President Bush's tax cuts permanent. (Liberal)

John McCain voted against oil exploration in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuse proving he has no intention of eliminating our independence on foreign oil. Are you aware that there is more oil in the Colorado, Wyoming and Utah than in all the Middle East? It is John McCain's senate and votes which have curtailed further exploration and the complete cessation of purchasing energy from foreign sources. (Liberal)

This is the man Florida voted for . . . little surprise, because he is for amnesty for illegal immigration.

Yes, McCain is for amnesty for illegal immigrants which are crippling our health care system and robbing American citizens of even the most basic care.

Yes, McCain is for amnesty for illegal immigrants who have lowered the level of education in every school catering to their inability to speak English thereby robbing American children of a solid education.

Yes, McCain is for amnesty for all illegal immigrants who have not broken the law. He insists the 2,000,000 who have crimes will be instantly deported. First, what's stopping them from deporting those guys now? Second, aren't all illegal immigrants criminals, for they have broken the law by entering this country illegally. Has he taken into account the fact that most illegal immigrants have false identification which was either procured via Identity Theft or by simply paying for fake identification? Has he taken into account the fact that most illegal immigrants continue to break the law by working under false or stolen social security numbers? Has he taken into account those who have not done that are working under the table, being paid in cash and not "paying into the system" in order to help defray the cost of that free health care?

I've heard everyone in defense of illegal immigrants scream about how expensive becoming an American citizen is . . . how much does it cost to get a coyote to smuggle you over the border? Yes, thousands.

So no, John McCain is not the man, and is apparently not even remotely qualified, to sit in the Oval Office.

On a side note: I've heard too many people say over the radio that they won't make up their mind about who to vote for until they are in the voting booth. Are you kidding me? The choices are simple. If you're a Republican . . . does being a Democrat look good to you? Vote for McCain. If you're a Republican and a Conservative who will defend the Constitution of the United States of America, will reduce and eventually eliminate our dependence on foreign energy, will fix the economy, will fix Washington . . . will literally get the job done as he has proven so many times . . . if that's what you like, Governor Romney is your man.

Super Tuesday is coming up -- the states casting their vote for the nominees are: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Utah Republican and Democratic Primaries and Caucuses.

Be sure you get to the polls and cast your vote. McCain cannot win. I fear for our nation if he does.

Here is what the nation is saying about last night's debate:

National Review's Kathryn Jean Lopez: "He hit back and defending his honor and truth on Iraq. I don't think most Americans get "timetables was a buzzword." I think they get that neither of these guys are Harry Reid. The sum of it is oddly, unnecessarily, McCain came off badly during an Iraq round." (Kathryn Jean Lopez, "Is Romney Reading the Corner?" National Review's The Corner Blog, http://corner.nationalreview.com, Posted 1/30/08)

Townhall's Mary Katharine Ham: "Mitt Romney is exactly right on letting states take the lead on global warming and emissions standards if they want to tighten them, but he does the work McCain wouldn't do by pointing out that those actions have consequences in higher costs and lost jobs. When he talks these issues, he is smart and right." (Mary Katharine Ham, "Global Warming Mania!" Townhall Blog, www.townhall.com, Posted 1/30/08)

Captain's Quarters' Ed Morrissey: "Mitt Romney won this debate. He looked crisp, sharp, had facts at his command, and exuded confidence." (Ed Morrissey, "Live Blog And Wrap Up," Captain's Quarters' Blog, http://www.captainsquartersblog.com/, Posted 1/30/08)

CNN's Bill Schneider: "A couple of Romney's answers were quite good, particularly on the Iraq timetables issue." (Bill Schneider, "The Night's Big Winner: Huckabee," CNN's Political Ticker Blog, http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com, Posted 1/30/08)

- Schneider: "Romney's giving a pretty interesting conservative explanation of a health care plan that otherwise makes conservatives nervous. As he explains, it forces people to pay their own way - which they get." (Bill Schneider, "Romney Makes A Sale On Health Care," CNN's Political Ticker, http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com, Posted 1/30/08)

- Schneider: "Romney's giving a full-throated rebuttal to McCain's charge that he proposed a timetable on Iraq withdrawal – and he's right. That was a strong answer." (Bill Schneider, "Romney Calls McCain Out," CNN's Political Ticker, http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com, Posted 1/30/08)

National Review's Mark Hemingway: "I think I can say that Romney was the clear winner in the debate." (Mark Hemingway, "For the First Time," National Review's The Corner Blog, http://corner.nationalreview.com, Posted 1/30/08)

- Hemingway: "[Gov. Romney] showed an admirable fighting spirit." (Mark Hemingway, "For the First Time," National Review's The Corner Blog, http://corner.nationalreview.com, Posted 1/30/08)

- Hemingway: "Romney kept his head about him and remained gracious even as a number of his charges against McCain stuck." (Mark Hemingway, "For the First Time," National Review's The Corner Blog, http://corner.nationalreview.com, Posted 1/30/08)

The Atlantic's Marc Ambinder: "Applause from audience when Romney says Reagan would have found the dirty tricks reprehensible." (Marc Ambinder, "Debate Wire," Atlantic Online, http://marcambinder.theatlantic.com/, Posted 1/30/08)

- Ambinder: "Romney gives a strong answer that weaves together his experience with his resume...notes that Abe Lincoln wasn't a military leader..." (Marc Ambinder, "Debate Wire," Atlantic Online, http://marcambinder.theatlantic.com/, Posted 1/30/08)

Instapundit's Glenn Reynolds: "GOOD POINT BY ROMNEY about how McCain shouldn't 'demean' people who start businesses. McCain has been doing that a lot, acting as if meeting a payroll is somehow less honorable than working for the government." (Glenn Reynolds, "Good Point By Romney," Blog, http://instapundit.com/, Posted 1/30/08)

Very interesting.

If you'd like to hear Mitt Romney speak in person, here's where he'll be today.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 2008
11:00 AM
AT
BASSETT FURNITURE
18030 NEWHOPE STREET
FOUNTAIN VALLEY, CALIFORNIA
___________________________________________________
For more information or to RSVP, please contact
California@MittRomney.com or (760) 504-9203

May I Vent?

Okay, I'm reading a lot of books right now. So many that titles and plots are jumbling together in my head, my dreams are beyond bizarre and my waking hours are spent with fragments of so many plots that I don't dare write a thing myself right now! Historicals, Suspense, Fantasy, Modern it's all one big jumble. Yes, I am keeping notes as I finish each one so that I know my thoughts as I finished it.

Can I tell you my major gripe? I HATE FIRST PERSON! Really, I do. One of the first litmus tests of any book I buy is: Is it written in third person? If not, I don't want it. First person is just too limiting, especially to the reader. Especially as a reader I feel completely robbed when something is written in first person. As an author I find it far too limiting to stick within the mind, eyesight and knowledge of one character. How phenomenally one dimensional!

Let's take Stephenie Meyer for example. She is the writer of the famous vampire series: Twilight, New Moon and Eclipse. All those books are in first person. They're good stories. I liked them, but I had to force myself to read through them because I was trapped in the mind of an egocentric, neurotic teenage girl with an unhealthy fascination for the undead. Not something I completely relate with. Again, the story was good, but it was told from the eyes and mind of the teenage girl. It was her thoughts and hers alone that we were privy to. We didn't get to really know Edward because, well, because Stephenie chose to only let us into the mind of Bella. Truly, seriously felt robbed at the end of each book.

Now, Stephenie, in all her wisdom, is releasing Book 1 over again, except it's from Edward's viewpoint. What a scam! But that's beside the point.

People, if you aspire to be a writer I beg of you, please, please, please . . . learn all about Third Person Omniscient. It's a liberating way to write that allows the reader to dive into a three dimensional world rich with texture, color and scent. When you write in first person, you rob your reader of that world that you've created and that is a cryin' shame.

So there are my two cents. Back to reading.

The Real Mitt Romney

Two posts today!

This email came to me by way of a good friend who happens to be a Ron Paul supporter. Now, he and I obviously don't agree on our candidates as I believe Ron Paul has a screw loose in his head when it comes to foreign affairs, but I really liked this story about Mitt Romney. I simply had to post it . . .

(Personal Journal Entry By Reed and Kathy Fisher of 11372 Luz Place , Westwood Neighborhood, San Diego, CA 92127 )

'Remember that big pine tree right in the front as you walk out the front door? It pretty well got cooked in the fire. In fact Brian Brockbank, Steve Chidester, Chris Odenwalder and Jeremy Dixon cut most of it down the first day we were allowed back in the neighborhood. But the trunk and the stump was too much to handle that day. Last week a brother in the Del Sur ward sent me an email and said he and some others would like to do something to help. I told him that one of the things on my 'to-do' list was to remove a tree stump from my front yard, but it was a pretty big job! He said they wanted to come and do it. I reluctantly said OK, but, 'I do not expect you to really get it out because it is a big root. It has been there for over 20 years.' So he called me to confirm and said that they were coming at 7:00am on Wednesday morning and his Dad might come too. I decided to go to Los Primos and get some breakfast machaca burritos and orange juice for the crew coming to work on my stump...so I was late in arriving. I drove in from Cabela because it gives me a better feeling entering our street as none of the homes at the top of Luz Place were burned. As I drove up I looked and saw several men down in the hole around the tree.

They were really going at it with power saws provided by the LDS Church. Then I got a Big Surprise. First I saw Matt, then beside him with chain saw buzzing away was a candidate for President of the United States!!! You guessed it. Matt Romney was there with his Dad, 'MITT ROMNEY', former governor of Massachusetts and Republican presidential candidate. He was actually in Levis and a blue T-shirt and tennis shoes, with leather gloves and goggles. He was really sawing away at my stump! Others who were there working were LDS Bishop Jim Davies, Greg Davis and 6 LDS Missionaries. Oh and I almost forgot the Secret Service bodyguards were nearby standing guard. The Mormon Missionaries were there because they have been reassigned to disaster relief projects all over San Diego where the fires burned. They got assigned by their leaders to come to our home that morning.

There were no local news media. Mitt and Matt Romney were just being good neighbors helping neighbors. Mitt was in Southern California for some meetings later in the day up in Riverside/San Bernardino. I can really tell that the Romneys know how to work and to work really hard. I looked over my shovel at one point and sweat was running down Mitt's face. When I suggested we stop for a breakfast burrito, I got a polite 'maybe later, gotta get this root out.' Mitt told me that this reminded him of taking out a stump on the ranch with his father, after it was too much his Dad (George Romney) said "Get some dynamite!" Well, Mitt attacked that old stump, cutting as many of the big roots as he could until it was well time past for he and Matt to leave for their meetings up north. I put a Machaca burrito in Mitt's hand and a glass of O.J. I could tell he didn't like leaving the job partially completed and neither did Matt. But I knew they had 'bigger stumps' elsewhere that day. Just before he left, those missionaries showed up. This is where faith takes over. God is always a partner in a good act of service I believe.

Well, you know how believing Mormon Missionaries are. So these six Elders from the Carlsbad California Mission said, "Br. Fisher WE WILL GET THIS STUMP OUT." You can tell these young men understand the principle of determination.) All were wearing their special disaster relief yellow T-shirts, provided by the church. It was an inspiring sight to see this' mass of yellow' wielding ax, pick and shovel on this stump. About this time a policeman patrolling the neighborhood pulled up. The Officer took one look at the stump and the tools and said 'you fellows will need more than those to get that one out'. A missionary responded, "That stump is coming out for sure." The Officer gave encouragement using the indirect method. "Do you really think you can do it? I am not so sure." The 'challenge was laid down' Officer Smith left and the Mormons went to work. No slackers among them. Later Officer Smith came back to check on the progress. And there was plenty of it, but still there was a ways to go. He said he had spoken to some other officers about the stump project on Luz Place and they wondered, "Could those Mormon boys get it out." Then the suggestion was made that maybe we could get a skip loader in the area to lend some assistance. A great idea! After the officer left I did observe a tractor going down a nearby street and flagged the driver down. He said he would come over later. He only had a limited time.

Those Mormon Missionaries continued to hack away (I forgot missionaries are not allowed to use power saws for safety reasons, so this was ALL pick and ax). They finally girded the stump completely. The tractor came back as promised. He got way up under the root because the Missionaries did such a good job clearing out around the base of the root.

I watched as smiles, then cheers went up from all as that big old pine tree stump popped out of its hole. THEY DID IT! As the hole was being filled back in, Officer Smith drove back up. He came over to the filled hole a little amazed "Where is it," he asked?

I think I heard one of the Elders say, "Officer Smith, you should have been here 10 minutes ago. The heavens opened up, a light came down, and that big old stump was taken up!"

Well this is what I have to say -- Mitt and Matt Romney, Jim Davies, Greg Davis and those Missionaries efforts were fully rewarded. After all they could do, the Lord was not going to let their efforts go unrewarded. The tractor man came about the time the stump was prepared for removal.

This we must all remember. Out of small things proceeded that which is great! This was a memorable day for all of us.

-- That ends the journal entry for our California friends. This is the Mitt Romney everyone says is too polished, too slick . . . the man down in the trenches, doing quiet service for someone without any fanfare. If this couple had not chosen to share this story, it would have gone unnoticed, and may continue to do so. But I thought it was worth sharing.

Message from Governor Mitt Romney sent via Glenn Beck:

---

January 29, 2008

Message from Governor Romney

I want my children and grandchildren - and yours - to live in an America that is safe and prosperous and free. Ten years ago, there wasn't much question about that: We had won the Cold War, our "new economy" was outpacing our rivals, the dollar was strong and markets were surging.

A lot has changed since then. But Washington hasn't. Washington is consumed with partisan battles and score settling. Driven by power and politics, Washington has been incapable of solving the challenges of a changing world. Oil prices soar, the dollar tumbles, schools fall behind those of other nations, health insurance eludes 47 million citizens, illegal immigration continues unabated, jobs migrate to Asia, and the specter of terrorism and Jihadism grows.

The challenges seem daunting, but Americans always rise to the occasion - we will overcome these as we have many others before. But for our children to inherit from us the great and hopeful America that was bequeathed to us by our parents, we must change Washington.

But what will be the direction of that change? Sens. Clinton, Obama and Edwards call for big government, big brother and big taxes.

The source of America's strength isn't government; it's the American people. Hard-working, opportunity-seeking, risk-taking, family-oriented, God-fearing, education-minded, freedom-loving American people have always been the source of our strength, and they always will be. The right way to overcome our challenges isn't to strengthen government, it is to strengthen the American people.

To do that, we must first strengthen the American family. I want our children to learn that before they have babies, they should get married: Every child deserves a mother and a father. I want to protect marriage as the union of a man and a woman. I will work to improve our schools, with better pay for better teachers, with higher standards, and with school choice that allows every child to have the opportunity for a good education. I will help every American obtain health insurance, not government-run socialized medicine, but free-market insurance that is affordable and portable.

I will work to strengthen our economy to provide good jobs for us and for our children. I will keep taxes down, killing the death tax and letting middle-income families save their money tax free. We must finally end our dependence on foreign oil by investing in new energy sources and new levels of energy efficiency. We must open foreign markets to American goods and assure that trade agreements provide a level playing field. And we must stop illegal immigration: The sanctuary state of mind must be replaced by the rule of law.

We must also strengthen our national security. I will add more troops to our military, with better equipment and armament and with better care for our veterans. I will invest in intelligence capabilities - by far the most effective way to prevent terror in the homeland. And we must win the war in Iraq and Afghanistan to make sure that neither becomes a safe haven for al-Qaida or other terror groups.

The best ally peace has ever known is a strong America. The aim of our foreign and domestic policies must be to keep America strong, to remain the world's economic and military leader. For our children to live safe and abundant lives, we must strengthen the family, strengthen the economy and strengthen our military.

I am optimistic about America's future. I have seen the goodness and resolve of the American people. Challenges make us strong. I will draw on my experience, my values and this vision of American strength to keep America the hope of the world, and the promise of a bright future for our children.

McCain Presidency Would Be a Disaster

From Newsmax yesterday we read:

McCain Presidency Would Be a Disaster

Sunday, January 27, 2008 8:59 PM By: Ronald Kessler

John McCain’s false charge that Mitt Romney favored a set timetable for withdrawing from Iraq underscores how disastrous a McCain presidency would be. Any candidate can make a slight misstatement while talking extemporaneously. Hillary Clinton constantly rewrites her own record and has been caught fabricating, as when she made up the story that on 9/11, her daughter Chelsea was going to jog at Battery Park near the towers, where she heard and saw the catastrophe unfold. But no candidate in this race has gone so far as to baldly fabricate what another candidate has said, as McCain did over the weekend. That same kind of recklessness is evident in McCain’s explosions of temper, which are meant to intimidate those who do not agree with him or do not support him. Not naming him at first, McCain said in Fort Myers, Fla., “Now, one of my opponents wanted to set a date for withdrawal that would have meant disaster.” Talking to reporters minutes later, the Arizona senator was more direct: “'If we surrender and wave a white flag, like Senator Clinton wants to do, and withdraw, as Gov. Romney wanted to do, then there will be chaos, genocide, and the cost of American blood and treasure would be dramatically higher.” Asked about the comment, Romney said, “That’s dishonest, to say that I have a specific date. That’s simply wrong,” he said. “That is not the case. We’ve never said that.” Romney asked for an apology. Having moved on to Sun City, Fla., McCain said: “The apology is owed to the young men and women serving this nation in uniform.” A look at what Romney actually said in an interview on ABC’s Good Morning America on April 3, 2007 makes it clear that Romney said the opposite of what McCain claimed he said. Robin Roberts said to Romney, “You have also been very vocal in supporting the president and the troop surge. Yet, the American public has lost faith in this war. Do you believe that there should be a timetable in withdrawing the troops?” “Well, there’s no question but that— the president and Prime Minister al-Maliki have to have a series of timetables and milestones that they speak about,” Romney replied. “But those shouldn’t be for public pronouncement. You don’t want the enemy to understand how long they have to wait in the weeds until you’re going to be gone. You want to have a series of things you want to see accomplished in terms of the strength of the Iraqi military and the Iraqi police, and the leadership of the Iraqi government.” “So, private,” Robins said. “You wouldn’t do it publicly? Because the president has said flat out that he will veto anything the Congress passes about a timetable for troop withdrawals. As president, would you do the same?” “Well, of course,” Romney said. “Can you imagine a setting where during the Second World War we said to the Germans, gee, if we haven't reached the Rhine by this date, why, we’ll go home, or if we haven’t gotten this accomplished we’ll pull up and leave? You don’t publish that to your enemy, or they just simply lie in wait until that time. So, of course, you have to work together to create timetables and milestones, but you don’t do that with the opposition.” With the exception of Sean Hannity on Fox News, no news outlet fully quoted what Romney actually said on GMA. That’s no surprise. As the New York Times’ recent endorsement of McCain suggests, the liberal media love him. As a former McCain aide told me, that’s because the senator gives reporters total access to him and because he is as liberal as a Democrat on many issues. On almost “every turn on domestic policy, John McCain was not only against us, but leading the charge on the other side,” former Sen. Rick Santorum, the Pennsylvania Republican, has said. In a stunning example of the media’s slant, the AP’s Ron Fournier wrote after Romney won in Michigan, “The former Massachusetts governor pandered to voters, distorted his opponents’ record, and continued to show why he’s the most malleable—and least credible—major presidential candidate,” Fournier wrote. “And it worked.” As for McCain, “The man who spoke hard truths to Michigan lost,” Fournier said. “Of all the reasons John McCain deserved a better result Tuesday night, his gamble on the economy stands out” Not to be outdone, the New York Times ran a story on Jan. 24 headlined, “Romney Leads in Ill Will Among GOP Candidates.” The story said, “In stark contrast to Mr. Romney, Mr. McCain seems to be universally liked and respected by the other Republican contenders, even if they disagree with him.” The evidence to support that claim came entirely from quotes from present or former McCain aides. While McCain clearly has formidable supporters, and his stand on the Iraq war was admirable, those who have dealt with him over the years have been appalled by his outbursts of temper, a character trait the media have largely ignored. In endorsing Romney, Republican Sen. Thad Cochran of Mississippi, who has known McCain for more than three decades, said his choice was prompted partly by his fear of how McCain might behave in the Oval Office. “The thought of his being president sends a cold chill down my spine,” Cochran said about McCain. “He is erratic. He is hotheaded. He loses his temper, and he worries me.” “He [McCain] would disagree about something and then explode,” said former Sen. Bob Smith, a fellow Republican who served with McCain on various committees. “[There were] incidents of irrational behavior. We’ve all had incidents where we have gotten angry, but I’ve never seen anyone act like that.” Defending his bill to give amnesty to illegal aliens, McCain unleashed a tirade on Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, who had voiced concerns about the number of judicial appeals illegal immigrants could file under the proposed legislation. “F*** you!” McCain said to his fellow senator. “I know more about this than anybody else in the room!” McCain shouted. “People who disagree with him get the f*** you,” said former Rep. John LeBoutillier, a New York Republican who had an encounter with McCain when he was on a POW task force in the House. “I think he is mentally unstable and not fit to be president.” Andrew H. “Andy” Card Jr., President Bush’s former chief of staff, told me he has observed McCain’s outbursts. “Sometimes he was pretty angry, but I felt as if he was putting on a show,” Card said. “I don’t know if it was an emotional eruption or it was for effect," Card said. Democrat Paul Johnson, the former mayor of Phoenix, saw McCain’s temper up close. “His volatility borders in the area of being unstable,” Johnson has said. “Before I let this guy put his finger on the button, I would have to give considerable pause.” When I appeared on Tucker Carlson's MSNBC show to discuss Newsmax’s disclosures about McCain’s temper, Carlson said on the air, “We got a call earlier tonight from McCain’s Senate office suggesting that we not do this story. [They were] annoyed about it.” That hint at intimidation is another reason why major media outlets may think twice about revealing what they know of McCain’s temper, which is widely whispered about in Washington. Yet along with track record, such clues to character are a compass to how a president will conduct his presidency. Over and over, voters have ignored warning signs of poor character and have overlooked track records, only to regret it once a president enters the White House and becomes corrupted by the power of the office. When he was a candidate for vice president, Richard Nixon became embroiled in an ethics issue when the New York Post revealed he had secretly accepted $18,000 from private contributors to defray his expenses. It should have come as no surprise that he would end up being driven from office by the scandal known as Watergate. If we elect a candidate with McCain’s monumental character flaws, we can expect to suffer the consequences. Ronald Kessler is chief Washington correspondent of Newsmax.com. View his previous reports and get his dispatches sent to you free via e-mail. Go here now.

Some of this is a repeat from another column - but important to remember, nonetheless.