Choosing Paul Ryan is a game-changer.
Ask the Chicago Gang and its publicists in the mainstream media. They're terrified.
They know that when Mitt Romney chose Ryan for his vice president, it re-defined the Romney campaign overnight.
It proved Mitt was not as boring, cautious and moderate as conservative Republicans feared and the Obama Left hoped.
In one bold, smart move, Romney's VP choice makes it clear that this election is about one thing -- the economy.
And there is no better person on the planet to discuss that issue than Ryan, the young, articulate, spirited, openly Reaganesque conservative who heads up the House Budget Committee and is the leading Republican deficit hawk in Congress.
With Ryan as his VP choice, Romney also took a huge step in redefining what the Republican Party is and reminding everyone what it's supposed to stand for.
For decades Reagan conservatives have been wondering what has happened to the GOP my father loved. He worked hard to shape it into a party that clearly and proudly stood for smaller government, more freedom, free enterprise and a strong military.
But for two decades Republican politicians have been trying to out-Democrat the Democrats. The GOP my father left behind lost its way, lost its nerve and chose to betray many of its core principles to win elections.
By choosing Ryan, Romney has ended the era of Republicrat fuzziness overnight. It makes me think Mitt and his advisers have decided that the way to defeat Obama was to heed the advice my father gave to the GOP in 1975 at the Conservative Political Action Conference.
Republicans, disheartened by the post-Watergate thrashing they got at the polls in 1974, were being urged by moderates to water down (i.e., liberal-up) their party's principles to broaden its appeal to voters.
My father told them not to further "blur" the distinctions between the two parties but to "revitalize" the GOP by reasserting its conservative principles and raising them "to full view."
He challenged Republicans to raise "a banner of no pale pastels, but bold colors which make it unmistakably clear" that their party believed in "a free market as the greatest provider for the people," not socialism.
The conservative conventioneers took my father's wise message to heart, but the nation's voters didn't. Jimmy Carter was elected in 1976 and the country got four years of economic malaise and folly in the Middle East that did not end until my father was elected in 1980 -- as an unabashed conservative.
America today is truly at a crossroads. This election is going to decide the direction we take for the next 50 years. For the first time in a while, the American people will have a clear choice.
Do you want the USA to go down the Obama Expressway to Greece or, God forbid, California? Or do you want to go down the Romney-Ryan-Reagan Freeway to freedom, growth and prosperity for all people?
It's up to the American people to decide where they want to go. It's up to Romney and Ryan -- R & R, two letters that look pretty good together, I'd say -- to sell their message of conservatism.
Americans can't afford to wait for someone to come along four years from now and fix the damage Obama has already done.
Copyright 2012 Michael Reagan, son of President Ronald Reagan, a political consultant, and the author of "The New Reagan Revolution" (St. Martin's Press). Visit his websites at www.michaelereagan.com and www.reagan.com.
SMMcMahon posted at 12:31 pm on Sat, Aug 18, 2012.
Ryan "means it" when it comes to eviscerating government as a tool to help the middle class and improve society. He would end Medicare and replace it with inadequate vouchers, thereby causing recipients to pay $6,000 - $13,000 more per year. Ryan would raise taxes on the middle class by up to $2,000 per year. And he would destroy the government's ability to invest in infrastructure, education, and other necessary things.
But when it comes to reducing the deficit, Ryan is as much if not more of a fraud as virtually every other conservative has been for the past thirty years. The "savings" from all of Ryan's proposed cuts and tax increases wouldn't go to reducing the deficit. Instead, they would go to increasing military spending, and to $4.3 trillion in tax giveaways to millionaires and billionaires. Under Ryan's plan, Romney would have paid less than 1% in taxes in 2010.
As for the national debt, Ryan's proposal would lead to an increase in the national debt from its 2010 level of 60% of GDP to a peak of nearly 175% by 2050 and remain at 100% or more of GDP through 2080.
In short, Paul Ryan and Mitt Romney aren't offering a serious conversation about deficits. Instead, they are offering the GOP agenda of taking from the middle class to give to the wealthy on steroids.
Mike McClellan posted at 1:21 pm on Sat, Aug 18, 2012.
Like many Republican apologists, Reagan would like us to believe that all history began in 2009, when Obama became President.
However, Ryan has a record prior to that, since he's been a Congressman since 2000. And HIS history suggests, well, some interesting, inconvenient facts:
He voted for both Bush tax cuts -- but did nothing to offset spending with those cuts. Cost in debt to government? Trillions.
He voted for TARP. Cost? Hundreds of billions to the debt. But he also voted against any and all bank/Wall Street reforms.
He voted for the Bush drug plan. Cost? Hundreds of millions. But did nothing to offset spending with that plan.
In other words, Ryan's history under Bush was to consistently vote to add trillions to the national debt.
A debt he decries today, yet contributed to by his votes.
Now, debt is bad, and the Obama stimulus is awful.
Except, of course, when he asked for stimulus funds for his district. Which he now calls a mistake. After it was discovered, of course.
As to economics, Ryan's just the latest of the Trickle Downers.
mnjcpa posted at 1:48 pm on Sat, Aug 18, 2012.
You can pick Ryan apart if you want, but count on Greece like conditions if you give Obama another term.
mnjcpa posted at 3:42 pm on Sat, Aug 18, 2012.
Haven't seen a good comedy show lately, so I'm really looking forward to the Ryan/Biden debate. Biden takes intelligence to the lowest possible level and the thought that he's a step away from the presidency is truly frightening.
Considering that alternative it's a shame when you can't be intellectually honest with your choice. It's beyond me how anyone could support Obama again given his abysmal performance, but some people are so blinded by party loyalty that they can't open their mind to a different view.
Biden or Ryan? No contest.
SMMcMahon posted at 5:58 pm on Sat, Aug 18, 2012.
I hope that you that no one in your family will need federally-backed college loans and that you have sufficient assets to buy private health insurance when you are 80, because under the Ryan plan, that's what you'll have to do, and I'm sure it will be really affordable individual coverage for old people, and if there is a fire at your house, I hope you intend to put it out yourself, and I am guessing you don't use the interstate highway system, or fly anywhere, because you couldn't do that without the government created by the taxes that we, the people, pay.
Instead of joining the bandwagon of "personal freedom" versus government, perhaps you should make a list of the myriad ways in which you, and the rest of society, benefit from the government's role in our lives. You know that little thing called the internet, which enabled you to post your views, developed out of government supported research. In fact, most of high tech benefited enormously from government supported research in silicon valley in the 40s and 50s, you know, when real patriots were proud to pay taxes, and valued the government initiatives that improved all of their, and now our, lives. And I hope you never get cancer, because you couldn't possibly accept treatment that might have been developed through research funded by the federal government.
The list goes on. Maybe you should consider living on a deserted island somewhere. Lots of personal liberty - and no taxes - there.
mnjcpa posted at 8:00 pm on Sat, Aug 18, 2012.
SMMcMahon -Big government cheerleaders like yourself never stop to consider that there isn’t an endless supply of money. You can’t get by with that kind of nonsensical thinking in the private sector or you go broke. What I object to is government waste and there’s plenty of it.
Once a government program gets put in place, there’s always another to fix a problem and so on. My taxes pay for this lack of scrutiny including public pensions where workers retire 20 years before their private sector counterparts. My and my client’s `fair share` paid for backdoor contributions to the United Autoworkers Union so I could make a blue collar worker a millionaire in their early 50’s. Or to crony Obama donors with shoddy business plans and unproven technologies which bankrupted. Or witnessing illegals fight over who was going to claim whose child so they could get money back from the government for the earned income credit amounting to billions each year. That felt especially patriotic to know I paid for these wasteful programs against my wishes.
I’m not concerned about whether healthcare gets me to 80. I’m more concerned that Obama gets reelected who seems intent on leveraging my grandkid’s future and bankrupting America. It’s a shame you’re so blind.
But again, the article was about Paul Ryan. Ryan or Biden? No contest.
.
samkat posted at 8:19 pm on Sat, Aug 18, 2012.
I find it interesting that Ryan has never worked a day in the public sector. He has always been a public service wonk either as an intern, congressional aid or congressional member. The latest revelation is that his wife deals in stock trades. Does insider trades maybe come to mind?
Dale Whiting posted at 8:28 pm on Sat, Aug 18, 2012.
November 7th should be interesting this year! Michael Reagan thinks he knows his father best. I think his younger borther does.
chatmandu002 posted at 8:55 pm on Sat, Aug 18, 2012.
Michael is right that the republicans sold out their principles for votes over the last couple of decades. The Tea Party is trying to drag the republicans back it their roots and principles. Although Mitt Romney hasn't been the ultra conservative that some wanted, he has proven his leadership and decision skills are what we need this time around. The choice of Paul Ryan for VP has helped over come some that wanted a more conservative candidate.
CSalafia posted at 12:17 pm on Sun, Aug 19, 2012.
It's bad enough when the current crop of clowns attempt to rewrite Reagan's legacy.
It's even sadder when his own son does it.
mnjcpa posted at 2:20 pm on Sun, Aug 19, 2012.
Maybe because that's the last time America saw prosperity when we had a real leader that was disturbed at the direction America was headed rather than the Obama way of tearing down the fabric of everything that's made this country great. Romney showed his leadership skills in picking Paul Ryan. How about your VP CSalafia? Biden's my definition of a clown.
Mike McClellan posted at 4:31 pm on Sun, Aug 19, 2012.
mnjcpa, I don't disagree with your assessment of Biden -- he's never been someone who impressed me.
But I'd rather have a clown than a joker. And that's what we get with Ryan.
Because, when he's had to make tough decisions, Ryan's behavior's been a joke:
I'm for a balanced budget and smaller government, the joker says.
But his votes during the eight years of the Bush Administration have added almost $10 trillion to the debt. About 2/3 of it.
So when Ryan the Joker bemoans Obama's spending, the joke's on us.
mnjcpa posted at 6:17 pm on Sun, Aug 19, 2012.
We're on a non-stop train wreck to Greece right now Mike no matter who wins in November but with Obama it's by design. Too many people have their hands in the candy jar to ever make serious spending cuts possible. But to compare the abject failure of Obama and his buffoon sidekick Biden to Romney/Ryan is definitely a joke. Thanks for the laugh.
Arizona Willie posted at 9:34 am on Mon, Aug 20, 2012.
Yep comparing Obama / Biden to Romney / Ryan is a joke -- but Romney / Ryan are the joke and it ain't funny.
Romney is a two-faced hypocrit and Ryan is much the same -- requested subsidies and now denies he knew he was signing for subsidies -- what kind of fog was he operating in? Ryan is supposed to be so so smart but we are supposed to believe he doesn't know what documents he is signing? Not too smart.
But they are part of the bunch that thinks rape doesn't result in pregnancy.
The Republican Party holds that dude in high esteem.
But, the Republican Party is the party of family values after all.
If by family values you mean drunken skinny dip parties in the Sea of Galilee, and thinking women only get pregnant if they enjoy it so rape is harmless since women can't get pregnant from rape.
It is really hilarious to see some of the discussion groups and Republican fanboi's backing the statement that women can't get pregnant from being raped!!
Yes indeed some of the party loyalists are spewing that kool-aid today.
Well, that's the Republican Party for ya'.
What else needs to be said?
mnjcpa posted at 10:30 am on Mon, Aug 20, 2012.
About as funny as a blue collar worker retiring in their early 50's as a millionaire when neither their education or achievements justify it.
Arizona Willie posted at 11:05 am on Mon, Aug 20, 2012.
mnjcp ... any psychiatrist would say you have an very big jealousy problem because you keep interjecting my pensions in discussions that have NOTHING to do with them.
You are obviously fixated on that and really really need help.
I'm serious.
Not just funning around in the group.
You seriously have a problem.
Arizona Willie posted at 11:56 am on Mon, Aug 20, 2012.
Actually, I realized that mnjcpa is a typical Republican. They accuse the Democrats of class warfare but they are the ones who are obsessed by class.
He calls me " blue collar " as though that was the next thing to the N-word ... and in his mind it is.
He thinks his education ( whoopee a cpa ) makes him superior to me because I don't have a degree.
I spent 33 years doing things he couldn't do and wouldn't do because he considers himself an " elite " --- too good to get his hands dirty.
All he has ever done is sit in his air-conditioned office counting OTHER people's money -- but he thinks that makes him better than me.
He thinks he deserves his pension ( and more I'm sure ) but that I don't deserve mine which was negotiated with my employers. My employers were happy to pay into my pensions because I made them a lot of money.
mnjcpa never made a dime for his customers == he may have saved them paying some taxes, but he never actually made money for them.
I've built nuclear power plants, hospitals, shopping centers, and factories that are all still standing and making things for society.
But he denigrates my " accomplishments ".
His work is gone as soon as the old tax forms are thrown away because they are no longer needed.
My work will be standing for many many years.
mnjcpa posted at 1:16 pm on Mon, Aug 20, 2012.
Working in a blue collar job for 33 years doesn’t make it okay to reign in a multi-million dollar pension that customers or taxpayers pay for. It's the problem with America today is there's so many people that think this is perfectly okay.
The reason? There’s a complete disconnect between what you risked and what you earned. So when you call out others like Romney or other Republicans that built a business and made a success of themselves don't pay their `fair share` when they've risked everything - I will call you out every time for that hypocrisy AZWillie.
Arizona Willie posted at 2:28 pm on Mon, Aug 20, 2012.
What I risked? Ha you're a great one to talk.
You run the risk of hemorroids from sitting on your backside counting other people's money.
I risked my life on a daily basis. In my trade it is not unusual for us to lose a couple of members every year to on the job accidents.
It isn't as bad these day as it was back in the 60's and 70's but it is still a much riskier occupation than money counter.
And you are no one to call me out on anything. Just because you are jealous -- that's your problem.
See a shrink --- you need one direly.
ha you talk about your hero Romeny risking everything --- the only thing he ever risked was money.
I've walked out on a steel beam 110 feet up to change a light bulb with no net.
You wouldn't know risk if it bit you.
But then money is your god.
There is no hypocracy in my life .. i did what I said I did and I'm getting paid for it to prove it.
Eat your heart out you SNOB.
You gave yourself away when you started talking about me being " blue collar " and talking about my " education and achievements ".
There's a name for people like you ... I call 'em " shotguns " ... double barrelled a-holes.
mnjcpa posted at 3:09 pm on Mon, Aug 20, 2012.
You received a ransom without the financial risk to get it. That doesn't deserve a multi-million dollar settlement nor is it customers or taxpayers responsibility to pay for it and they did. It's why Detroit and other union states can't draw jobs.
Jealous? Hardly. I point out the hypocrisy of liberals like yourself every time I see it.
Arizona Willie posted at 4:00 pm on Mon, Aug 20, 2012.
No I didn't risk money to get my financial rewards -- I risked my body and earned it for the things I did.
The buildings I helped build will be standing long after i am gone and they will still be serving society.
Your work gets thrown in the trash when they don't need the tax forms anymore.
You think only people who risk money have a right to reap returns when they retire.
Well, perhaps I should say you think only degreed people deserve a good retirement income.
Which, as I said earlier, makes you a shotgun.
I love it. Every time you see post of mine you can eat your heart out because a " blue collar " dude wound up with a great deal for his retirement.
Yep, I probably got a better deal than a lot of your degreed " elite ".
You probably have no problem though with football players that get lifetime pensions after just a few years. Many of them never completed their degrees.
They have people who NEGOTIATE their deals with the owners and I had people who NEGOTIATED my deal too.
I'm very much like a football player whose agent negotiated him a great contract.
We both have / had physical jobs with the risk of career ending injury.
Since my employer is happy with my deal -- what's YOUR problem?
oh yeah -- JEALOUSY.
mnjcpa posted at 5:30 pm on Mon, Aug 20, 2012.
You really don't get it Willie.
The fed has flooded the system with several trillion dollars and exceeded $5 trillion in deficits (budget plus unfunded entitlements). This has been an unprecedented amount of stimulation - even greater than the WW2 ramp-up. Flooding the system with trillions of dollars and deficits has bought the US economic stagnation. There AREN'T enough taxes to take from the wealthy to make up for this problem. Obama knows this - it's why he couldn't produce a budget in his presidency because then it would be on record where he stood. Americans are the chumps Willie, not Democrats or Republicans or even football players.
In order to fix this the US is going to have to cut something close to $800-$900 BILLION from our ANNUAL government spending to maintain mid-term solvency. It's a huge number and it can't be done all in one year.
So when I see someone that retires in their early 50's and I understand pensions, and I observe that same person criticize the wealthy for their greediness you bet I'm going to point out you're a hypocrite. The trouble for you is the streets of Greece are lined with people just like yourself that have had their hands in the candy jar for so long that they can't take it out.
Wake up Willie, watch, and learn.
DataMan posted at 7:28 am on Tue, Aug 21, 2012.
Just look at the bills by Paul Ryan in the US House that were co-written and cosponsored by Todd Akin. Trying to define what a rape really was, among other things. Start with HR 3. What a guy Ryan is! The twin of Todd Akin!
mnjcpa posted at 1:54 pm on Tue, Aug 21, 2012.
Then guilt by association would mean that Obama's a buffoon because he chose Biden, or that he hates America because of Jeremiah Wright.
People have slips of the tongue all of the time. Nice sideshow, but doesn't sway my opinion that this group in the WH needs to be gone come November where we can focus on real issues like putting people back to work in `real jobs and real businesses`.
Mike McClellan posted at 7:56 pm on Wed, Aug 22, 2012.
Paul Ryan:
I'm for cutting spending, unless, of course, a Republican President wants to increase spending
I'm against abortion in all cases, except, of course, if I'm chosen as the VP nominee, in which case I'll change my view.
Paul Ryan courageous?
Nope, just another go along to get along pol.
mnjcpa posted at 8:46 pm on Wed, Aug 22, 2012.
We're out of time and money Mike. There are no second chances for America's leadership and you really don't understand the severity of our economic condition. You seem like a smart guy & probably was a gifted educator and it's a shame you won't consider that your mindset just might be wrong.