Presidental campaign: Separating the Irrelevant from the Important

The Presidential campaigns are doing a great disservice to the voters of this country. The quest for the Presidency has deteriorated into a sideshow, lacking real substance, sidestepping the things that are important, things that make a difference. A difference not only in helping those undecided or less committed voters but also a disservice in having a real debate on how the country will address the issues that will dramatically affect us all.

 I understand President Obama not wanting to defend his record. It is dismal on most counts. Mr. Romney in a similar vein does not want to be specific on certain matters and to compare past actions to his present position. Fine but let’s talk about something that matters. But, first take a look at issues that are not important:

Not important, smoke screen and obscuration

 

• Mitt Romney’s tax returns. Does anyone thing Mr. Romney’s committed tax fraud? Is there any doubt he paid at favorite rates due to the structure in place? Has he obscured his thinking on tax rates? Is there anyone who does not think he is wealthy?

• President Obama is a victim of race politics. I think the country already decided the issue but now and again the Obama campaign keeps insinuating anyone who opposes him or his policies is somehow a racist. If anything, there are those that believe Mr. Obama is the beneficiary of racial politics, enjoying overwhelming support from Afro-Americans. Insulting issue all the way around.

• The religion of the candidates, particularly Mr. Romney, is important. It is not and unless the person is worshiping idols or playing with snakes religion and faith are personal decisions and not determinative to whether the candidate can properly lead us. All of the candidates have sound and good character.

• It is the other guy’s fault. When in doubt or when things are not working out, find a scapegoat. This is background noise. Everyone needs to take responsibility, be accountable and justify their actions.

• Vice-President Biden’s gaffes, goofs and inarticulate rhetoric.  What comes out of his mouth speaks for itself. Remember this is the guy who committed plagiarism in the campaign of 1988. Don’t spend a lot of attention on him. He is not important even though he is a heartbeat away. 

• Paul Ryan’s workouts. Who cares? He needs better fitting suits, I agree. Never had a real private sector job, neither did the President nor I think Biden.

• Republican plan to abolish Medicare. The Ryan budget in the House was a serious attempt to address a program that is destined to crush the economy eventually. However, no one is pushing granny over anything. Get the facts and ignore this static.

• President Obama’s constant campaigning and penchant to play golf. Yes, Mr. Obama has given up trying to do anything, almost never talks to Congress (even his own guys) and loves the links. He has determined all he wants is to save his job, nothing else matters. Great, we know all that. 

• Each camp accuses the other of being mean, dirty, negative and personal. Well, it is politics. The country is used to such conduct. Get over it. Move on.

 

What is important? What should the debate be about?

 

To me there are only five fundamental issues. Everything else springs from there.

• Unemployment and the economy are number one. We need to know what will the candidates do to give the economy a chance to recover and grow? Is it more stimuli, less regulation?  Are the candidates looking to the private sector to create jobs? More government?

• Promotion of a business climate to produce jobs is second most important issue. How did get in this mess, why has the recovery been so weak and what will change it? How far should the country go to support and subsidize business?

• What are the appropriate levels of taxation, including preferences, marginal tax rates? How can the tax system be improved to be fair, provide adequate revenues.? Promote growth? Almost half the people pay no income taxes while receiving benefits from the other fifty percent. What is this doing to the country? How do taxes affect employment and international competitiveness? Lots to know here and it is more than getting rid of accelerated depreciation on corporate jets.

• The federal deficit is approaching $16 trillion dollars and grows at the rate of about $ 4 billion a day. Approximately forty percent of federal government spending is based on borrowed money. How can this be slowed, stopped or something? How can the going bust entitlement programs be sustained?

• The defense of the country is, of course, a primary function of government. What are the threats out there? What is our national interest? What are the needs? Are we to become a country focused on assassination by drones, frisking at airports, on the sidelines of regional nationalistic and religious upheavals? Good question, I would like to know the answers.

 Of course, there are other specific issues like the environment, energy, food production, financial stability that are important but pale in importance. You notice the social issues are not included in my list. Abortion, gay marriages, immigration, gun control, are among a litany of things that society usually works out over the long haul, particularly if the federal government stays out of them.

In any event, tune out the noise; do not get bogged down in the irrelevant, get clear of the smoke. We can disagree on the candidates, their positions but as a country we cannot go forward until we understand the decisions to be made and come together on the solutions. 

 

Comments

[Beekeeper]

well said, enough of the crud. Voters can choose between what we have now which is awful and something that can be better