Honestly, this is the best I can do right now and about as unbias as I can get. So give it a read and then debate his merit or whatever you find debate worthy!
Since we had a very bias article directed towards those leaning left on this forum I decided to take it upon myself to draft a post directed at our conservative friends regarding Mitt Romney. Here I hope to give an UNBIAS view on this Presidential candidate.
Willard Mitt Romney was born on March 12, 1947 in Detroit Michigan of Governor George and Lenore Romney. Mitt was raised by an extremely religious family who were devout Mormons. It has also been noted that Romney's grandparents and great grandparents were polygamists. His father spent time as a missionary in England and Scotland. His father served as the chief spokesman for the automobile industry during WW2 and headed an arrangement where companies could share production improvements. Though he ran on the Republican ticket George Romney was a moderate politician who decried not only the influence of labor unions in the Democratic Party but also the influence of big business in the Republican Party. In his time in office he proposed a flat rate state income tax (which was rejected), was able to form a non-partisan communication between parties and supported the American Civil Rights Movement. He was later defeated by Richard Nixon in 1968 as a Republican presidential nominee.
Mitt attended the prestigious Cranbrook School, an all boys private college prep boarding school located in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. Romney recently came under fire regarding his time at this school when a Washington Post piece alleged that some of the pranks he pulled was targeted towards a gay peer and was regarded as bullying. Regardless of this situation, Romney graduated, spent some time in France as a Mormon missionary and received his undergraduate degree from Brigham Young University in 1971. Brigham Young is a private university located in Utah that is owned and operated by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and is the U.S's largest religious university. Upon graduating he went on to Harvard Law and Business School and received both a law and M.B.A in 1975. During this time he married his wife, Anne Davies.
Upon graduating Mitt began his career in business. He worked for the consulting firm Bain and Company before founding Bain Capital in 1984. Bain Capital has currently drawn criticism for Romney due to a national debate over private equity. Questions have arose as to whether Romney saw a company in distress and took advantage of the situation or whether there was a chance for healthy restructuring to re-set struggling firms on a stronger foothold. As of late, Romney has been reluctant to discuss too deeply about his private equity background.
After his run with Bain Capital Romney ran for US Senate in 1994 in Massachusetts but was defeated by Edward Kennedy. In 1999, he again stepped into the spotlight when he took over as president of the Salt Lake Organizing Committee and made the 2002 Winter Olympics a success. He then took his success from the Olympics and used it in his big for Governor of Massachusetts in 2003. During his time as Governor he oversaw a reduction of $3 billion deficit. He also signed a health care law reform program, known as Romney Care, in order to provide Universal Health care for state residents.
In his current bid as Republican nominee for President Mitt Romney has come under fire as being a "flip flopper". His run as a moderate Republican has been brought up time and time again as he vies to prove to his party of choice of his conservatism. As Governor, he supported pro-choice rights while saying privately he is pro-life. He supported Universal Health care but has spoken out against "Obama Care" (though there are stark similarities). In 2007 he supported McCain and Kennedy's immigration reform but has recently stated he does not support immigration reform. He has also called Obama's tax cut extension "temporary little band-aid" but has recently endorsed extending the payroll tax cut.
But regardless of what the media portrays him, his record stands. He did not take a public political position in his time as a career businessman. So much so that in 1992 he voted for Paul Tsongas, a former Democratic Senator from Massachusetts. His political career has shown that while there are definite parallels between his political life and his father's there are particular differences, most notably that while George would defy trends Mitt adapts to them. He has said, "If you're looking for someone who's never changed any positions on any policies, then I'm not your guy".
I'm not conservative but I wanted to highlight this:
"If you're looking for someone who's never changed any positions on any policies, then I'm not your guy".
I don't see a problem with people chaging their positions on issues. I think we all have done this in life as we've grown up and gained life experience.
The problem I have with "flip flopping" is a politician saying they will do something specific if elected then doing the exact opposite, like Bush the First: "Read my lips, no new taxes" flip-flopping it once in office and raising taxes.
I'm not a conservative but I think this is pretty straight forward. The fact that he served a mission for his church (which is also my church:) speaks volumes for his character to me. I also don't mind the "flip flopping" because I think in the normal course of a person's life, they do change their minds about things based on the experiences they have. I also think Romney and Obama are very similar in their political positions.
Boy, how do I want to address this. It isn't Romney himself that bothers me. There are several things about him that I find favorable, even I don't think that about many of his views. It's his party that is the big hang up for me. Romney is more of a moderate at heart but his party isn't (right now) and I don't see how he would have sufficient political capital to reign in the crusaders.
In 1797, Thomas Jefferson wrote to a friend that President Washington had replaced republican government with that of a monarchical political party (the Federalists). Jefferson often turned political enemies into personal ones, and Washington and Jefferson never spoke or wrote to each other again. The argument that began over two centuries ago is the quintessential American political dispute: More government or less? We are having that argument in 2012, and we're likely to be having it in 2112. It was the argument that Washington and Jefferson were engaged in.
While it may make many people uncomfortable, this is exactly the argument that free people should be having, and Jefferson would be quite pleased.
Martha Washington said the worst day of her life was the day George Washington died. And the second worse was when President Jefferson came to pay his respects. She called Jefferson "one of the most detestable of mankind." We're not doing anything new here.
We're doing just what our system of government and our civic duty demands of us. Jefferson thought that the newly reformed government was abridging his rights and freedoms, at the hands of Washington. To expect Jefferson to have compromised or negotiated his rights would be to expect him to compromise on our founding principles.
republican's are for individual freedom, peace through strength, protection of life, until one has proven that they can not fit into society,
democratics believe that success is measured by how many people are able to be helped by the government , through confiscating their neighbors wealth
republicans believe that succes is measured by how many people who once had to rely on government, no longer need to.
what is it about that, that you do not like?
Quoting KhaysJadie:Boy, how do I want to address this. It isn't Romney himself that bothers me. There are several things about him that I find favorable, even I don't think that about many of his views. It's his party that is the big hang up for me. Romney is more of a moderate at heart but his party isn't (right now) and I don't see how he would have sufficient political capital to reign in the crusaders.
And everytime I read one of your posts I reaffirm that you do not realize what the democratic party stands for.
Democrats stand for freedom from oppression whether that oppression is through government mandates or religion but at the same time we realize that through government law some things can be protected like individual rights, the environment, so on and so forth. That taking care of one another is a basic human responsibility and that capitalism does nothing but promote greed and stepping on a person to simply get ahead. We do not want to confiscate your wealth as much as we want to ensure that each person is paying their fair due. Tax write offs and loop holes for the uber rich is wrong.
What I don't like about Republicans is that they call for smaller government but then turn around and mandate a persons body. They are not a live and let live type group. This is apparent since they backed SOPA, PIPA, and personhood bills. Many within the party are calling for an Oligarchy within our democracy. Religion runs too deep for my comfort. I don't like that they are very willing to simply let the poor be poor because they believe that they just didn't work hard enough. Greed and capitalism reigns.
Quoting asfriend:
from a previous thread, i reaffirm that you do not realize what republican's stand for, you have to turn off the media.
republican's are for individual freedom, peace through strength, protection of life, until one has proven that they can not fit into society,
democratics believe that success is measured by how many people are able to be helped by the government , through confiscating their neighbors wealth
republicans believe that succes is measured by how many people who once had to rely on government, no longer need to.
what is it about that, that you do not like?
Quoting KhaysJadie:
Boy, how do I want to address this. It isn't Romney himself that bothers me. There are several things about him that I find favorable, even I don't think that about many of his views. It's his party that is the big hang up for me. Romney is more of a moderate at heart but his party isn't (right now) and I don't see how he would have sufficient political capital to reign in the crusaders.
Quoting bluespagan:And everytime I read one of your posts I reaffirm that you do not realize what the democratic party stands for.
Democrats stand for freedom from oppression whether that oppression is through government mandates or religion but at the same time we realize that through government law some things can be protected like individual rights, the environment, so on and so forth. That taking care of one another is a basic human responsibility and that capitalism does nothing but promote greed and stepping on a person to simply get ahead. We do not want to confiscate your wealth as much as we want to ensure that each person is paying their fair due. Tax write offs and loop holes for the uber rich is wrong.
What I don't like about Republicans is that they call for smaller government but then turn around and mandate a persons body. They are not a live and let live type group. This is apparent since they backed SOPA, PIPA, and personhood bills. Many within the party are calling for an Oligarchy within our democracy. Religion runs too deep for my comfort. I don't like that they are very willing to simply let the poor be poor because they believe that they just didn't work hard enough. Greed and capitalism reigns.
Quoting asfriend:
from a previous thread, i reaffirm that you do not realize what republican's stand for, you have to turn off the media.
republican's are for individual freedom, peace through strength, protection of life, until one has proven that they can not fit into society,
democratics believe that success is measured by how many people are able to be helped by the government , through confiscating their neighbors wealth
republicans believe that succes is measured by how many people who once had to rely on government, no longer need to.
what is it about that, that you do not like?
Quoting KhaysJadie:
Boy, how do I want to address this. It isn't Romney himself that bothers me. There are several things about him that I find favorable, even I don't think that about many of his views. It's his party that is the big hang up for me. Romney is more of a moderate at heart but his party isn't (right now) and I don't see how he would have sufficient political capital to reign in the crusaders.
Asfriend,
I want to challenge you. For a moment, step away from the ideologies that you have ingrained into your head. Drop the conservative mantra and platform and take a look at the world without blinders on. That is what I tried to do here. Romney will not be getting my vote but I decided that maybe I needed to see him in a different light aside from the left leaning and bias sources that I follow. I have a new found respect for him.
I have read many of your posts since I joined this group and I notice that no matter what you stand by your convictions, right, wrong or otherwise. So I challenge you. Step back and listen to the opposing side. Ask questions and be openminded. Learn something from us. You may come to realize that we are not your sworn enemy and that there may just be aspects of us you like.
Quoting asfriend:
from a previous thread, i reaffirm that you do not realize what republican's stand for, you have to turn off the media.
republican's are for individual freedom, peace through strength, protection of life, until one has proven that they can not fit into society,
democratics believe that success is measured by how many people are able to be helped by the government , through confiscating their neighbors wealth
republicans believe that succes is measured by how many people who once had to rely on government, no longer need to.
what is it about that, that you do not like?
Quoting KhaysJadie:
Boy, how do I want to address this. It isn't Romney himself that bothers me. There are several things about him that I find favorable, even I don't think that about many of his views. It's his party that is the big hang up for me. Romney is more of a moderate at heart but his party isn't (right now) and I don't see how he would have sufficient political capital to reign in the crusaders.
i think that i am very consistant, and that is a good thing.
at least you admit that your normal sources are left wing, that is a beginning.
you should accept your own challenge, you looked at romney saw things that you didn't see before, however obama is still your guy (shocked!) way to lead by example.
the truth is that most people live their lives fairly conservatively, they don't repeatedly use abortions as birth control, they don't cheat the system and steal from the government, they don't abuse the safety net, i could give more examples the point is that many do not live their lives as raging liberals, but peer pressure and the media have convinced to you vote for extreme liberals. you are only my enemy on election day, the rest of the time, you are simply my (misguided) neighbor.
Quoting bluespagan:Asfriend,
I want to challenge you. For a moment, step away from the ideologies that you have ingrained into your head. Drop the conservative mantra and platform and take a look at the world without blinders on. That is what I tried to do here. Romney will not be getting my vote but I decided that maybe I needed to see him in a different light aside from the left leaning and bias sources that I follow. I have a new found respect for him.
I have read many of your posts since I joined this group and I notice that no matter what you stand by your convictions, right, wrong or otherwise. So I challenge you. Step back and listen to the opposing side. Ask questions and be openminded. Learn something from us. You may come to realize that we are not your sworn enemy and that there may just be aspects of us you like.
Quoting asfriend:
from a previous thread, i reaffirm that you do not realize what republican's stand for, you have to turn off the media.
republican's are for individual freedom, peace through strength, protection of life, until one has proven that they can not fit into society,
democratics believe that success is measured by how many people are able to be helped by the government , through confiscating their neighbors wealth
republicans believe that succes is measured by how many people who once had to rely on government, no longer need to.
what is it about that, that you do not like?
Quoting KhaysJadie:
Boy, how do I want to address this. It isn't Romney himself that bothers me. There are several things about him that I find favorable, even I don't think that about many of his views. It's his party that is the big hang up for me. Romney is more of a moderate at heart but his party isn't (right now) and I don't see how he would have sufficient political capital to reign in the crusaders.
How Limbaugh, Thomas, Bean produced conservative warrior Andrew Breitbart
- bluespagan
on May. 26, 2012 at 1:19 PM