You're right, Massachusetts population grew by 0.17% during Romney's governorship. He created significantly more jobs in the state than the state population increased. And indeed, in terms of percentages that is a better record than Obama can claim for America during his presidency. Moreover, I bet that the 47th in job creation talking point is particularly ignorant of Massachusetts' stagnation in population.
It looks like I have to concede on record considerations completely. You've changed my mind there.
And thank you for being responsible enough to admit that.
It still doesn't change any other points against him.
Right… this is definitely a polarizing election… Dems are voting for a Dem, Reps are voting for a Rep… It’s going to be decided on the Independents and Undecided’s…
As one such Independent, I’m happy that the polls reflect a Romney lead among them after these debates… I feel he is definitely the more able to and willing to accomplish stuff with a split Congress.
Republican talking points are just as ignorant as the democratic ones.
Agreed, wholeheartedly… I could never be a party stooge… for either of them…
Last election cycle I was working to try and establish a Centrist Party with some people… but then I realized, that still goes against my position that political parties corrupt politics…
I want more anonymity to politics so the best stands on every different issue get represented…
The gas prices are a perfect example of this.
I disagree there…
Gas prices, while a private commodity, until something is done to change it, they are one of these goods which are essential to the overall strategic nature of this nation. We have vast amount of stored strategic oil reserves, and the president can decide when gas prices are too high, that its crippling this country, and we can release some. When gas was $1.25/gal, the nation should’ve been buying it up like it was a depleting resource (which it is)… That way we could be releasing it now
Also, when this president has refused to sign the XL extension to the Keystone Pipeline, which would send more crude to our refineries in the South Central, including jobs building it, that as well would be an issue which could ease some pain at the pumps.
This president instead wants to use high fuel prices to force people to buy “green”. That works fine if you have the money to buy green. It kills the poor who are struggling with broken down used cars that can’t afford either a new car, and now the fuel to drive their existing cars.
I know Obama and Biden are big proponents of commuter trains and all… but for the greater majority of the people in the country, that’s just not reliable enough access to and from work. Also, the rates of those trains are being jacked up because of the high fuel prices…
So, I don’t think they truly get just how crippling the high fuel costs are for us… and we shouldn’t be part of their “green” games.
The change to the so-called “green” technologies will come, when they are more efficient, both in terms of performance AND PRICE…
When CFL’s get to the same price as incandescent bulbs, they will replace them entirely…
If/when hybrids and plug-ins can get below $20K people will buy them… not when they’re $45K (with a $7K tax credit in arrears).
When clean and renewable energy sources charge the same per KwH that the existing generation sources do, people and companies will switch to doing so…
They got the right idea with price as a mechanism of change… they’ve just got the wrong price… Low prices produce change quicker than high ones…
Furthermore, for them to actually show up in a debate is horrific because it's not intellectual at all, which goes back to my original argument: Obama didn't use nearly as many intellectually vapid talking points in the debate, which is why I consider him the winner of the debate.
Actually, that question was in the debate, because it was questions from average Americans, and that’s what average Americans are concerned with right now…
Jobs, fuel prices, food prices, etc. People are going to the polls in 2 weeks, and in this election as much as any there has been, they’re going to be voting their wallet… likely
against Obama…
I’d like them to be voting
for Obama… but that’s not what this is about… That’s why the polls swung heavily on the debates… People want to vote against Obama, but needed a credible alternative… In both debates, Romney has made himself a credible alternative.
Overall, the Romney candidacy is nothing more than a reaction to the economic crisis.
Right… not the 2009 crisis (which I wish he was there to fix)… Romney’s campaign is all about his specialty… fixing fiscal nightmares… and creating economic growth…
That’s EXACTLY what we need right now…
He’s proven that he can do it
everywhere he goes…
I believe a sustainable future lies in stable, balanced social investment, and that's exactly what Obama has done and has promised again. Obama came off as radical in 2008, but now, nothing he says or does is extreme.
I disagree… I find that most social changes shouldn’t be legislated, it should come naturally from the mandate of the people… and I find that occurs best in good financial times…
I also find, Romney has proven he can create solid legislation to help with existing social laws, with;
- Melanie’s Law which created tougher sentences for drunk drivers, including mandatory sentences, and required interlock ignition devices installed in cars for repeat offenders.
- The Welcome Home Bill, which increased combat pay and benefits for MA National Guardsmen and their families.
- The numerous education initiatives he took on, from eliminating bi-lingual education, to increasing school vouchers, to increasing teacher testing standards, to merit pay for the best performing schools, to rewards for the best performing students, etc.
- MA comprehensive healthcare reform act… which increased coverage to every child in the state, and nearly every adult, voluntarily, while at the same time cutting costs for MA taxpayers…
So, while I believe atm the fiscal problems are the major things which need to be dealt with, I also recognize how the social entitlement programs effect that, and see how Romney has managed that aspect of Government Executive leadership far better than Obama has... and would do so more efficiently for the budget...
That much is true. It's blaringly apparent in Sacramento.
The air, however, is great. :lol:
Especially in LA!
