Sorry, but voting for Romney simply because he's "not Obama" is irresponsible. If Romney's advisers' vague economic "plan" can be taken at face value, then it's a promise of short-term austerity measures to pay for tax cuts for the rich.
In the current economy this would be reckless madness. EU examples show that austerity doesn't work to lower national borrowing costs or attract investment. And its effects on ordinary citizens ain't pretty.
Romney's other keystone campaign promise is to repeal Dodd-Frank. Really?!? That's the best he could come up with? This is not something anybody is clamoring for right now, even the bizarro Tea Parties. There is not a shred of evidence or economic theory to argue that decreased financial regulation would lead to job growth. (And don't forget how we narrowly avoided financial Armageddon and could not be so lucky next time if we let Wall Street regulate itself....)
To me, this all goes to show that Romney supports exactly what his richest backers are for. The man has no core beliefs. He just wants to be President, period. Heck, even Obama, who is also accused of having no core, campaigned on a ballsy promise to reform healthcare -- and he did it, suffering extreme political damage to this day as thanks.
Where is Romney's big-picture idea to turn around the economy, or at least improve the average American's quality of life? What issue does Romney believe in so fervently that he would suffer political damage to support it? What in the world does this empty suit stand for besides himself?
By John Cassidy
August 2, 2012 | New Yorker
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